by lighthouse | Jul 13, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed within us.” This life on earth is full of pain and heartache. No one escapes. Yet, attitude is everything. How can you and I say we are fine when we are going through earthly suffering and be telling the truth? We can all enjoy saying–fine–because our future couldn’t look better! I don’t know how your past looked or how your present is but I do know that with our Savior at our side our future could not look better!
by lighthouse | Jul 12, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Children of God and heirs of eternal life—that is who you and I are. That is a simple thought to write but, the thought is beyond our wildest dreams. We say those words. We believe the thoughts. What a fabulous truth Paul is expressing. Children and heirs–what could be more magnificent!!
by lighthouse | Jul 9, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 8:5 “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the the Spirit desires.” Everyone on this earth walks to a drumbeat. There are two drumbeats. One, the easiest and most often followed: enjoy the lifestyle of me first and earthly pleasure dominates. The other, #2: put God first and have the continual thought of our God’s will and the sacrificial love of our Savior dominate our life. The #2 drumbeat is a much softer sound, but brings with it a peace and security #1 will never understand. Choose #2 and enjoy walking with your Heavenly Father forever. Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Jul 8, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 8:19, 24,25 “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord. These verses are the exact mentality of addicts who relapse. Wouldn’t you then conclude we are all addicts who relapse? We are all addicted to sin and we keep on repeating like a rapid fire machine gun. Our gun, our addiction, would be totally out of control were it not for the sacrifice of our Savior. Now we appear before God, no longer addicted, but free and guiltless before His loving throne. Again, Thank You, Jesus!
by lighthouse | Jul 7, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If any of us could escape the fate of our sinfulness we would. The sad truth is we will all suffer death. That would be a horrifying thought if we did not also live with the confident expectation of the ultimate joy of eternal life in Heaven, living forever with loved ones and our God. All Christians when leaving this earth enter the most blessed existence possible. That is worth dying for.
by lighthouse | Jul 6, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 6:22 “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” Everyone is a slave to either sin or a slave to righteousness. There is no in between and no alternative. Paul is very clear. In other words, we all have an addiction which dominates our lives. We all live in one of two houses: The Lighthouse or The Dark House. The result of living in the second house is disastrous while the result of living in the first house is eternal life. Isn’t which house to dedicate one’s life to very obvious?
by lighthouse | Jul 5, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” There is a huge difference between knowing God and knowing of God. The first demands a life of honor and respect while the second lacks a relationship. The first brings comfort, security and eternal life in God’s presence while the second brings a life of discontent and lost fortune. The narrow road of knowing God is definitely the way you and I choose to live thanks to the wonderful grace of God.
by lighthouse | Jul 2, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 5:19 “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Are you absolutely perfect? Amazingly, yes. (tell that to your spouse or parent). Are you a sinner in desperate need of an advocate? Sadly, yes. (maybe you don’t want to tell that to your spouse or parent). The first is the result of the love of our God. The second is the result of the disobedience of our ancestor, Adam. God, through Paul, insists on helping you and me understand His great love for us desperate sinners. He wants us to know that we are His and He has done everything in His power to have us live with Him on this earth and eternally. There is no greater unfailing love !!! Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Jul 1, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 5:18 “Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.” Two events in history have such huge consequences. One, extremely negative while the other is extremely positive. Adam sadly brings the worst catastrophe possible while our Savior joyfully brings the greatest relationship possible. Both affect our lives like nothing else. You and I will die because of one. You and I will live because of the other. God wants you and me to clearly understand both events and the results each has brought.
by lighthouse | Jun 30, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 5:17 “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through this one man, Jesus Christ.” You and I are the recipients of: 1. God’s ABUNDANT grace and 2. The GIFT of righteousness. Most unfortunately, Adam caused death to enter this world. That is the saddest statement you will ever read or hear. So much pain and suffering has resulted. Most fortunately, Jesus Christ came and brought #1 and #2 above. Sorrow has turned into joy! You and I are so blessed there are not enough —Thank You Dear Jesus —in the world to express our elation.
by lighthouse | Jun 29, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” To have a relationship with our perfect God you and I must be perfect. A major problem is: You and I are not perfect. So we cannot help but ask—what do we do? Are you and I lost? On our own the answer is an obvious yes. But, Jesus, our perfection entered the picture. He is our advocate, our perfection. Jesus is the reconciliation between God and man–you and me. As Christians we somewhat treat this reconciliation as not that big a deal. But, that reconciliation is actually the biggest deal known to man. We are saved because of our Savior. That is the greatest blessing you and I will ever receive!
by lighthouse | Jun 28, 2021 | Uncategorized
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Real facts of history prove Jesus lived, died and rose. Real facts from God give the reason. His unfathomable love is the reason. You and I, as Christians, can only marvel at God’s great love for each of us. There has never been and will never be a sweeter message!
