Free Gift...

This weekend has been a very good one, with beautiful weather, relaxing days, and I was able to accomplish a few things.

This morning I got around slow and didn't make it to Sunday school, but made it to church.  Not sure what happened, I got up on time, read my Bible and had my devotion time and then I lost track of time and before I knew it my hair was still wet from the shower and it was time to leave for Sunday school.  So I told my husband I would see him in church.


This afternoon I baked Amish Friendship Bread.  It is yummy.  I put starters in the freezer for later use.  One starter makes two loaves.


I found the recipe on http://allrecipes.com/.   Look for Amish Friendship Bread I.   There are several recipes.  You can find the starter there too.   This starter is good for white bread and sweet breads.

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This evening we had the Lord's Supper or Communion.  It is a special time to me, for I always go back to the day the Lord changed my life.  The day I surrendered to Him and turned away from who I was; a hateful, angry filled, foul mouthed, smoking, drinking, two-faced, conniving woman.

The amazing things is He loved me anyway, loved me when I didn't love Him.  He loved though I denied Him over and over, trying to live my life on my terms, in my way.

Does this sound familiar to you?   Do you want to know peace like you've never known?

It's simple, really, here's what you need to know.

• God's love is revealed in the Bible.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ~ John 3:16

God loves you.  He wants to bless you and make your life full and complete.  He also wants to give you life forever, even after you take your last breath on this earth.

• We are sinful.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. ~ Romans 3:23

We all do things that we know are wrong and that's why we feel separated from God, because God is holy and good, and we are not.

• Sin has a penalty

For the wages of sin is death. ~ Romans 6:23

In the same way criminals must pay for their crimes, sinners must pay a penalty for their sins.  If you  sin you will pay the penalty of spiritual death: you not only will die physically but you will also be separated from our holy God for eternity.  The Bible teaches that those who choose to remain separated from God will spend eternity in a place called Hell.    From my personal experience, I can tell you Hell is very real.  God showed me Hell and where I would spend eternity if I denied Him again.  It is unlike any bad or horrible thing you may face on this earth.   I don't have the words to truly describe it but there was a knowledge of being separated far from God and loved ones, there was a torment that is indescribable and the sounds of the others there, moaning and crying out for relief, such sorrow...

• Christ has paid our penalty!

But God commanded His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8

Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, paid the penalty for your and my sins.  You might think you have to live a perfect life or do good deeds for God to love you.  But the Bible says that Christ loved and you enough to die for you, even when you were rebelling against Him.   When He was on the cross, He was thinking of you.

• Salvation is a free gift

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9

Grace means undeserved favor.  It means God is offering you something you could never provide for yourself; forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  God's gift to you if free.  You don't have to work for it.  All you have to do is gladly receive it.   Believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ died for you.

• Christ is at your heart's door

Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me. ~ Revelation 3:20

Jesus Christ wants to have a person relationship with you.  Imagine Jesus standing at the door of your heart; your emotions, intellect and will.  Invite Him in; He is waiting for you to receive Him into you heart and life.

• You must receive Him

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. ~ John 1:12

That means anyone, man, woman, boy or girl.  If you believe, you are a child of God.  You have the privilege of talking to Him in prayer at any time about anything and everything.   Being a Christian is having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.   And even better, it is a relationship that will last forever. 

Do you believe? 

Have you talked to God about it?  

IF not, please do so today.  There is no special way to talk to God, talk to Him as if He were sitting next to you.   Tell Him you believe and want to live as His child.  Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart.   

If you have prayed (talked with God) and accepted Christ as your Savior, please share it with me and with others.  We will rejoice with you and support you in prayer and encouragement as you grow with the Lord.

God bless and keep you,

Sonia