A New Life

Good Morning Everyone,

Are you afraid to take Christ with you wherever you go?
Did you know He goes with you anyway?

Shouldn't that affect how you act, where you go,
and what you do?

I am reminded of a concept. When we became
a Christian, it meant we recognized our sin,
and repented of it. True repentance means we
walk away, we leave the old ways behind, because
we have a new life in Christ. God's word says we
are no longer our own, we are bought with a price -
The blood of the lamb of God who came to take
away the sins of the world.

How can we ask God to forgive us of all our
sins, and repent, if we keep doing them? What
has changed? We are still living in the worlds
standards by our own will. Nothing new.
An unrepentant walk shows my dear friends,
to everyone. Yet Jesus called us to be a light.
Not keep walking in darkness.

That being said, how many of you, being truly
honest with yourselves, can say that you are being
a disciple? How closely are you following Jesus
words? How closely are you relying on His guidance
and will? Who is really ruling your spirit?

This is really important!! When you accept Christ,
things should change, we should not be the same
person we were before, our desires, our outlook
and many times our companions should change.
We are setting our eyes on the mark of the
prize of the high calling of God.

Are your goals set towards pleasing God?

Oh my dear friends, do not neglect your salvation.
Do not neglect your soul. Seek that which is from
above, not that which is earthly.

No man knows the day or the hour when Christ
will return. Are you ready? If you died tonight
would you be with God tomorrow?

Are you confessed up, prayed up, planting his word
in your spirit and living by it standards and rules,
abiding in his will, speaking the gospel to those
around you, ministering to needs and seeking
the righteousness of God?

Nothing is more important.

Love,
millie

Ps. You can only have a new life, if you make it new!

Strip yourself of your former nature -- put off and discard
your old unrenewed self -- which characterized your
previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through
lusts and desires that spring from delusion.
And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind -- having
a fresh mental and spiritual attitude;
and put on the new nature (the regenerate self)
created in God's image (Godlike) in true righteousness
and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24

Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last


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The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight
walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the
pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." (Romans 1:16)

By Dr. Bob Moorehead

Look Into My Eyes

Good Morning Everyone,

Some of you may not know I am a grandmother
of 9. Soon to be 10. Unfortunately most
of them live quite a distance from me, so
it makes it a little more difficult to have
a close relationship.

I have 3 grandchildren that are fairly close by.

One of them we watch daily, so far, the
only little girl, Emma.

Emma is at the age where she has learned
the word no. She is now learning to assert
herself to a great degree, which of course
doesn't work with Grandma.

The other day, she had been particularly
busy getting into things and being sassy
so I took her on my lap and said Emma
look in my eyes. Suddenly, she grabbed
her chin with one hand and looked at me
right in the eyes. It struck me funny
at the time to see her hold her chin that way.
When I asked her Mom she said when
she wants Emma to look her in the eyes
she holds Emma's chin in her hand. How funny!
So now Emma knows to do it for herself.

I have also noticed when she is doing something
she knows is wrong, she doesn't want to
look at me. At age 2, she already knows right
from wrong to a good degree, and feels some
shame for not obeying.

I am wondering today, how many of you
are afraid to look God in the eyes? Are you
trying to hide something from Him? Are you
avoiding Him? Do you have a secret life you
think he cannot see? Are there parts of you
that are unsurrendered and are disobedient?

My friends, unlike me, God does have eyes
that see clear through us. There is nothing hidden
to Him. He has known you since you were in
your mother's womb. He knows your habits,
your thinking patterns, your backgrounds, and
sees all you do and say.

It would then stand to reason, you cannot fool God.
Uh huh! See! You have been wasting all this
time thinking things were hidden.

Secondly, the Word of God says we are going
to be held accountable for every word and deed.
How does that work for you? Do you need to
cut some stuff out? Do you need to change?
What are you waiting for? Does it take a disaster
or tragedy or illness to make you think about God?

Big mistake. Better think about him more.
We will need Him many times in our lives.

He is a God of judgment, but also a God of love
and forgiveness. In 1 John 1:9, He says if
we confess our sins he is faithful and just to
forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.

