Tag Archives: God

If Your New Here…

Posted by Jo on November 7, 2011 None comments

If you are new here and you are wondering what that Romans Road Page is all about up there…

^^^^^^^^ yeah, that one up there    ^^^^^^

It’s all about “The Plan Of Salvation”.  What? You don’t know that is? Well, I will tell you!

We all are born and we all die right?  Easy question….

Most of us wonder what is going to happen to us when we die, right?  Another easy question…

Well, the answer to that question is this, we either go to heaven or hell…those are the options, according to the bible.

Heaven = pleasant, happy, fun, blessings, family, food, sunshine, Jesus, God

Hell= unpleasant, sad, no blessings, loneliness, deprivation, satan, evil

Both are for ETERNITY one you are there folks, there are no second chances, once you die, the choice has been made, there is no going back…

This is the thing.  You must know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior in order to go to heaven! Plain and simple.

You have to realize you are a sinner (we all are Romans 3:10)…

You have to realize that there is a penalty for that sin (sin always has consequences Romans 6:23)…

You have to accept that Jesus paid that penalty for you (when He died on the cross Romans 5:8-9)…

You have to realize that He is your only way to heaven (you can’t do anything to get yourself there Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-11 )…

It’s as simple as that.

Most people say a simple prayer, something like: “Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner.  Please forgive of my sins and save me from hell. Take me to heaven some day when I die.  Thank You Jesus for what you have done for me. Amen.”  Or something along those lines.

The important thing isn’t “what” you say, it’s that you mean it and believe it in your heart, because “saying” a prayer isn’t going to get you to heaven!! You must believe!!!

That, my friends is “The Plan Of Salvation”

Has there been a time in your life that you accepted Christ as your personal Savior?  I would urge you not to wait! We aren’t guaranteed another day friends.

Hugs and Prayers

Seven Years Ago Today…

Posted by Jo on November 5, 2011 None comments

Seven years ago today my life turned upside down.

Seven years ago today my life turned inside out.

Seven years ago today my worst nightmare came true.

Seven years ago today I had to say good bye to my ten year old son forever (worldly speaking, that is).

Seven years ago today God took that precious boy home to live with Him and forever changed me.  I wish I could say it was for the better, but I just don’t know that I can.  Maybe some day…

I know God has a reason for everything he does.  Things don’t just randomly happen, I know that deep down, I do!! But I just feel so broken sometimes.  Sometimes I just feel like there is nothing that can fix this, ya know?

But God can…

He won’t bring Eli back, it’s not that He can’t, but He won’t.  There is a reason.  We don’t know why, but it’s for our own good that we suffer.  I know it sounds strange, but there MUST be something good that comes from this or it wouldn’t be happening.

I know that’s how God works.  I feel God working in my life.  Most times I feel the energy He puts off like I can reach out and touch it! It’s awesome and I love it.  I love to tell others about Jesus and what He’s done for them!!

Other times I feel like it’s this crazy roller coaster and I just wanna get off for a while cause it’s making me dizzy and sick! Like it’s all just too much.  I think that is the devil just wanting me to give up!

Well, I just want to tell the devil, you can’t have me…I am on the winning side!  I have Jesus and so did my son!

So for all those out there who have lost those you love or who are suffering in some way, please, don’t suffer alone.  God loves you and He sent His son to show you that!  Please see My Romans Road page for more information!!

This Post Is A Must Read…

Posted by Jo on October 1, 2011 None comments

If you only read one post I ever post, please let it be this one.  I beg of you. This might just be the single most important post I will ever post.  Okay, maybe the second most important.  Because the posts I post about salvation are probably the most important…

But this one is very important!

I want you to realize that we are in a fight! A fight against the devil and evil! Yes,  the devil! He is waging a war against us and if we are not careful and vigilant, he is going to win!

You think I’ve lost my mind don’t you? Look around you, friends…

Look at all the pastor’s wives fighting cancer or some other life-threatening or life-altering illness right now, do you think that is a coincidence?

Look at all the “men of God” being accused of “sexual deviance”, do you think that is coincidence?

Look at all the marriages in ruins, do you think that is coincidence?

We are in the fight of our lives, people, do we not realize this? The devil is after us and our families and I don’t think we even realize it!

Hold your dear ones close friends.  Yes, even when they hurt you.  Even when you think they have done the unforgivable.  Jesus forgave you!

Husbands, pray for your wives.

Wives, pray for your husbands.

Church members, pray for your pastors.

Pastors, pray for your church members.

Parents, pray for your children.

Children, pray for your parents.

EVERYONE, pray for EVERYONE!!!

God Made A Way…

Posted by Jo on September 30, 2011 None comments

Remember this post?  Of course you do…

Some of you probably thought I was some kind of nut for posting it! Come on, I know you did.  It’s okay, you can admit it, I’m comfortable with that!  :)

We all are born and we all die right? Easy question….

Most of us wonder what is going to happen to us when we die, right?  Another easy question…

Well, the answer to that question is this, we either go to heaven or hell…those are the options, according to the bible.

This is the thing.  You must know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior in order to go to heaven! Plain and simple.

