ABC -a simple salvation prayer

The most important thing we will ever do is respond to God's offer of eternal life with Him. This life is a passing moment that will decide an eternity.

ABC's of Salvation

Admit your need-"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Believe in Christ-"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

Commit yourself to Christ-"Yet to all who received Him … He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12)

Think about the three scriptures and say them in your own way back to God.
I do not remember the exact way that I said this prayer for salvation but the following prayer is my example of what I said.

God, I realize I am a sinner, I have followed my own way. With my understanding I have realized that Jesus Christ is indeed your only begotten Son and that His shed blood has made a way for me to appear before you sinless. I accept His sacrifice, Jesus shed blood at Calvary as final payment for my sins, and I ask that you fill me with your Holy Spirit and enable me to live my life for you.
In Jesus name, Amen.

I have found that the easy part was giving my heart to God. From that point on I knew that the responsibility lay with me and no one else as to how fast I learned and grew in the knowledge of
God and His blessings for me. He provided His Spirit to live in me, His written word, the Bible to study and do, and His Living Word Jesus Christ to die for my sins. I have been equipped for the task at hand--my life.
God never forces His will on someone else but always tells us to choose. I can choose who I will serve, who I will believe in and what I will do with that knowledge. Part of what I chose through saying the sinners prayer is I chose to have a relationship with Father God and His son Jesus Christ. Asking Him to fill me with His Holy Spirit gave me the ability to live this life that I have been given. I make mistakes and even choose to do the wrong thing at times, this is called rebellion. But I am in an eternal relationship with God who will allow me to choose and accept the consequences of my choice. Every relationship has this dynamic, your choices decide the failure or success of that relationship. Every relationship you enter into requires diligence on your part if it is to be successful.
Read God's word...it is your instruction manual. I have found over the years that even it I did not understand what I was reading in the Bible that if I applied myself to the discipline of getting to know Him, I would eventually have understanding.
Don't give up, keep pressing forward. God will not give up on you. He is stable. I have fallen many times and each time when I looked up it was always His hand that reached out and picked me up.

It will not be easy, but it is worth it.
Debbie



To become established in the training of a disciple of Jesus Christ you need to now study the word of God contained in the Bible.  I like to read and study the King James version of the bible.
It is God's Holy Spirit that has given you the desire to ask God for your salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  As you learn and commit to doing God's instructions contained in His word to you, you will begin to change.
Some things will come quite easily and others you will have to apply your will and be obedient to His will.
Determine to follow Him always.  This is a decision that only you can make.

Religion is evidenced as men's traditions versus the reality of the Living Word of God effecting a real verifiable change in you. Salvation should bring about a change in you and your behaviour. Salvation is not just a few words said to please others or our self.

Christ accomplished our salvation on the cross through His shed blood and His obedience to God.
Jesus submitted to His Father's will. Our acceptance of the shed blood of Jesus Christ should bring about our own obedience to God's word as well.
The seed of our new birth has been planted in us and manifests itself in the light of God's word working in and through us.

How can we know that the love of God is at work within us, unless there is the manifested fruit of a changed heart by word as well as deed?

We have need to be hearers of His word as well as doers of His word.
I am addressing the day in day out change that should be evidenced in our over all daily behaviour.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Our walk with Christ should be evidenced by fruit, the evidence of a changed heart followed by our actions.

An example in nature.
As a seed grows, it expands out of its shell. In first grade my teacher had the class perform a science experiment to view a growth cycle.
We brought a seed from home, a bean seed. The seed was cocooned in a moist napkin until the shell was softened. Then we removed the seed and planted it in a small milk carton containing soil. Before it was planted we could see evidence of the new growth. There was a small green shoot emerging from the seed. Without moisture, no growth will happen.    The Holy Spirit of God supplies the moisture needed for our growth through our application of God's word in our everyday life. The water of His word begins to soften our spiritual shell and prepares us for growth. As we apply ourselves to doing His word, we become rooted and grounded in our faith.

Do not allow the cares of this life to uproot you. As a new creation in Christ Jesus you need to receive the needed moisture and the life giving warmth from the Son through the study and application of God's written Word, the bible.

~Debbie



Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Deuteronomy 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

All of John 5 and Galatians 5 for your consideration.

Galatians 5: 19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.





© 2011 Debbie Turner Chavers. All Rights Reserved.

Need vs.Want

When my three children were small they would make the statement...but I need that. It did not take me long to realize that need was not the issue but "I want" was making itself heard loud and clear.
Our flesh always insists quite persistently.
One of the joys of motherhood is that through watching these little ones grow up, I was allowed the privilege of growing up with them. I could hear their persistent whine of "but I need that", not realizing that a candy bar instead of supper would not be beneficial to their nutritional needs. After awhile I saw how I would insist to the Lord "but I need that"and He would assure me through His word in the Bible that it was an "I want that" and was not in my best interest.

If we examine these two words: need vs. want in our everyday life exchanges, it does not take long to see a pattern emerging. The next time you hear yourself or others say "but I need that" examine it thoughtfully and see if indeed you really need that or if you just want that.
We need to to think through the difference of these two words so that we can make wiser choices.
We may not always want to do this but we need too!

