Here’s some important information I want to confirm to you, just in case you have any doubts as you start 2019:
That’s right! God absolutely loves you, and He proclaims that love in many ways:
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While Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth and Mary was still with child, the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, declared a census of the entire Roman empire.
Joseph from Nazareth, a descendent of David pledged to marry the virgin, Mary, received a personal message of hope from God. Delivered by an angel, Joseph understood God’s direction to fulfill his part in God’s divine plan.
The message to this local carpenter was the answer to a unique personal dilemma Joseph was struggling with at the time of the angel’s encounter.
And Joseph’s obedience would forever change the direction of our world!
The word joy appears 218 times in 210 verses of the New International Version of the Bible. God absolutely wants His children to desire, seek, attain, and boldly live in joy!
As a child during vacation Bible school, we often sang the Joy Joy Joy Joy song. I really enjoyed that song because our leaders encouraged us to sing it enthusiastically LOUD.
My memories are vivid—I was always happy and cheerful while we sang that inspiring song. Now as an adult, I totally appreciate going deeper into the meaning of that song, resonating in those unadorned lyrics.
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Are you waiting to cleanse your sinful ways before coming to Jesus? Trust me—it won’t happen!
No one can become free of sin—not until we see Jesus face to face. Not until our presence in this sinful world transcends to His heavenly realm. Not until that nano-second after God calls us home.
1 John 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
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I pray God blesses you, gives you strength, and your faith in Him expands so that you trust Him with all areas of your life.—Debra
To learn and share the importance of keeping God’s name holy, order copies of LIFT HIM UP DON’T PULL HIM DOWN @ LULU.COM or AMAZON.COM for your next Bible study.
Two thousand years ago not far from the town of Bethsaida in Israel, along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a Nazarene Man filled the stomachs of 5,000 men (total does not reflect women and children in attendance) who gathered together in a grassy area.
The wondrous deed was not done through the typical process of planning and preparation of food, but was accomplished on-the-spot by the Nazarene looking into the heavens and giving thanks!
October 4 is Bring Your Bible To School Day! How fantastic is that?
The event, started by Focus on the Family in 2014, is growing in popularity. With every state in the nation involved, 8,000 students participated in 2014, 155,000 in 2015, and 356,000 in 2016, and the number for 2017 almost reached 500,000!
Bring Your Bible To School Day started as a response to America’s schools continuing to forbid religious groups, Bibles, prayer, kneeling for God at football games, or even acknowledging Jesus in the classroom.
Some people erroneously believe they must clean up their lives before coming to Jesus. They are sadly ashamed of their past: the dirty baggage they carry, the scars they created or endured, the hidden hurt laying on their hearts. They allow past sin to bind them.
If you are one of those misinformed souls not familiar with the Good News, let me share with you the truth Jesus taught and lived by some 2000 years ago. I know 2000 years seems long in the human time frame, but have no worries –
Was it last night, after your feet snuggled warmly under the covers? Did you thank Him for giving you another twenty-four hours to share His love?
Or did you thank Him this morning, before those same feet hit the floor? Did you acknowledge allowing your eyes to see the sun rise; enabling you to make right any wrongs you committed yesterday? (FYI, as I’m writing, I thanked Jesus for my MS.)
Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Continue reading
Lift Him Up 