But the secret is ... once confessed, we need
to turn away from those sins, a sign of
true repentance. And make changes in our
attitude and lifestyle.

Is this important? Your soul depends on it.

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last.

Love,
millie


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See My Eyes?
Author: Lillian Hinds

My mother was lots of fun and often teased and played with my brothers and me. And there were times when we weren't quite sure whether she was just teasing or really serious.

When she would give us "the look" and say, "See my eyes?" then we would know she was serious!

Mother played the organ at church and the three of us kids sat on the front row. Since Daddy was preaching, he could not discipline us or really pay attention to us during the service. But like most women, my mother could do several things at one time, especially when it came to her children.

She would glance at us there on the front row, and if we were not behaving in church, we would get that "See my eyes?" look and know that this matter would be taken care of when we got home. I immediately straightened up!

No matter what was going on during the service--whether I was listening or singing, shaking hands or passing the offering plate--my eyes often wandered back to my mother to see if everything was okay.

And it so happens that this is all, that God wants from us. To keep our eyes on him.

"But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute." Psalm 141:8

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Over my lifetime, like most everyone, I've had hard times, frustrating times, times when I had no idea what to do next. What to say, how to act, where to turn. Sometimes I didn't even know what to pray.

My mother taught me that if I kept my eyes on her, I wouldn't get in trouble in church. And she also taught me that if I kept my eyes on Jesus, he would be my refuge so that I wouldn't "grow weary or lose heart."

No matter what else is going on around you ... whether you're in the middle of a terrible storm or everything is running smoothly ... whether you are sitting or standing, singing or listening, crying or laughing ... fix your eyes on Jesus so you will not grow weary or lose heart.

Always be where you can "see His eyes."


"Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?" - Mark 8:18

Running the Race of Life

Good Morning Everyone,

As we wake up each day, it is hard to
keep in perspective the big picture.
Each day is like a brick laid, it is part of
what makes up the building of our life.
We are constructing it one day at a time.
And the body of work when done will
be strong and resilient and wise,
or it will be poorly constructed and fall apart.

We must keep that in mind when each precious
new day unfolds. Make it purposeful. NO matter
what you are going through there is something you
can do for others to bless or encourage them.

We are in the human race, running this race together,
and it should be towards God, and His calling and will
upon our life. And it should reach out in blessing
and ministry to others.

Run it with pride in what you do, do it well,
run it with strength for the long endurance race,
run it with hope, keeping in mind the finish line
not the obstacles in the way.

Run this race with the word of God firmly planted
in your heart so it may map out your thinking
with a clear plan and resolute thinking that is
Godly and purposeful.

And do not allow bitterness or unforgiveness
or any form of bondage to come in and slow you
down in this race. Cast them off. You have a race
to run! No excess baggage.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete,
but only one receives the prize? So run your race
that you may lay hold of the prize and make it yours.
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts
himself temperately and restricts himself in all things.
They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither,
but we do it to receive a crown of eternal reward
that cannot wither.
Therefore I do not run uncertainly -- without a definite
aim. I do not box as one beating the air and striking it
without a adversary. But I buffet my body, handle
it roughly, discipline it by hardships -- and subdue it,
for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things
pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit -- not
stand the test and be unapproved -- and rejected
as a counterfeit.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I have fought the fight, I have finished the race;
I have kept and firmly held the faith.
2 Timothy 2:7

Can you say you have fought the best fight you
can to make your life Christlike? Have you disciplined
yourself? Bought into submission all those things
which are not pleasing God? Have you brought
every thought captive that is not of God?
Have you cleansed your soul and thrown away all profitless and
unnecessary baggage so you can run the race of
life well, submitted to God and His rules?

Ask Him today to show you what to do,
to be right before Him and what He wants you
to do with your life, for His glory. And receive
His peace, and His will upon your life and go
forth in His name and run the race well,
so when it is over you will be called good
and faithful servant. And when you look back
upon your life you can feel peace knowing you
have done all you could do to run the race well.

love
millie




RUN WITH INTENT

Buckminster Fuller once said, “The minute you choose to do what you really
want to do it's a different kind of life.” And it's not about what you're
getting Paid to do! If you want to live abundantly, decide what you really
want and figure out a way to do it. Be clear and live with intent.

