November 2011

Welcome to a new Monthly View, celebrating with thanksgiving all that Jesus Christ did for us through His finished works two thousand years ago to secure our salvation.

"Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens,
always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong
to Christ Jesus."1

Thank God For You...

Your e-mails and letters of encouragement, comfort, acceptance, and love means so much to me. I received a letter recently which was humbling to read, saying:

"I have read your testimony in your book "Will You Die For Me?
I wanted to tell you that your story is inspiring to all who will
listen to in the future. Stay strong in the faith for better
days are always ahead. Your brother in Christ Jesus. Aaron"

You have become an example of how great and 
powerful Jesus truly is. You have gone from where you were
to being a modern-day Paul.

Also, I will be praying for you and your ministry. God had a
purpose for everything you have been through, and it is being
played out everyday through your ministry. Many more names
are written in the Lambs Book of Life because of what God's 
doing through you.

May God bless you and strengthen you in all your future 
endeavors. In all things, pray and study the Word of God,
and never let the sins of your past overshadow what God
has for you in the future."

Thank You Jesus...

For my changed life. I have done nothing but respond to what Jesus did for us all through His finished works. He paid the price for our sins, unlike in the Old Testaent. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the writer of the New Testament book Hebrews, says:

"Under the old covenant, the priest stands before the altar day
after day, offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. 
But our High Priest [Jesus] offered Himself to God as one 
sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then He sat down at the
place of highest honor at God's right hand. There He waits 
until His enemies are humbled as a footstool under His feet.
For by that one offering, He perfected forever all those whom
He is making holy."2

The Scriptures are clear. Jesus offered Himself to God as one Sacrifice for all sins -- good for all time. "And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. First he says,"

"This is the new covenant I will make with my people in 
that day, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts
so they will understand them, and I will write them on 
their minds so they will obey them."

Then He adds,

"I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds."3

Thank You Father...

My heart is filled with joy, knowing that my Heavenly Father will never again remember my sins, nor yours, if you respond in faith to Jesus' payment for sin with His precious blood.

"For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose Him for this purpose long before the world began, but now in these final days, He was sent to the earth for all to see. And He did this for you."4

As we grow to understand God's love for us, we become truly thankful for the gift of salvation. "This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."5

Thank You Lord...

In 1975, when Christ came into my heart, one of the first songs I learned was "Thank You Lord for saving my soul." It goes like this:

"Thank You Lord for saving my soul,
"Thank You Lord for making me whole,
"Thank You Lord for giving to me,
"Thy Great Salvation so rich and free."

Today, 36 years later, I am still singing this wonderful chorus. My prayer is for you to experience this great salvation so rich and free. If you have not accepted His sacrifice for your sins, won't you receive Him today?

"For God so loved the world that He
gave His only Son, so that everyone
who believes in Him will not perish
but have eternal life."6

A Prayer For You...

Heavenly Father, it's hard for me to believe that You would love me, but I want to believe You. I need Your help to know Your love and for the willingness to receive Your love as seen in abounding love ministries. My life is a mess, but I believe that Your love in Christ Jesus is the ultimate affirming love. That He heals human wounds and patiently awaits my graced response. I come to You now in faith, believing that You raised Jesus from the dead for my salvation. I invite Jesus into my heart, so that I may be cleansed from sin, to receive a new spirit and a new heart. Thank You, Father, for setting me free to experience Your healing and affirming love. Amen

Scripture References:

1 Thess. 5:16-18
2 Heb. 10:11-14
3 Heb. 10: 15-17; Jere. 31:33, 34
4 1 Pet. 1:18-20
5 1 John 4:10
6 John 3:16

Acknowledgement: A special thanks to Sherry for transcribing this months view!