“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Hebrews 8:12 NKJV).
Within
the reflection and overview of the history of a people whom God chose,
we see the explanation provided as to Who Jesus is, Where He is, and Why
He came, again.
He is our high priest--ordained, appointed and established by God for all times.
He is sitting at the right hand of His Father, ready to advocate on our behalf--alleviating the need for mortal man to intercede for us.
He came because the people chose not to follow the mandates of the old covenant (The
Law as given to Moses), to establish a new covenant--writing upon our
hearts--what He wants us to know and do. It is because the people were
not diligent in keeping The Law--making sacrifices for the atonement of
sin (They made a business of it--selling the elements to be used for the
sacrifices created a problem for the very poor; they had no means of
atoning for sins since they couldn't afford to pay for the elements.) With
the new covenant, we can boldly approach the throne of grace for
ourselves--whether we are rich or poor--and know with confidence that He
hears us and forgives us and then "remembers our sins no more" as long as we do not repeat them. He cannot forgive sin for which we consistently do because by our very actions--we have not repented.
When
we have repented (turned away from all things that are not like God)
and live a life that pleases God, He does not remind of us of our sins
to provoke us to guilt--He forgives and then forgets about them--wiping
the slate clean.
Man is not
so. We love to keep throwing the past at a person--attempting to make
them feel guilty because of a lack of understanding. Once
God forgives us--what "we did" (past tense) is nobody's business and
they have no right to keep fishing in our ponds when our sins are in the
sea of forgetfulness. Now, we have to trust in His mercy--to forgive ourselves--and not allow the enemy to keep bringing our past before us. We did what we did; we repented, God forgave us and that is the end of the matter.
Don't
allow others to condemn you for the things God has forgiven. Let it go
and trust in His mercy to guide you in forward movement, not past
mistakes.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
This Is My Prayer!
Father,
I ask You to look upon this world and all of its inhabitants and
Touch hearts that need emotional healing,
Touch bodies that need physical healing,
Touch minds that need mental healing, and
Touch finances in such a way that all are blessed to be a blessing.
Speak to the hearts of those who govern others so we may know peace in the land.
Speak to the hearts of those who hate others for no reason so love can overflow.
Speak to mothers and fathers and guide them in being the parents You want them to be.
Speak to children and give them instruction in how to be obedient and respectful to all.
Speak to teachers and show them how to teach.
Speak to students and open their minds to learning and being the best they can.
Speak to leaders in every venue--businesses, government, school, churches, and homes and remind them to conduct themselves as representatives of who You are--seeking to defend the rights of the poor and needy, wherever we find them.
Look upon those who are lost--not having known You and put one of Your children along their path, so they will come to know You.
Look upon all those who serve You and grant them favor everywhere they go with everyone they meet.
Examine each and every one of us--show us where we need to improve in our relationship with You and with others.
Remind us of Your Word through the Holy Spirit who guides and teaches all who will receive.
Thank You for hearing and answering this prayer.
Pour out a special blessing for all who agree with it and share it with others--loving like Jesus, unconditionally.
In Jesus' name I pray and thank You, Amen!
I ask You to look upon this world and all of its inhabitants and
Touch hearts that need emotional healing,
Touch bodies that need physical healing,
Touch minds that need mental healing, and
Touch finances in such a way that all are blessed to be a blessing.
Speak to the hearts of those who govern others so we may know peace in the land.
Speak to the hearts of those who hate others for no reason so love can overflow.
Speak to mothers and fathers and guide them in being the parents You want them to be.
Speak to children and give them instruction in how to be obedient and respectful to all.
Speak to teachers and show them how to teach.
Speak to students and open their minds to learning and being the best they can.
Speak to leaders in every venue--businesses, government, school, churches, and homes and remind them to conduct themselves as representatives of who You are--seeking to defend the rights of the poor and needy, wherever we find them.
Look upon those who are lost--not having known You and put one of Your children along their path, so they will come to know You.
Look upon all those who serve You and grant them favor everywhere they go with everyone they meet.
Examine each and every one of us--show us where we need to improve in our relationship with You and with others.
Remind us of Your Word through the Holy Spirit who guides and teaches all who will receive.
Thank You for hearing and answering this prayer.
Pour out a special blessing for all who agree with it and share it with others--loving like Jesus, unconditionally.
In Jesus' name I pray and thank You, Amen!
And You Think What?
