This is what it's all about!

Painting by Urban Renaissance

Today it was another day like before. We were doing a good job of sticking to our schedule and getting everything done. I was working through school work and we started doing our devotional. It was on Revelations 21:1-7 

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

So naturally from there we talked about salvation and how our sins keep us away from God, but that Yeshua {Jesus} came to take away our sins so that we could be with God. Well my 4 year old (she'll be 5 next month) looked at me with so much remorse in her eyes and said "I want Jesus to forgive my sins so I can be with God". 

I asked her about her sins, and she told me what they were. Not obeying, pushing her sister, etc. Then I asked her if she deserved to be away from God and I could see that it hurt her to say yes. You could see her getting it but she just didn't want to say it. Who does? That moment when you realize that you are a sinner in need of a Savior is hard for even grown ups! Finally she said "yes, I deserve to be away from God" quickly adding "but I don't want to be". She even asked me if she could pray and ask Jesus to take her sins away. I told her we'd talk about it later. 

There have been times in the past where I thought she got it. But not like this. This time it brought tears to my eyes! I had to walk away. I sent a quick message to a friend seeing if she also came to the same conclusion that I did. My friend agreed that she seemed ready. So I decided I'd talk to my hubby about it and let him handle it. In the past I've said it to him and he's said she's too young. Just let the thought stay with her. But in my heart I've always though back to Matthew 18 "... Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

When my husband came home for lunch I pulled him aside and told him what had happened. I was holding back tears as I recalled the look on our daughters face. I KNOW she understood, and she was serious. This time he agreed with me. based off of what I told him there was no denying it. So he said he'd pray about it and talk to her in the evening. 

After dinner he sat down with her and asked her about her day. She told him all the things she learned and what she thought was most exciting. Then he asked her about our Bible lesson today. She said "oh yea, we talked about Jesus and how he takes our sins away". Then with a little bit of frustration in her voice she added "I wanted to pray but mom told me we'd talk about it later". I didn't even think waiting would matter to her. But clearly it did. He then told her a little bit of his testimony. I sat there listening from the other room just in awe of the situation and how my prayers for my children to know the Lord from a young age were being answered. As he continued on she said "daddy, I really want to pray. I want Jesus to take my sins away." There was no stopping her. 

I sat there and listened as they prayed together, and my sweet little girl asked for Jesus to enter her heart. When they were finished she was beaming! I came in the room and she said "Mommy I prayed and Jesus took my sins away!" She was just so happy. I reminded her that it doesn't mean she'll be perfect now, but that when she messes up she still need to pray. She nodded her head in agreement and just continued smiling at me. 

In that moment I was just so humbled. If you asked me a week ago about the spiritual state of my children I would have told you I was failing. I would have told you that we try but I don't think it's sinking in. They fight, they fuss, I'm still working on first time obedience, and it's hard. But then when I least expect it, the Lord answers one of my hearts deepest desires! It's not about me. I am always going to fall short, but He is faithful! 

I know that as the years go by she will question her choice. Maybe she'll even want to rededicate herself to the Lord. But right now because of her child like faith and her heart being open to hear from the Lord, her name is written in the Lamb's book of life! No matter what may come her way that won't change, because of that not only am I rejoicing, but so are the angels!

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. -Luke 15:10

if you'd like to know more about what it takes to be saved please go here

Let Your Light Shine

Happy Monday ladies! I hope you all had an amazing weekend! I know I sure did. Saturday I got to have a date night with my amazing hubby, and then Sunday we heard some life changing messages preached. I praise GOD that I belong to a GREAT Bible preaching church and that I live in a country where I can go to church as often as I want! If you don't belong to a church where you are being challanged and encourgaed, FIND A NEW CHURCH! You aren't supposed to just be going and feeling nice. You should leave and be encouraged to be a doer of the Word not just a hearer! {James 1:22}


This week's inspirational ordinary woman is Michelle Duggar. Now I know most of you have heard of her and people talk about her A LOT, mainly because of her 19 children. But that's not what we're going to focus on.


The reason I'm known for often making mention of Mrs. Duggar is because were it not for her, and her light, I may not have come to know the saving power of Jesus Christ! It was from watching her family's show on TLC that I came to see that I needed a Savior. I was raised Catholic so I knew about God and Jesus but I didn't know that I could know 100% for sure that I'd go to heaven!


In seeing her love for the Lord I knew that I was missing something. The Lord used her to convict me of my sins and to show me hope. I saw how her family had so much joy and how she wasn't going crazy or being overwhelmed (even with having 17 children and expecting another!). She seemed to have a perfect peace. I wanted that, I NEEDED that. 


