Just Thinking...

jelineee

"The cost of your sins is more than you can pay. The gift of your God if more than you can imagine."

Near the Cirty of Sao Jose' dos Campos, Brazil, is a remarkable facility. Twenty years ago the Brazilian government turned a prison over to two Christians. The institution was renamed Humaita, and the plan was to run it on Christian principles. With the exception of two full-time staff, all the work is done by inmates. Families outside the prison adopt an inmate to work with during and after his term. Chuck Colson visited the prison and made this report:

When I visited Humaita I found the inmates smiling-- particularly
the murderer who held the keys, opened the gates and let me in.
Wherever I walked I saw men at peace. I saw clean living areas,
people working industriously. The walls are decorated with
Biblical sayings from Psalms and Proverbs......

My guide escorted me to the notorious prison cell once used
for torture. Today, he told me, that block houses only a single
inmate. As we reached the end of a long concrete corridor and
he put the key in the lock, he paused and asked,
"Are you sure you want to go in?"

"Of course." I replied impatiently, "I've been in isolation cells all
over the world." Slowly he swung open the massive door, and
I saw the prisoner in that punishment cell: a crucifix,
beautifully carved by the Humaita inmates--
the prisoner Jesus, hanging on a cross.

"He's doing time for the rest of us," my guide said softly.

When you came to Christ,
did He know every sin you'd committed up until that point?
Yes.

Did Christ know every sin you would commit in the future?
Yes, He knew that too.

So Jesus saved you,
knowing all the sins you would ever commit
until the end of your life?
Yes.

If your sins were too great for His grace,
He never would have saved you in the first place.

Just believe it.

You can never fall beyond His grace.

(In the Grip Of Grace - Max Lucado)

jelineee

that's the heading for the second lesson of Job: Wrestling with God

"When life is good we have no questions, and when it is hard we have no answers-- or so it is said."

Were you ever tempted to doubt that GOD IS GOOD?


DON'T.

Circumstances in life doesn't tell us about God's goodness. The Cross does.

So whenever you start doubting, FIX YOUR EYES ON THE CROSS OF JESUS. =)

jelineee

Is it possible to love God for God's sake, and not merely for the benefits of being faithful, even when there are benefits? And what if these benefits are all removed and one is left with no benefit but God alone?

Lesson 1: Dueling with the Devil (Job 1:1-2:10)

I willl sing, I will praise

Even in my darkest hours

Through the sorrow and the pain

I will sing, I will praise

Lift my hands to honour You

Because Your word is true

I will sing

There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON for us to not be able to praise God!

Job 2:7-10a

So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

After everything he went through (read the book of Job for more info), he was still able to keep on holding on to God to the point of rebuking the words of his faithless wife. Amazing faith!

Hope we all get something from the story of Job. I'll try to keep posting up the lessons from our Bible Study. =)

God bless!

jelineee

one last try means ONE LAST TRY.

.The End.