I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Confess and Believe
In the Old Testament, the Jewish people had a very different relationship with God than we have today. Because Adam and Eve went against Him, a divide was formed between humans and God. Years later, God gave Moses a long list of rules—the law—for His followers to live by. A relationship with God was based on how well believers followed the law. In order to become right with God, they would have to regularly go through a series of rituals and follow His list of rules perfectly.
Because this relationship was complicated and challenging—many people had a hard time following the Law. But regardless of the mistakes they made, God still loved His people—and He wanted to make things right with them. So God sent His Son, Jesus, to live a life on earth as a man, and take the punishment humans deserved.
Because of Jesus, we no longer have to follow the law perfectly in order to become right with God. Instead, Paul tells us in Romans:
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:10 NIV
Because of Jesus, becoming right with God is much simpler than it was in the Old Testament. If we believe Jesus is God and declare our faith in Him, we are saved. It can sometimes be hard to believe this, but because of Jesus, God invites us into a relationship with Him just as we are. We don’t have to be perfect. We don't have to do anything to deserve it—we just have to be willing to accept it.
But although we no longer have to follow the law, this doesn’t mean we should do whatever we like. Through a relationship with Jesus, we’re encouraged to become more like Him each day. It’s not always easy, and we won’t always be perfect—but like a loving parent teaching His child to walk, Jesus is forgiving—He will help us after we fall, and encourage us to keep going.
If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus—know that He loves you and will meet you where you are. He doesn’t expect perfection. Instead, all He asks for is your belief in Him. Take a moment to tell Him now that you believe in Him, and ask Him to guide your life. The offer is open, all you have to do is accept it.
Luke 12
“In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto ...
Our Good Shepherd
Jesus’ “I Am” sayings are powerful statements that give us a look into Jesus' nature and His mission on earth.
First, each statement reveals something about Jesus’ mission on earth. But second, they connect Jesus to God the Father. Jesus’ “I Am” statements connect theologically to Exodus 3:14, when God revealed HImself to Moses as “I Am.”
In John 10, Jesus tells the people that He is the good shepherd. The mark of a good shepherd is that he must be willing to lay down his life for his sheep. Jesus says He is willing to do that.
Jesus’ statement is in contrast to the religious leaders of His day. The religious leaders would often make things very difficult for followers of God. They would add laws and regulations that would keep people from God. Ultimately, they were selfish leaders, considering themselves as more important than the people they were leading.
Jesus points out that the highest qualification of a shepherd is selflessness. Jesus is the ultimate...
