He Loves Me!

He took away all my sin and shame, and what did He give me instead? a new life, a better life. I no longer have to live in condemnation or guilt because my sins were crucified with Christ and are buried with him. 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

I have been resurrected with Jesus and I am now a new creation that lives to care for and love the people that I am surrounded with.

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25

One of my favorite 2nd Chapter of Acts songs...some people can just say it better than me

The Fruits of True and Sincere Repentance

The Fruits of True and Sincere Repentance


By: Johann Gerhard

The fundamental principle of the holy life is healthy repentance.
Where there is true repentance, there is forgiveness of sins.
Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is the grace of God.
Where there is the grace of God, there is Christ.
Where there is Christ, there is His merit.
Where there is His merit, there is satisfaction for sin.
Where there is satisfaction for sin, there is justification.
Where there is justification, there is a joyful and tranquil conscience.
Where there is tranquility of conscience, there is the Holy Spirit.
Where there is the Holy Spirit, there is the entire divine Holy Trinity.
Where there is the Holy Trinity, there is eternal life.

What have I been given?

Every good thing that I have is only because I have received it; from someone who loves me far more than I know, or will ever know. How do I know this? Because He died for me and shed His blood for me so that I could live completely free of guilt and shame, as a new creature. It is not my emotions that tell me this or something that I feel, it is by faith alone.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Why did God my Father give His only begotten son for me? …and all this out of pure, fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26

I can give God nothing to repay Him for the death of His son, nothing. But I can give my neighbor something - I can give them the words that Christ gave me, I can proclaim to them what Jesus has done, is doing and will continue to do for me and for them.

Why should we remember and proclaim His death?

First, so that we may learn to believe that no creature could make satisfaction for our sins. Only Christ, true God and man, could do that. Second, so we may learn to be horrified by our sins, and to regard them as very serious. Third, so we may find joy and comfort in Christ alone, and through faith in Him be saved. (Martin Luther – The Large Catechism)

O happy fault of Adam's sin

Most Holy night, most blessed of nights

When Christ broke the chains of the darkness

God’s mighty love is stronger than death

Christ our light shines forever

Rejoice O children of the earth and holy ones of heaven above

Be glad this blessed night and join creation’s song

Rejoice and sing O mother church, the Savior’s glory shines on you

O let this holy place resound with joyful songs of praise

Let every tear be wipes away

Let every sorrow fade

For Jesus the Christ has risen from the grave

For truly it is right and just that on this night we sing with joy

To praise and thank the unseen God and Jesus Christ the son

The power of this holy night dispels the darkness of our shame

For Christ has saved us with His blood and ransomed us from death

O happy fault of Adam’s sin

Oh blessed day of grace

Which gained for us a Savior Christ the Lord

For this is the Passover feast of God
when Christ the blessed lamb was slain

Whose holy blood has marked our door and sheltered us from death

This holy night makes all things new, our hearts restored to holiness

Wash clean of every sin and bathed in heaven’s light

How wonderful your care for us

How boundless is your love

To ransom a slave, you gave away your son

Most Holy night, most blessed of nights

When Christ broke the chains of the darkness

God’s mighty love is stronger than death

Christ our light shines forever

O happy fault of Adam’s sin

Oh blessed day of grace
Which gained for us a Savior Christ the Lord

I Believe...

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean? 

I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still preserves them; 

also clothing and shoes, meat and drink, house and home, wife and children, fields, cattle, and all my goods;

that He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. That He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil;

and all this purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. 

For all which it is my duty to thank and praise, to serve and obey Him. 

This is most certainly true.

Quote of the Week

Whoever has been truly humbled will not be easily angry, nor harsh or critical of others. He will be compassionate and tender to the infirmities of his fellow-sinners, knowing that if there is a difference – it is grace alone which has made it! He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart. And under all trials and afflictions he will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust, acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved. - John Newton

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant... Genisis 32:10