A to Z Blogging -- I is for..."I"

“I am the Way…”

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:6

Years ago, before I read the verse at the beginning of this post, I didn't know how to respond to people who made statements like this:

“It doesn't matter what you believe, or who you believe in—as long as you BELIEVE, you will go to heaven. And even if you don’t really believe, if you live a good life God will love you and take you to heaven.”

But if you believe in the Bible it’s very clear;  to have eternal life with God, one must believe in Jesus, God’s Son, who came to earth to die for us and forgive us of all of our sins, and then, on the first Easter, rose from the dead.

It doesn’t matter how strongly  anyone believes in any other god or any other being. It doesn’t matter how many times a person goes to church, or how many “good” things he or she does, or how much money is given to charity, or how many prayers are said, or …well, or anything else. All that matters is believing the truth—that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

To be clear, God does love us, even if we do not love or believe in Him. But we will not spend eternity with Him unless we do believe in Him. This is not exclusive, but rather inclusive; inclusive of absolutely everyone who believes. It does not depend on a certain amount of money in the checking account, a  high-status the job, “enough” friends, how good looking, how many “good” things done.

Our salvation is through grace—God’s undeserved love for us. We could never do enough to “deserve” it; all we have to do—all we can do—is accept it. We are blessed!

Peter said, of Jesus, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other

name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

If you hear one of the statements at the beginning of this post, gently and kindly point out these verses that show the true—the only!--way to heaven.  

(I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is. Today’s post is based on Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things…”)

A to Z Blogging -- C is for Comfort

Comfort

Paul says, “Praise be to the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

1 Corinthians 1:3-4

During tough times we can find comfort in knowing that no matter what the circumstances, the Lord loves us and cares for us and forgives us. Jesus was made man when He came to earth as a baby and throughout His life He felt the emotions that we feel. Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because He was tempted just as we are, the only difference being He did not sin.”  

How has He comforted you during tough times? Did He send a friend, or a job, or financial help? Comforting words from someone who had experienced similar circumstances? Did He lead you to a Bible passage appropriate to your situation? Did you feel the comfort of His presence and peace?

Who in your life needs comforting right now? A friend who has lost a child? The neighbor who lost his job? The child who didn’t get into the college of choice? Someone whose marriage is going through a difficult time, or even ending?

Today, thank God for the ways He comforted you, and ask Him how you can comfort someone in your life, perhaps sharing your experiences while going through a similar difficult time.

Who are you going to comfort today, and how?

(I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide. Today’s post lists some of my favorite Chapters in the Bible. Check it out!)

Stormy Thoughts and Stormy Skies...and God's Promise

Stormy Thoughts and Stormy Skies…and God’s Promise

By Shelly Burke, Editor and Publisher, Nebraska Family Times, and author, Home is Where the Mom Is

These pictures were taken
outside of our home this
afternoon.

As I pulled weeds this afternoon I had stormy thoughts. Too many friends are facing serious health problems and personal difficulties. I heard news that promises turmoil in my own family’s life over the next few months. There’s no way around these problems; our friends and our family will just have to go through them.

This afternoon we had a nice, much-needed rain shower. After the shower I went outside to see where the storm was moving. I was awed to see one of the most beautiful double rainbows I’ve ever seen. It stretched all the way across the sky and I could see the whole thing, which is very unusual.

Seeing the rainbow reminded me of God’s promise to Noah, as he and his family came out of the ark after the flood.

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making

 between me and you…Whenever I bring clouds over the earth

and the rainbow appears in the clouds…I will remember my covenant

 between me and you…Never again will the waters become

 a flood to destroy all life.” Genesis 9:12-14

My friends and family and I are not facing a literal flood, of course. But the circumstances in each of our lives could be devastating. I was reminded of God’s promises to each of us; that He will walk beside us through any and all of the troubles we experience. That He is only a prayer away. And that, at the end of our lives, no matter how stormy, as believers we will spend eternity with Him! 

Thank You, Lord, for reminding me of Your promises to each of us. We are not alone; You are always with us. 

Blogging A to Z Challenge "Light will Dawn"

“Light will Dawn”

(I took this picture this spring; it was
amazing to see the cross in the sunrise.)

“Light dawns in the darkness for the upright.” Psalm 112:4a

It is dark outside as I write this. I cannot see anything outside (we live in the country so there are no street lights, and the deck light is burned out). However, I have faith that the sun will come up in a few hours.

Obviously this verse refers to much more than just the light of the sun; we have faith that the light of the Son will always dawn in our times of personal darkness.

God’s Son faced the ultimate darkness in His death, and three days later the world experienced the brightest dawn in history (even if most people didn’t know it at the time) when He rose from the dead. Through His death and resurrection, we can have the unshakable confidence that, no matter what we face, the Son will shine through any and every darkness we experience.

What darkness are you facing today?

Lord, please be with me today as I face my personal darkness. Thank You so much that I know that your Son can shine through that darkness. Please show me His light today.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is.

Today I’m posting my book review of the devotion book

“A Chocolate Life; Savoring God’s Sweet Grace.”

And it’s FREEBIE FRIDAY—go to Home is Where the Mom Is

to see how you can win a copy!

Blogging A to Z Challenge

“Good Friday?”

Good Friday? I think for most of the people there it was the worst Friday ever.

Mary lost her son.

Judas had already killed himself as a result of his involvement in the capture and death of Jesus.

Peter had denied Jesus—three times!—the night before.

The disciples were losing their leader.

Pilate had washed his hands (literally!) of the whole thing, knowing that Jesus did not deserve to die.

Two thieves were also being crucified.

A multitude of people were mourning Jesus’ crucifixion.

And Jesus…Jesus had been betrayed, beaten, tortured, mocked, crucified, and felt His Father, his God, had forsaken Him.

On that day, the only person who would count it a “good” day would be the thief to whom Jesus promised, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Today we can call it Good Friday because we know the rest of the story. We know that the sadness of that Friday on earth, the sorrow turned to happiness on Sunday, when Jesus rose from the dead, means unending joy in paradise for all who believe in Him.

During the last few years, even the last few months, I have known many people who have died. Young and old, sick and healthy, expected and unexpected deaths…for their loved ones and family members, these deaths marked a very bad day.

But again, we know the rest of the story, and along with mourning the “bad” day, we have that hope, that knowledge, of the rest of the story. We know that because Jesus endured that terrible, terrible day, our sorrow at the death of a loved one will one day, on the most joyous day, the “good” day of all “good” days, we will be reunited with our loved ones in heaven.

We can call “Good” Friday good, knowing that in just a few short days we will again celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Because He endured that “bad” day, we believers will have the joy of spending eternity with Him in heaven.

Happy Good Friday.


Thank You, Lord, for the rest of the story.

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Jump over to my other blog, Home is Where the Mom Is , where it’s FREEBIE FRIDAY! Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win one of three autographed copies of Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home.