If A Fish Could Sprout Wings It Could Fly, And If A Bird Could Grow Gills It Could Live Under The Sea,

If a fish could sprout wings it could fly, and if a bird could grow gills it could live under the sea, likewise as impossible as this is to happen, so is it equally impossible for us in our own strength or determination to change our mortal bodies into the immortal bodies needed to live in eternity.

As today’s scripture verse tells us, our mortal bodies WILL DIE and cannot either enter into or survive in eternity because they have to be changed from one form to another, but how is that possible? Well the answer is in the example that Christ set for us in His victory over death when he rose from the grave and was transformed from His mortal body into an immortal body. Likewise:

“Our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” 1 Corinthians 15:53

The question is 'How is this possible?' and the answer is that it starts with the “The RENEWING of your MIND” (Romans 12:2) and that the first step of that renewal begins by -Changing Your Mind About Who God Is & Your Relationship To HIM-

You see, that is the exact definition of the word REPENT. When we repent before God, we see ourselves for who we really are – in a sinful, fallen mortal state that as Jesus said “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6) We must start our transformation now by being “Born Again” (John 3:3) and in changing our mind and agreeing with God that we need transformation, then that transformation starts in us and:

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

If you are reading this and it does not make sense, that is understandable. In the above verse when Jesus was talking to the top Rabbi of the day about being “Born Again” even He did not understand Jesus’ words! Hopefully this is the day that YOU understand it, and if so your transformation from mortality to immortality will happen!

The Bible says, “Today is the favorable time; behold, TODAY is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Will you be transformed today?

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org

by Dr. Jeanne Sheffield Estrada

Remember that ’ole familiar song, “Love Makes The World Go “Round? Yes, it does and if ever we needed it, we sure do need it right now! Let me ask you, have you ever tried to define love? I would venture to first say that my own definition is “love” is the most powerful emotion of our human existence. It is the greatest power within the heart of the Creator of the universe to design this world and all that habit it, especially man whom He made in His own image to live life in His unconditional love.

We were given explicit instructions in how to love when God gave us the Ten Commandments. But God has done more than define these love commands - He continues to teach us that there are many, many characteristics of REAL love! Here are some “Love Guidelines” for us to follow.

* Love means saying goodbye to expectations. We all want people to behave the way we want them to — to be more affectionate smarter, outgoing or ambitious. All of these things are expectations and are just your requirements for “acceptability” of loving someone. But true love has no expectations. It simply loves “as is.”

* Love doesn’t play the victim role or blame others. Love doesn’t think others are “out to get them” or think their loved ones are wrong. Love works together and takes responsibility. It forgives and allows other people’s actions to be their journey. Love doesn’t take things personally.

* Love includes letting go. Love doesn’t possess. Just as the saying goes, “If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, then it never was.” Love allows people their freedom and doesn’t hold them tightly and crush their wings in an attempt to keep them. Love is willing to set you free if you want to be.

* Love is the absence of fear. You can put all emotions on a continuum. On one end, you have love...then appreciation ...after that joy, happiness, contentment and satisfaction. On the opposite end of the continuum of love is fear. Other fear-based emotions include, hatred, insecurity, jealousy or greed.

* Love is not needing, but wanting. Needing someone is a feeling based in fear. You fear that you can’t live without them, so you need them, and remember, fear is the opposite of love. Wanting someone in your life gives them the freedom to leave, but still shows them you love them.

* Love is an action, not just a feeling. Humans tend to be addicted to intense emotion — especially when it feels good. So, when we’re in love, we want to feel that way forever. But guess what? That higher than “Cloud 9” feeling goes away after a while, but it doesn’t mean you don’t love the other person anymore, it just means that it’s not new anymore. Show the person you love them. Don’t just assume they know.

* Love is unconditional. The word “unconditional” means that there are no expectations or limitations set. To love unconditionally is a difficult thing, and most humans aren’t good at that. But true love really does love without trying to change the other person.

* Love means putting other people’s needs equal to or before your own. Real love truly and genuinely cares about other people’s happiness and will go to great lengths to make people feel valued.

* Love requires attention. Love doesn’t ignore. It doesn’t look the other way. It wants to be present and be together. Real love actually enjoys giving attention to another person. It feels good, and doesn’t see giving attention to another person as a chore.

* Love understands and accepts differences. Let’s face it: We’re all different. Real love doesn’t make other people wrong for being different. When people truly love another person, they accept their differences.

* Love varies in how it is expressed and accepted. What makes us “feel loved” varies by use of words, actions, our acts of service or touch. It’s important to discover other people’s love language so you can understand each other and give love in a way that the other person recognizes it.

* Love has empathy. Empathy is the ability to put yourself into another person’s shoes and see a situation from his/her point of view. Love has deep empathy. People who truly love one another don’t want to hurt them. They want them to feel good. They care about their feelings and try everything they can to make them feel valued and worthy.

