15th May  2010

After one and a half years of absence since our last article its time to start again.

A word from the Bible that has been special to me, is the word 'BELOVED'   It is mentioned about 50 times in the New Testament. 

Mark chapter 1 verse 11 says, as Jesus came out of the waters of baptism there came a voice out of heaven, you are my BELOVED Son , in you I am well pleased.

Mathew chapter 17 verse 5, Jesus was on a high mountain and a voice  from the cloud said this is my Son my BELOVED, with Whom I am delighted, listen to him.

These two places show Father God's  love and passion for Jesus, also his approval  of him before he started his ministry.

2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17 says, If any person is IN Christ he is a new creation, the old is passed away, behold the fresh and new has come.

Galatians chapter 2 verse 20 says, I have been crucified with Christ ( I have shared in his crucifixion ) it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.

These 2 verses show 2 aspects of our relationship to Christ the BELOVED we  are in him and he is in us.

We are in the BELOVED and he is in us, God sees us through the BELOVED. ie. he sees us covered over with the perfection Jesus has.

Ephesians chapter 1 verse 6 says, To the praise of  the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED ( Jesus ) 

Romans chapter 1 verse 7 says,  To all God's Beloved ones in Rome. Here Paul calls the believers GOD'S BELOVED.

In about 50 other places in the New Testament believers are addressed as BELOVED.

Many Christians never see themselves as GOD'S BELOVED even though the Bible says they are, this leaves them in a place of uncertainty in their relationship with God.

When we  absolutely know for sure that we are God's BELOVED, in Jesus the BELOVED, then a great new dimension of relationship starts with God.

A wonderful new thing happens inside us,old bad habits and sins we never seemed to overcome just start to fall away from us without us puttting any effort into getting rid of them.

Atittudes to others,  judging others, unforgiveness,  fears about what others think about us, fears about what God thinks about us, etc.

These all get tidied up because we are living every  day in the awareness that we are GOD'S BELOVED.

Knowing that our Brothers and Sisters in Christ are also GOD'S BELOVED gives us a new level of  love and respect for them.

Come out from the way you see youself and see what the Bible says about  ' YOU ' Jesus said I come to give life and give it more abundantly .

If you see yourself defeated, grubby , despised, inferior, unloved, rejected, hear what God says about you. You have been made clean by the blood of Jesus, old things have passed away and all thing have been made fresh and new.

YOU are GOD'S BELOVED you are not trying to be   "YOU  ARE"

 Remind yourself  every day by saying  I am GOD'S  BELOVED  in Jesus

    

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Feb      2009                            

With one month of 2009 already gone , it is apparent that  2009 is a year of challenges. Many people's employment is not so secure as it has been.

To look ahead without anything permanent to rely on can often appear rather bleak. This brings us to a point of being aware of our own vunerabilty and the need of God to guide us and provide for our needs.

This article is written to provide hope and show that through  God there  is help in times of need. 

Psalm 113 says God raises the poor out of the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap and the dung hill

In God we can look forward with confidence that he  hears and helps us

It is through faith in Jesus we can secure a relationship with God and tell him about the burdens we carry.

If we approuch 2009  with our faith in Jesus we we can also read of his promises in the Bible and trust what he said.

Matthew chapter 11 verse 29 Jesus says, Come to me  all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

John chapter 14  verse 1 Jesus says, Do not let your hearts be troubled, you believe and trust in God ,believe and trust in me also.

It is the desire of God that everybody can become aware of his desire to help them, maybe you are having a difficult time and things  are not going well.

This could be the time for you to reach out to God through faith in Jesus  and experience his love and know he cares.

As we reach out to him and understand how patient he is with us,we too can be patient as he works out better things for our lives.

Maybe 2009 is the year for you to make some changes in your life, if you have been trusting in yourself and have found it a lonely experience--------

perhaps it is time for you to experience the love of  God and invite him into your life?

If you would like this relationship with Jesus just pray this prayer------

Lord JesusI believe you died for me and paid for my sins with your blood.

I am sorry for my sins and I turn to you and ask you to come into my life.

Thank you Jesus amen.