What is Sin?

What is Sin?

It is the glory of God not honored.

The holiness of God not reverenced.

The greatness of God not admired.

The power of God not praised.

The truth of God not sought.

The wisdom of God not esteemed.

The beauty of God not treasured.

The goodness of God not savored.

The faithfulness of God not trusted.

The commandments of God not obeyed.

The justice of God not respected.

The wrath of God not feared.

The grace of God not cherished.

The presence of God no prized.

The person of God not loved.

That is sin.”

– John Piper

Everyone has sinned...

 There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,

 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:22-23

There is a price to pay for our sins...

 For the wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

Jesus paid the price for our sins...

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours

but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:2

God hates sin. He will never allow sin to enter His heaven.

He knew for us to enter heaven the price had to be paid for our sin. 

Jesus, speaks up to God the Father and says, "I'll pay the price!"

Nowing the price was death Jesus was still willing to leave the splendors of heaven and come to this earth to die. To die for you and me. Jesus paid the price for our sin so we would not have to! 

God hates sin but Oh, how He loves us!

Father God in heaven, I thank You for the amazing love you have for us. That while we were still sinners Jesus died for us, paying the price for our sins. I pray for those reading this blog. Father, will you reveal Yourself to them in a personal way, right where they are. Let them feel the love you have for them. 

                                           In Jesus name, Amen. 

All Scripture used in my blogs comes from

the Word of God which is the Holy Bible

 

426 Laurelwood Road

Pottstown, PA 19465

610-323-0480

www.calvarychristian.info

Feel free to e-mail me:

Cindy Mckinley at:

mckinleyclm@gmail.com 

Check out some of my other blogs:

Go Away Jesus! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/11/go-away-jesus.html  

It's All God's Fault! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-all-gods-fault_13.html

How Did I Miss That?   http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-did-i-miss-that.html

I Am Free! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-free.html

Transition vs. Transformation http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/transition-vs-transformation.html

Looking For God

Isaiah 55:1,2,4,6  "Come all you who are thirsty...Listen, listen to me and eat what is good...See I have made him a witness to the peoples...Seek the Lord while He may be found.”

Did you ever stop to think that the God who created the universe wants you to spend time with him and that He has something to say to you?

Through the prophet Isaiah God gives us five steps to coming to truly knowing Him.

Step 1 ~ Come
For those who are truly thirsty and hungry for more of God, He has given us an open invitation to come into His presence. And once we come He says, “Listen, listen to Me eat what is good.”

Step 2 ~ Listen
Not once, but twice God says, “Listen, listen to Me”. He has given us His Word, the Bible, which is full of instructions of how to live and walk this journey on earth.

Step 3 ~ Eat what is good
King David said, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

In the natural we must eat and drink to keep our bodies alive.
To keep our soul alive within us we must eat and drink in God's Word the Holy Bible.  

Have you ever found a food that you really like and you don’t think twice about going back for seconds maybe even thirds.  How many times have you said, “This is so good, I just can’t get enough.”?

This is what God is asking us to. To open His Word and take in what He has to say. Once we start, we will keep coming back for more. We will soon find that when we start applying what He has written to us will change our lives forever. We will have tasted and found that having hope for the future is good.

Step 4 ~ See 
He wants us to take a look into His Word and see His Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our witness of what is to come and since He has enter eternity. Jesus said in John 18:37 ... “I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” One who testifies is a witness.

Step 5 ~ Seek
We are all told to ... “Seek the Lord while He may be found.” There is a day coming when the presence of God will no longer be upon this earth. Many will cry out to God only to find He is no longer there. It is vital that we all seek Him while He may be found. We can’t give up. We must keep on seeking, every day. Not once in awhile but continually.

The prophet Hosea tells us, “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12

Every day I choose to Come to God. I choose to Listen to what He has to say and Eat what is good for my soul through reading the Bible. I choose to search out the testimony of Jesus for He is an eye-witness from the beginning till the end. I choose to Seek the Lord while He may be found.

Oh, there have been many times I have had to break up the unplowed ground of my heart, areas that have become hard because of circumstances in my life. But that is something God helps me to do. He loves us so much!

I leave you with this verse from Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

Father God in Heaven, there may be some who have tried to come to You in the past and for some reason have not felt Your presence. You have promised that those who seek You will find You, if they seek You with all their heart. Be with each one who reads this blog. Let them feel Your presence in a personal way and find HOPE that can only come from You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen! 

