Matthew 16:24-28 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life[g] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”
When my sons were young children, even as toddlers, I used to stress to them that nothing is more important for their lives then Jesus. I, pretty much daily, told them that loving and serving Jesus is by far the most important things in their lives. They were taught that with Jesus they have everything and without Him they have nothing. I would often quiz them asking them what was most important in their lives and they would respond “Jesus.” Now they are men and they remember the lesson that the Holy Spirit grew within them. I thank the Lord that they would still tell you the same. Praise God! Teach our children and grandchildren, as often as possible about Jesus. They must know from the beginning His great love for us and what He has done for us. Jesus Himself is who we must know, love and serve and teach them when they’re young and it’ll be bedrock for the rest of their lives. Glory to God!
Proverbs 22:6 “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
by Bob withPsalm 69:1–3 “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. 3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.”
I confess that at times I have blown it…bad. But I also gladly also confess that in spite of what I have deserved the Lord has always given me better. His love and mercy has been visibly seen by me and His loving touch has been felt through some unexpected people, and by my brothers and sisters in the Spirit and by blood. When persons drive themselves into trouble, and become entirely mired, the Lord still loves us and it is His hand that pulls us free.
Oh, remember the kindness, mercy and goodness of the Lord God.
He has rescued before and is able to rescue again.
So why despair oh my silly soul?
I will call upon He who loves me.
As I call out to be saved,
He saves me,
Not because I deserve it.
But because He is pure love
And pure love will save.
I cry out “I’m unworthy Lord”
Yet you come to save me because of your great love.
The depth of your love Lord God cannot be sounded.
Yet we know that the sounding is correct when it is too deep
And it is called out ‘by the mark!” For His love is beyond understanding and is deep beyond measurement. Oh God, How wonderful and fearful you are. Lord God, may I never find the sounding of your love.
My eyes may grow useless as I wait for your answer,
but still they will search for your response.
He has called remembrance of His great works,
And to celebrate them.
It is for our benefit we must remember what He has done.
What He has done reveals who He is.
As we remember who He is,
Our hope grows, our hope in Him, grows.
Praise God who saves because He loves and He is good,
All the time. Without end, without limitations.
Thank you Lord that we have no rope long enough
To sound the depths of your love for us and goodness to us.
Thank you Lord. In you we trust. We praise you Lord God Almighty!
Titus 3:4-7 “4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
by Bob with