In His Grip

   You know, at the church that we attend, there is a minister there that likes to use the phrase "In His Grip" after his text messages and emails. At first, some may think it is a tad bid over zealous as a way to spread Faith and such, but if we actually take time to analyze, it is a remarkable phrase.
   As we know, we all have sinned. I have probably sinned at some point already this morning or am close to it. However, even though the wages of sin is death, because of Christ, I am not kicked out of the Kingdom.
   You see, even though we may let go of Him at times, through our sin and shame, He never lets go of us. He doesnt let us fall by the wayside because of our mistakes, for they have all already been paid for! Praise be to God, for we are in His Grip!

Power Not to Sin

   In recent posts, I have talked about encouragement when it comes to our sin. Not encouragement to sin of course, but encouragement that it is not the end of \the world once a sin is committed, because all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.
   Another in that was this not being a way to get away with sinning. It is not. In fact, when we read the Word of God, we know that we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. That means that from Him comes POWER to follow His ways and not sin against His Word.
   Does it mean we are perfect? No. But it does mean that we are not in this battle alone, and that through Christ, we have strength, both not to sin and to get back up and follow Him after we have sinned. For our strength in this battle comes from Him!

Winner

   I know from personal experience, sometimes it may seem as if you have failed. As if no matter how hard you try, no matter what you decide to do in life, sin is always present. It may seem as if all you are trying to do is serve the Lord, full steam ahead, but yet in something you do, you sin and feel as you have failed.
   But I have some news for you, ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. This is no excuse for sin but because of Jesus, you have already been forgiven. EVEN MORE, you are more than conquerors in Christ. You have already overcome, because Jesus did.
   Even though you may sin, for we all do, I encourage you to press forward proclaiming His Name and serving His purpose! You are such a winner and more than a conqueror, for you have overcome!

Resolution

   It is December 31st, the last day of the year 2012. I want to encourage you by asking you a question. I am assuming that most of the readers of this blog are drivers or have driven something to some extent before. When you drive, do you put a blindfold over your eyes as you enter the car?
   You may be thinking, what a ludicrous question. But seriously, there is no way that anyone would want to put a blindfold over their eyes before they drive, because they want to map out where they are going so that they can get there.
   It is a good thing to map out your path to reach the destination. So as we plan for this new year, let us contemplate new ways to serve and show the Love of Jesus to all that we contact during this new year. Let us plan to give our time to Him and dwell in His Love! Let us map the path letting our destination be Him! Happy New Year! 

Going, Telling

   Tell me, what happens when one has a baby, or gets married, or gets their first car, or buys their first house? What is one of the first things that they do? They TELL someone. In all of their excitement, it becomes more than they can contain and they cant help but spread the word.
   This proves the theory that good news calls for sharing. But tell me, from a Christian standpoint, what news is better than ALL of our sins being forgiven because someone died on a Cross for them, Jesus to be exact, and rose three days later? No news is better.
   If this is truly the BEST news, it is our responsibility to share this news! Good news calls for sharing, and the Great news of the Gospel calls for Proclaiming to all of the nations! Go Proclaim!

Getting Back Up

   It is fascinating to me when I think about the difference between and boy and a man, a girl and a woman, a child and an adult. One of many of those differences is the response to hardship, failure, or falling if you will. When a child fails something, to them it can mean the absolute end of the world.
   What I mean by that is the last thing that they want to do is get back up again, making a change. The only thing that they want to do is make an excuses. But the man gets back up. Realizes his mistake but does not waste time on blame.
   In Christ, we sin. None are perfect but the Father in Heaven. But the fact here is, because we have already been forgiven of those sins by Christ dying for us on the Cross, we have the option of getting back up, our eyes back on Christ, and that is what we are called to do. This is not an excuse to sin, for the wages of sin is death, however, be encouraged, for your sins have been forgiven. Therefore, get back up again!

Without

   First of all, ALL of us at HOPE Ministries of the Upstate hope that everyone had an incredibly Merry Christmas and will have an amazing New Year! This is a Season of Joy and Love centered around Christ Jesus!
   Secondly I wanted to ask a question. Do you know, without looking it up, how long the human body can survive without food and water? Any guess? Ill relieve the anticipation and tell you, the human body can only survive 8 days without water and 7 weeks without food before fatality. Why? Because we were DESIGNED to need water and food.
   Just as we were designed for that, we were also designed to need the Word of God! We cannot truly go a day without some form of His presence! So I urge you all, be diligent in your devotion to Him, for without Him, we will too eventually perish! Seek Him with all that you are and with everything within you!