A good place in the Holy Bible to read and learn about Jesus is the gospels, which are the first four books of the New Testament ...Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Before you start reading ask God to open your mind to understand the scripture and to reveal His Son, Jesus Christ to you. He will answer your prayer!

All Scripture used in my blogs comes from

the Word of God which is the Holy Bible

426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480
www.calvarychristian.info

Feel free to e-mail me:
Cindy Mckinley at:
mckinleyclm@gmail.com

Check out some of my other blogs:

Go Away Jesus! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/11/go-away-jesus.html  

It's All God's Fault! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-all-gods-fault_13.html

How Did I Miss That?   http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-did-i-miss-that.html

I Am Free! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-free.html

Transition vs. Transformation http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/transition-vs-transformation.html

Point Of No Return

If you were to go a short distance upstream from Niagara Falls you would find signs posted that read, "DANGER! This is the point of NO return!" Any person or thing that crosses that point of the river will go over the Falls.

Jesus Christ experienced this Point of No Return as He knelt at the Mount of Olives to pray.  The hour was getting late and He knew His time was short. 

Here is what Luke says about this crucial time in Jesus' life:

Luke 22:39-43    Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Jesus knew what lay ahead for Him...He knew the pain and agony that would soon be placed upon Him.
Making the decision to set aside His wishes, He crossed the line by surrendering to the Father's will. Once that decision was made, there was no turning back.

I too have faced challenging times in my life, yet nothing as horrendous as Jesus dying on the cross. However, there have been many times where I struggled with what I wanted versus what God wanted.  

Surrendering to God's will is a choice that I must make when situations arise. Once I choose to go God's way, I determine in my heart that no matter what lies ahead I can trust God to take care of it. I can do that today because He has proven Himself faithful in the past.

Jeremiah 29:11  says: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

So, what decision is before you today? What choice do you need to make? Let me encourage you to give God a chance to prove His faithfulness to you.

 

All Scripture used in my blogs comes from

the Word of God which is the Holy Bible

426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480
www.calvarychristian.info

Feel free to e-mail me:
Cindy Mckinley at:
mckinleyclm@gmail.com

Check out some of my other blogs:

Go Away Jesus! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/11/go-away-jesus.html  

It's All God's Fault! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-all-gods-fault_13.html

How Did I Miss That?   http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-did-i-miss-that.html

I Am Free! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-free.html

Transition vs. Transformation http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/transition-vs-transformation.html

 

 

Thirsty?

Isaiah 55:1,2,4,6  "Come all you who are thirsty...Listen, listen to me and eat what is good...See I have made him a witness to the peoples...Seek the Lord while He may be found.”

Did you ever stop to think that the God who created the universe wants you to spend time with him and that He has something to say to you?

Come ~ For those who are truly thirsty and hungry for more of God, He has given us an open invitation to come into His presence. And once we come He says, “Listen, listen to Me eat what is good.”

Listen ~ Not once, but twice God says, “Listen, listen to Me”. He has given us His Word, the Bible, which is full of instructions of how to live and walk this journey on earth.

Eat what is good ~ King David said, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

Have you ever found a food that you really like and you don’t think twice about going back for seconds maybe even thirds.  How many times have you said, “This is so good, I just can’t get enough.”?

This is what God is calling us to. Come if you are thirsty and drink in My Word. Come and eat up my Word. You’ll find something that tastes so good. Something that will give us hope and a future and it is all found in His Word!

See ~ He wants us to take a look into His Word and see His Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our witness of what is to come and since He has enter eternity. Jesus said in John 18:37 ... “I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” One who testifies is a witness.

Seek ~ We are all told to ... “Seek the Lord while He may be found.” There is a day coming when the presence of God will no longer be upon this earth. Many will cry out to God only to find He is no longer there. It is vital that we all seek Him while He may be found. We can’t give up. We must keep on seeking, every day. Not once in awhile but continually.

The prophet Hosea tells us, “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12

Every day I choose to Come to God. I choose to Listen to what He has to say and Eat what is good for my soul through reading the Bible. I choose to search out the testimony of Jesus for He is an eye-witness from the beginning till the end. I choose to Seek the Lord while He may be found.

