TRUE FASTING

 Isaiah 58

 

Cry aloud and spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.

 

They seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteous, and forsook not the ordinance of their God. They ask of me ordinances of justice, they take delight in approaching to God.

 

They say, have we fasted and you do not see?  Have we afflicted our soul, and you take no knowledge of it?  

 

Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure and work all your laborers.

 

Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist.

 

Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.

 

Is this such a fast that I have chosen, a day for a person to afflict his soul?  Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?  Will you call this a fast, an acceptable day to the Lord?

 

Is not this the fast I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?

 

It is to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless and poor into your home, and when you see them naked, clothe them, and see that you don’t neglect your own flesh.

 

Then you will shine as the morning sun, and your health will spring forth with speed.  And before you will be righteousness, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

 

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer, you will cry, and he will say, Here I am.

 

If you do these things, take away the yoke that is in the midst of you, and not put forth your finger and speak vainly, pour out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will be as the noonday.

 

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make your bones strong.  You will be like a watered garden, like a never ending spring of water.

 

And those that come after you will build up places that were laid waste and will raise up the foundations of many generations. You will be called, the repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.

 

If you will turn back your foot from the Sabbath, and keep from doing what ever you please on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable, if you honor it, not going your own ways, and seeking your own pleasures, or speaking idle words, then you will take delight in the Lord.  I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth.  

 

The mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

 

Covid 19 Poem

Some things I learned from Covid-19.

Covid-19 has taught me some lessons that make me sad,

Things I would not have known had it not been for Covid-19.

They say hind sight is 20/20, and oh that it so true! Now I see, I took for granted some things between me and you.

I took for granted the kisses you bestowed upon my face,

Kisses that made me feel so safe.

I took for granted the hugs we shared, I would hug you now if I dared.

I took for granted being able to hold your hand, It showed that together we stand.

I took for granted being able to hold you close, Now if we do, we whisper “no one has to know.”

Covid-19 will one day go away, it will take with it the loneliness and isolation, but I pray it never takes the valuable lessons we learned today.

May I never again take for granted the love in kisses, hugs, and holding your hand. For to go without closeness again, 

would be more than I could stand.

~ Kim Howard

A FAMINE IN THE LAND

Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.

Considering the rapid reproduction of Bibles in hundreds of languages today the warning in Amos 8:11 is surprising. I always considered this warning meaning that God’s word would be rare. There would be no Bibles to read, preachers persecuted for spreading the Word. Until a few hundred years ago, the Roman Catholic Church kept the Bible out of the hands of the vast majority of people. But today, when it is widely available, its enemies have found new ways to discredit it in people’s eyes or to just make it seem irrelevant. The famine will be “hearing the words of the Lord”.

Today many homes have a Bible somewhere, mostly gathering dust. Few read it, and fewer still understand its meaning and apply its principles in everyday life. Many use the Bible as a lucky charm or for good luck. People have Bibles placed on a coffee table, on an end table by their bed, in their cars. When they are afraid they may place one upon their chest, or carry one around to feel safe. Yet, Christ told his followers to live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4). Scriptures are able to make us wise to salvation, and are given by inspiration of God to teach us, correct us, instruct us and thoroughly equip us of every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17). That means we must read, study, and hear God’s Word.

Why would this famine come? Because stealing, injustice, oppression and other sins Amos records. And because the people hadn’t listened to all the previous warnings, had not repented, had “put far off the day of doom” (Amos 6:3). The warning was to people who had not listened (did not hear) God’s Word.

In the time leading up to Amos’ prophecy, God’s words had been proclaimed through the preaching of Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Joel, and Hosea. Today we have all these as well as the rest of the Bible in printed form. God’s ministers today also warn of the consequences of sins and the need for repentance. But today, as in Amos’ day, so few listen (hear).

God’s long patience finally came to an end with ancient Israel, and will again with our modern world. When people ignore His message one too many times, He promises to remove that message, for a time. Amos warned people will wander from sea to sea, and from north to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it (Amos 8:12). We are told in Isaiah to seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).

When will this famine of hearing the words of the Lord come? Will it mean all Bibles will be rounded up and burned? This does not seem to be necessary, since just having Bibles around doesn’t mean they are read, believed, or understood. Romans 10:2-3 states, people will have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they are ignorant of God’s righteousness, and go about to establish their own righteousness, and have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. It appears this famine may have already begun?

SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE FOR THE FAMINE OF THE WORD?

Like Joseph back in ancient Egypt, we need to be preparing for the years of famine during the years of plenty. It starts with hearing God’s words now, studying them, treasuring them and obeying them. God calls on all to repent of sin and to live by every word of God.

God is calling many now to help spread His Word. That’s part of the mission He gave His Church, to preach His good news to the entire world (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20). With the coming famine of God’s Word in mind, His servants today should have the same urgent mine-set that Jesus Christ had in His ministry. He told His disciples, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”

God has given His Church a job to do – to spread understanding of His Word, to preach the gospel, to warn this world. And the foundation of that is to study the Bible and understand it ourselves – to prepare ourselves to serve and help those God is calling now and into the future. We must strive to listen to God’s Word and hear them.

Let’s do it while there is still time!

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.

THE BLESSED

The Blessed

Jesus had a central message that formed the basis for His entire ministry and teachings.

He pinpointed this central message in the heart of His most famous sermon—the Sermon on the Mount. He made a statement about what should be the highest priority for His followers: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, emphasis added).

Jesus Christ’s words are clear—the Kingdom of God is to be the No. 1 focus and emphasis in the lives of His followers. In fact, it was the core of His gospel message. Gospel literally means a message of good news.

A study of the Gospel accounts of Christ’s life pinpoints exactly what His message—His gospel—was all about!

Notice Mark 1:14: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.” That statement is pretty plain—Jesus preached the gospel about the Kingdom of God!

There are many scriptures that reinforce this fact. For example, Matthew 9:35 says, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom.”

At one point in His ministry, Jesus was about to leave an area where He had been preaching for some time. The people of that area tried to persuade Him not to go (Luke 4:42). Jesus’ response was, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for this reason am I sent.” (verse 43).

Let that sink in.

Jesus Christ said that one of His primary purposes for coming to earth was to preach about the Kingdom of God! That was His gospel. That was His message. That was His purpose. That is what drove Him.

When we understand that the thrust of Christ’s message centered on the Kingdom of God, we understand better why He made the statement in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God.” He tells us to seek first the Kingdom because the Kingdom of God was His primary message.

Throughout the entire Bible this was the central message! John the Baptist preached it, Jesus preached it, and the apostles preached it.

The Sermon on the Mount was the beginning of Jesus’ teachings about that kingdom. Jesus had been announcing that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, and He had been calling for people to repent. Now, in what has been described as the manifesto of His kingdom, Jesus unveils the foundations and character of life in His kingdom. Therefore, the Beatitudes are just the characteristics of a child of God.

Matthew 5

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

² And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

³ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Other blessed scriptures: 

John 20

²⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

James 1

¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Psalms 1

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalms 65

⁴ Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

Psalms 34

⁷ The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. ⁸ O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalms 128:1

1 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

Revelation 14

¹² Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. ¹³ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Blessed are those who have died in Christ! (When we are baptized we are buried in Christ)… and their works follow them. What works? The character of life that will show in a child of God! They are blessed!

After Christ was resurrected and ascended to heaven, He founded a Church. The purpose of that Church—that called-out group of people—was to carry on the work He did while on earth. Christ commissioned His Church to go into the entire world and preach the same message that He preached while He was on earth (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:3-8).

The Bible shows that the early Church faithfully followed Christ’s directive and preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Acts 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31).

See next blog "Kingdom of Heaven"

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Many people have heard the term “kingdom of heaven,” but few really understand what it is. While some believe that the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven” are referring to different things, it is clear that both phrases are referring to the same thing. Jesus when teaching about the kingdom made no distinction between the two terms but seemed to consider them synonymous. Throughout the entire Bible, this was the central message! John the Baptist preached it, Jesus preached it, and the apostles preached it. The coming kingdom of heaven is the message that God wants to make known to every person on earth. The crucial question is: Will you be a part of it?

