Do You Really Believe?

I always struggled with the verse in Acts 16:31 which states, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. . . ." Is that really all there is to salvation? Believing on the Lord and the sacrifice He made for us (Romans 10:9)? I was sure that there was something that I had to do, some way to prove that I was saved. Besides, I did believe on the Lord, and I knew He had washed my sins away with His blood.

But yet I couldn't seem to gain the victory over sin! Surely the Lord wouldn't take a sinner to heaven! Then there had to be something more to salvation than just believing, I thought.

Then I read 1 John 5. I will write a few key snippets of the chapter here:

(Verse 5) "Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?"

(Verse 13-15) "These things I have written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: and if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him."

(Verse 18) "We know that whoever is born of God sins not, but he that is born of God keeps himself, and that wicked one does not touch him."

(Verse 20) "And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

Suddenly it struck me that I didn't really believe in Jesus, and what He had done for me, if I couldn't overcome sin! If we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and has died for all our sins, then we will ask in the time of temptation for His help, and He will deliver us from sin and Satan! I was awestruck at the wonderful way of escape the Lord has made for all of us, that all might be saved!!

"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able; but with the temptation will make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Quick Update

The editing process on my book "Learning Lessons from Furry Friends" has now begun!! This is part 1 of a 3 stages, which should (hopefully) take only a month or two altogether. 

Here's what the editor had to say about my book: "I have started editing your manuscript. You have done a wonderful job writing your book! The spiritual lessons are clearly presented and the story is well developed. I will be in touch as soon as I am finished and ready for your review." ~K. K.

Please pray that everything goes well in the weeks ahead! I am so happy and excited!! The Lord is doing great things in my life!! All the glory goes to Him!!!

In Memory of Tiree

Tiree Brae Brown (Shetland Sheepdog): 1992 - 2006

A wagging tail, that lets me know when you are happy;
A soft coat, to snuggle next to when I'm sad;

Alert ears, that perk up every time I call your name;
And cute tricks, that cheer me up and make me glad!

Soft eyes, that look at me and know exactly what I'm thinking;
A cold nose, nuzzled on my hand to show me that you care;
A wet tongue, brushed across my cheek that tells me that you love me;
And a big heart, with love enough for everyone to share!

A purebred dog, a mix-breed mutt, or some intended hybrid mix;
Either large or small, my dog will love me to the end!
No matter who I am or how I look or where I live;
My dog is my lasting companion and forever friend!

Update on Illustrations

Here is a sample of what TEACH Services is planning to do for illustrations in my upcoming book: "Learning Lessons from Furry Friends." They will take our family's photos of our pets and make them look like paintings. I think it's really neat!! I can hardly wait to see what the finished product will look like!

Lightning Revelation

Don't worry, the lightning is not striking the telephone pole!

I know it isn't a very good photo, but it's the best I could do with my limited knowledge of photography. So, last night a beautiful storm blew through. This is the tail end of it. In fact, I am standing right underneath the towering edge of clouds--half the sky storming non-stop, and the other half dotted with peaceful stars! It was so awesome and majestic that I was reminded of Jesus' second coming--now so near in the future. "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:27). Though the skies will be raging then over those who have rejected the King of the universe, the righteous will be at peace and will rejoice to see their Maker. And there under the stars and lightning, I jumped for joy and anticipation for that Day!

Sunset Shots

Knock, Knock; Who's There

How many of you want to be in heaven? I certainly do, and I hope you feel the same way! But, even if we do want salvation, how do we find it? The Bible indicates what seems to be a contradiction.

Read John 14:6:

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ”

So, Jesus is the way. What does that mean? How is He the way? Well, take a look at John 10:7, 9:

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.’ “

Oh, then Jesus is the door! But, how do we go through? Matthew 7:7:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (emphasis added)

Now look at Revelation 3:20:

“ ‘Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.’ “

Such a beautiful promise! At yet, when you think about it, it poses the contradiction I mentioned earlier. Do we knock, or does Jesus? Does He let us in or do we let Him in?

One of the best things to do if you have questions during Bible Study is to look at the context of the passage or passages you read. So let’s begin with Revelation 3:7, 8, 14, 20-22. (In chapters 2 and 3 Christ is addressing the different churches through John the Revelator.)

“ ‘And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens’: I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God. ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ “ ‘ “

What in the world does verse 7 mean? If you do some research, you will find that this verse is quoted from Isaiah 22:22. Let’s take a look at that verse:

“The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.”

Who are all the pronouns referring to? Look back at verse 20:

“Then it shall be in that day, that I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah.”

Eliakim was the king in Israel (2 Kings 18:18). But back to Revelation 3:7. What is a key used for? Of course! To unlock a door. Then, look again at verse 8:

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.”

And open door! So someone must have unlocked the door and opened it. But where does that door lead? And who unlocked and opened it?

Notice the last part of verse 7:

“. . . He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.”

Let’s look at a parallel verse in Matthew 16:19:

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (emphasis added)

Oh, so contrary to what many people believe, this is not referring to the apostle Peter, but to Christ! The door leads to the kingdom of heaven, and Christ, the King of the universe, has unlocked and opened it with His sacrifice for our sins!

So, that “contradiction” is taken care of and understood. What about the other one? We still want to know why Jesus knocks on our doors and comes in to us.

John 10:1-10:

“ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’ “

If you were watching closely, you would have noticed a seeming contradiction in just this context! Look again at verses 1 and 2.

“ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.’ “

He who enters by the door is who? That’s right: the shepherd of the sheep, who we know is Jesus (verse 7). But now glance back at verse 9:

“ ‘I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved . . .’ “

Wow, wait a second! How can Jesus, the shepherd, enter the door and be the door at the same time? This is getting very confusing!

