Get Real

No Such Thing as Universal Love

Many believe that because “God is Love” he will ultimately save all people. This is not so. It cannot be so. It would contradict the very nature of God, which also includes holiness and justice. Therefore, love cannot overpower holiness and save those who reject Christ and die in their sins.

This is a hard truth for many. But, better to consider it now while alive and able to choose than after death when it’s too late.

God’s love is universal in that it can be known to all. It has nothing to do with affection and everything to do with perfection. That is: God is and man is not.

He loves sinful people because he is gracious. His mercy is universal in that it is available to all. This is the unmerited favor of God shown to man primarily through the work of Jesus Christ. All of these concepts are related and stem from the love of God who is love.

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.sharonhouk.com/faq.html

Expelled. Rebelled. Synonomous?

Looks like it!   

Check out this soon to be released movie.

(More on this one later)

You Can Know God

  If we are to know God at all, it is necessary that he reveal himself to us. Even when discussing the revelation of God that comes through nature, God shows himself to us. The natural creation reveals God because he chose to have himself revealed that way. However, nature is not God and God is not in nature (as some believe). We can know there is a God because nature reveals God to us.

Only Scripture can tell us how to interpret natural revelation of God correctly. To not consider the God of the Scriptures and only consider the God of nature is futile thinking. To think we can know God based on our own wisdom is foolish thinking. Ahh…but to believe that is the first step in knowing God.

Jesus Christ came to give us understanding “to know him that is true.” We can know God, when we believe what God reveals in the Bible. We commune with him in his presence, we sing his praise, and we are aware that he personally dwells among us and within us to bless us. Indeed, this personal relationship with God the Father, with God the Son, and with God the Holy Spirit may be said to be the greatest of all blessings of the Christian life.

If you’ve known God, but have turned your back on Him, will you reconsider the relationship with Him? Chances are he is not the one that caused you the pain that prompted you to flee. Instead, it was the sin of another.

What have you got to lose by looking heavenward and seeking reconciliation with the God who loves you so much? What?

I’d like to hear from you.

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.sharonhouk.com/faq.html

What’s in a Name?

If someone used a term to describe me more than 2500 times in a document, I would probably conclude that person was onto something.

Speaking of God, the Hebrew term elohim occurs in the general sense of deity about 2,570 times in the Old Testament. About 2,310 times it is a name for the true God beginning with that ever popular text, “In the beginning, God…”

Sure, we could argue that the Bible is some ancient book full of errors and lacking proof of the claims made therein. But, that wouldn’t reveal intelligence in either of us.

The opposite is true—the Bible is without error and historical evidence abounds. Have you ever read it? The God it introduces is amazing. The story it tells is rich. The promises it reveals provide hope.

What’s in a name? In this case, life and death are in the name (that is, power and authority) of elohim through the person of Jesus Christ.

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.keytofreedom.org/faq.html

Re-Think God

If the heavens proclaim the glory of God

     and the skies display his craftsmanship;

If day after day, they continue to speak

      and night after night they make him known;

if they speak without a sound or word

      then their voice is always heard.

Yes, their message has gone throughout the earth,

      and their words to all the world.

Who can question that God has made a home in the heavens for the sun?

It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.

      It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.

The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end.

      Nothing can hide from its warmth.

Rethink God. God proclaims his presence to all throughout the whole world, even those who cannot see, can witness his presence in the warmth of the sun.

Rethink God. He loves you and desires a relationship with you.

Rethink God. He sent His son Jesus Christ so that anyone who calls on him can know him.

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.keytofreedom.org/faq.html

Clinton, McCain, Obama, Romney, et al…

Politics is not my forte. But, recently, I’ve come to consider how the worldviews, or basic beliefs of each of these individuals running for president would affect me once elected.

A few months ago, I posted about two bills in California that may ultimately impact what I do—teach from the Bible and proclaim absolutes about what is written therein. My beliefs could “offend” someone, and in some circumstances, I could be fined or jailed. These laws are in effect because of the individual(s) who signed them into law. They did so based on their worldview.

It is nearly impossible to vote for a political party based purely on its original foundational values and be certain that those values will be honored.

There is a plethora of issues to consider before we vote, right? Do they support abortion? Will they fund illegal immigration? How hard will they push to get homosexual rights passed into law? Are they for the war in Iraq or against it? Will they support a divided Israel? Will they raise taxes or balance the budget? Will they save the rain forest or cut it down? The list is endless depending on what is important to you.

The answers, or lack thereof, could keep you awake at night, or be the cause of many heated arguments. As for me, I anchor all of this worry on the Rock of my salvation—Jesus Christ.

You see, when you base your worldview on the absolutes of the Bible, you needn’t worry about the answers to these questions. Educate yourself on the individual running for office before you vote? Yes. But worry and argue about it? No. God has it under control. The earth and all that is in it, is His. He knows the beginning from the end and has our future in his loving hands—if you call on Him as your God and your Savior.

What’s your Fate in 2008?

Every year the mantra changes so that it rhymes with the year. Make it Great in 2008! is one I read recently. That seems to imply that last year wasn’t great. But, for some of us, it was. It is only right that I share the faithfulness of the One who allowed me to have a great 2007.

Along with my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes the privilege of prayer. I know without a doubt that I need not toss up wishful inquiries to the “man upstairs.” God allows me to share my needs, wants and desires with Him because he knows me personally. He is faithful, meets all of my needs and encourages me not to worry because he has my best interest in mind.

Last year, his faithful attentiveness to my prayer requests resulted in:

Friend and family relationships renewed and strengthened; college completion for my daughter; near college completion for me along with lots of safe travel and energy to maintain the horrific time constraints that I was under (without losing my sanity or health); a timely job dismissal for my son, which opened the door for an excellent job in his desired line of work; my husband’s continual employment; other family members’ smooth transition which involved the sale of a home, two moves and some health challenges…

The list could go on and on. The picture is clear—the Lord is faithful to meet all of our needs. The only catch is that you know Him, not know about Him.

What’s my fate in 2008? Well, actually, I don’t believe in fate. Instead, I have faith in my Lord and just like 2007, I know 2008 will be great.

Check out some of the many ways the Lord is faithful by clicking here.

Happy New Year!

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.keytofreedom.org/faq.html