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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Who Does God Help?

helping_handThere's a popular saying that reads "God helps those who help themselves."

Not only is this not found in the Bible, but it is not at all supported by Scripture.

In truth, the resounding message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that God helps those who CANNOT help themselves. 

Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3)," referring to those who understand their spiritual poverty - that we all are sinners, that we all fall short of the perfect standard of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23), and that all of our good works and all of our own efforts to live right are still considered "filthy rags," a more palatable interpretation of a cruder Hebrew term (Isaiah 64:6).

It is only when we come to the absolute end of ourselves, and realize that we NEED God's intervention, that we can come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16).

cannot_help

In Christ,
Pastor Joe

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Are You A Friend of God?

friend-of-god_t_nv-300x225"For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (Romans 5:10-11).”

Are YOU a friend of God? 'Religion' says that it is impossible to be friends with God; yet, a relationship with Jesus gains us just that.

When Jesus was born, an angel announced "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people (Luke 2:10)."

What is this 'Good News'?

It is that Jesus has reconciled us to God, no longer counting our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). This is a gift from God, not gained by anything we could possibly do or say, but by faith in Christ alone.

Come back to God!  He is waiting with arms wide open!