Oh, there have been many times I have had to break up the unplowed ground of my heart, areas that have become hard because of circumstances in my life. But that is something God helps me to do. He loves us so much!

I leave you with this verse from Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

Father God in Heaven, there may be some who have tried to come to You in the past and for some reason have not felt Your presence. You have promised that those who seek You will find You, if they seek You with all their heart. Be with each one who reads this blog. Let them feel Your presence in a personal way and find HOPE that can only come from You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen! 

A good place in the Holy Bible to read and learn about Jesus is the gospels, which are the first four books of the New Testament ...Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Before you start reading ask God to open your mind to understand the scripture and to reveal His Son, Jesus Christ to you. He will answer your prayer!

All Scripture used in my blogs comes from

the Word of God which is the Holy Bible

426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480
www.calvarychristian.info

Feel free to e-mail me:
Cindy Mckinley at:
mckinleyclm@gmail.com

Check out some of my other blogs:

Go Away Jesus! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/11/go-away-jesus.html  

It's All God's Fault! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-all-gods-fault_13.html

How Did I Miss That?   http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-did-i-miss-that.html

I Am Free! http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-free.html

Transition vs. Transformation http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/transition-vs-transformation.html

Ready To Die!

While reading a devotional book called “Follow” (Learning To Follow Jesus) written by Daniel McNaughton and Bryan Koch, I came to an amazing journal entry. 

Maralyn, Daniel's sister wrote the following seventy-two hours before she passed away.

"Water is essential to life, and even though food will no longer propel down my throat, I’m still drinking. Amazingly, I don’t feel hungry ... but I am thirsty, and I’m drinking as much as I possibly can. Without divine intervention, I will get to heaven some time within the month.

These 18 months since my ALS diagnosis have been the worst and best of my life. Worst because of my deteriorating body ... best because of my relationship with Christ.

And I’m beginning to see my friendship with Jesus like water when I’m thirsty ... so essential to life. He is the real “living water” referred to in John 4:1-26.

I have many lovely friends, but I’ve never before known a Friend SO close. Everyday we have smiled, laughed, and cried together. And He has comforted me. I’ve asked His opinion, and He has nodded one way or the other. His close friendship has given me many new perspectives on this earthly life that I had never considered before. He’s been closer than my skin...

The only thing that makes me sad is realizing that this intimate friendship with Him has been available to me all throughout my life, and I never chose it until now. I missed it ... big-time! I guess I was always so busy with my lists, projects, plans and events that I was too occupied to be open to such an idea. Oh, I did my devotions, but so often because I knew I “should.” That’s a different thing. Now I long to be with Him, to feel His hug, to hear His voice, to see His smile. It’s so different.

Here’s a piece of motherly advice: Don’t wait until you have a terminal illness to seek a true friendship with Jesus. He’s ready! It takes setting aside some less important things. It takes listening. It takes openness. But it’s so worth it! I hop you become literally thirsty for Jesus.

Soon I’ll be in heaven, and it will be great to see the scenery, gardens and mansions. It will be great to hear the singing and see what’s on the banquet tables. BUT! I can tell you, the thing I’m most looking forward to is meeting my Best Friend face-to-face for the very first time. I’m trying to imagine the thrill..."  

Maralyn passed away on January 4, 2009. She had Lou Gehrig’s disease. Her journal entry is full of HOPE because she knew what awaited her on the other side of this life. My heart was challenged as I read that day. For it’s easy to busy one’s self with list, projects, plans and events and miss it big-time.

I pray for you today and leave you with Maralyn’s motherly advice: “Don’t wait until you have a terminal illness to seek a true friendship with Jesus. He’s ready! It takes setting aside some less important things. It takes listening. It takes openness. But it’s so worth it! I hop you become literally thirsty for Jesus.”
  
This blog will explain how you too can have this HOPE Maralyn spoke of:  http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/easy-as-abc.html

 
Check out some of my other blogs:
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-did-i-miss-that.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-all-gods-fault_13.html  
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/09/gods-living-hope.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-free.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/transition-vs-transformation.html

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/03/choose-your-battles_14.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2013/01/pigs-in-river.html 

426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480 
www.calvarychristian.info 

Feel free to e-mail me at: 
Mckinleyclm@gmail.com

Cupid Crunch

Cupid Crunch

1 (24 oz) package vanilla Almond Bark
2 bags of lightly salted microwave popcorn, popped (approximately 16-20 cups popped popcorn)
1 1/2 cups Valentine candy corn
1 cup dry roasted, salted peanuts
1 1/2 cups M&Ms (Valentine colors)
Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl. The largest you have. Pour peanuts, candy corn, and M&Ms on top.

