Bless Net / Newsletter

I venture to say we all have experienced the uncomfortable feeling of when we had to go see the boss, or we were introduced to some famous person. We generally get nervous and our knees start to play patty cake with each other.

Of all our relationships the most important one is with God Almighty. How do we successfully approach our awesome Heavenly Father?

God's Word provides us with the answer:

Hebrews 4:16:
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Remember this is not some business relationship, but one of a loving Father with His children. Our Father has poured out His heart to us, providing His only begotten son to pay the ultimate price with his life so that we could have a new life in Christ. He has given to us of His spirit which is "Christ in you the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). All of this and other privileges of being a son of God should give us the confidence to go boldly before our God.

The above verses gives us the keys to having a fruitful relationship with our Heavenly Father. These keys include

• Come boldly
• Come with a sincere heart full of confidence
• Have our hearts (minds) free from evil thinking

We just come boldly before Him. We get rid of any evil thinking and have full confidence in God loving us and wanting to bless us. He calls us His workmanship!

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works," (Ephesians 2:10). We have no reason to not come boldly before Him.

I John 3:21-22:
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Take off your knee pads and come boldly on in before your Heavenly Father. He wants to bless you exceedingly abundantly!

Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Agape,
Bob

Recently while venturing out to the shopping mall, I walked through an exclusive clothing store. If you wanted to pay the most for your clothes this was the place.

I was quite impressed with some of the outfits until I came upon a section I just could not believe. Here on the rack were designer jeans with tears in them. And it was not just a little pin prick in the fabric but giant, gaping holes all over the pants. The price was not less because of the tears, but the more tears the higher the price. What kind of fashion statement was this?!

Not so long ago, it was not uncommon to see young men wearing their pants below their butts! How they walked I have not a clue. Again, another fashion statement of the times.

All through the history of man, there have been fashion statements reflecting the times and culture. When I attended college, everyone wore nice slacks, nice leather shoes and button down collars on their shirts that were tucked into the pants. Today, no one tucks their shirts in, they mostly wear jeans and athletic type shoes. All of this reflects the fashion statement of the times.

As a born again one, I am excited about a fashion statement that will not just last for a few years, but will last for eternity. When my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ returns to gather each and every born again one, we will be fashioned like Christ.

Philippians 3:21:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Now that is a fashion statement of all fashion statements! We will be fashioned like the Lord Jesus Christ in his new resurrected body. This fashion statement will become a reality when we are gathered together at the return of Christ. Jesus Christ modeled this look when he was on the earth for 40 days after his resurrection and before his ascension.

Enjoy what you have to wear now, but look forward to a whole new glorious look, when Christ comes back for His Church. We will be "fashioned like unto his glorious body!"

Agape,
Bob

I put up a 15 foot shot from the corner. It felt good; it looked good as it left my hand, but I quickly realized it would be short, so I followed it to the rim fighting through my opponent.

The basketball hit the rim and bounded back toward me. Out reaching the other defensive player, I got the rebound and put it back up high on the back board. But, again I realize, I put too much energy into it. It bounded away from the basket. This time, as I aggressively fought for possession of the ball with a bunch of other players hanging all over me. I grabbed it, faked a shot, sending the other player soaring in the air; then I dribbled once and leaped under the basket to the other side and finally was rewarded with a score.

I finally made a basket after missing twice. The result was the same as if I made it the first time. It just took a little longer, more effort, determination, and focus.

In life many times we fall short of what we have worked so hard to accomplish. How do we respond to this? One of two ways: We quit or we rebound. And if we miss again, we rebound and stay at it with determination until we score.

Spiritually, I see too many Christians fall short in their walk with God. They stop and give up instead of rebounding and putting it back up until they score.

Our Heavenly Father wants us to succeed more than you do. He cheers you on; He helps you get that rebound and put it back up over and over and over again. As long as you are going for the rebound, He will be there assisting you all the way.

PERSONAL FOUL

Do you remember King David in the Old Testament? He got tricked and committed a personal foul that caused him to make an even worst infraction. The devil wanted to get him out of the game. Did he quit or foul out? No! He went to the coach - God, and after asking for forgiveness, he later made this request:

Psalm 51:10: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

OUR SHOT AT IT

As a child of God, we have His eternal spirit within us as well as the "love of God shed abroad in our heart." (Romans 5:5). We take on life's challenges with our Heavenly Father leading the way.

Whenever we fall short or commit a foul; we still have all the eternal realities and riches that we started with at the new birth. All we need to do is stay at it and rebound.

Agape,
Bob