You may have heard of Fred Lebow. Fred complained to his doctor that he
lacked energy. His doctor advised him to take up running in order to
increase his stamina. He fell in love with it! He was 39 years old when he
entered his first race -- and did horribly. He beat only one other
contestant...a 72-year-old man. But he loved it!

Fred decided what he really wanted to do -- and he did it in his spare
time. He joined the New York Road Runners Club and organized New York
City's first marathon race. But what Fred truly wanted to do, even more
than run, was to bring people together. And that is what he did. He
believed that anybody should be able to run -- people of all ages, any
background, professional or amateur, and of any country. Today, more than
28,000 people of all backgrounds and nationalities compete in the NYC
Marathon.

Not everyone in New York was excited about people running through their
neighborhoods. Fred was approached by a youth gang that warned him that
nobody had better run through their turf. “That's great,” Fred enthused.
“I need someone to protect the runners in your area, and you look like
just the fellows to do it.” He gave them each a hat, shirt and jacket and
that year, when the marathon went through their neighborhood, these young
men proudly guarded the runners along their way.

Fred decided what was truly important to him and he found a way to do it.
He lived with intent. That single decision made his life remarkably different.

In 1990, Fred Lebow found he had a brain tumor. In 1992 he ran his final
race. He crossed the finish line holding the hand of his friend and
Norwegian Olympic medallist, Grete Waitz. A bronze statue was created of
Fred in his running clothes, checking his watch. It is now placed at the
finish line of every race. Fred died in 1994. But as one sports writer
said, “Fate handed him a short race. With his gall, with his love of life,
Fred Lebow turned it into a marathon.”

Fred would say that it's not about how long you live, but how you run the
race of life. Do you run it with intent?

By Steve Goodier

The Last Altar Call

Good Morning Everyone,

Sometimes I wonder what it will take
for people to get serious about a relationship
with God.

Will it take a great loss in their lives for
them to pay attention to Him?
Will it be when their health deteriorates
they will finally call upon Him?
Will it be when a terrorist attack comes
and they panic and don't know where to turn?

It is really so simple to have a relationship
with Jesus Christ. It starts by knowing
we are sinners, and asking for forgiveness
of our sins, confessing them one by one
to our Savior, and then asking Him to be Lord
of our lives, and then reading his word to
learn what He wants us to do to live
a righteous life.

Yet, God deals with our hearts daily
and many ignore Him. They are too busy,
they do not have time for prayer or His word.
They are living in sin and don't want to face
giving up their habits or lifestyle.

Yes.. they have each turned to their own way.

All we like sheep have gone astray,
we have turned every one to our own way,
and the Lord has laid on Him
the guilt and iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

My friend, have you turned away from God?
Have you never known Him?

It takes the simple faith of a child, coming
to Him with humbleness, knowing you have
sinned, your conscience bothering you daily,
you know you are doing wrong, you know
you are selfish, not God minded. You know
you need forgiveness. But most of all,
you know you feel lost, lonely and deserted.
You need help.

Turn to the only one who will be with you
from birth to death. Talk to Him, confess your
sins. He is faithful to forgive those sins,
and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)

I can have no greater love for you, than
to tell you about this often, for there is
no more important message than the gospel
for the sake of your soul, and everyone
you know.

If Jesus was to come tonight, the
last altar call would be today,
have you come to the altar of Christ yet?

Do not delay. No man knows the day
or the hour when the Lord returns for His own.

love
millie

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Last Altar Call
Author: Connie Sue Jones

The small child listened quietly as the preacher began to give his last altar call. He watched as no one moved ... no one seemed to need a prayer at all. No one needed forgiveness of their lives of sin. Everyone seemed pleased with the way their lives had been.

The child realized that even though he didn't quite understand, he believed in Jesus, and down the aisle he ran! He fell to his knees and began to pray. As the preacher knelt by his side, he heard the small child say, "Jesus, I know You know who I am, but in case You've forgotten, my name is Sam. I'm the one who won't play with my friends, just because their good toys to me they won't lend.

