Posts Tagged ‘First Epistle of John’

Effective Prayer #2

Posted: April 21, 2013 in bible, blogging, friendship, life, love, music, pray, prayer, religion, Salvation Army, words
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1 John 5:14 (NKJV)

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Yesterday in Effective Prayer #1 I touched on the fact that God hears our every prayer. Today, I want to remind you that in order to pray effectively, we must fully believe and understand that God has the power to do what we are not capable of doing for ourselves. i.e. He alone can answer our prayers.

Mark 11:24 (NKJV)

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

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True Friend

Posted: July 3, 2012 in bible, children, friendship, life, love, music, religion
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Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between those who are friends and those who are true friends.

A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart ~ Heather Pryor

There are a lot of people in our lives who I guess we’d call friends if we were describing our relationship with them, to someone else, but think about this…how many of those people would actually reach out and help you in your time of need?

It’s when life it tough and you’re in need of someone to support and comfort you, that you find out who your true friends are. As the above quote says, true friends are the ones who reach out to you and touch your heart.

God commanded us to love one another, therefore our true friendships are from God, so give thanks to Him for every true friend you have.

1 John 4:7 (NIV)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Who Is God (Part 2 of 2)

Posted: May 30, 2011 in bible, books, family, friendship, Health, life, love, nature, pray, prayer, religion
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We find out even more about God in each book of the new testament of the bible:

In Matthew, He is King of the Jews.
In Mark, He is the Servant.
In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
In John, He is the Son of God.
In Acts, He is Saviour of the world.
In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.
In 1 Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel.
In 2 Corinthians, He is the triumphant, victorious one.
In Galatians, He is your liberty … He sets you free.
In Ephesians, He is Head of the Church.
In Philippians, He is your joy.
In Colossians, He is your completeness.
In 1 Thessalonians, He is your hope.
In 2 Thessalonians, He is your patience and discipline.
In 1 Timothy, He is your faith.
In 2 Timothy, He is your stability.
In Titus, He is the truth.
In Philemon, He is your benefactor.
In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
In James, He is the power behind your faith.
In 1 Peter, He is your example.
In 2 Peter, He is your purity.
In 1 John, He is your life.
In 2 John, He is your pattern.
In 3 John, He is your motivation.
In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
In the Revelation, He is your coming King.

Everyone Can Come

Posted: April 21, 2011 in cross, Easter, family, friendship, life, love, music, religion
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The cross is a universal sign for forgiveness and love. A deep love that God showed the world when He sent His only son to earth where He was crucified, just so you and I could be forgiven for every sin we’ve ever committed.

Do you feel as though God couldn’t possibly love you because of the all the things you’ve done in your life? Well you’re wrong, God loves each and every one of us, and He is ready and waiting to welcome every one of us into His arms. This is not just something I’m making up, but something that God has promised us through His son Jesus:

When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good—not only ours, but the whole world’s. (1 John 2:2 – The Message)

Today take the time to give all your sins to God, because He’s ready and waiting for you to reach out to Him.

Come To The Cross by Michael W Smith

Mourner, wherever you are
Wherever you are at the cross there is room
Tell your burdened heart
Your burdened heart at the cross there is room
Tell it in the Savior’s ear
Cast away your every fear
Only speak and He will hear

Hallelujah, everyone
Everyone can come to the cross
It doesn’t matter what you’ve done
Everyone can come to the cross

Sinner, come today
Come today, at the cross there is room
Blessed thought for everyone
For everyone can come to the cross
Now a living fountain, see
Open there for you and me
For rich and poor, for bond and free

Hallelujah, everyone
Everyone can come to the cross
It doesn’t matter what you’ve done
Everyone can come to the cross

Music Interlude

Tell it in the Savior’s ear
Cast away your every fear
Only speak and He will hear

Because of the Cross

Posted: April 19, 2011 in Easter, friendship, life, love, music, pray, religion
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1 John 1:8-10 (New Living Translation)

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

Have you every taken a few minutes at the end of a day to consider how often you have sinned during that day? Well just a few days ago I thought I’d give it a go and here’s what I found:

  • I quickly lost count!
  • When I closely thought about my day, I realised there were some things which seemed ok at the time were actually sins
  • When we think of sin we usually think of things such as lying, stealing, killing etc when in fact most sins are things we probably do without even thinking about it!

So we’ve sinned, what should we do now? Recognise the fact that we’ve sinned, pray to God and ask for His forgiveness and ask that he can wipe all our sins away.

And why are we able to ask God to take our sins away? Because of the cross. Because God sent His son Jesus to earth and He was crucified on a cross.

Sharing Love

Posted: February 18, 2011 in life, love, pray, religion
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There’s no greater feeling than sharing love with another person.

Look around you, what do you see?

I see a world in need. A world in need of love, a world full of people and situations in need of some love and attention. There are so much good work waiting and needing to be done all around us.

Are you doing anything to try help this world in need? Are you sharing God’s love with those who don’t know or haven’t accepted God into their lives?

There are a wide range of opportunities out there, that you can get involved in. Go on, get your hands dirty and get to work helping others.

Here’s some suggestions of things you can do:

  • Serve meals to the homeless
  • Visit a lonely senior citizen
  • Visit someone in hospital
  • Prison visiting or ministry
  • Work in the social sector
  • Work with the disabled
  • Foster a child
  • Become a mission worker

Yes, some of these are quite drastic steps to take to help spread God’s love, but maybe that’s what God is calling you to do. On the other hand, maybe He just needs you to help an elderly or disabled neighbour. Only God knows what He wants you to do, so speak to God and ask Him for direction…pray for guidance.

Help share God’s love with the world!

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

As High As the Sky

Posted: February 3, 2011 in friendship, life, love, religion
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Have you ever stopped to think just how much God loves you?

No, well maybe you should because…

Nothing on this earth or in the heavens above
Is as sure and certain as God’s love
 
But how can God’s love be “sure and certain”?
 
Because God’s love is…
 
…as high as the sky and it’s as deep as the sea,
And it’s as wide as the world,
God’s love for you and for me.
 
Is it possible to ever get away, or escape from God’s love?
 
No, it’s not because…
 
We can’t escape from his love or take ourselves out of his care,
So where could we hide from his love? His love is everywhere.

 

The answers I’ve given above to my questions are extracts from a song entitles As High As The Sky which was written by John Gowans. Why have I simply asked some questions and answered them using this song? Why not when the words of the song answer the questions far more succinctly than I ever could.

Here are the other two verses of this song:

Everything is changing in the world today,
There’s one thing reliable in every way,
Other things may alter but it’s clear and plain
That the love of God is just the same.
 
Wider than the human mind can realise,
His love is unlimited and never dies;
Though we don’t deserve it, every day it’s new;
That’s the love of God for me and you.

Father’s Love Letter

Posted: October 31, 2010 in bible, love, religion
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An intimate message from God to you…

My Child,You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3  

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31  

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27  

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28   

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28   

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5   

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12   

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16  

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26   

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14   

I knit you together in your mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13   

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6  

I have been misrepresented
by those who don’t know me.
John 8:41-44  

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16   

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1   

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1  

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11   

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48   

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17  

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33   

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11   

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3   

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18  

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17   

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40   

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5   

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41   

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3   

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29   

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4   

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13   

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20   

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17  

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4   

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18   

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11   

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4   

And I’ll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4   

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23   

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26  

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3   

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31   

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19  

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19   

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10  

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32   

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23  

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39  

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7   

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15   

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13   

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God