The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

    "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14

No matter how much we think of our selves, No matter how proud we are, God always has a way of bringing us to our knees before Him and humbling us.

Father, I pray that our pride will be broken. That we will see the importance of  being humble. That we will be willing to bow before you with an open humbled heart. Father, change us to be who You created us to be.
In Jesus name I pray Your will, Amen

With God's Love,
Christian

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

New responsibilities, New temptations, New heartache.

My daily devotion asked a group of CHRISTIANs, what they would be willing to do for 10 million dollars? 25% would be willing to abandon their families. 23% would be willing to become prostitutes for a week. 7% would be willing to murder a stranger. WOW! Christians being the mirror of God, No wonder God has a bad rap among unbelievers and even some believers.


Honestly, A year ago I probably would have said yes to the first two. But why not murder? Because our culture doesn't look at abandonment or prostitution as bad as we do murder. But in God's eyes, sin is sin. There isn't a sin greater or lesser than any other. The punishment for sin is separation from God. No matter the sin. Thankfully we can over come the punishment through Jesus Christ our savior. I am amazed how culture can train us to think one way when God intends something different.


I see that the personal relationship with Jesus is a HUGE thing. A year ago I would have at least thought about abandonment or even prostitution for that amount of money. With Jesus as the center of my life today that's not even a question. Sure like anyone else, the money would be beyond nice to have. A new home, new anything. But with all that money comes new responsibilities, new temptations, new heartache. I don't want all of that. I am content with the life that I have found in God. I would have to say that I would honestly pass on the money.


What would you truly be willing to do for 10 million dollars?

With God's Love,
Christian

He makes Life worth living!

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:12


How comforting it is to know that Jesus understands, sympathizes, and has compassion for His people. A love that is stronger than our minds will ever beable to understand. He makes life wonderful and special. He makes Life worth living.


Father, I am in complete awe of Your love for us. I praise You and worship You for only You are worthy to be praised. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for changing me and loving me. You give me a reason to get up everyday, A reason to smile, A reason to love others. You are my life and I am so very greatful to call You my God!

With God's Love,
Christian

More "second chances" than we deserve!

"Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?" - Ezekiel 33:11

This verse says to me how loving and wonderful God truly is. A God that doesn't want anyone to perish. A God that doesn't want to bestow His wrath on anyone. A God that was willing to sacrifice His only son to prevent our death. A God that is willing to give us all chance after chance, more "second chances" than we deserve. A God full of mercy and grace. A God who is humble enough to beg and plead us to turn from our evil ways.

Why are we so full of ourselves that we are willing to die? We are willing to be who we want to be, no matter the cost. No matter the consequences. We have even convinced ourselves that there is no cost or consequence to what we do. How foolish we are to push God's wrath aside like left over dinner scraps. How foolish we are not to be scared of God's wrath.  As Christian's we don't have to be scared of God's wrath.We will not have to see any of it. We have nothing to fear if we know Christ as our savior. BUT as unbelievers we better be scared. We will see it all! No one will live who rejects Christ, No One!

Are you willing to have the life you want? Are you willing to give anything to have the life style you want? Are you willing to Die just so you can be "in control" of your life?
Are you willing to DIE?
OR
Are you willing to LIVE?
Are you willing to give up your life style and control of your life so that you will live?
Are you willing to give your life to Christ?

Father, I pray for the many people who are on the fence. For those who feel You calling but are afraid to answer you. I pray Lord that they will make a decision for You today. I pray that they will see the urgent importance of salvation. Give them a healthy fear of Your wrath. Let them see how merciful and patient You are with them. Show them that You want nothing more than to save them from death. Speak to their hearts Lord and show them how much You truly love them. In Jesus name I pray. -Amen
With God's Love,
Christian

"Me, Myself, & I"

"Where do wars and fights come from  among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You Lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do  not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" James 4:1-3

I have learned over the last year something that I am sure we all know, but don't either want to admit or stop to see the truth.  The good majority of the arguments, fights and struggles are caused by our own selfishness. All because something didn't go the way we think it should, or we didn't get what we wanted out of a situation.

When we put God first in our lives we also put others first. The "Me, Myself, & I" attitude doesn't' seem to matter as much. Sure, it is a daily & lifelong struggle. But we must continue to fight our flesh. Stand firm in God's word and continue to grow.  Selfishness is one sin that we will always have to battle.

A few weeks ago God showed me something. He pointed out to me that Life is not about what others can do for me, Its about what I can do for others. -cdw
Can you imagine a world where everyone lived with that in place of selfishness? WOW!
With God's Love,
Christian

HAPPY NEW YEAR

‎2011 was an amazing year for my family. A lot has changed for us in one year. I do have to say that even through some heart achs, it has to be the most amazing year of my life, with the salvation of family members and baptizims. The growing of relationships with God and the changes in attitudes. I will never forget what God has done for us in 2011 and I am so excited to see what He has planned for us in 2012. HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends, I pray that you will experience an amazing new year.
With God's Love,
Christian