"I'm the one, Jesus, who always wants their own way, and I won't even listen to what others have to say. And I'm the one that never does my part, even when I know what I'm supposed to do down deep in my heart.

"And I guess, Jesus, I'm the one that never does anything unless it's half-done."

"And I know You saw what I did the other day ... I got awful mad and pushed a little boy out of my way!

"But Jesus, I just want You to know, I'm sorry for all the bad things I do. And I want to try to do better, so maybe You can love me and forgive me, too. I want to grow up to be like these people here today, for they must never do anything wrong or I guess you'd be hearing them all say, "'Forgive me too, Jesus, and help me to be more like You instead of more like me!'"

The preacher stood up, with tears in his eyes, the congregation too had begun to cry. For this small humble child had taught them that day, the true meaning of faith and just how they should pray. They knew in their hearts just how satisfied they had become; when down the aisle this small child did run.

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." - Isaiah 64:6

What God Has Promised

Good Morning Everyone,

Have you ever been unrealistic about life?
A dreamer, not reality based? I think many of us have,
especially early in life. We have grand dreams of
what our life will be like, and what we can accomplish
and sometimes along the way we lose those dreams
and don't seek to find them again. We let them
go because of trials we go through, hurt from people
or the cares of life.

But you see we cannot let the cares of life rob us of
our dreams and our hopes, they must become building
blocks where we become stronger, wiser, more
resilient. We face them with courage, learn from them,
and make the best of what we have each day.

Challenging? Very.
Rewarding? Absolutely.

God told us in this life we would have trials, but
he said not to be afraid for He had overcome this world.
So our sufficiency and hope is from him, NOT FROM
OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Below is a poem from my favorite poet. When I was
a teen my dad bought me a book of her poems, and they
were so profound in concept to me, even then. She had
a depth to her understanding of God. At the end of
this devotion, I have enclosed a biography of her life
if you want to see what brought that spiritual depth and
understanding to her beautiful poems.

Here is one about what we can expect from life.


What God Has Promised

God has not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives thro’;

God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

God has not promised
We shall not know
Toil and temptation,
Trouble and woe;

He has not told us
We shall not bear
Many a burden,
Many a care.

But God has promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the laborer,
Light for the way,

Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

Annie Johnson Flint

My dear friend, no matter what you are going through
today, God is with you every moment. You can talk
to him about whatever is in your heart. You can
know He is your Father, who is watching out for you
around the clock for eternity and you can
REST IN THAT PROMISE AND HOPE.

What time I am afraid I will trust in thee.
Psalm 56:3

Trust in, cling to, rely on, hope in, rest in,
and be full of joy through God. He knows,
He cares, and He has the answers.

Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind
is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.
Isaiah 26:3

Have a blessed day dear friends,

love
millie


Click here: Annie Johnson Flint's Biography
http://www.preceptaustin.org/annie_johnson_flint's_biography.htm



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It’s a Jungle Out There
by Max Lucado

The story is told of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle. The guide before him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeds and thick underbrush. The traveler, wearied and hot, asked in frustration, “Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?!” The seasoned guide stopped and looked back at the man and replied, “I am the path.”

We ask the same questions, don’t we? We ask God, “Where are you taking me? Where is the path?” And he, like the guide, doesn’t tell us. Oh, he may give us a hint or two, but that’s all. If he did, would we understand? Would we comprehend our location? No, like the traveler, we are unacquainted with this jungle. So rather than give us an answer, Jesus gives us a far greater gift. He gives us himself.

Does he remove the jungle? No, the vegetation is still thick.

Does he purge the predators? No, danger still lurks.

Jesus doesn’t give hope by changing the jungle; he restores our hope by giving us himself. And he has promised to stay until the very end. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20 NIV).

We need that reminder. We all need that reminder. For all of us need hope.

Some of you don’t need it right now. Your jungle has become a meadow and your journey a delight. If such is the case, congratulations. But remember—we do not know what tomorrow holds. We do not know where this road will lead. You may be one turn from a cemetery, from a hospital bed, from an empty house. You may be a bend in the road from a jungle.

