"Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
This is Rudy. He was rescued from a shelter that has a 'kill rate' of almost 90%. He was only two months old, and sick. He surely wouldn't have survived if Gayle, a rescue person, had not taken him home and nursed him back to health. When healthy, he was sent to stay at a boarding veterinarian hospital to wait for a forever home.
There are so many dogs, cats too, who are looking for a loving family to care for them. Sadly, many never find one.
Rudy is so full of life and fun. He's seven pounds, six months old and non-stop in his search to find some type of mischief. Coyotes roam the hills around us, and big hawks glide past our home looking into the yards and down the steep slope that borders the back of our property. These birds are big enough to grab Rudy and carry him off. We protect him from a cruel death.
Our little honey-colored Min-Pin - Chihuahua mix, - not sure what else - with floppy ears is pure rascal, and never bored. If I can't find my shoes or socks, he has me trained to look in the backyard, and sure enough, I find them under the bushes. Oh well! We love this little guy.
So, what does this have to do with important things to know about God? Quite a bit actually. God gives us real life experience so we can learn about the relationship that He has with His children. We came to the rescue of a little puppy who needed a home. God has come to our rescue because we need His love and forgiveness.
# 8 God came to rescue us in the person of Jesus Christ.
I've learned that it's so much easier to meditate on God's love, forgiveness and mercy rather than God as our judge who is able to show His wrath on those who don't believe in Him. The Bible says there is a place called "hell" created by God. In fact, there is more discussion in the Bible about hell than heaven. The truth is that God is perfect with no sin in Him. He has a perfect plan and purpose for each one He has created and has designed a perfect place for us to live eternally with Him called heaven. This is good news, but here's the problem, only perfect people will be there, and none of us are perfect.
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast (Satan) - all whose names have NOT been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb (Jesus) that was slain from the creation of the world." Revelation 13:8
But, not to worry, God knew we couldn't be perfect without a lot of help. He doesn't count on our abilities or performance. David wrote in Psalm 103:14 that God knows how we are formed, and remembers that we are dust. Do you know that the elements contained in our bodies are the same as in a handful of dirt? So, given that He formed us from the 'dust' of the earth, and knew we'd sin, God made plans from the foundation of the world to provide a Savior that would enable us to appear at the judgment seat without fear and full of joy! He is such a good, never-changing one true God!
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- Jude 24.
We all have the same problem, we sin, we are not perfect and will never be able to be anything but sinful imperfect people while here on earth. It is so important to understand that we need a Savior. "There is none righteous, no not one" - Romans 3:10. Romans, chapter 3: 10-18 spells out our common problem. In verses 21 - 28 we find the solution.
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known...This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Romans 3:21-22.
Scripture says our righteousness comes through faith; we believe in something that we can't see, touch or feel. And often we could add 'understand'. Hebrews 11:1 has a wonderful definition of faith - ". . .being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." In Hebrews 12:2 we learn that faith comes from Jesus. If He hasn't given us the faith to believe, we don't have it. So don't be too hard on your unbelieving family and friends, God knows what He's doing, just love them.
Notice in the Romans 3 verse, that the promise is for all who believe. This means, male, female, every color and creed on earth, Jew, Gentile and those who may be following another faith. Take note also that as in John 3:16, there isn't a list of 'good works' you must do to qualify to enter God's Kingdom, simply believe.
When God has given us 'spiritual ears' and we hear His call, we come. Jesus is busy gathering His sheep - read John, chapter 10. Jesus is our Shepherd, our Savior and protector. He has atoned (paid for), all that is not perfect in us. Speaking for myself, that's a lot! Sin has consequences, there is a price to pay. In a very finite way, we can think of driving over the speed limit, getting a ticket and paying a fine, or robbing a bank and being sent to jail. Behavior has consequences.
Just like we love, protect, and deal with all the imperfections of Rudy, our new little dog, God's Son does the same for us. And better yet, because He took our sin upon Himself, we who believe will never experience His wrath. We are safe in Him.
Lord, we thank you for making our relationship with you so easy. All we need to do is admit we are not perfect and ask you to come into our life to be our Lord and Savior. Thank you for the peace we can have in knowing our destiny is secure.
