Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

                                                 ~Ephesians 2:9

For some reason I still battle doubts in my mind that I am going to heaven b/c I don't do a whole lot of good...I'm not always bearing fruit! But then I realize I am trying to get to heaven on my own without the help that God has already given years before I was born. That help is Jesus Christ...he is all I need! So I need to stop thinking that I am not good enough for God's heaven and realize that I need his Son and being a good person does NOT get you there!!! Yes it's true faith without works is dead but me trying to get to heaven on my own strength and ignoring God's free gift of grace and Christs death for me is only saying that "I don't need God's help, I can be so good he will have no excuses to let me in to those pearly gates" but the fact is no one is truly good no one is wholesomely good and honestly good except Jesus! And his goodness paid the ticket to get in to that pearly gate if you accept his ticket. God does not care if you gave $100 to a red bucket, took in an old lady's groceries, walked a neighbors dog for free, put some old used jackets in a drop box, helped a neighbor jump start their car even though you were late for work, that you dropped off some dented cans of beets that have been in your cupboard for 2 years to a soup kitchen, that you picked up the litter in the parking lot, that you volunteer your time at a hospital, that you donate your beat up cell phone, that you let someone have your taxi, that you let someone have your seat on a bus, that you spent an afternoon helping a neighbor find a lost cat, that you bailed someone out of a financial crisis, that you helped a friend move along with his 6  televisions, that you donated some bent books to a library, that you shared a meal with someone, if you don't put your trust, faith, and hope in Jesus Christ not one or ALL of these things will get you in to heaven. To often people say "I'm a good person" but yes being good is good but lacking in faith of Jesus, being the good, sacrificial lamb to cover your mulititude of sins and accepting God's free grace will keep you hell-bound not on the path to the narrow gate...you will be on the wide path to the very large gaping gate where other people who think like you are going. So this verse goes to show you that God is not letting you based on your "good deeds" that way no one can boast that they've earned to enter but humbly surrender to God that they realize they need His free gift of salvation and His Son!

Will you accept His free gift?

May grace and peace be yours! /|\

Paul says it best in Galatians 6:14

"...my interest in this world died long ago, and the world's interest in me is also long dead..."

I don't want to live for pleasing this world or the people in it and conform to their deeds and ways. I want to please God!

Truthfully I have WAAAY to much and many interests in this world and I'm not talking about my interests in singing or sewing or playing my keyboard or even watching movies for that matter...it's when my interests take up more time than I even give God. It's almost like I've made movies my god...I spend hours a week watching movies and in turn spend -0 with God! There is something wrong with that! So for some taking insterest in the world may be wild parties or the like but for me I have hobbies and things that in hind sight aren't going to be very important, taking time away from God. So interests can mean anything to anyone. But Paul was also meaning that if we make ourselves different from the "lost" they won't have any interest in us b/c we won't give them what they want. We will be trying to change them and they enjoy "darkness" over "light" so therefor their interest in us will be lacking and we have no interest in transfering to the "darkness" so we have no interest in their ways...however we'll always have an interest in the soul of the "lost" and hope and pray that God shed his grace on them.

I don't know if this makes sense but to me interest in the world is anything the world has to offer that you spend more time with and like more that God!

May grace and peace be yours ~Paul  /|\

Upon my Bible reading this afternoon I came across Paul's Thanksgiving and Prayer in Phillipians 1:3-11 and it really made me think to myself wow this is what I would want someone to pray for for me, so thank you Paul!

Paul's Thanksgiving and Prayer

3Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy 5because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6And Iam sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

7It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. 8God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. 9I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding.10For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. 11May you always be filled with the fruit of salvation -those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ- for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

                                                Phillipians 1:3-11

When I read this I was filled with joy and hope! I really need to make some changes in my life and it really makes me feel good that long ago Paul said a prayer for you and me. Now I only pray that God bless me with an answer to Pauls prayer. I especially love this verse...

9I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding.10For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns.

I want nothing more than to LOVE! Love everyone and everything with the pure love that comes from knowing Jesus Christ! I'm not doing a super job at it but with a lil prayer and prayers from others I have faith that God will answer.

Grace and Peace be with you all and MERRY CHRISTMAS!