Remember, true love is genuine happiness, honest appreciation and a wholesome feeling of good. Anything other than that is not love. If we all loved one another as ourselves, the world would be a better place.

Let’s live the Love Life and when we do, Love will truly make the world go ’round!!

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

Hidden inside the spelling of the word “believe” not so coincidentally is the word “LIE,” and this raises an interesting question about the state of how belief works.

If you think about it, either you BELIEVE something or you DON’T beLIEve something — and there’s no in-between. That is, either you believe something to be true, or else it is a lie…and that is the crux of today’s scripture message.

Either Christ rose from the dead or He didn’t! It’s really that simple, and the question is 'How does one know that, and what would cause someone to come to that conclusion?”

Romans 10:17 says that “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” while Hebrews 11:1 adds to that “Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, (and) the EVIDENCE of things not seen.” You see, BELIEF is based on EVIDENCE and that evidence is what the Word of God says. The tough question all must make is, 'Is this evidence TRUE or is it a LIE?'

No one can convince you of that, because you have to make up your own mind. Perhaps it is a LIE and if so, you can ignore, scroll past, or delete, but if it IS true and you believe it, the promise is that God will save your soul for a life in eternity.

Do you believe this or is it a lie? YOU CHOOSE

NotesOnLife.org

A Letter Written To And Answered by BILLY GRAHAM

DEAR DR. GRAHAM: You probably get asked this question a lot, but do you think we will be reunited with our pets in Heaven? Our dog died recently after almost 15 years, and I just can’t imagine being happy in Heaven unless he is with us. -- Mrs. S.J.

DEAR MRS. S.J.: God will provide us with everything we need to be happy in Heaven -- and if animals are necessary to make us completely happy there, you can be confident He will arrange for them to be with us.

Some Bible scholars have pointed out that the Bible suggests there may be animals in Heaven -- but without the aggressiveness and dangers that are part of their lives now. The prophet Isaiah saw God’s coming Kingdom as a place of absolute peace, where even animals that had once been enemies will be friends. He wrote, (Isaiah 11:6).

Over the years, my wife and I have had many pets, and I understand your grief; we are always sad when they die. I sometimes wonder, however, if God isn’t using them to remind us of a far greater reality -- and that is the reality of our own deaths. Life is brief, and it can end in an instant. The Bible says there is "a time to be born, and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3:2).

That is why we must never take life for granted, but see every minute as a gift from God to be used for His glory. And if we aren’t sure of our eternal destiny, now is the time to be sure by making our commitment to Christ.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

We’ve all been guilty of crying out to God at a critical time of urgent need, but there are two things about this that most people do not understand about why prayers of desperation are never answered.

First, prayers of despair are like a 'Hail Mary' pass that hopes that the prayer will be 'caught by God' and receive immediate attention. After all, since God is in the business of “saving” doesn’t it make sense that God will help you in a time of need? However these kind of prayers are never caught in the heavenly end zone!

Second, God DOES NOT Answer — or Even HEAR — prayers that are not spoken in FAITH — and the Word of God tells us why when it says:

“If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, Even their prayers are detestable.” Proverbs 28:9

You see, based on this and many other passages in the Bible, we must listen to and walk consistently with God. If not our prayers are NEVER answered unless there is:

Relationship to God

Obedience to God

Faith in God

The reason why is that our prayers will only be answered when we are in a healthy stature with God, and not only HEARING His instructions for our lives but Doing Them (James 1:23). Then and only then will God answer our prayers, otherwise the faithless are out of bounds and will run afoul of any attempts to connect with him.

But there is ONE prayer of desperation that God ALWAYS ANSWERS and that is when you realize your need for Him to forgive you of your sins and ask Him to save your soul. So if you are in a desperate situation right now and are not a person of faith, start with seeking Him for your salvation, apply FAITH in Him and then you will realize the assurance He promises for those that put their trust in Him.

The LORD is there patiently awaiting your call.

Will you reach out to Him in faith today?

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org

While today’s title may be confusing to some, here is what it means — plain and simple.

We are all born physically into this world into our Mortal Bodies, but at some point the PHYSICAL body will die. This is the 'First Death'.

However, we are also SPIRITUAL beings and that are an Eternal Spirit (body) that can also die unless — as Jesus said in today’s scripture — that your SPIRIT must be Born Again. If not, your spirit will face the 'Second Death,' and thus the explanation of today’s message title.

We all are SPIRIT, that has a SOUL that lives (for now) inside of a BODY. We have no choice to avoid the 'First Death' but all can avoid the SECOND DEATH.

All you need to do is to decide to check the second box. How do you do that? Just go to: SECOND BIRTH

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You