A lot of people think of the “kingdom of heaven” as heaven. And in a sense it is, but in reality it is much, much more than that. The “kingdom of heaven” begins here on earth. It began the day the “King of kings” was born, Jesus Christ. We will not reach that kingdom in heaven until we “see” the kingdom of God here on earth. Jesus stated, “Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Jesus came preaching, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Jesus taught while he was here about the kingdom of God – and He spoke about it a lot. He talked about the way His followers could bring heaven to earth. He even taught the disciples to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Heaven is not spatially determined, it is not “up there” while we are “down here,” nor is it to be thought of in terms of time. We think of earth as now, that is, this life. Heaven then, is later – heaven is what comes after death. The more we study Jesus’ ministry the more we realize that he proclaimed the reign of God as something that was “already and not yet” present. Throughout the gospels Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God, sometimes as coming in the future, and sometimes as a present reality. So which is it? How can we understand the apparently divergent themes in Jesus’ preaching of the reign of God? Could it be that Jesus simply contradicted Himself? Did he speak of the kingdom as present and future without realizing it? I doubt it. It’s likely that Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God as somehow both future and present, and that He knew what He was doing.

Jesus taught while he was physically here that the kingdom of heaven is a silent, invisible, spiritual kingdom which lies all about us, encompassing us, enclosing us, embracing us, waiting for us to recognize it. When we enter the kingdom of heaven we recognize that kingdom, we believe it, we act upon its reality. Jesus, in the Beatitudes, gave us the clue to entering. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,“ (Matthew 5:3). Heaven is not merely future, heaven is also present. Heaven is equally real as earth.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, “Except a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). When we repent of our sins, are baptized in Jesus Name, and experience new birth through the Holy Ghost, we enter into the kingdom of heaven. We voluntarily place ourselves under the laws and authority of the coming kingdom of God. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). So there is this sense of us being “translated” into the kingdom when we commit our lives to God and begin living as He instructs. Our primary allegiance is transferred from the kingdoms of this world to God’s Kingdom. We are then subject to different laws (God’s laws) and belong to a different community (the Church of God).

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant…” Hebrews 12:22-24

Jesus taught many parables that he likened to the kingdom of heaven. We need to make sure that our description of the kingdom is compatible with the description Jesus gave. Jesus often preached about the kingdom of God—but what did He say?

Through the parables He taught about the grace of God, and also namely the severity of God. This then led us on to see the importance of obedience to God. Some people do not understand the importance of obedience, because they do not understand the severity of God. There is something else many fail to appreciate, and that’s the enormous value of the kingdom of God. People in every nation may possess these true riches if they enter into God’s kingdom. The parables that Jesus told reflect the great value of belonging to the world-wide kingdom of God. Nothing is worth having, that would rob us of that place.

Jesus told two short parables about the value of the kingdom, one about hidden treasure (Mat. 13:44), and the pearl of great price (Mat. 13:45-46). The similarities of these parables make it clear they teach the same lesson—the kingdom of heaven is of inestimable value. Both parables involve a man who sold all he had to possess the kingdom. The treasure and the pearl represent Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers. And while we cannot pay for salvation by selling all our worldly goods, once we have found that prize, we are willing to give up everything to possess it.

The most important thing we need to know about the kingdom of heaven is how we get there in the first place—and when Jesus described the kingdom, that is what he talked about. (Consider the parables in Matthew 25) Through the teachings of Jesus we can know how to enter this kingdom, how to live in this kingdom, and how to work in this kingdom, here now on earth! When we die and enter into heaven eternally it will not be unfamiliar. We will already be familiar with the kingdom of God because we entered it here on earth. You won’t be afraid of God because you came to know him, here on earth.

The “kingdom of heaven” is not just the kingdom that exists in heaven, but also the reign of God over both heaven and earth.

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148.

AS A CHILD OF GOD, SHOULD WE LIVE A HOLY LIFE?

In order to address this question we must first understand what holy means.

In order to heal our minds of all the moral confusions about holiness we need to recover the idea of biblical holiness. What does the Bible say about holiness? Holiness is not just about private moral purity but so much more – it’s the very life of God in us. Holiness is not just for advanced Christians but stands at the beginning and center of God’s call on all of our lives. God commands us to be holy, he said, “Be holy, because I am holy” (Lev. 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7; 1 Peter 1:14-16). God’s holiness expresses His divine perfection. His innermost nature is holy, and a holy God calls for a holy people (1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Pet. 2:9, 1 Cor. 1:2).