Break up almond bark. Melt according to package directions. Pour over popcorn mixture. Stir until everything is well coated and then spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Let sit until completely dry and then break up into clumps.

This recipe came from the following site:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539327919433974&set=a.327566197276815.82235.325891627444272&type=1&theater

Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that a man would lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." ~ John 15:12-14

Check out some of my other blogs:

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-did-i-miss-that.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-all-gods-fault_13.html  
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/09/gods-living-hope.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-free.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/transition-vs-transformation.html

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/03/choose-your-battles_14.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/easy-as-abc.html

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2013/01/pigs-in-river.html 

426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480 
www.calvarychristian.info 

Feel free to e-mail me at: 
Mckinleyclm@gmail.com

If you live in the Pottstown, PA area,

I invite you to join us on Sunday mornings at 10am.

Enjoy Life!

“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”  1 Peter 3:10-12

I don't know a single person who doesn't want to enjoy life and have their days filled with happiness. However, for many this is far from reality.

God's Word, the Holy Bible, tells us exactly what we need to do to have that type of life here on earth. 

Peter, who was one of the twelve disciples, not only learned this valuable lesson but he passed the formula on to us. He gave us four steps to enjoying life. Let's take a closer look at each step.

Step One ~ Keep your tongue from speaking evil...
James, who was also one of Jesus twelve disciples, gives some great insight concerning our tongue. In his book, from the Holy Bible, chapter three, He says, "We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way." He goes on to talk about how a large horse is controlled by a small bit in its mouth. and how a small rudder can make a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go. He says, "The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches." And listen to this...."People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth." (James 3:2-10)

No wonder our world is in such a mess.

Step Two ~  Keep your lips from telling lies
We have all heard it said, "A little 'white lie' never hurt anyone." Well the Holy Bible has a lot to say about lies and liars. 
 
King David wrote: “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies. Snake venom drips from their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Psalm 5:9, 10:7)

Jesus himself made it clear where lies come from when talking to the religious leaders of His day. He said to them, "You are unable to hear what I say because, you belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!"

Revelation 21:8 tells us: "The fate of all liars is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur."

Step Three ~ Turn away from evil and do good
Could it be that Peter is letting us know that if we were to change our ways this world would be a better place to live? To turn away from evil means we must go toward righteousness, which is a far better direction to be going in. 

Let's face it, since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden humanity has been walking in the direction of evil and things have only gotten worse and they will continue to do so until there is repentance. 

Repentance is a big thing to God. Jesus said, "There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."


Step Four ~ Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
Too often we see peace as merely the absence of conflict, and we think of peacemaking as a passive role. An effective peacemaker actively pursues peace to building good relationships, knowing  that peace is a by-product of commitment. The peacemaker sees a potential problem and deals with it before it occurs. When conflicts come, and they will, they are brought into the open and dwelt with before they get out of control. 

Making and keeping the peace is hard work. Every day is filled with ample opportunities to bring peace. We only need to search for it and and work to maintain it.

Father God, Search me today, see if there is any wicked way in me. Forgive me of the times I have spoken evil against another person. Forgive me for the times I have stretched the truth in order that others might be impressed. Each day I make the choice to turn from evil and do what is good, right and pleasing in your sight. I search the way of peace and work at being a peacemaker in every situation. I know you watch over those who do right and you hear our prayers. Bless my bloger friends today. In Jesus name, Amen!

~ ~ ~ ~ 

Check out some of my other blogs:

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-did-i-miss-that.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-all-gods-fault_13.html  
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/09/gods-living-hope.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-free.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/04/transition-vs-transformation.html

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/03/choose-your-battles_14.html
 
http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2012/08/easy-as-abc.html

http://cccenterhope.blogspot.com/2013/01/pigs-in-river.html 

426 Laurelwood Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
610-323-0480 
www.calvarychristian.info 

Feel free to e-mail me at: 
Mckinleyclm@gmail.com