For Those Of You Who Go To Church (even If Only Once Or Twice A Year) WHY DO YOU GO??

For those of you who go to church (even if only once or twice a year) WHY DO YOU GO??

Is it because you feel like you 'have to' because it is Christmas or Easter? Or perhaps that is how you were raised, or maybe because that is what people are 'supposed' to do on Sundays? Perhaps you are in business and being in a respected church is a great place to make business connections or a way of improving your standing or image in the community. Maybe you go because you enjoy all the many social functions and activities and feel like you have a place of belonging, or it is a great place for your children to have friends and do sports or other activities. Lastly it could be because you enjoy the prestige of being a deacon or serving on some service committee, or are continuing a family tradition of long-time membership.

Well there are a lot of reasons people attend church, and while some of these are not necessarily bad or ill intentioned, that is not what church is all about.

The reason why we go to church is to first WORSHIP GOD, and second to grow in our knowledge and relationship to Him. While all the activities, socializing, and community is good, the main focus must always be on HIM not US.

Sadly a large percentage of what most people focus on is what THEY want from God or from church, but God wants us instead to focus on what HE wants and to give Him GLORY. This whole notion of 'give him glory' sounds foreign to non-believers, but this is also sadly true among many church-going people!

Remember this — everytime you look up into a magnificent star-filled galaxy, see a majestic landscape, beautiful flowers, or feel your heart beating in your chest, remember who did all that! But not just remember, but give him thanks and praise.

THAT is what church is all about!

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

Who do you run to when bad things happen? Is it your husband, your wife or best friend? Sometimes even the ones we trust the most and who try their best to offer sound advice, still may lack the vital answers we may need. The Book of Psalms shares how David ran to God in the midst of his fears, sorrows, grief, rejection and loss. Now we can run to Jesus who fulfills the deepest cries of our heart in our own emotional turmoil. Jesus is the ONE who has the answers you need, so…….

Run to Jesus when you are AFRAID: God is never off guard. His eye is always upon you.

“The Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121: 7-8

Run to Jesus in your SORROW: Jesus knew sorrow more than you and I can imagine as he suffered for our sins on the cross crying out to His Father:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

Run to Jesus if you are REJECTED: Jesus knows what it feels like to abandoned, alone and turned away. His own people rejected Him.

“My father and mother may abandon me, but the Lord will take care of me.” Psalm 27:10

Run to Jesus when there is LOSS: Whether it is loss of a loved one, a dream, or anything else, Jesus understands the emptiness of loss. He wept with grief for his dear friend, Lazarus who died. He reminds us,

“I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you.” John 14:18

My dear friend, you are never alone in this life. You have Jesus to run to for everything, no matter what it is. If you don’t know Him, would you pray this prayer with me?

Heavenly Father, I have tried everything to solve my problems alone, but I need you to show me your answers. I want to depend on you to help me. Would you please forgive me of my sins and come into my heart so that I can live in heaven with you forever? I give my heart to you right now and accept you as my Savior. In Jesus name I pray, Amen

My friend, you don’t have to solve any problem alone. Jesus will help you. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, your sins are forgiven and your name is written in the Book of Life!

God Bless Your Day, Jesus Loves You

NotesOnLife.org/archive

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

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

The memory and topic of 911 is a continuing hurt in the heart of Americans, so speaking anything controversial about this poignant moment in history is sure to cause surprise or anger. We at NOTES ON LIFE are not political, so please read this with an open mind, heart, and soul.

An extremely important, timely and relevant spiritual lesson is directly tied to today’s scripture which was ignorantly quoted out-of-context in Congress on Capitol Hill on 9/12/2001 by Senator Tom Daschle, then four years later in commemoration by Senator John Edwards. Likewise President Bush, like the rest of the nation, echoed this theme in defiance to the attack that “We Will Rebuild.”

In carefully re-reading this verse, it speaks of the condition of the hearts of those whose bricks had been toppled, that being one of PRIDE AND ARROGANCE. The backstory here was that the Israelites had been attacked and beaten down by an enemy that worshipped a false god, yet in previous times, Israel always stood strong and was protected and victorious because they were faithful to God’s Word, and upheld righteousness. The exact same could be said for the United States of America.

In ancient times as at 911, the reason why they were attacked and ’the bricks (towers) fell down’ was that our nation had likewise fallen away from righteousness. You may strongly disagree with the following, but here are the facts about where the U.S. is both socially and spiritually in regards to its Lack of Righteousness.

Likewise our Pride and Arrogance has permitted a nation that has no bounds on sexual behavior or responsibility, pornography is consumed by the majority, speaking openly about God and the Bible is Forbidden, ridiculed or outlawed, there is a Disregard for Law and people in authority and Elders are Disrespected, Injustice is Rampant, people are Unapologetic about bad behavior, government and businesses are Fiscally Irresponsible, the most innocent are routinely Murdered and legalization and intoxication with Drugs are Openly Celebrated. Now the question we have to ask ourselves as a nation is Are these behaviors RIGHTEOUS?

The Bible speaks clearly about what happens when we operate outside of righteousness saying:

“Judge us Lord according to our RIGHTEOUSNESS, and do not let those that triumph over us rejoice when we do not.” Psalm 35:24 (paraphrased)

America - this is exactly what happened on 911. We were judged according to our (lack of) righteousness by a godless hateful, lost peoples and then – just exactly as in ancient times - we defiantly rebuilded, and those that attacked us celebrated and rejoiced. HISTORY DOES INDEED REPEAT ITSELF.

Now the GOOD NEWS: It does not have to continue on this way. America can recover and be free of this 20 YEAR CURSE if and when we bring HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS back to our shores - if not as a nation, we can do so as individuals. We need to REPENT Not REBUILD and not rebuild security, towers, or walls, but REBUILD HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Then and only then will another 911 not happen for we will have true protection and again become One Nation “Under God.”

May we always reverently Remember and Honor those that died this day, but not Repeat It.

God Bless Your Day Jesus Loves You

Pastor-Teacher Wayne Estrada

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