My life was in a rough place and I desperately needed a change. So after having been convicted of that need for a change the Lord brought other people into my life that could help me with that. The seed was planted by Michelle Duggar, it was watered by Debbie, and was harvested by Maggie. All three of these people played a vital role in leading me to the Lord. It was because of their light shining brightly, that they were able to help illuminate my darkness. Who knows how many lives the Lord is wanting to use your light to reach.


We all have people that can be affected by our light. Neighbors, lost relatives, people that you meet while you're out. Because of the willingness of one woman to share her faith, countless numbers of people have come to know the truth of Jesus' saving power. That should be true of all of us. We should all be seeking to show our joy in the Lord. Even if you think you have nothing to be joyful about, if you are saved then you do! So turn that frown upside down and be a light to this lost, dark, world!


Whose life can you affect with your light? Are people that see you encouraged to seek out the Lord? Or to run from Him? Do you share your love of Jesus with others? Or do you keep it to yourself?


Think about these things and then make changes where necessary. 


Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. -Matthew 5:16








I'm linking up with Women Living Well

The Rock

Once there were three Christians. Each built their faith on what they deemed right. The first Christian built their faith on the law, the next on good works, and the third on the Gospel of Jesus' finished work on the cross. Then one day the enemy came along and decided to attack. First he came to the one whose faith was in the law. Well he huffed and he puffed and he blew their faith away. Then he came to the one whose faith was in good works. He huffed and he puffed and he blew their faith away too. Finally he came to the one whose faith was built on the Gospel. He huffed and he puffed, and he huffed and puffed some more, but he couldn't blow their faith away. Confused the enemy went away to return again another day.

We aren't promised that we won't be tried but we are guaranteed to have something to stand on. As long as we're standing on the right thing.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. -Matthew 7:24-27

"My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and Righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." - Edward Mote 1834

I'm linking up with Women Living Well! 

Do People Know?

I don't believe in lifestyle evangelism, as the ONLY form of evangelism. I believe we are to share the Gospel. We are to talk about God and the Cross constantly. We should have a heart for souls like God does.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

-2 Peter 3:9

But that doesn't excuse us from also showing Messiah through our actions. Our lives should be a reflection of the change that has occurred in us because of what Yeshua (Jesus) did on that Cross. That old rugged cross should be ever before us. But is it? Do people know that you are a Believer? Do people know that you are Heaven bound? I'm not talking about the people you go to church with but rather the lady at the check out counter or your doctors. Do you have unsaved friends? Why are they still unsaved? Is it because you haven't tried to reach them?

This isn't me trying to wag my finger at you and say well you should do this or you should do that. No, this is my heart. I am "not willing that any should perish". I know that it isn't easy. I know that some days we just don't want to smile or we just don't want to forgive that one person in our lives. But what if your unforgiveness or your frown is the thing standing in the way of a person giving their life over to God?

I know some would say that if God wants to do something He'll do it. I agree with that. But what if what God wants to do is use you to do it. What if He is leaving it up to you. Not by what you say but by what you do? Would that change your attitude or how you carry yourself? Would that help you to forgive others as He has forgiven you? Would that help you to love others as He has loved you?

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. - 1 John 4:11

This might be a bold statement but I believe it to be true. God didn't save us, just for us. He saved us so that others could get saved. Its not just about us. He doesn't just love you or me. He loves the world!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -John 3:16

My friends there is so much more to this life than the here and now. There is more than what's happening in our lives. There are people out there who are going to go to hell. They will not get to see Heaven. Does that not grieve you? What are you willing to do to help see that those that you meet will be saved?

You see if we live our lives no different than the unsaved then how will they know? How will they know that you are different? If you listen to the same ungodly songs, if you watch the same ungodly movies and television shows, how will they know?

We as believers are called to be Kodesh, Set Apart, Holy.

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. - 1 Peter 1:16

 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

 -Leviticus 20:7

Are you living set apart or are you just blending in with the world? Ask God to show you areas in your life where you need to change. I know for me personally its the TV. I am working on my issues (because we all have them!) are you willing to work on yours? 

Did you proselytize today???

I was watching a documentary and in it there was a woman who was searching for her "born-again brother". Now the documentary as a whole didn't really speak to me much. It was actually pretty boring, but, something really stood out to me. The woman made a statement about how her brother never tried to proselytize her. That comment reminded me of another time that I had hear (or maybe read) someone make a similar comment. But I wasn't sure what it meant. Yay for dictionaries! :o)

pros·e·lyt·ize
to convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte;  recruit.