This is Rudy. He was rescued from a shelter that has a 'kill rate' of almost 90%. He was only two months old, and sick. He surely wouldn't have survived if Gayle, a rescue person, had not taken him home and nursed him back to health. When healthy, he was sent to stay at a boarding veterinarian hospital to wait for a forever home.
There are so many dogs, cats too, who are looking for a loving family to care for them. Sadly, many never find one.
Rudy is so full of life and fun. He's seven pounds, six months old and non-stop in his search to find some type of mischief. Coyotes roam the hills around us, and big hawks glide past our home looking into the yards and down the steep slope that borders the back of our property. These birds are big enough to grab Rudy and carry him off. We protect him from a cruel death.
Our little honey-colored Min-Pin - Chihuahua mix, - not sure what else - with floppy ears is pure rascal, and never bored. If I can't find my shoes or socks, he has me trained to look in the backyard, and sure enough, I find them under the bushes. Oh well! We love this little guy.
So, what does this have to do with important things to know about God? Quite a bit actually. God gives us real life experience so we can learn about the relationship that He has with His children. We came to the rescue of a little puppy who needed a home. God has come to our rescue because we need His love and forgiveness.
# 8 God came to rescue us in the person of Jesus Christ.
I've learned that it's so much easier to meditate on God's love, forgiveness and mercy rather than God as our judge who is able to show His wrath on those who don't believe in Him. The Bible says there is a place called "hell" created by God. In fact, there is more discussion in the Bible about hell than heaven. The truth is that God is perfect with no sin in Him. He has a perfect plan and purpose for each one He has created and has designed a perfect place for us to live eternally with Him called heaven. This is good news, but here's the problem, only perfect people will be there, and none of us are perfect.
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast (Satan) - all whose names have NOT been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb (Jesus) that was slain from the creation of the world." Revelation 13:8
But, not to worry, God knew we couldn't be perfect without a lot of help. He doesn't count on our abilities or performance. David wrote in Psalm 103:14 that God knows how we are formed, and remembers that we are dust. Do you know that the elements contained in our bodies are the same as in a handful of dirt? So, given that He formed us from the 'dust' of the earth, and knew we'd sin, God made plans from the foundation of the world to provide a Savior that would enable us to appear at the judgment seat without fear and full of joy! He is such a good, never-changing one true God!
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- Jude 24.
We all have the same problem, we sin, we are not perfect and will never be able to be anything but sinful imperfect people while here on earth. It is so important to understand that we need a Savior. "There is none righteous, no not one" - Romans 3:10. Romans, chapter 3: 10-18 spells out our common problem. In verses 21 - 28 we find the solution.
"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known...This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Romans 3:21-22.
Scripture says our righteousness comes through faith; we believe in something that we can't see, touch or feel. And often we could add 'understand'. Hebrews 11:1 has a wonderful definition of faith - ". . .being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." In Hebrews 12:2 we learn that faith comes from Jesus. If He hasn't given us the faith to believe, we don't have it. So don't be too hard on your unbelieving family and friends, God knows what He's doing, just love them.
Notice in the Romans 3 verse, that the promise is for all who believe. This means, male, female, every color and creed on earth, Jew, Gentile and those who may be following another faith. Take note also that as in John 3:16, there isn't a list of 'good works' you must do to qualify to enter God's Kingdom, simply believe.
When God has given us 'spiritual ears' and we hear His call, we come. Jesus is busy gathering His sheep - read John, chapter 10. Jesus is our Shepherd, our Savior and protector. He has atoned (paid for), all that is not perfect in us. Speaking for myself, that's a lot! Sin has consequences, there is a price to pay. In a very finite way, we can think of driving over the speed limit, getting a ticket and paying a fine, or robbing a bank and being sent to jail. Behavior has consequences.
Just like we love, protect, and deal with all the imperfections of Rudy, our new little dog, God's Son does the same for us. And better yet, because He took our sin upon Himself, we who believe will never experience His wrath. We are safe in Him.
Lord, we thank you for making our relationship with you so easy. All we need to do is admit we are not perfect and ask you to come into our life to be our Lord and Savior. Thank you for the peace we can have in knowing our destiny is secure.