I've been writing for some time now, blog posts to encourage, to advertise, and to vent. If I have touched a nerve, encouraged a heart, or inspired you to read or write, let me know.
If you have read any of the free ebooks, I'd especially like to hear from you. If you haven't, here's an opportunity to do so--https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/381188--for those special Tweens in your life. Don't forget to let me know what you think. A complete listing of my books can be found on amazon.com or maryhallrayford.wordpress.com. Check them out!
If you've paid for books and read them, I'd like to know what you think about them, too. Trying to encourage literacy building without knowing if people are actually reading--is a chore. I love to write, but I'd rather write things that benefit others.
What do you think? What are your suggestions about how I should proceed with promoting my books? What are your thoughts about my characters? I'm all ears--waiting to hear what you have to say or rather "see" it in writing.
Thanks!
If you have read any of the free ebooks, I'd especially like to hear from you. If you haven't, here's an opportunity to do so--https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/381188--for those special Tweens in your life. Don't forget to let me know what you think. A complete listing of my books can be found on amazon.com or maryhallrayford.wordpress.com. Check them out!
If you've paid for books and read them, I'd like to know what you think about them, too. Trying to encourage literacy building without knowing if people are actually reading--is a chore. I love to write, but I'd rather write things that benefit others.
What do you think? What are your suggestions about how I should proceed with promoting my books? What are your thoughts about my characters? I'm all ears--waiting to hear what you have to say or rather "see" it in writing.
Thanks!
The Perishables!
“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish" (Isaiah 41:11 NIV).
A Word of encouragement through Isaiah from God! In the previous verse, God tells the children of Israel, descendants of Abraham (of whom we are by faith), "not to be afraid because He will give us strength, He will help us and uphold us with His righteous right hand." And then--in this verse--He tells them that all those who have attempted to do us harm will be ashamed and disgraced and will eventually perish. That's how awesome our God is! He will allow us to see those who oppose us (simply because we choose to live God's Word), perish--and no longer exist!
So, whatever is causing you anxiety today--be still and know that God is yet with you and you have no need to fear: negative doctor reports, bill collectors, rebellious children, scorners and mockers, and haters of all kinds. Keep doing what you do (that honors God) and by faith and obedience--all that you do will have good success. You will see how everything will change and God will take what the enemy meant for evil and use it to your good. Have faith--don't give up, trust God and speak what He speaks (according to His Word) and watch yourself getting the God-kind of results you need.
When you see all the attempts of the enemy crumble before your eyes--praise God and be even more encouraged to live for Him in obedience rather than in giving into temptation to pacify fleshly pleasures!
God can and will do all He says He will do for those who love Him and obey. He is not a man that He should lie.
Are you looking forward to seeing the perishables disappear? You are being held in God's right hand and it will come to pass! Hallelujah! #Delivered!
A Word of encouragement through Isaiah from God! In the previous verse, God tells the children of Israel, descendants of Abraham (of whom we are by faith), "not to be afraid because He will give us strength, He will help us and uphold us with His righteous right hand." And then--in this verse--He tells them that all those who have attempted to do us harm will be ashamed and disgraced and will eventually perish. That's how awesome our God is! He will allow us to see those who oppose us (simply because we choose to live God's Word), perish--and no longer exist!
So, whatever is causing you anxiety today--be still and know that God is yet with you and you have no need to fear: negative doctor reports, bill collectors, rebellious children, scorners and mockers, and haters of all kinds. Keep doing what you do (that honors God) and by faith and obedience--all that you do will have good success. You will see how everything will change and God will take what the enemy meant for evil and use it to your good. Have faith--don't give up, trust God and speak what He speaks (according to His Word) and watch yourself getting the God-kind of results you need.
When you see all the attempts of the enemy crumble before your eyes--praise God and be even more encouraged to live for Him in obedience rather than in giving into temptation to pacify fleshly pleasures!
God can and will do all He says He will do for those who love Him and obey. He is not a man that He should lie.
Are you looking forward to seeing the perishables disappear? You are being held in God's right hand and it will come to pass! Hallelujah! #Delivered!
Monday, December 16, 2013
Call Upon The Lord!
"I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies" (Psalm 18:3).
Is there anyone like our God?
Is there anyone else who can reach out to us from the heavens and touch our hearts and lives?
Is there anyone else who can provide us with all we need?
Is there anyone else who can save us from ourselves?
