The Word Illustrated #65--Who do you belong to?

The Word Illustrated #65
© Pamyla Floyd
11/18/2010

Who do you belong to?

Thy people shall be my people, an thy God my God – Ruth 1:16d

That’s a good question for us to ask ourselves. If we look back at the book of Ruth, we will see two central characters namely Ruth and her sister in law Orpha. Both were from Moab (the world), and like us, had an encounter with the true and living God. After their husbands died, they along with their mother in law Naomi headed for Jerusalem.

Along the way, something interesting happened. You see, at some point, we will have to ask ourselves who we really belong to. While it was apparent that Ruth received the great I Am for herself. It is also apparent that Orpha SEEMED to accept Him as her God.

If we go to church because Granny did, or because that new person we are dating or married to does, or because it seems like the right thing to do; then we need to check out our ‘salvation’. The time to accept Christ in our lives is now! At some point we must ALL come broken in spirit, repenting, asking forgiveness of our sins. We must too must believe and confess with our own mouths that YES, Jesus is the son of God, whom He hath raised from the dead.

If we think we are saved by riding on the coat tails of others, we are sadly mistaken. Have you ever heard someone say that they USED to be a Christian? They can say that because they never had a personal relationship with Jesus. They never received Him and when they didn’t get their way, they went back into the world (Moab) where they served teh same gods as before. So, I will ask you again. Who do you belong to? If you are not sure, or want help in the prayer of salvation, please email me.

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

Philippians 2:12b-- work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

Habakkuk 3:18 -- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation

Note: The illustration is of a woman.

The Word Illustrated #64--Thank You!

The Word Illustrated #64
© Pamyla Floyd
11/08/2010

Thank You

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; -- James 1:2

"Wakin' up in the morning seeing the sunrise, because of oyou, I Thank You Lord!" These are words from a song entitled "Be Thankful" by Natalie Cole. I heard it last week, and it has been replaying over and over again in my head. As I meditated on the words I thought about my own life and what Jesus means to me.

You knew that You would be betrayed, yet You expressed love for one another, how to inherit the kingdom of God, and how to live abundant lives in this place, which is not our home.

You wore a crown of thorns, pressed into your skull, and took 39 lashes from whips borne of leather, with sharpened metal and broken pottery woven into them. For miles You carried the cross, to which you would endure unimaginable pain, as nails were driven into your hands and feet. You hung there, in the heat, naked and beaten beyond recognizion. You were spat on, and labored to breathe; yet you still forgave us. You could have called angels to minister to you, but for love you didn't. On the third day, just as you promised, you returned. You hold the keys of hell and of death. The tomb is empty. Our faith is not in vain.

I say Thank You Lord!", triumpumphantly and with a shout that travels from the very depths of my soul. Unhibited, unashamed and with great joy, I'm thankful that I am here another day to start over again. I'm thankful that I have another chance to make things right with failed relationships. I'm thankful that I can read Your word; praise and worship you in total freedom.

It is well with my soul. You are the author and finisher of my faith and I will run this race with patience. Thank you Lord, for all you have done! I know know what real life is. It is because of you that I’m free. When you don’t know what else to say, just say “Thank you!”

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

Colossians 3:15 -- And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful

Matthew 10:28 -- And fear not them which kill the body, but, are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell

Note: The illustration is of the crown of thorns that was placed on our Lord

The Word Illustrated #63--Unspeakable Joy

The Word Illustrated #63
© Pamyla Floyd
11/03/2010

Unspeakable joy

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost -- Acts 13:52

Happiness is something that comes and goes. We can be happy about a new job, a new pair of shoes or an upcoming event in our lives. We can be happy one minute and not so happy the next. It is fleeting and comes and goes.

Joy on the other hand, comes from deep within. We can have joy even when things are not going well in our lives. This joy comes from who Jesus is and who we are in Him. When we know that our sins are not covered by the blood of animals sacrificed, but that the blood of Jesus that cleanses and redeems, we can be assured that our joy is complete in Him.

Because of our relationship with Christ, we can still have joy when we are faced with job loss, relationship troubles, and everything else satan throws our way. There is no devil in hell, no curse, no psychic no thing or no one who can take our joy away. We are complete in Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith; we are made whole in Him, and can move forward without fear!

Get the word in you! Read it, meditate on it, and read it again. In the movie, The Book of Eli, the character Eli had the last remaining bible and was charged with its care. When the enemy took the bible from him, it seemed that all was lost. But because the word was in him, he was able to complete his task. I suggest that you rent the movie. If you have seen it already, you might want to see it again.

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

II Corinthians 10:5 – Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Philippians 4:4 -- Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice

Note: The illustration is of man smiling with great joy