Debbie

Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Giving What You Need

Do you need anything? I do. It almost appears selfish, yet I have need of many things. So I apply myself to what I need. Therefore, if I am depressed, I seek to make someone else cheered. If I am in need of affirmation, I try to build up someones self esteem. If in need of affection, kindness, etc....well then that is what I try to give another. This method does not always make me feel better but it is conducive to making me put others first and temporarily forget about myself and my needs or more likely my wants!
And yes, there is a definite difference between what I need and what I want.
So today I am encouraging you to GIVE what you need.

Debbie

Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Integrity

I want to encourage myself and you to walk in integrity in the midst of a constantly changing world. One of the characteristics of God that blesses me is that He changeth not. I do not have to wonder from moment to moment if He will keep His word. He will. In the big picture of life I want to leave a legacy of integrity. We have daily opportunities to keep our word, in season and out. In other words whether it is convenient or not. Trust is developed by the sure experience of someone who knows that you will keep your word even to your own hurt. Let us determine together to be people of integrity. I am walking through this life ever learning, as I am sure you are also. So remember...walk in love with one another. We are all apt to fail, even with the best intentions. It is not only the first impression but every impression that leaves a legacy of who we are becoming. We have all made promises that have fallen by the side of the road.

If there is a situation or person that comes to mind as you read this, please be quick to remedy the situation.

As I am learning to live this life I am determined to put more thought, as well as action to my words. Before I volunteer my time or my opinion I am determined to spend a few... thinking it through. We can do this.

Debbie



Proverbs 20:7
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him
Psalm 15:4
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

FOCUS- Obtaining the Big Picture

Obtaining the big picture. Life runs at warp speed on most days. There never seems to be enough time to do the multitude of tasks that need to be accomplished. Yet we all are given a 24 hour day to prioritize what is truly necessary. The majority of people run through life as if they are on a hamster wheel. Stop. Focus. You can gain control of your life, more simply, your day.
Over the years I have learned to FOCUS! Without a purposeful FOCUS I usually accomplish very little on my constant to do list. Even when I run errands I chose the destination that is the furthest from my home and work my way back home. This saves time, energy, and money.
Focus..Focus is an amazing thing.
Think of a pin point of light focused and you have a fire.
What area of your life do you need to Focus on?
Time management? Your health? Yourself? Marriage? Children? Relaxing?
Anything you focus on can become a lit fire for the good or the bad. Therefore choose wisely.
Being focused seems to come natural to some people and others, like myself, have had to discipline their different areas to reflect positive FOCUS.
I am not encouraging you to become enslaved by your focus. Yet, I know from experience that you will accomplish a lot more in your day to day life if you focus on the necessary tasks at hand.
I have found that a sense of accomplishment increases my self esteem and gives me a great sense of empowerment. I do not want to be a slave to my list but I usually plan my work as well as periods of relaxation....
And yes, at times relaxing is a worthy focus. Be good to yourself and others by accomplishing the tasks that have your name written on them. Whether that name is: self, mom, dad, worker bee, etc....
You get the big picture.
FOCUS
There are people and things waiting on your expertise!
And I know you are going to Focus and live your life successfully.
So.. here is your praise before you get started!

GREAT JOB! I knew you could do it.

Debbie

Yes, YOU CAN!

Did you know there is greatness on the inside of you? You have been gifted to share something with the rest of us that no one else can. You are unique and your gifting is unique to you. There have been times when I have listened to a defeated voice that saps my strength and resolve. But no more! Do you recognize when that defeated voice is talking to you? The words or thoughts that invade your best intentions and slow you or stop you from your intended action.

A defeated voice is different from the small still voice of the Lord that encourages you to believe the best in yourself and others. His voice instills a sense of certainty that You Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens You.
Remember. Today is a new day and a new opportunity awaits you. Be sensitive to the thoughts that invade your everyday thinking. Take charge of your thoughts. Do not allow a defeated voice to be the one you listen too. God is speaking clearly through His word. Listen up!
You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.


Debbie



Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Ouch!

Have you ever had a time where you felt as though you were constantly being corrected or experienced someone being so rude it brought you to tears? Well, I have and recently. It is never easy to accept criticism, especially if you believe the other person is at fault. Yet, if we want to grow spiritually , it is required learning to..."Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. "(James 1:19)

I am fairly reflective after my initial unbelief about the situation. I ask myself questions...based on the scripture above. Did I not listen? Did I misunderstand? Did I speak before I knew the entire situation? Or did I blaze quickly at my perceived injustice?

Honestly, sometimes it is none of the above...and the other person is at fault. And yet, God would still have us learn from the situation, learn to the point that it will not matter who was at fault but we will be peaceful and settled in His Love anyway.

So... here goes..

I am listening,
trying not to speak to quickly,
and concentrating on not keeping a grudge when the other person is at fault.

In return I ask for prayer.....because sometimes... it is a lot easier to write this....than do it.



Debbie


James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: