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Today's Bible Verse:

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." (John 1:12-13 NIV)
 

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Love and Peace. The Word Coming Alive (John 1:12-13)

People reject Jesus for a myriad of reasons: "Why should I care? I don't want to become a fanatic." "I am not at all religious." "A few years ago I was deeply hurt by the church, and it certainly isn't for me!"

Sadly, there are churches that don't proclaim what Jesus proclaimed. They have their own agendas, and Jesus gives these churches the following message: "Every plant that my Heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." (Matthew 15:13-14, NIV)

Jesus would also proclaim about these hypocrites: "You can't serve both God and the Bank. When the Pharisees, a money-obsessed bunch, heard him say these things, they rolled their eyes, dismissing him as hopelessly out of touch.." (Luke 16:13-14, MSG)

Our God is not after our money. In fact, He has no need of it, for everything in the universe belongs to Him. He freely shares His blessings with us, He forgives and He loves us deeply. He is the One that gives us the genuine love and inner peace that so many hunger for: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace" (John 16:33a, NIV). Jesus' purpose was simply this: to reconcile the world to His Heavenly Father.

Ever since I was born, I was in love with Jesus He was my friend. When I was twelve-years-old, I became so excited to own my own Bible. Unfortunately for me, it was given to me by a church that had their own agendas, and I would fall into their trap. Only later would I learn that some churches were not following the advice of God's Word.

I am glad that I experienced this denomination, for it helped me to be able to experience the trap that so many find themselves in. Praise God, at the right time He led me to visit a church where the Holy Spirit was a constant. I felt His presence, and I didn't ever want to leave. The next week we returned to our home church, and for the first time I realized that I couldn't feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. It felt empty, cold, void. Then, when we visited a different church the following week, we also experienced God's Spirit, and eventually God drew us out of this denomination.

The Holy Spirit is part of the God head, and He is the one Who guides us. We experience Him when we open the doors of our heart. Once we experienced Him, we are filled with peace and we know for certain that our Heavenly Father loves us.

If you attend a church centered on money or on their own version of Biblical doctrines, run away from there. When you rely on the Holy Spirit, He will lead you to real love and peace, for these are freely given. Will you accept Him?

In His love,

Rob Chaffart

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