HOW CAN I KNOW IF I AM SAVED? A SELF-TEST (Pt 1)

Since the evidence of genuine salvation is the presence of the Holy Spirit within the individual, how can this be verified? How can we be reasonably certain about ourselves, as well as others, without being guilty of judging? To answer this, let's take our own case first-there are several "tests" that we can take to determine His presence within us: (all Scripture quotes from Parallel Bible, KJV/Amplified Bible Commentary).

      1. Romans 8:16 tells us: "The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God." First and foremost, we have the unshakable testimony from within us! The indwelling Holy Spirit of God constantly reassures us that we belong to Jesus Christ.

      2. The entire book of First John was written as a "test" for determining the reality of salvation. Verse three of Chapter one tells us: "What we have seen and [ourselves] heard we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have (which is a distinguishing mark of Christians) is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, the Messiah." The fellowship enjoyed by genuine Christians is proof positive of

Today's Word - The Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's Mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - This is your spiritual act of worship. 

When sacrificing an animal according to God's law, a priest would kill the animal, cut it in pieces, and place it on the alter. sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important (1 Samuel 15:22, Psalms 40:6, Amos 5 21-24). God want us to offer ourselves, not animals, as Living Sacrifices - daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgotten..

Why did your last relationship end?

Was it a battle over money and finances? Maybe your sex life flat-lined, or vanished altogether. Or maybe you just fell out of love. These are the generally agreed-upon leading causes for crumbling coupledom, but MSN.com recently reached out to top relationship gurus and found experts universally agreed that the leading marital torpedo is bad communication. They probed some other common relationship-killers, too.

Of course, Wayne and Wanda couldn't resist weighing in, especially since the experts' observations make for thoughtful consideration for anyone in a relationship, not just the married folks. Here we go: 

The experts said: The No. 1 problem in relationships is bad communication. This includes how people argue -- something that every couple does. But people should do it in a healthy way if they don’t want to jeopardize their partnership.

Wanda says: Irritations and disagreements can bring out the worst in all of us -- from door-slamming to silent treatments to screaming matches. But healthy couples generally argue thoughtfully and listen deeply. Can we always keep emotions out of it? Certainly not. We all go a little crazy sometimes and later regret flash-flood responses. When you’re part of a couple, strong communication includes disagreeing in a way that is mutually respectful and even productive.

Wayne says: Totally agree. Sparks and smiles might set a relationship in motion, but once the relationship is real, communication is the foundation of its long-term success. Yes, many other factors can smash a relationship, but good communication will keep most alive.

The experts said: Couples are at risk when they don’t have enough fun together. They lose touch with meaningful “date nights” and don’t nurture romantic and emotional connections.

The Evidence of what is called Salvation

God provided a way to bridge the separation caused by Sin. Jesus Christ, God's Son, is God's only provision for Man's sin. Through Him alone, we can know God personally and experience His love. 

• Christ Died in our place - "God demonstrated His own love toward us. in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
• Christ Rose from the Dead - "Christ died for our sins... He was buried... He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures.... He appeared to Peter, then the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).
• Christ is the Only Way to God - "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me'" (John 14:6).

It is not just enough to know these truths. we must individually receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord; then we can know God personally and experience His love. 

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

The Evidence of what is called SIN

• Humans are sinful. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Although we were created to have fellowship with God, because of our stubborn self-will, we choose to go our own independent  way and fellowship with God has been broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin. 

• Humans are separated. "The wages of sin is death" {spiritual separation from God} (Romans 6:23). 

".... (Those) who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus... will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord..." (2 Thessalonian 1:8,9).

This sin, which is manifested in each of our individual lives, separates us from God's love and from an intimate relationship with Him. Such separation brings both earthly turmoil and eternal consequences.

Who do you Say I am?

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah."

Mark 8 vs 29

Not every one accepts Peter's answer, but No one should avoid Jesus's Question; "Who do you say I am"?

How to Make Good Friends

First, have something in common, that's one recipe for a good friendship. friendship should be a bound that reflects concerns you have to invest yourself in the details of your friends' lives. otherwise, there's just no bond between you. and then there is the old saying "to have a friend, be a friend" well sometime there could be some selfish people, and their idea of a friend is for you to be everything they want you to be. the minute you step out of the role they've designed for you, watch out! you're a bad friend! it helps if your friends have a level of confidence equal to yours, which will eradicate any envy or jealousy they might otherwise have.