You have to realize you are a sinner (we all are)…

You have to realize that there is a penalty for that sin (sin always has consequences)…

You have to accept that Jesus paid that penalty for you (when He died on the cross)…

You have to realize that He is your only way to heaven (you can’t do anything to get yourself there)…

It’s as simple as that.

That (in a nut shell) is the plan of salvation and if you wanted me to , I could show you bible verses to back those points up.  In fact, if you visit my “Romans Road” page, you will find those exact verses!!   :)

Have questions?? Leave them in the comments!! I’ll be happy to help in any way I can, if I don’t have the answers, I’ll gladly pass your questions on to my pastor and have him help you!  :)

Blessings…

Posted by Jo on September 20, 2011 1 comments

Surprisingly, I am coming out of my “funk” much earlier than I thought I was going to.  I recently blogged about missing my son and crying a lot and going through some tough times.

I thought I was going to be there for a while.  I really did.  But I started praying more and getting into my bible more and I think it really helped.  Ya wanna know why?  Because I serve a mighty God, that’s why!!

I truly believe that! If we are faithful to ask God to help us, He is faithful to do so!!  And some times, even when we are too stubborn to do so, He is still faithful to take care of us!! I have often been to stubborn or just too clueless to reach out and ask for God’s help and yet, He has been right there beside me all the way…

It’s not rocket science folks.  If you are in need, go to the ONE who can meet your need!  People are going to let you down.  Parents, friends, spouses, siblings, etc.  They are human, just like you.  No matter how good they are, they are flawed,  just like you!   The one “person” you can always count on, without fail, is God.  He will never let you down.

Now, I’m not saying you will always get your way and you’ll never have problems, but He will never leave you or forsake you.  He loves you and He will meet your needs and take care of you!

Love…

Posted by Jo on September 13, 2011 None comments

Yesterday I talked a little bit about being “too” fundamental.  Today I want to talk about loving people.  Not just loving people, but loving people as Christians.  The reason I want to talk about this is because IT.IS.SO.IMPORTANT.

As Christians we are called to love one another as Christ loves us.  Did you know that? It’s something I think we all forget.  Even the best of Christians forget this.  We get so caught up in the “rules” and “regulations” that we want to impose on each other that we forget to love one another.  I touched on this yesterday, but wanted to expand on it today.

The evangelist we had at our church Sunday made a comment while preaching that stuck with me.  He said, “Your church will only be as great as the love you show others”.  Wow!! That statement is so simple and yet so profound and the same time! And it makes so much sense!

Let me stress something to you friends.  We are never going to grow our churches IF.WE.DON’T.LOVE.PEOPLE. and we can’t love people if we are CONSTANTLY.JUDGING.THEM. for every little thing that we don’t agree with.  Get out of your own way and allow yourself to see others the way God sees them! Allow yourself to love people the way God loves them…unconditionally, wholly, without condemnation, the way He loves YOU!

How Fundamental is TOO Fundamental?

Posted by Jo on September 12, 2011 None comments

We had an evangelist preach at our church yesterday in our AM and PM services.  A man who recently resigned his church to go into evangelism.

A good man.

A godly man.

A man who’s wife has been battling cancer for the last two years. He spoke about some of the struggles they have had.  He went into detail about some of the medical procedures she has been through and the problems she has had.  It is sad and it is tragic.  These people have through “it”!

He said something yesterday that made a lot of sense  to me and I had to write it down.  He made the statement, ” We’ve gotten so ‘fundamental’, we’ve forgotten how to love”.  That is so very true!!

We have gotten so tied up in the “Thou shalt nots” that we have forgotten that we are supposed to love one another! We are supposed to love one another just as Christ loved us! Yes, Christ was against sin, but He loved people and He loved them unconditionally!

I think that God laid out in black and white in the bible what He thought was important for us to know about how we should live.  I feel that if it’s not there in the bible, then God didn’t feel it was necessary to include it as part of His “instructions” for us.  I don’t feel we need to add anything to it or take anything from it.  It is whole and complete as it is.  I need nothing more than what I have to tell me how I should live my life.

So when people, no matter who they are, want to tell me I should do this or that because it is “God’s will for my life”, I simply have to go to my bible and read it to see what God has to say about it.  If I can’t find it there, then I make my own choice (after prayer and godly council) as to whether or not it is truly God’s will for my life. If it is, then I implement the change, if it’s not, I simply don’t.

How “fundamental” are you?

Tears….

Posted by Jo on September 5, 2011 None comments

Had a good cry this afternoon.  Sometimes you just have to do that.  I can go for months and months without crying over the loss of my son.  I can talk about him.  Think about him.  Look at pictures of him.  Watch movies of him.  Lots of things and not cry a single tear.  Then it will hit me like a tons of bricks and I will cry so hard I think I will die.  My heart will hurt so bad I think it is literally breaking into little pieces.

I don’t understand why the difference, but I know this. Those tears that eventually come, they cleanse my soul.  They clean me out.  It’s like the pain and sadness just build and build until they can’t be contained and then they just break loose.

I am so thankful that God gives His grace to those that ask for it and depend on Him for it.  I am also thankful for friends and family that love me and support me. THANK YOU! GOD BLESS YOU!!

