Archive for January, 2007

The Apostles’ Creed

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic [universal] Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

All Who Belong to God

Monday, January 22nd, 2007

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Do you belong to God? If your not sure ask yourself these few simple questions. Can I look back through my life and see that God’s hand has guided me, often leading me back on track when I have started to wander far from safety? Has God ever spoke to me through my circumstances, encouraging people, music, or various other forms of media? Has God ever comforted me, when all else in life has failed me and left me discouraged and full of despair? If you have answered yes to any or all of these questions than you can be confident that you belong to God.
I’m asking you this question because I want everybody to understand that all who belong to God will eventually have a personal encounter with Jesus, God’s Messiah. I know this to be true because the Holy Spirit will not rest till we are all brought to the safety of His fold. God’s word says that all who belong to God will come to know His son, Jesus . This is He whom God sent to the earth to make a way for us to develop a real and personal relationship with the Father. You see, because you belong to God His Holy Spirit has been ever near to you, guiding you, speaking to you, comforting you, and drawing you near to Himself so that He may reveal to you His plan of redemption.
Jesus says, “No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes to me.” [John 6:44 -45] “All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” [John 6:37-40]
I’ve often heard it said that all roads lead to heaven. Well, I don’t think it’s quite that simple, though I do believe that for those who belong to God all spiritual paths do eventually lead to Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.” [John 14:6] “…If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” [John 8:42] “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” [John 10:27-30] “… He that believes on me, believes not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that sees me sees him that sent me.” [John 12:44-45] “He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” [John 14:21]
So I guess the next big question is can we trust what Jesus has to say? Many people say that Jesus was just another prophet. They say that He was an amazing man, peaceful, and full of great wisdom, but just a man. Well, I say He can’t be just a prophet and an amazing man, either He is who He says He is, or He was a false prophet and an absolute mad man. No other prophet ever dared make such outrageous claims as Jesus, who claimed to be God Himself, stuck with His story even unto death, than rose again to prove His point. So Therefore I conclude that, “the secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will show them his covenant.” [Psalm 25:14] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” [I Timothy 2:5]

No Better Place

Monday, January 15th, 2007

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Lord, how precious are the moments, when I take the time to come before your mercy seat. Where it’s just You and me, uninterrupted by the continuous clamor of this world. This is that special place where You are sure to embrace me with Your comfort. Where I can just sit content to be in Your presence, or pour out my heart and soul, casting all my cares upon You, because You care about me. This is the place where I can revel in Your glory and come away like Moses, Your warm glow still radiating through me.
There is no better place.
Thank You Father, that You rent the veil that separated me from Your Holy of Holies. [Luke 23:45] Thank You Jesus, that I don’t have a high priest which can’t be touched with the feeling of my infirmities; but You, who were in all points tempted like I am, yet without sin. Therefore I come boldly unto the throne of grace, to obtain mercy, and find the grace to help me in my time of need. [Hebrews 4:15-16] Thank You Holy Spirit, that as I meet with the Lord and behold His face, You are changing me into that same image from glory to glory, like a looking glass. [2 Cor. 3:18]
There is no better place.
So why don’t I come here more often? Why do I often wait till there’s no strength left to do anything else before I enter in? Why do I sometimes wait till all else fails before I commune with You. Why do I wait till I’m full of despair before I seek Your comforting embrace? Why do I wait at all, I should enter in every day, simply because…
There is no better place.

[audio:http://meditations.tylerdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/10-No-Better-Place.mp3]
No Better Pace, Don Francisco (used with permission)