Are You Connected?
Whether you are new to my “Inspired Messages” emails or have been receiving them for years, you know the reason they are called that is because God inspires me to write them. You probably have also noticed that I have not been very “connected” lately.
There is a folder in my makeshift office full of notes, scripture references and snippets of things that I intended to use, got distracted by life and never pulled them together for a message because by the time I get the time to write, I forgot why I wrote them down. Today, I am determined to get it together having been inspired by something I heard!
Sunday morning, we had a guest pastor who expounded on something that I would like to pass on with my own additional comments. Rev. Bob Gertsmyer based his message on a scripture we all know, John 3:16. Something that he said really laid out the whole context of salvation in one verse. (By the way I told him I was going to use it.)
He pointed out that this passage has 25 words in it. The first 12 are about God. How much He loves us and the sacrifice He made for us. The last 12 words tell us what we need to do for eternal life. In-between the first and last 12 words is the connecting word, “Son”. (Go ahead and count them, I did. 😁)
Never have I heard that passage broken down in such a simple yet profound way. It was one of those “Ah ha!” moments.
All of Christendom is founded on salvation. The saving grace of God is provided through the sacrifice of His “only begotten Son”. The Son who became flesh to bear all our sins, to be crucified, buried, and resurrected for our “everlasting life”. Not for his everlasting life, He already had that. But, as our connection to God.
This gift is for all people, on every continent, in every language, of every color, over all the earth. That we ALL have the hope in knowing that our eternal existence will be dwelling in the glory and perfection of the Lord.
Continuing in Titus, in addition to the inclusive offer of salvation, it also gives us a direction following the redemption in verse 14…
He redeemed us and purified us to be “His very own people” not just to be so-so about life but to be “totally committed to doing good deeds”. The King James bible uses the words “zealous of good works”. Phew! Either way, that’s a tall order! Part of that order is to be sharing the gift of salvation with others. One of my ways is through “Inspired Messages”, offering words of wisdom, as it were, through my web ministry, and trying to serve the Lord as he would have me do. Notice I said “trying” because it is not easily done every day in every way. That’s where our humanity, yours and mine, comes into play. And that my friend, is where God’s grace comes in.
One of the things I say to people is that we are all human beings living in a real world. The real world often gets the upper hand. There is hope though.
Looking at that portion of well-known scripture, includes our ever-needed forgiveness which also comes with an order to forgive others. Again, no easy task for us mere humans. But the prayer continues with our plea for our Father’s help. Trusting in that help is how we get through our human existence in the real world until we are all made flawless and united in eternal glory.
The Son connects us to the Father, and the Father to us, for life everlasting. Isn’t that worthy of an AMEN?
May you continue to be blessed by the Father-Son connection!
There is a folder in my makeshift office full of notes, scripture references and snippets of things that I intended to use, got distracted by life and never pulled them together for a message because by the time I get the time to write, I forgot why I wrote them down. Today, I am determined to get it together having been inspired by something I heard!
Sunday morning, we had a guest pastor who expounded on something that I would like to pass on with my own additional comments. Rev. Bob Gertsmyer based his message on a scripture we all know, John 3:16. Something that he said really laid out the whole context of salvation in one verse. (By the way I told him I was going to use it.)
- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
He pointed out that this passage has 25 words in it. The first 12 are about God. How much He loves us and the sacrifice He made for us. The last 12 words tell us what we need to do for eternal life. In-between the first and last 12 words is the connecting word, “Son”. (Go ahead and count them, I did. 😁)
Never have I heard that passage broken down in such a simple yet profound way. It was one of those “Ah ha!” moments.
All of Christendom is founded on salvation. The saving grace of God is provided through the sacrifice of His “only begotten Son”. The Son who became flesh to bear all our sins, to be crucified, buried, and resurrected for our “everlasting life”. Not for his everlasting life, He already had that. But, as our connection to God.
- For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
This gift is for all people, on every continent, in every language, of every color, over all the earth. That we ALL have the hope in knowing that our eternal existence will be dwelling in the glory and perfection of the Lord.
- For the free gift of eternal salvation is now being offered to everyone; … looking forward to that wonderful time we’ve been expecting, when his glory shall be seen—the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11, 13(TLB)
Continuing in Titus, in addition to the inclusive offer of salvation, it also gives us a direction following the redemption in verse 14…
- He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. (NLT)
He redeemed us and purified us to be “His very own people” not just to be so-so about life but to be “totally committed to doing good deeds”. The King James bible uses the words “zealous of good works”. Phew! Either way, that’s a tall order! Part of that order is to be sharing the gift of salvation with others. One of my ways is through “Inspired Messages”, offering words of wisdom, as it were, through my web ministry, and trying to serve the Lord as he would have me do. Notice I said “trying” because it is not easily done every day in every way. That’s where our humanity, yours and mine, comes into play. And that my friend, is where God’s grace comes in.
One of the things I say to people is that we are all human beings living in a real world. The real world often gets the upper hand. There is hope though.
- And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:12-13
Looking at that portion of well-known scripture, includes our ever-needed forgiveness which also comes with an order to forgive others. Again, no easy task for us mere humans. But the prayer continues with our plea for our Father’s help. Trusting in that help is how we get through our human existence in the real world until we are all made flawless and united in eternal glory.
The Son connects us to the Father, and the Father to us, for life everlasting. Isn’t that worthy of an AMEN?
May you continue to be blessed by the Father-Son connection!
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Cindy Lee, the author of Connecting the Light, publishes "Inspired Messages" every few weeks. Each of these messages provide insight and inspiration in a world gone a muck! Drawn from her own life and often reflecting current events, you will find these messages have a practical side when facing life in the real world.
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