July 2004  

Dear Christian Believers,
  Greetings and God bless you in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.

2004 Ephesians 2:8 says .. . "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God."

Salvation is given by our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that God hath raised him from the dead, as declared in Romans 10:9-10. It is a gift of grace from GOD. There's a temptation for a believer to think; "Hey! I'm born again, heaven bound and all hell can't stop me from going, I've made it." Then what follows in this temptation is, that it's not so important what I do with my life because GOD now knows I'm HIS son, HE can seek out others to give HIS gift. "I'm OK GOD, don't worry about me and what I'm doing cause I'll be seeing you in heaven. I got a flash for this kind of thinking, GOD cares about you more NOW than ever. YOU are HIS child, HE has given you an inheritance to claim, and HE wants you to grow up to be all you can be in Christ. HE has equipped you to be victorious in all things and HE has NOT forgotten you.

II Chronicles 16:9a
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him: ..."

  How foolish for the believer to think that GOD is not watching him, concerning what he says and does. To live like GOD doesn't pay any attention to him, and is only concerned when he is called on to help, s just plain stupid. GOD is NOT like a dog sitting in his house waiting for you to whistle for him, and then comes running. Look what Job says: Job 31:4 "Doeth not He see my ways, and count my steps?" Job says GOD marks his steps and HE keeps track or record of them. GOD does not look from a distance, HE is up close and personal. GOD is not just looking on the surface either, HE examines your heart, what's going on inside. GOD looks closely at our works, HE hears our words and thoughts. HE makes note of them. GOD counts and numbers ALL THINGS we say and do. No wonder GOD told the prophet Haggia to tell Israel to consider their ways when they were ignoring GOD, when they were going about their business as though GOD nor HIS will existed. People, we are saved by grace, but all we do is set before GOD. Why is it that man scarcely knows a hundreth part of his sins? Some even commit the same one a hundred times a day, and yet hardly think about it once. Why is this? It's because he thinks that GOD doesn't see it, HE's too busy and my words and actions escape HIM. People, GOD knows our ways, and HE counts our steps, we cannot hide from HIM nor do we fool HIM. We have a GOD and Father that loves us and wants our lives to shine for HIM, to bring glory to HIM and blessings to us. Perhaps we need to "consider our ways," examine our words and deeds. How is GOD seeing us, how do others see us, and how do we see ourselves. Do we even take a look or are we too busy with our lives and all we think we need to do? I know we are human and GOD knows it too, nevertheless it behooves us to be aware of the things we say. do. and think. Our salvation doesn't depend on it, But the kind of life we live now does. We are saved by grace not of works, it is a gift of GOD. What do we show and tell before people, and what do we want GOD to see in our ways and steps? My father in law just turn 90 years old, and I couldn't help but think how fast life passes by. There is a lot of paths and steps in 90 years worth of living. I want my paths and steps to be meaningful and when they are all over, I want my heavenly Father to say unto me, "well done my good and faithful son;" how about you?

Love
John