“We are not defined by our past mistakes or failures. God’s grace is always available to us, and He can turn our weaknesses into strengths.”
Gladys Alyward, missionary to China
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-7 NIV
My thoughts: A “gospel” that requires God’s grace plus human effort is not the true Gospel. Only the shed blood of Christ can save us.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:7 NLT Read full chapter
My thoughts: No matter what you may have done that causes you shame, you can turn to Jesus and start a brand new life.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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Easter reminds me that because Jesus paid the penalty for my sins, I am free from guilt and shame. Have you ever felt such deep guilt that you couldn’t get over it? Most people probably haven’t done anything terrible enough to bring on that kind of deep shame.
For those of us who have been forgiven much, love for Jesus runs very deep because it changes our life in an indescribable way. It can’t be explained to someone who hasn’t experienced it. Maybe you could imagine what it would be like when you hear the hymn, Amazing Grace, written by John Newton, a slave ship captain who experienced God’s merciful forgiveness.
Another example is a woman known only as “The Sinful Woman” found in Luke 7:36-50.
This woman came to see Jesus while he dined with some religious leaders. The passage only tells us the bare bones of the story, but we can imagine what might have taken place. I have often wondered, what she was doing at the party!?
“But it was acceptable in Jesus’ day for people to come to a party to watch and listen to the conversation. They were not allowed to eat, but they could observe.” (Never Thirsty Ministry)
She was there to see and hear Jesus.
I have no idea what Jesus and the Pharisees talked about. Maybe Jesus talked about the forgiveness of sins. Perhaps, as she listened, she believed He was the Messiah and experienced the joy of receiving forgiveness.
Maybe Jesus quoted Old Testament Scriptures such as Isaiah 1:18:
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Maybe He quoted Psalm 103:12:
“… as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
And maybe, He looked right in her eyes as he did, not at the Pharisees, but only at her, and maybe that is why she cried so hard that she could actually wash His feet with her tears.
Verse 44 tells us that Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon,
“… her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Imagine how she felt, knowing He was talking about her.
She probably thought no one would pay any attention to her that evening. But Jesus looked right at her and spoke the words she longed to hear:
“Her many sins have been forgiven.”
Easter means forgiveness and cleansing to me. Anyone carrying guilt can be free from that heavy load, just like I was and just like slave ship Captain John Newton. Receive God’s gift of salvation by trusting in His son, Jesus, and giving your life to Him.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-8 KJV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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RealChristianWomen.blog
“Pray along these lines: ‘Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name. 10 We ask that your kingdom will come now. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. 11 Give us our food again today, as usual, 12 and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. 13 Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One.[a] Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13 TLB
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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RealChristianWomen.blog
“We should always look upon ourselves as God’s servants, placed in God’s world, to do his work; and accordingly labour faithfully for him; not with a design to grow rich and great, but to glorify God, and do all the good we possibly can.”
Robert Morrison, Missionary to China
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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RealChristianWomen.blog
“At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison…” Mark 6:25-27 NIV (emphasis mine)
My thoughts: Peer pressure is powerful. Don’t be ruled by it! Always do what you know is right.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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“Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 ESV Read full chapter
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
RealChristianWomen.blog
When Jesus came to Earth, the Jews rejected Him because they expected a Messiah who would overthrow the Roman Empire and fix all their problems. They didn’t expect a gentle and meek Savior who would eat with sinners, teach love and forgiveness, and die on a cross.
The Messiah didn’t solve all their earthly problems. In fact, His followers were persecuted like He was. So why did He come?
The Messiah came to open the way to the Father, to provide forgiveness for sins, and to give us eternal life. He came to bring the gift of salvation to all who would put their faith in Him. That was His mission.
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt.20:28
Do we do the same thing today as the Jews did 2000 years ago? Do we think that Jesus is a means to earthly treasures? Do we think it’s all about this present life instead of what awaits us in eternity?
“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:14 NIV
Do we think Jesus came to give us financial prosperity? The Bible says that those who think that godliness is a means to financial gain have a corrupt mind and have been robbed of the truth.
“These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:2-7 NIV (emphasis mine) Read full chapter
Jesus came to free all people from the chains of spiritual darkness: the oppression of sin and death.
We must not become so consumed with what we think we need, following Him because of what He might do for us, that we forget to follow Him just because of who He is.
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Pray for Israel
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