Tag: salvation

encouragement, Uncategorized

For The Lost

by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment on For The Lost

I’m sorry. I admit I was too caught up in my own drama and grief that I didn’t realize you were lost. I was given one simple mission and that was to spread the Gospel of Christ. I was meant to be a witness for God’s love and greatness. Instead, I acted no different than someone who doesn’t know God. I’m sure that must have been confusing to see someone who claims to be a disciple of Christ completely ignore those in need. I gave you no reason to follow God or to even believe in Him, with my judgments and condemnation. I never tried to understand what you were going through. Once I received my salvation, I just focused on what God could do for me and not what I could for Him.

I’m not proud of this. I deeply regret it, especially now that I see how much anger and contempt you have for God and His people. I can clearly see your pain and confusion now. I failed you and I’m not really sure how to make up for it. I’m sure telling you I’m sorry is a start and I could tell you that you’re in my prayers but that just seems too contrived. What I can tell you is that even though I didn’t notice you were lost, God didn’t. You were never truly lost to Him. He has always had His eye on you. He has always loved you, even when you ignored Him, doubted His existence and cursed His people. He loved you enough to convict me for ignoring you. His very reason for creating this earth, sending His Son and giving you life is because He loves you. Don’t judge God based on my human imperfections and don’t let that determine where you spend eternity. If I’m wrong, no big deal but if I’m right, eternity is endless.

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 NIV

Uncategorized

Love Completed by Tammy Nicole Glover

by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment on Love Completed by Tammy Nicole Glover

Lord, You knew me before I came into this world. You knew that I would sin and rebel against You. But in spite of the heartache You knew I would cause, You still gave me life. You loved me so much that You sent Your Son to take my place to suffer the punishment that was meant for me. He laid down His life just so that I could have a chance to spend eternity with You.

Over the years, You carefully watched over me and provided for me. You patiently waited for me to turn my heart towards You. When I decided to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, You, along with all the angels and saints in heaven rejoiced. You forgave me and welcomed me into Your family. Now, I can hold my head up high because I no longer have the weight of my sin holding me down. I’m no longer ashamed of my past, it has now become my testimony.

Thank You, Lord. May the works of Your love be completed inside of me.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12 NIV

encouragement, inspiration, Uncategorized

It Was Love by Tammy Nicole Glover

by balm4thesoulLeave a Comment on It Was Love by Tammy Nicole Glover

Love came down from glory and into this world. It carried the burdens of our sins to the cross. It allowed us to receive forgiveness and salvation. That same love heals my broken heart. It calms me down when I’m angry and prevents me from seeking vengeance. It allows me to see the other side of the story and leads me to pray, instead of responding with harsh words. Not only does this love give me the strength to forgive but it gives me the courage to open my heart again and let go of the past.

Only God’s love could do all of this. His love changes us into a new creation. Thank you, Lord, for loving me so completely. Your love allows me to love others as You love me.

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:11-12 NIV

Uncategorized

WHO IS HE? By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul2 Comments on WHO IS HE? By Tammy Glover

“I am the bread that came down from heaven.” John 6:41 NIV

He is my sun in the rain. He is the sanity in my crazy. He is the right in my wrong. He is the common sense in my stupidity. He is the wisdom in my confusion. He is the hand that catches me when I fall. He is the joy in my pain. He is the calm in my chaos. He is the healer in my sickness. He is the protector in my recklessness. He is the light in my darkness. He is the courage in my cowardice. He is the confidence in my awkwardness. He is the supernatural in my natural. He is the comforter in my loneliness. He is the balm that soothes. He is in the words I write. He is the air I breathe. He is the reason for living. He is my past, present and future. He is the gift to my soul. He is in me. His love surrounds me and his light shines through me. Who is he, you ask. He is Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV

Uncategorized

WHO SAID THIS WAS EASY? By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul3 Comments on WHO SAID THIS WAS EASY? By Tammy Glover

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 NIV

It’s not easy holding on to your faith when everything is falling apart. It’s not easy to forgive that family member that keeps breaking your heart. It’s not easy to stay calm and to speak words of love when someone has just cursed you out. It’s not easy to be still and wait when you feel as if your situation is about to make you lose your mind. It’s not easy to show compassion when someone is pushing you away. It’s not easy to ignore people who laugh at you because of your beliefs. It’s not easy to love someone who hates you. It’s not easy admitting you’ve made a mistake. It’s not easy saying I’m sorry. It’s not easy letting go of your past. It’s not easy to give up what is comfortable or familiar in order to move into your destiny. It’s not easy to look ahead when the future feels uncertain. It’s not easy to change your thinking. It’s not easy to pick yourself up and dust yourself off when you have fallen. It’s not easy to think before you speak. It’s not easy to submit to the voice of God when he’s telling you to go right and your flesh wants to go left. It’s not easy letting go of toxic relationships.

Someone maybe asking, then why do you do it? Where do you find the strength to keep going? My strength comes from the Almighty. I’m not alone during my trials and tribulations. He has promised that he will never leave me nor forsake me. He has promised me protection and guidance.

I can’t go back to the life I used to live. It was full of confusion, bitterness and depression. Life was a lot more difficult before I met Christ. I saw no future, no hope. I could only find temporary solutions to my problems. Now, I am fully armed. I have hope and a future. God has a permanent solution to every problem. I think, speak and act better. What I’ve lost in my old life doesn’t compare to what I’ve gained in my new life with Christ. I’ve gained peace, grace, mercy, wisdom, comfort and love and I’m never giving it up.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 NIV

Uncategorized

WHAT DID YOU SAVE ME FOR? By Tammy Glover

by balm4thesoul2 Comments on WHAT DID YOU SAVE ME FOR? By Tammy Glover

“The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” Luke 24:7 NIV

Did you save me so that I could live in fear or worry about tomorrow? Did you save me so that I could complain about my blessings? Did you save me to be secretly envious of others? Did you save me so that I could avert my eyes when someone in need is standing in front of me? Did you save me so that I could sit idle while there are so many people that don’t know you? Did you save me so that I could live in shame? Did you save me so that I could have a false sense of superiority? Did you save me so that I could feel hopeless?

Absolutely not. You saved me because you wanted me to walk in light, not in darkness. You saved me so that I could enjoy your blessings. You saved me so that I could praise you even in the midst of troubles. You saved me so that I could pray for others. You saved me so that I can have compassion for those in need. You saved me so that I could spread the good news that Jesus is Lord and Savior. You saved me so that I could forgive those who have hurt me. You saved me so that I could fulfill your purpose for my life. You saved me so that I could be hopeful. You saved me because you love me.

Lord, please let me always remember and to also remind others why you saved us.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.” John 15: 16 NIV