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"whom having not seen
you love. Though now you
do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of
your faith, the salvation of your souls" 1 Peter 1:8-9
At the revelation of Christ, Do you remember
the joy in
your spirit when Jesus first revealed Himself to you and you
believed in Him? Wasn't that joy inexpressible? Weren't you
full of glory? I know one gentleman in Florida who had lead a
miserable life. When he finally accepted salvation through Jesus,
all he wanted to do was read his Bible and testify of Jesus'
goodness. The change was dramatic. He went from a drug
addict to a saint overnight! Not all of us have felt that much joy.
Those who were raised in the Church and had lead auspicious lives
had little to forgive. They were not druggies. They refrained from
immoralities. They rejected open rebellion. They were good kids
with no police rap sheets other than an occasional speeding
ticket. Their joy was much more subdued.
Come to think of it, it seems that outward joy is directly
proportionate to the sin forgiven. To him who is forgiven
much, the joy is multiplied. To him who is forgiven little,
the joy is added. Does that mean we who became believers
at a young age are less saved because we had few sins
to confess? No. Nor does it mean we are more saintly than
my friend because of our previous holiness. It is important
for us to remember that one sin is all it takes to keep us
separated from the Father. It takes just as much of the
blood of Jesus to forgive that one sin as to forgive a lifetime
of sin for the murderer.
When we would discuss our pasts and I would tell people
I had a life before Christ, a pastor friend of mine, who had
done much worse, reminded me to count my blessings.
The end of our lives all end in the same place if we all
believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Savior and
our Lord. It is not the AMOUNT of the forgiven sin that
makes us a saint. It is the FACT that our sins are FORGIVEN!
Should you be reading this and realize that you have
unforgiven sins, you can have that fixed today. Ask
Jesus to be your redeemer, to pay the price for your
sin-debt to satan. Jesus will willingly apply the price
He paid to your ledger and wipe your sins away. What's
more, He will write your name in the Lamb's Book of Life
the ledger book that the Judging God will examine when
you come before His judgment seat. If your name is there,
you will receive the crown of life that assures your entrance
into God's eternal kingdom. All you need to do is ask.
It is a great joy to serve a loving Father who is willing to not
only have patience with us, but forgive our transgressions
as well!
Just So You Will Know---------
A few years ago I had a friend,
He always used to say,
"Tell people how and what you feel,
there might not be another day."
I did not listen I really thought,
I'll tell him I love him tomorrow.
Tomorrow did not come for us,
Only pain and sorrow.
I will not make that same mistake,
And here's what I will do.
I'll send this poem to all my friends,
And tell you I love you.
Best friend, close friend, friend at all,
You mean the world to me.
I thank you for the people you are,
And every memory.
I love the laughter and the tears,
Everything we share.
Thank you for being in my life,
The times that you were there.
I am sorry for any hurt I caused,
If I could I'd take it back.
I'd unlock the doors into the past
But it's that key I lack.
Please don't hold the past inside,
We can't go back and change.
Life has its laws and limits,
And the past is out of range.
Forgive, forget, it's easier,
For both you and the other one.
It closes open windows,
And leaves nothing left undone.
Don't be mad if I might change,
Everybody does.
We'll change forever while we're here,
And only just because.
You cannot change the ones you love,
Shape them to your way.
Please love me for who I am,
Each and everyday.
I hold onto our memories,
When we're gone they live.
Instead of tears and heartache,
It's happiness they give.
Sometimes in life, things get hard,
But it's all for the best.
Sit back and take it when it comes,
It's just a little test.
My friend, he told me that in these times
A lesson must be learned.
Don't fight the lesson, it might be hard,
be strong or you'll get burned.
Make someone smile everyday,
A smile means a lot.
Don't wish for things that you can't have,
Cherish what you've got.
Sometimes we can't have people,
Because of God or other reasons.
Remember there's a time for all,
Life has got its seasons.
Sometime life takes them away from us,
But here's what we must know.
You don't have to stop loving them,
You just have to let them go.
Listen to your heart,
Not always with your head.
Love isn't what we learn,
It's something felt instead.
You're all so special to me,
I love you upon no ends.
I love you just the way you are,
I treasure all my friends.
No matter how we are today,
Tomorrow if I go,
I am telling you I LOVE YOU,
Just so you will know.
Unknown
A man may go to
heaven......
without health, without wealth;
without fame, without a great name;
without learning, without earnings;
without culture, without beauty;
without friends and without ten thousand other things-----
But he can NEVER go to Heaven without Christ.
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