The Bridge Blog

Do You Have Insurance (Assurance)?

01/17/2012 07:15:00

Joshua 24:17-18 (MSG)

"God is our God! He brought up our ancestors from Egypt and from slave conditions. He did all those great signs while we watched. He has kept his eye on us all along the roads we've traveled and among the nations we've passed through. Just for us he drove out all the nations, Amorites and all, who lived in the land.

How often do we go through life in doubt? In true honesty all of us have and all of us do. The human side of us is not equipped to initiate protection, comfort, and security from the elements of this earthly life. We look to other sources for insurance coverage, but really all we have to do is look to our Creator who is our assurance!

There’s a television commercial that promotes a well-known insurance company demonstrating how they can protect you from "mayhem". The commercial illustration shows how every damaging thing "mayhem" causes the insurance company says they can recover and restore after the results of mayhem.

God can do the same thing for us plus more. As we travel the roads of life, He can protect us from the destruction's of mayhem. The insurance company in the commercial says they have a great standing track record with their past customers who they have covered and secured.

Today, Jesus is saying the same thing to you and me. He has a great standing track record of how He has and will always cover and protect us from the evil forces of this earthly realm. All we have to do is sign up for the plan...the plan of Salvation. He is the underwriter with a guaranteed seal. The policy will never expire; it's a lifetime warranty with a membership card. You can always call the 24-hour assistance line in the case of a breakdown and He’ll be right there to rescue you.

Who’s Hands Are You In?

I'm Not Alone

01/08/2012 10:01:00

For what can be known about God is plain.--Romans 1:19

It is interesting when we reflect over our lives. Many times our human nature functions as if we're alone. The human aspects of our lives tend to lean toward singleness as if there is no other automatic source aiding us. We invite others to help us throughout our journey, but if you haven't already figured out that, even without another human being by your side there is "one" inside waiting on you to invite Him to become active in your life.

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. -- John 14:15-18

The thought of never being alone is very comforting and over time my faith has increased in the dependency of the Holy Spirit guiding me in this earthly body. The scripture speaks of the world not accepting Him because they can't see Him or know Him.

For those that feel alone, my suggestion is to develop a strong desire to not walk after the ways of the flesh that seek first physical evidence, but after the ways of the spirit man that depend on faith in God.

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." --Hebrews 11:1

The Holy Spirit is our leader and co-partner in this journey and the more we become in tune to His presence the easier it will become to know God plainly and walk in God's plan for our lives.

"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." -- Jeremiah 29:11

Meditate Day & Night Journal 2012

01/04/2012 09:24:00

January 4, 2012

Meditation Scripture: Colossians 3:14

New Living Translation (NLT) – 3:14

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Message Bible (MSG) – 3:12-14

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

What Does It Mean?

Love is the glue, the outfit and the only way to walk into spiritual truths and love, which is through Jesus Christ because His sacrificial body is the transporter that places us into the presence of God who is LOVE.

1 John 4:8-10

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

How Can I Apply It?

Without God’s love actively working in our lives everyday we will fall to pieces, our lives will be scattered all about and we will be expose without the proper clothing to withstand the attacks against us (John 10:10). It is possible and maybe a true statement for many of us, that when parts of us are not glued and covered with God’s love life may seem to be more confusing, frustrating, chaotic, unfulfilled, hostile, and incomplete.

Personal Statement:

I must purposely connect with God and cover myself with the full armor of the Lord (Eph. 10:6-17) because He is my shield (Psalm 28:7) that keeps me covered and although earthly situations will come my way; God will keep me protected (Isa. 54:17) and in one piece so that I can LIVE in PEACE.

A New Year...Now What?

01/03/2012 18:19:00

Does it feel like 2011 still? Has any thing changed?

For many of us, we'd say it's just another day doing the same thing, the same way..."Just another day that the Lord's keep me."

But for others like myself included I say, "it's a different day, a new year, and a new life". And it just didn't start when the clock struck midnight on January 1st, but my transition has been happening for a few years.

In 2011, it seemed as if I was in my senior year, and it was the tests of my faith which moved me to another spiritual level, and I have graduated. For those close to me they can see, hear and attest that I have an even more spiritual understanding of God's plan for His people.

You see all advancements and next levels require a test and a passing grade.

When we were in Kindergarten, in order to pass to the 1st Grade we had to be tested to insure that we had our ABC's and 123's. We had to be able to spell our names, sit still in our seats and listen to our teachers (for some us a least :))

Before we moved onto high school, we had to take ACT's, Iowa Basic, you get my drift.... There is always some kind of test that is required for you to move to the next level. So in life's journey, you will have tests...the tests of your faith. And although it may be tough, you must study your book (The Bible), you must sign up for some study groups and tutors (Bible Study, Workshops,Trainings), you must show up for class so you don't fluke out (Church/Worships) and you must get connected with your personal coach (The Holy Spirit ).

If you haven't already made up your mind, it's time to throw away the mediocre lifestyle and stop settling for what you have and push yourself to walk into the overflow. It's GREAT here on the other side of an unlimited, open, and a freeing relationship with God...WOW.

And guess what, it's FREE! The only requirements are to accept, believe, and confess in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:30

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10

Come walk with me in the overflow and the grace of GOD!

Goodbye 2011...Hello 2012!

12/15/2011 01:54:00

The Year 2011 has come and is almost gone. We come to this point of the year when we begin to reflect over the past experiences that occurred, and do self-examinations on what we did or didn't do.

Were you pleased with the choices you made in 2011?

Are you going to do anything differently for 2012?

As the people of God, we should look forward to a "power pack" year of excitement and overflowing opportunities as individuals and as united "believers".

What are you going to do in 2012 that will bring change and illuminate the KINGDOM of GOD?