To be sure, biblical terms translated “holy” or “holiness” carry a strong secondary thought of moral purity. But moral purity is not, first and foremost, what Scripture is talking about. Instead, the most basic meaning of the word is to be “set apart” or “dedicated” to God – to belong to God. God calls us to be holy just as He is, but it is vital to understand that apart from God this is impossible. We must have the Holy Ghost indwelling in us and filling us with His holiness. We can only live a holy life through the power of God’s Spirit; thus, the first step to living a holy life is to accept Jesus as Savior and follow His plan of salvation (see Plan of Salvation on this blog).  When we take that first step toward salvation we receive power to be witnesses of God (Acts 1:8).  The evidence of the “new birth” is righteous behavior in the life of the believer. Sanctification is evident in a changed life. God changes us from the inside out (2 Cor. 5:17).

However, the pursuit of holiness does not end when we come to Jesus and receive His Spirit. In fact, it just begins! There is a positional holiness that we inherit when we are filled with God’s Spirit which we must actively pursue. To practice “sin” is a way of life for an unsaved person. When we become a child of God we must not practice to “sin” any longer, and God gives you the power to do this through the Holy Ghost. God expects us to “cleanse ourselves of all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Bringing holiness to “perfection” means we should increase in spiritual fruitfulness everyday. We are to consider ourselves “dead to sin” (Romans 6:11), refusing to revert back to our former lifestyles. In this way we “cleanse ourselves from what is dishonorable,” becoming vessels for “honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master… for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).

What does it look like to be actually righteous – to live a holy life?

Remember, we are not trying to live a holy life in order to earn salvation; living a holy life is a natural outgrowth of being saved by God’s grace and filled with His Spirit.

We can live a holy life by being obedient to God in all areas of our life (1 Peter 1:14-16) Knowing and obeying God’s Word is key (John 17:17). Hiding God’s Word in our hearts keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:11). When we live in obedience to God, we are staying separate from evil. We are offering our bodies as “a living sacrifice” to God (Romans 12:1-2). The purpose of living a holy life is to glorify God and display His nature to those around us (Matthew 5:16). The apostle Peter said, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Holiness is the mark of every true child of God (1 John 3:9-10).

as children of god, what about us should be holy?

Our bodies should be holy (Romans 12:1)

Our hair should be holy (1 Corinthians 11:7)

Our eyes should be holy (Job 31:1)

Our mouth should be holy (Matthew 12:37)

Our lips should be holy (Hosea 14:2)

Our tongues should be holy (Acts 2:11)

Our speech should be holy (Colossians 4:6)

Our hands should be holy (1 Timothy 2:8)

Our hearts should be holy (Romans 5:5)

Our minds should be holy (Hebrews 10:16)

Our thoughts should be holy (Psalms 139:23-24)

Our feet should be holy (Hebrews 12:13)

Our dress should be holy (1 Timothy 2:9)

Our deeds should be holy (Romans 2:6)

Our spirit should be holy (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Our time should be holy (Ephesians 5:16)

Our worship should be holy (1 Chronicles 16:29)

Our faith should be most holy (Jude 20)

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148, or email kimlovesjesus@icloud.com.

LIFE'S ULTIMATE GAMBLING GAME

Today you play a game, you're so sure you will win. There are no chips no wagers to use, only your soul in eternity to loose.

I'm smart you may say, I know how this game is played. I've got " time" as my friend. I don't plan to loose... I plan to win!

Do you play like you're all in control, like the breath you just breathed is somehow to you owed?!

Can you pause that heart beat a second and start it back again? Can you bring back a loved one who left this world, my friend?

If tomorrow you awake, I wonder will you find, the gamble that you took... too risky to play! Can you change your mind? Can you bring yourself back to yesterday? Back before you entered Life's Ultimate Gambling Game.

Written by a great woman of God... a sister of my heart!

ARE YOU READY?

T’was the night before Jesus came and all through he house,

not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were laid on the shelf without care,

not knowing what was written or said there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

not one ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And mom in her rocker with baby on her lap

was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,

I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head,

it was Jesus returning just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

The people who had been waiting and watching with love,

He gathered to take to His home up above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound,

while all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late,

I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight!

Oh, if only I had been ready tonight!

CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN

As aliens and exiles here on earth, we are homeward bound for heaven. We have no permanent citizenship in this world. Although you may hold a passport, birth certificate, or some other document declaring you a citizen of the United States or some other country, the reality is, that as a Christian, your citizenship should be in heaven (Phil 3:20). As the author of the letter to Hebrews tells us, “Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).

In today’s world there are so many that call themselves Christians but give little thought to what is required to become a citizen of heaven. If you call yourself a Christian and trying to gain citizenship into heaven consider these questions:

Are you following God’s laws?

