A New Heart-Ezekial 36:26

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

A beating heart is a sign of life. Physically, your heart beats regularly. But spiritually, until you get to know God firsthand, your heart is flat-lining. In Ezekiel 36:26 Good promises the ULTIMATE heart transplant. It is the promise of being fully alive - physically, emotionally, and spiritually - both in this life on earth and in the next.

This year comes to an end tonight and we begin 2012. We aren't promised even our next breath, some will NEVER see 2012 come to be. Jesus says, "I stand at the door and knock..." He wants a personal relationship with you...all you need to do is ask and He will give you a heart transplant. This heart transplant is only possible through the power of God's Spirit. Trying to become more loving, generous, and kind though self-effort can never bring a heart of stone to live. Only God's gift of his presence can jump-start a heart into a permanent change.

HE is the only one who will never leave you nor forsake you. He loves you NO MATTER WHAT! Turn your life over to Him and trust in Him to change your heart of stone for a heart after His.

Wishing you all a safe blessed New Year!

Believer's inheritance...John 14:27

Do you know the definition of inheritance?

Definition of INHERITANCE

1

a : the act of inheriting property b : the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring c : the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations

2

: something that is or may be inherited

3

a : tradition b : a valuable possession that is a common heritage from nature

4

obsolete : possession

See inheritance defined for English-language learners »

See inheritance defined for kids »

Examples of INHERITANCE

1. She began her own business with the inheritance she got from her grandfather.
2. He left sizable inheritances to his children.
3. The buildings are part of the city's architectural inheritance.
4. the inheritance of an estate
5. the inheritance of a genetic trait

I LOVE that it said "genetic qualities by transmission from parent"...the parent, our Heavenly Father. I also LOVED "the inheritance of an estate"...do you know where? Heaven!!!


Jesus also left us with something else as He left this earth to wait for us in Heaven, according to John 14:27 He left us with His peace..."Jesus said, "I leave you peace; My peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does, so dont let your hearts be troubled or afraid."


When you think of peace you think of everyone getting along, no wars etc. but Jesus told us it's not as the world sees it. I have seen this peace...when my Uncle was diagnosed with cancer, he KNEW he could face whatever came because he KNEW where he would spend eternity and he understood ALL things work together for good...when passed away my Aunt had this peace knowing he had gone to Heaven.


We arent promised that this life on earth would be easy, we just have the promise that we are never alone..."I will never leave you nor forsake you..." with that assurance "...I can face uncertain days because He lives"

"We KNOW that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" Roman 8:28

Paul wrote this...this guy was beaten, imprisoned, stoned, whipped, slandered and shipwrecked. Yet he didnt write "we hope" or "we feel" or "we pray"...he said with confidence "We KNOW"

While I have never been beaten, imprisoned, stoned, whipped, slandered or shipwrecked sometimes the situations we face on a daily basis can make us feel this way...good thing is we can KNOW all things work together for good, for us as Christians.

What assurance this should be for us, we can face uncertain days because HE lives!

Scapegoat-"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness"

What is a scapegoat? Merriam-Webster defines it as:

: a goat upon whose head are symbolically placed the sins of the people after which he is sent into the wilderness in the biblical ceremony for Yom Kippur

2

a : one that bears the blame for others b : one that is the object of irrational hostility

 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scapegoat

In the Old Testament, apparently the priest would place the sins of the person on a goat and send it out into the wilderness so that the person could be closer to God, but in the New Testament a different "scapegoat" (Jesus Christ) was sent. He CHOSE to bear our sins so that we could have a personal relationship with Him.

To confess simply means "to agree". Agree with God about how well your thoughts, words, and actions have lined up with what He desires for your life.

More forward today with confidence, fully forgiven and free from guilt.

"I AM WHO I AM" Exodus 3:14

Such a profound statement in just those 5 simple words!

 

Who are you? How would you describe yourself when you are meeting someone new?

I am strong...but what about when you are tested and feel weak, or if you got sick and lost that strength?

I am beautiful...but what about bad hair days, or what if you were scared and never look the same again?

I am wise...but what if you lost your knowledge through a terrible disease called Alzheimer's?

When God described himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14 He simply said, "I AM WHO I AM". See the thing about God is unlike us, He NEVER changes He just IS who He is!

HE IS:

The Bread Of Life
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
The Light Of The World
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
The Gate
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)
The Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
The Resurrection And The Life
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
The Way, The Truth, And The Life
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
The Vine
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Good to know that even though we change, God is ALWAYS God, God NEVER changes! His unfailing love endures FOREVER, God not only is, but He always was and always will be.

Yay GOD!