Opening A Can Of Worms…

Posted by Jo on August 15, 2011 None comments

As Christians, sometimes, I am afraid we give ourselves a bad name.  We paint ourselves into a corner?  Paint ourselves in a bad light? I don’t know how to say it…

We mess up. And we mess up A LOT.  We are, after all, just human, like everyone else.  Nothing special.  Sinners, saved by grace (can I get an amen).

I heard last night at church something that made my heart ache and I can’t go into great detail about without people knowing exactly who it was about and so on and so forth, but I can say this much, it was about judging others.

Can I just say something here.  It is one thing to have convictions and standards, I am all for them!! I think we should all have convictions and standards in our lives based on the Bible and God’s calling on and  in our lives!!  Convictions and standards on dress, dating, separation, what we watch, what we listen to, etc.

It is one thing to teach your children those convictions.  It is a totally other thing to teach your children to judge other people about said convictions (or allow them to do so) !! I’m sorry but that is WRONG!!

The Bible is very clear about who is supposed to judge (God) and who isn’t (man) and what will happen to those who do so (he will be judged).

I am talking to myself more than anyone else here folks, just so ya know!! I need to work on this too!! It’s something we all need to work on! Maybe if we thought more about our own walk with God and what we could do better, we could get more done for God!!

Good People, Bad Credit…

Posted by Jo on August 15, 2011 None comments

In this bad economy, more and more people are finding themselves in more and more debt because they are finding themselves out of jobs and racking up credit card debt.

This is mostly because they are using credit cards they already had before they lost their jobs.  But if you think about it.  Using a credit card when you don’t have the means to pay if off isn’t really a smart thing to do , now is it?

But, some people don’t think about that before they do it, they figure eventually they will find a job and they will be able to pay it off….

This is the problem with that kind of thinking folks…what they don’t take into consideration is that the higher your total gets, the higher the interest is and the higher  minimum payment is! See, where I’m going with this?? It means you OWE.MORE.MONEY.

And if you don’t have a job, how are you going to pay more money? You aren’t! And then you are going to have collection agencies calling you all hours of the day and night wanting your car, your house, your children and basically everything and anything not nailed down.

So, my advice to you is, if you don’t have the money in the bank right now to pay the credit card bill, don’t charge it!!  It is a really bad habit to get into to to swipe that card and just say “charge it” and worry about paying for it some other time, it will get you into a LOT of trouble!!  Be responsible with what God has blessed you with!!

Just Some Thougths…

Posted by Jo on August 10, 2011 2 comments

I recently joined a group on Face book called You know you’re a Baptist when…

The  woman who started it meant for it to be a funny, light-hearted way for people to make fun of themselves/others and to also share testimonies and whatnot.    She said herself , “It gives non-baptists a chance to make fun of us and legit baptists a chance to laugh at themselves.”

Only, no one was laughing, it turned into a virtual blood bath! Everyone turned on everyone and it was a horror show. Why do we do that?  I am all for having convictions and standards! Lord knows, mine could be higher, but good gravy, why must we attack each other and be so judgmental.  Especially when the the Bible is so clearly against it!

Do you think that God is happy when he sees us at each others throats over things that when it’s all said and done aren’t going to really matter? Or over anything, really…

Yes, I think its important that we read the Bible, And for me, that means the King James Bible.  But , when I got save, twenty some years ago, I was reading an NIV, does that mean I’m not saved? I think not! I don’t know enough about this to get into a heated debate about it, I will leave that up to the scholars that have studied it, I know several men of God who say that the NKJ, ASV(I believe), and the KJB are the closest to the original manuscripts, but to get all heated up and angry and bash each other over it, to me, that is not a good testimony.

People wanna get caught up on all kinds of things these days. Should women wear pants?  Should we spank our children? Should we send our kids to public schools? Should we home-school?  Should we go the the movies? Should we do this? Should we do that?

When I think instead of bickering and fighting over trivial things like that, we should be worried about all the people dying and going to hell!! Because when it all comes down to it, that’s what really matters…do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Not, did you wear pants? Or, did you go to a movie theater? Did you ever admit you needed Christ to get you to heaven?

So, please, before you go rip someones face off because they don’t read the same Bible you do, or because you saw them in walmart and they didn’t have a skirt on, ask yourself this question…have you done your reasonable service to Christ lately?? Have you told someone about what He has done for them on the Cross of Calvary, because THAT.IS.WHAT.IS.IMPORTANT.

One down…

Posted by Jo on June 30, 2011 None comments

I survived my first week cooking at camp…. :)   It was a great week.

I always have so much fun.  Some times I get a little stressed and it’s hard to handle, but for the most part it’s great. Gotta learn to be flexible in the camp kitchen.  Activities have to be planned around the weather and meals around activities and….see a pattern??  I am learning to be flexible!  :)

Found out we had two kids come to Christ this week and one got assurance of his salvation.  That is what it’s all about folks.  That is why we we do what we do, because young people have tender hearts want to learn about God.

Let us pray that these great kids will seek God’s will for their lives and that they will grow in the Lord and serve Him in every way possible.