Let’s not lose our heads. This may have something to do with these verses: James 5:9 and Matthew 24:3, 33 (respectively).

“Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ “

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!”

Now we’re getting the big picture! Before His second coming, Jesus is the door to us by what He did for us on the cross. At His second coming, our heavenly Shepherd will come through the doors of eternity, and take us to be with Him forever.

He is coming so soon (He is almost through the door), and He is so loving that He can’t stand the thought of leaving any of us behind—even if we deliberately walk away from Him. He will still come to us, and plead with us to open the doors of our hearts; knocking, waiting, hoping. He never gives up! He loves us so much that He does not want us to perish, but to have everlasting life (John 3:16)!

What about you? Perhaps you were so eager to find salvation that you knocked on the door before you. Perhaps you don’t think it has opened yet. Claim the promise that Christ, through his death and resurrection, has “set before you an open door.”

Perhaps you have closed the door of your heart to Christ’s. Perhaps you have heard Him knocking but haven’t responded. Won’t you open your heart and let Him come in? He doesn’t care how messy your “house” is—in fact, He is there to help you clean it up! The opportunity will not last forever (Luke 13:25; Matthew 25:10). He will soon come to earth to take Him children home. Don’t you want to be one of those children? Then open the door of your heart, and let Christ enter in. It will be a decision you will never regret!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

New Family Member

I never though it would happen, but we decided to get another kitty! Puff is getting old, and she doesn't pay much attention to the chipmunks invading our property anymore. So we brought home Scamper, who, strangely enough, looks just like a cat we had many years ago named Blackie.

At first our dogs weren't sure if we had brought them home another chipmunk to chase, or if that puny little ball of fluff was really going to be another pet. But after a few weeks they accepted Scamper as an acceptable life form, a little lower than the average dog.

Now they think the world of Scamper, and have found her to be a very entertaining play mate. She and Nikki get along splendidly--even engaging in a friendly wrestle now and then--which is something I have seldom seen a dog and cat do. Shasta, the serious-minded sheep dog that she is, feels it is her duty to herd the kitty. Scamper plays along, however, and the threesome have a wonderful time.

So, meet Scamper:

Here are some pictures I took today of them playing:

Scamper's new wrestling tactic: Exploding Kitty Cannonball! Nikki's not sure what to think of it.

Shasta watching Scamper's every move!

Shasta herding the straying kitty.

A Cheep Blessing

A few weeks ago a terrible storm blew through and knocked about fifteen trees over in our yard. One of those trees held a nest of baby birds. We came after the storm and found the nest and two of the little naked, pink babies. One was dead, but the other was alive and kicking! We brought him inside and wrapped him in a piece of soft cloth and put him in a plastic dish for a nest. We left him alone for a while, as he was deep shock from his fall onto the hard gravel road.

After a few hours he had revived enough to begin cheeping and opening his mouth for food. We decided that, although we weren't sure exactly what kind of bird he was, we would assume he was robin from the build of his nest. We fed him a worm in faith, and he slurped it down with great gusto!! From then on we fed him every fifteen minutes to half hour, and he has grown quite big.

In the past three weeks, Cheeper, as we call him, has matured into a miniature robin. He learned to fly all on his own, and his feathers came in and made him irresistibly cute! He graduated to living solely outdoors, but he still likes us to baby him--just so no other birds notice. He answers us and comes when we call him, and we take him in the garden with us, where he'll pull worms out of the dirt as we turn it over. He still likes to be cuddled, although he won't let us hold him for very long anymore.

Here are the latest pictures of our little Cheeper:

 

This morning I read a verse in the psalms that reminded me of our experience with Cheeper. Psalm 50:11 said, "I know all the birds of the mountains." Cheeper was special to the Father in heaven from the moment he was born, and I'm sure He sent us his way so we could care for him and pull him through. What a loving God we have!!

My Books

I currently have written two books: "Learning Lessons From Furry Friends," and "The Prodigal Pup." Both are children's books, and here is the update on what's happening with them.

"Learning Lessons From Furry Friends" is a children's book based on all the TRUE stories surrounding my family's experiences raising puppies and kittens. I have tied in a spiritual lesson to each chapter of the book, and the overall purpose is to reveal to the children the love of their Savior through the animals that He gave us.

This book has now been accepted by TEACH Services, Inc. for their LEVEL 4 (top level) publishing package!! They're actually a self-publisher (one of the best, in my opinion), so instead of them buying the book from me, and then paying me royalties when it sells; I pay them to do all the work and distribution of my book, and then I receive the main proceeds.

"The Prodigal Pup" is another children's story that I wrote based on a TRUE short story I heard from a pastor about a little stray puppy he and his family cared for while they were missionaries in Cambodia. The plan of salvation is illustrated in this book through the eyes of a stubborn mongrel who loved to roll in the village sewer drainage puddle.

I emailed a copy of my book to the pastor to see what he thought of it. His reply was that he loved my idea, but he would need to analyze the story further to be sure it was accurate. I immediately began to worry that I had completely messed up the facts, and perhaps he wouldn't like it after all. My worry increased when I didn't hear from him for about a month.

However, I just received an email from him that I must share with you:
"Dear Sarah, I want to apologize for being slow, so very slow, to answer your email.  It wasn't fair to you to just let it sit here. Sometimes life is so full I seem to not be able to focus on what could have taken a short time and been a quick blessing to you. I'm sorry. There's no good excuse.

Anyway, that aside, you have written a really special and fun story and it needs to be sent to a publisher! The story is accurate and refreshed from a special perspective. . . .

May God bless your use of it!
Thank you for your patience.
For Jesus' joy,
Pastor S."

I am so happy!! He has made no changes whatsoever to the story that I wrote!! I can't thank him, or my Heavenly Father Who has given me a love for writing enough!!