Is there anyone else who can save us from our enemies?
Is there anyone else who can keep our feet on the paths He has established to secure our future?
Is there anyone else who can alert us to dangers--seen and unseen--and provide a way of escape?
Is there anyone else who is willing to give up their seat in glory and come down to earth to save mankind?
Is there anyone else who loves us in spite of our shortcomings and forgives us when we confess our sins?
Is there anyone else we can call upon 24/7, 365 days of the year and know He will hear us?
Is there anyone else who will give us chance after chance after chance to get living right for Him?
Is there anyone--like our God in all the earth?
There is none like The Lord, Our God in all the earth; nobody greater, nobody wiser, nobody better than Him!
And when we face challenges that are too great for us to handle alone, call upon The Lord--and He will be right there!
Is there anyone like our God?
Is there anyone else who can reach out to us from the heavens and touch our hearts and lives?
Is there anyone else who can provide us with all we need?
Is there anyone else who can save us from ourselves?
Is there anyone else who can save us from our enemies?
Is there anyone else who can keep our feet on the paths He has established to secure our future?
Is there anyone else who can alert us to dangers--seen and unseen--and provide a way of escape?
Is there anyone else who is willing to give up their seat in glory and come down to earth to save mankind?
Is there anyone else who loves us in spite of our shortcomings and forgives us when we confess our sins?
Is there anyone else we can call upon 24/7, 365 days of the year and know He will hear us?
Is there anyone else who will give us chance after chance after chance to get living right for Him?
Is there anyone--like our God in all the earth?
There is none like The Lord, Our God in all the earth; nobody greater, nobody wiser, nobody better than Him!
And when we face challenges that are too great for us to handle alone, call upon The Lord--and He will be right there!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Gift of Literacy and Learning!
With all of the gift-giving this season (or any other), don't forget the gift of improving literacy through reading. Read, read, read and then read some more!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/381188 Battlerama is free!
http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M.-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ Something for everyone!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/381188 Battlerama is free!
http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M.-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ Something for everyone!
Showing Off!
"How abundant are the good things that you have stored up
for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those
who take refuge in you" (Psalm 31:19 NIV).
When we have reverential fear (respect and reverence) for God--He will make sure that all who know Him are blessed abundantly (more than enough) and He will do it in front of all those who mock Him and those who believe Him.
God loves showing off--He makes the unbelieving believe by what He shows them in how He uses those who believe. He uses the foolish to confound the wise. The uses the weak and gives them strength to overcome the tricks of the enemy. He heals those who have been told by unbelieving man, "there's nothing else we can do." And they are so right. But God--can do all things and do them well.
God can and will perform miracles when miracles are least expected. We see it every day--"those things that occur that man cannot explain."
God can and will do everything He promises in His Word for those whose faith does not waver, no matter how the enemy attempts to cloak success in unbelief and doubt. When God says do it; we simply believe and do it. The measure of success--is not on us--but on God. Our role is simply to obey. Hallelujah!
If we want God to "show off" in our lives, we must believe that He is (everything He says He is) and He will (do everything He says He will do). How do we do it? By knowing what He has said, developing a right relationship with Him, and obeying His voice! No magic--just untainted belief in the knowledge of the Most High!
Now, watch Him show-off for your benefit to His glory!
When we have reverential fear (respect and reverence) for God--He will make sure that all who know Him are blessed abundantly (more than enough) and He will do it in front of all those who mock Him and those who believe Him.
God loves showing off--He makes the unbelieving believe by what He shows them in how He uses those who believe. He uses the foolish to confound the wise. The uses the weak and gives them strength to overcome the tricks of the enemy. He heals those who have been told by unbelieving man, "there's nothing else we can do." And they are so right. But God--can do all things and do them well.
God can and will perform miracles when miracles are least expected. We see it every day--"those things that occur that man cannot explain."
God can and will do everything He promises in His Word for those whose faith does not waver, no matter how the enemy attempts to cloak success in unbelief and doubt. When God says do it; we simply believe and do it. The measure of success--is not on us--but on God. Our role is simply to obey. Hallelujah!
If we want God to "show off" in our lives, we must believe that He is (everything He says He is) and He will (do everything He says He will do). How do we do it? By knowing what He has said, developing a right relationship with Him, and obeying His voice! No magic--just untainted belief in the knowledge of the Most High!
Now, watch Him show-off for your benefit to His glory!
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