My Life’s Journey

Over the next several entries I am going to take some time to describe, What this scene says about my life’s journey.

The next entry will be call first steps…

Once Saved Always Saved?

I suppose it may be time for me to enter this long debate and put in my two cents worth on this matter.  This question has divided many Christians for many years.  I would like to look at this question from another point of view.  There are numerous verses within the bible that point to the gift of salvation as being permanent in that God does all the work and is responsible for the salvation of all who believe, yet there are other verses that speak of those who turn away from God and reject their gift.

I would like to move away from the theoretical and into real life.  I have never personally experience a person who was producing the fruit of a Christian life and then turn away from it and reject it.  This may be that I know few Christians and have only been one for just about a decade.  But others have and many a former pastor or once believing saint has turned their back to God.

I want to offer a new concept as it relates to salvation. It does not deny that God through His Son–Jesus does all the work for salvation, that terrible yet marvelous work on the cross; and the victory Jesus had over death and sin that we can partake of through faith in Christ.  The new perspective I would like to offer is ownership of that saving work that was done for each individual who believes.  If a believer takes ownership of that gift and holds onto, the theoretical possibilities of losing salvation no longer matters, because all who accept that wonderful gift of everlasting life can own it and cherish it.  With that ownership a believer gains the responsibility of guarding his own gift not through his or her own abilities or power, but by a continual and renewing faith in Jesus.

Just a thought to try and put to rest this age old question and make it no longer a question of doubt about God’s ability to save and maintain a believer’s salvation, when that once faithful saint no longer has faith or has lost it–but a reality that once a person is saved and takes ownership of that precious gift–he or she will always be saved.  Essentially, they become a partner in their salvation by grasping and holding onto the gift (working out their own salvation).  Completely embracing it.  Working in the sense of being watchful and guarding the precious gift they have received that the enemy would want to snatch away.  Thereby, the age old question has a loud and echoing answer, yes.  Once saved always saved!

Prayer for Our Nation

A Prayer from my soul (spirit, will, and body)

“Father, God in your Holy Son’s name, Jesus, I Pray for your abundant mercy to rain on Your creation especially for the United States of America that You would hold back your judgment on my home nation; the wraith we deserve for our sin–the sin of sacrificing the innocent at the altar of our selfishness, and allowing perversion, lust, greed, envy, and covetousness which turn us from You to become the rule of this age.  Return our hearts and minds to your grace–the gift of eternal life and liberty, You give to all.  liberty you intend for us all. freedom to worship You without coercion or fear of retribution–For you alone and only You are worthy of any praise.

“I pray your Holy Spirit will convict our hearts to turn our nation from our sin that we would pursue the salvation of our souls only provided through your Son-Lord Jesus.  Lord GOD you have written your covenant on each of us; When you formed us in our mother’s wombs, You placed your law within our hearts; Help us be obedient to your law; Give us courage to accept the shortcomings of human abilities to keep that law and Accept our need for Your Son–Jesus to be the way, the truth, and the life for us all.

“I pray for our new President that he would hold true to his word and with love follow through with his promise to obey the command “to love your neighbor as yourself” given us through your Son–while He walked with us in the flesh–that through our new President’s example and policy we as a nation would provide food for the hungry, clothing for the naked, visit the sick and the prisoners — That we would act from the liberty you give us and not fall into the trap of forced coercion to help the needy;  Strengthen him in his resolve to act to protect the weakest and poorest among us, from the baby in the womb to the mature among us on death’s bed;

“For me (and every citizen) to have a heart to honor the leaders You-Almighty God-have give us to govern us according to Your purpose.  To be content with all You-Jehovah Jireh-have provided me.  To trust You -and Only You- through the thick and thin of life’s challenges and disappointments.

“Thank you Father for the citizenship I have in America, But Father, I am still a pilgrim wandering on my way to the home You have for me in the heavenly mansions — The home Your Son has prepared for all Your adopted children, Thank you for my Citizenship in your Kingdom — Give me courage and strength to show my faith in your Son through my words and deeds — May your Kingdom come — Your Will be Done — In all Your creation, heaven and earth.

“Amen.

…these and many other words i will pray for our nation-join me and pray for our nation as you are lead by your own heart…don’t worry about our nation or were it is going, pray for it and its future…there may be a small pinch of bitterness with these words (may the LORD give me a pure heart and clean hands…

Election Aftermath: Top Ten List

Top 10 Predictions
(No Matter Who Wins the Election)

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.