June 2009
The purpose of the monthly
view is to share how dearly God loves us,
because He has given us the Holy Spirit
to fill our hearts with His love. He shows
His great love for us by having sent Christ
to die for us while we were still sinners.
And since we have been made right in God’s
sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly
save us from His eternal wrath.1
Links For New Visitors
Shadow
Steal Interview
Miracle
of Forgiveness
Love
is All You Need
Ten
Times Higher
Prison
Reform
Video
about my Prison Yard
My
Latest Photo
As you view my photo, be
reminded that “God has not given us
a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power,
love, and self-discipline…For God
saved us and called us to live a holy life.
He did this, not because we deserved it,
but because that was His plan from before
the beginning of time – to show us
His grace through Christ Jesus.”2
Childhood Memories
As a child, before I learned
the ABC’s, I learned the chorus, “The
B-I-B-L-E, that’s the book for me.
I stand upon the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E.”
In Vacation Bible School, I memorized John
3:16, the 23rd Psalm, the Lord’s Prayer,
and the Apostle’s Creed. During my
teenage years, spiritual things slipped
away. My summer job, water skiing and the
opposite sex became more important.
I had learned a few Scriptures
and many old hymns, but I was just being
religious. I never had a personal relationship
with God, which I needed to sustain me through
my college years. I went to church a few
times with my girlfriends in college, but
it was only because of tradition, not out
of my love for God. I lacked a knowledge
of the truth, so I was easy prey for the
temptations of life.
Without Jesus as an anchor
in my life, I was vulnerable. I chose to
believe a lie, got involved in an ungodly
lifestyle, and committed the crimes that
brought me to prison. Eventually, I fell
on my knees before God. I heard John 3:16,
trusted that it was true and committed my
life to Christ in 1975. Since that time,
I’ve studied God’s word to build
my faith because “faith comes from
hearing, that is, hearing the Good News
about Christ.”3
New Believer’s Bible
Recently, I suggested a
New Living Translation (NLT)
to a correspondent. He responded by telling
me the two Bible versions he owned and asked
if he really needed a new Bible. I asked
him if he understood those Bibles? The Word
of God is spiritually discerned, but an
easy to understand Bible can allow the Holy
Spirit to reveal God’s word more clearly
and in new ways.
The majority of Scriptures
read on this website are from the NLT Bible.
It is believed that the NLT – which
combines the latest biblical scholarship
with a clear, dynamic writing style –
will communicate God’s word powerfully
to all who read it. Joy, peace, and security
are God’s gift for all Christians.
Let the New Believer’s Bible New Testament
help you immediately enjoy the many benefits
of being a member of God’s family.
It can be obtained with helpful study notes
from Harvest
Tools.
An Approved Worker
Your salvation is based
solely on the finished work of Jesus Christ,
but your eternal reward is based upon the
works you do as a Christian. You are exhorted
to “Work hard so you can present yourself
to God and receive His approval. Be a good
worker, one who does not need to be ashamed
and who correctly explains the word of truth.”4
The Scriptures liken believers
to two kinds of vessels or utensils in the
household of God, saying: “In a wealthy
home some utensils are made of gold and
silver, and some are made of wood and clay.
The expensive utensils are used for special
occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday
use. If you keep yourself pure, you will
be a special utensil for honorable use.
Your life will be clean, and you will be
ready for the Master to use you for every
good work.”5
If your works were judged today, would you
be lacking?
If your answer is “yes;”
God’s word will purify you for greater
use. “All Scripture is inspired by
God and is useful to teach us what is true
and to make us realize what is wrong in
our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong
and teaches us to do what is right. God
uses it to prepare and equip His people
to do every good work.”6
If you are used to do the works of Christ,
you may one day hear: “Well done,
My good and faithful servant.”7
Paul’s Final Words
These are his words from
the New Living Translation: “I solemnly
urge you in the presence of God and Christ
Jesus, who will someday judge the living
and the dead when He appears to set up His
Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared,
whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently
correct, rebuke, and encourage your people
with good teaching.
For a time is coming when
people will no longer listen to sound and
wholesome teaching. They will follow their
own desires and will look for teachers who
will tell them whatever their itching ears
want to hear. They will reject the truth
and chase after myths. But you should keep
a clear mind in every situation. Don’t
be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work
at telling others the Good News, and fully
carry out the ministry God has given you.
As for me, my life has
already been poured out as an offering to
God. The time of my death is near. I have
fought a good fight, I have finished the
race, and I have remained faithful. And
now the price awaits me – the crown
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, will give me on the day of His return.
And the prize is not just for me, but for
all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.”8
A Prayer For You ...
Heavenly Father, we seek
to be used by you for the advancing of Your
Kingdom on earth. You know our beginning
and our end. You know us inwardly. Please
use us in the way You desire to spread the
Good News of Your Son Jesus with sound biblical
teaching and a righteous life. Let our lives
be a testimony of the power of Christ to
transform those who are lost. Protect us
from evil, bless us with our daily needs
and let the love you have given us be shared
with all we meet. It is Your love we seek
to share so Jesus, the Light of the world,
may be seen in even the most dark places.
Thank You, Father, for Your love, which
delivers us in time of need. In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Scripture References:
Acknowledgement: A special thanks
to Sherry for transcribing this months view!
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