And though you don’t need your hope restored today, you may tomorrow. And you need to know to whom to turn.

Or perhaps you do need hope today. You know you were not made for this place. You know you are not equipped. You want someone to lead you out.

If so, call out for your Shepherd. He knows your voice. And he’s just waiting for your request.

From Traveling Light
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2001) Max Lucado

Our Constant Companion

Good Morning Everyone,

As I read David's devotion this week about his Father,
it made me reminisce about the past, which I often do,
and it reminded me of a concept my Mom and Dad
planted in my heart early in life.

When I was very young I was taught that wherever
I went, Jesus was my companion.
They taught me He was sitting right beside
me, would He be happy with the way I was acting?
Would He be pleased with the places I went?
Would He be happy with the companions I was choosing?
Would He be pleased with the words coming out of my mouth?

Jesus was watching. Wow, what conviction that brought
to my young soul. It made me think a lot more about
who I got around, which is so important, because
people corrupt us if we get around people doing things
that lead to paths of sin and unrighteousness. It taught
me to get around people that were wiser than me,
and could teach me, and that had moral standards,
and most of all who loved God.

It taught me that I needed to watch the places I went,
the things I did, because I was accountable to God.

It turned my spiritual character into God consciousness.
I was conscious wherever I went how utterly accountable
I was to God for every word and deed.

What a gift that has been to me!

As I close this inspiration today let me leave you
with a couple of verses to make you think about your
own life, and do something about changing whatever
it is you know you must stop doing! Remember we
only have one life, and it is passing quickly, this is
not a dress rehearsal!

Looking carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully
and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise or witless,
but as wise -- sensible, intelligent people.
Making the most of the time -- buying up each opportunity
because the days are evil.
(redeeming our time)
Ephesians 5:15-16

And He said to all, if any person wills to come after Me,
let him deny himself -- that is, disown himself,
forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests,
refuse and give up himself -- and take up his cross
daily and FOLLOW Me,
conform wholly to My example, in living and in need be
if dying also.
For whoever would preserve his life and save it, will lose
all and destroy it, but whoever loses his life for My sake,
he will preserve and save it from the penalty of eternal
death.
For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world
and loses his own soul?
Luke 9:23-25

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Phillipians 1:21

My dear friends, who do you belong to? Are you
truly serving Him or yourself? He is with you every
hour, is he proud and pleased with what you are doing?
Do you have habits you need to give up? Do you
have companions that are leading you down a path
of sin? Are you so focused on yourself that you
don't have time for God?

Then if this is so, you have not picked up your cross
and followed Him, and this is the most vital decision
you will ever make. You must be born again,
repent of your sins, leave your old ways behind,
you are bought with a price, the blood of Jesus
that cleanses you of sin. Your life is no longer your own.

Act like it, live it, breath it, cling to it, live by it,
you are a child of the Most High God.

Love,
millie


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THE LAWS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE
by Max Lucado

The greatest day of lists is still New Year's Day. And the number one
list is the list I call the Laws of the Lighthouse.

The Laws of the Lighthouse contain more than good ideas, personal
preferences, and honest opinions. They are God-given, time-tested
truths that define the way you should navigate your life. Observe them
and enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the ragged
rocks of reality.

The wise captain shifts the direction of his craft according to the
signal of the lighthouse. A wise person does the same.

Herewith, then, are the lights I look for and the signals I heed:
- Love God more than you fear hell.
- Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.
- Make major decisions in a cemetery.
- When no one is watching, live as if someone is.
- Succeed at home first.
- Don't spend tomorrow's money today.
- Pray twice as much as you fret.
- Listen twice as much as you speak.
- Only harbor a grudge when God does.
- Never outgrow your love of sunsets.
- Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.
- 'Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of
scrutiny.
- God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.
- When you can't trace God's hand, trust his heart.
- Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.
- Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.
- The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.
- Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.
- Live your liturgy.

To sum it all up:
Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the
vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And then get off
when you get home.
_______________________________
From In the Eye of the Storm

Transformed or Conformed?

Transformed or Conformed?