Have you pledged allegiance to God and His kingdom?

Did you take the necessary steps to gain citizenship to God’s kingdom?

Before we go any further let’s consider what it takes for a refugee to become a citizen of the United States. If a person not born in the United States desires to be a citizen they must follow certain rules and take necessary steps to become one. In order to become an American citizen one must understand what it means to be an American and to know the country’s language and be subject to its government. First and foremost they desire to become a citizen. They desire a better country. They must renounce their former country and pledge allegiance to their new country. There are steps they must take to gain citizenship. One cannot just come to this country and say they are an American and become one.

The same goes for the Kingdom of God. We cannot just say we are a citizen of heaven to become one. Spiritually, we too have also been or maybe still are refugees. We wander this chaotic earth trying to find “home” to understand who we are and what our destiny is. We must plainly declare that we seek a better country, that is a heavenly one, where God is not ashamed to be called our God: for He has prepared for us a city! (Hebrews 11:14-16).

In God’s process of gaining citizenship to His kingdom, we must adopt His ways and laws. We are to take on a new identity when we represent and live in the Kingdom of God. In our process of repentance we renounce what we use to be.

The Bible is the story of God providing a refuge for lost refugees. In His Word He shows us a way of life and gives us a new identity. The apostle Peter proclaims this about becoming a Christian: “Once you were not a people but now you are a people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10).

In order to become a heavenly citizen you must open your Bible and read what God says. Apply it personally, recognizing this is what God requires of you. It is what you can and must do.

Again you cannot just simply say you are a Christian and have citizenship in heaven, you must take the necessary steps to become a Christian and to gain citizenship into heaven.

To understand what steps must be taken see "Plan of Salvation" on this blog.

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148, or email kimlovesjesus@icloud.com.

"TODAY" IS THE DAY OF SALVATION

For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured [helped or aided] thee: behold, now is the accepted time: behold, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION! 2 Corinthians 6:2

Judgment Day – scripture declares we will each stand before God on that day. And on that day the degree of our sins will not matter. Any sin, regardless of its nature and no matter its degree, will be infinitely and eternally judged. If we are not then right with God, if we are not then saved, if we have not received the salvation offered us, then there will be only one possibility – eternal separation from God – eternal judgment.

In the end it comes down to two destinies – heaven or hell.

According to God’s Word, what stands between the two eternities is not how religious we were, not how good or bad we were, or anything else but one thing: Were we born again? This fact could not be more clearly stated in Scripture: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

How is a person “born again”? See “Plan of Salvation” on this blog.

The Bible says, “now” is the time of salvation. Now is the time to get one’s life right with God. It cannot be put off until tomorrow. The only day we have is “today”, and the only moment is “now”. The time is late. Whatever is not right in your life, whatever is not of God or in His will, now is the time to rule it out of your life. And whatever God is calling you to do or be, now is the time to do it, to be it, and to rule it into your life.

One way or another, judgment will come. Therefore now is the time to be saved. Now is the time to do whatever one must do to get right. And for those who will answer the call, now is the time to become great.

The call has gone forth. One is left with a choice – to respond or not. Don't put off for tomorrow what God has given you a chance to do today. None of us are promised tomorrow. Again "today" is the day of salvation. 

I leave the one reading this with the same words Jesus said: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9).

I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148, or email kimlovesjesus@icloud.com.

1 Corinthians 13 (Love Never Fails)

Charity (LOVE)

Paraphrased by Me

Although I speak with tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, the sound of my voice is as meaningless as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Although I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and have all knowledge. Even if I have all faith, so that I can remove mountains, and do not have love, I am nothing.

Although I give all my goods to feed the poor, and I give my body to be burned, and do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long, and is kind, it does not envy, does not vault itself up, or get puffed up. Love does not behave unseemly, does not seek glory, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.

But where there is prophecies they shall fail, and where there is tongues, they shall cease, where there is knowledge, it shall vanish away, for we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away with.

When I was a child, I behaved as a child, and understood as a child, but when I became an adult, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass that is dark, but then, we will see clearly as face to face, now I know in part, but then, I shall know even as I am also known.

But for now abides faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these three is LOVE.

·       Used the word love in place of charity.

·       Charity – brotherly love, love, good will, affection, love feasts.