Well now that I know what the word means I have some bells and whistles going off. Aren't we as believers SUPPOSED to convert people?????

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  Matt 28:19-20

I totally get that witnessing can be uncomfortable. No one likes ruffling feathers. Its so much easier to just go about our lives and just have a private time with YHVH and hide our light. But that is NOT what He asks of us!

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. -Matt 5:14-16

A side from it being a command to spread the Gospel, how can we say we love someone and then not care where they spend eternity? How can you be friends with someone and not care if they are heaven bound? It's easy if we only love in word. But YHVH has something to say about that.

My little children, let us not love in word,neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth 

-1 John 3:18

Now if all of that is still not enough for you what about knowing that you will be held accountable for those that do not hear the Gospel???????? All of Ezekial 33 explains this but I will give you just these 2 verses.

When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 

-Ezekial 33:8-9

People can say what they will about me, but, the one thing they can't deny is that I will share the Gospel. I am NOT ashamed! That's not to say its always easy or that I consistently go out of my way to reach someone. But I try. I pray often that I will be yielded to the Spirit and that I will act when God wants me too. I don't want to be the reason someone doesn't get saved. Do you???

*if you have no clue what I'm even talking about please click here*

 

Salvation

Do you belong to a Bible believing church? If you do great, if you don't you should find one....

But more important than that, if something were to happen to you today could you HONESTLY say that you know 100% for sure that you would go to heaven? If you think you do, what are you trusting to get you there? (I hope not good work) and If you don't know I'd like to show you what the Bible says about how you can KNOW 100% for sure that you're going to Heaven!



First realize we are all sinners:
Romans 3:10 As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Sin is anything that goes against what God would want. No one is perfect except Jesus Christ, so we are ALL sinners. Can you admit that? if yes keep reading)

Next realize there is a REAL penalty for sin:
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(because our sin we deserve to die and go to hell and if we don't ask Jesus to save us that's exactly where we're going. Do you want to go to hell? if not keep reading)

Thirdly Know that Jesus paid for our sins:
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(Jesus' death and resurrection fulfill all the prophesy of the Messiah coming! Jesus' blood washes away our sin, what a wonderful gift! would you like to receive God's gift of eternal life? if yes keep reading)

Finally we must accept God's promise:
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Whosoever is ANY BODY you, me, your neighbor, ANYONE. If we call on Jesus He WILL hear us and if we mean it, He will come into our hearts and we can have our names written in the book of life!)

If you're ready to accept Jesus then right now say a prayer! it can be this prayer or ANY PRAYER that you create asking God to come into your life and into your heart. **Dear God I know I am a sinner, but I want you in my life. I want to accept your gift of eternal life through your son Jesus Christ. I trust in what Jesus did on the cross and I believe that HIS blood will cleanse me! Jesus PLEASE remember me! Amen.**

{please know this prayer is NOT what saves you, Only Jesus SAVES!}

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

If you decide to get saved after reading this post please leave a comment with the date so I can pray for you!

The begining of a journey....

Hello all! I decided to create this blog because a. I felt moved to do something to share my love of the LORD and b. I needed a way to vent lol

Thus Herein is Love was born. I think 1 John4:10 is a BEAUTIFUL verse (all of 1 Johns 4 is great actually) and something about it spoke to me. Actually I prayed on what the name of my blog should be and the Lord led me to it. Praise God for His wonderful way of making things come together!

I am a newly saved Christian (Nov. 15th 2009 day I got saved!)and am learning a lot from my Bible, and the people around me. I will post my testimony at a later date. Since I've been saved I've been active in my local church and have grown leaps and bounds in my faith. I have a great Pastor (and Pastor's Wife) who help me in every area of my life and I thank God for them!

Prior to being saved I gave birth to a wonderful little girl who is now just about 14 Months old. Her name is Amina Ivy, and you will read a lot about her, she's obviously a huge part of my life. Although I am not married (yet) since coming to the Lord I have repented (actually changed not just confessed) from my old ways and am trying to do right. I'm not perfect but I try to do all things to glorify GOD. first order of business was not living with my significant other (S/O for all future posts) that decision has been rough so I'm sure there will be many posts on that as well. Choosing to do the right thing seems so much harder then giving in to the wrong thing.

My goal is not to condemn others but simply to share what I have learned and maybe encourage a few others to get saved as well!