Copyright Millie Plastaras 7/9/2004
all rights reserved.

There are certain basic traits, that are the mark of
a Christian. It should be defining in our pursuit of Godliness.
Jesus spoke of these, and taught practical ways we can use
to implement these concepts in our hearts, minds, actions
and spirit.

I hope that as you read this
devotion, you will sit down and pray
and ask God to open up your heart, to what He has
to show you through this. He will speak to each of us
differently, because we all have different needs,
and need different inner healing, and different gifts. Let Him
lead and guide you into all truth. And allow Him to transform
your thinking and life, by doing as He speaks to your heart
to do.

When Jesus spoke the sermon on the mount, he taught
some very simple lessons in character and Godliness in
Matthew 5. They are so rich in content, that it
is almost more than we can take in, in just one lesson.
And I believe a lifetime to grow and become a
example of one broken and surrendered and right before God.
God has to reveal to our hearts, how this applies to us.

Some of the attributes Jesus taught on were:

1. Humility (Matthew 5:3)

2. Willingness to suffer persecution (Matthew 5:10)

3. Earnest attention to God's commandments (Matthew 5:19)

4. Refusal to substitute false piety for genuinely right behavior (Matthew5:20)

5. A life of prayer ( Matthew 6:10)

6. Prioritizing spiritual over material values
(Matthew 6:33)

7. Acknowledging Christ's Lordship by obeying the
revealed will of God. (Matthew 7:21)

Jesus had a very simple message. That we must recognize
we are sinners, and that He had come to forgive those sins.

He wants us to repent of those sins, and turn from
a life sin to a life of righteousness. No message
is more important to you in your lifetime, than you
must be born again. By repenting of your sins,
confessing them, and asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior
of your life. Your soul hangs in the balance of this decision.

We should renewing our mind
daily In Him, first by receiving Him as our Savior, and allowing
Him to transform our thinking. My big question for you
tonight, and you don't have to tell me.. Talk to God about it..
What transforming are you allowing God to do in your life?

There is no middle of the road here. You are either transformed by new thinking in Christ,
followed by actions and deeds
that show that Christ lives in you. It is called spiritual fruit,
growth, personal sanctification, being right before God.

Or, you are conformed to the world and its ways, and live
according to it's standards.. and you are not surrendering
your heart mind or life to Him.

These things are not hidden to God. He knows the truth.
We however, must be the ones to admit it!

It is one or the other. So tonight, I ask you.
Who is in charge? And how is that working for you?

You are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill
cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put
it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to
all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a LIVING sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but be TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you
may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect
will of God.

Romans 12:1,2

My friends, none of us is perfect. None of us has arrived
to a perfect spiritual point. But we should strive daily,
by reading the word, and learning what Jesus taught,
that we might live lives that are pleasing to Him,
transformed into righteous thinking.

So one step at a time, we surrender those parts of us
that wanted to stay in the world. Whether it is smoking,
drinking, hanging out with folks that lead you down
the wrong path. Whether it is money, or power, pornography,
sexual addiction, adultery, fornication,
or selfishness, or greed, or gluttony or any other sin.
One by one, we peel our fingers off these sins and
confess them, and ask the Lord to help us change.

We never need to be afraid. He said He would accept
us just as we are. And would help us change by
the renewing of our minds. By the cleansing of our
sins by His Holy Blood. By the Word of God which
lives within us and when spoken goes forth and
accomplishes Gods will. And by fellowship with Him,
through consistent prayer lives that know He is our
first source... no one, or nothing else.. should be before Him.

Can you take that challenge tonight my friend?
Eternity hangs in the balance. He said we are either
for Him or against Him. We are either His children, or we
are not. WE do not merit His love, or have the ability to
earn it. But we do have access to it, when we seek
His salvation and will in our lives.

That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead.. you shall be saved.
Romans 10:9

For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves! It is the gift of God! Not of works lest any
man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8,9

Make sure before this day ends you have
made a decision for Jesus Christ. Then daily
seek Him through prayer, and His word and
allow Him to transform your life and mind
into a thing of beauty and faithfulness to His
precious calling upon your life.

Always remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last