The Rebuilt Man

Who's my Customizer? Jesus Christ!!! Is the rebuild He's doing in me completed yet? No, but Jesus Christ has made so many great changes in me already, I've given Him free reign. I'm not the man I use to be. I have hope, peace inside of me, meaning to life and a purpose that never changes course. Do I still break down or have a part fail once in a while? Yes I do, but Jesus Christ has a 24 hour tow service and garage. He is the most forgiving Mechanic I know. Jesus Christ just makes the repairs needed if I talk to Him (prayer) and am honest about my break down (sin). Jesus Christ also put together a shop manual (Bible) that helps me avoid repairs if I get serious and follow what he says in it. Oh, did I mention that His services are free? Yes sir, that's right. Jesus Christ paid it in full on the cross when he died for our sins. He is open to new and old customers. If its been a while or you just plain don't know Him, I'd be glad to talk with you. For a better understanding of this mentioned customization, open and read You & the Big Guy.

Authored by C. Flagg 2005, Copyright 2017

The First and Greatest Commandment

   Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:34-38

   Love is the most powerful force in any relationship. To love God is to make Him our highest desire, to love God with all our heart. To desire God is to earnestly want to know Him. How does one get to know God? Through spending time with Him, reading His word, talking to and listening to God in prayer, serving Him, following His commands, honoring His requests.

   A love relationship requires honesty. Frankly none of us consistently desires God. But our inconsistency does not deter or discourage us, because when we find ourselves turning aside and failing to seek Him, we can repent and turn around. Loving God can be likened to an aircraft on autopilot requiring constant course correction. Our goal is to be right with God, therefore we turn back to Him every time we find ourselves straying elsewhere.

   Loving God with all one's soul is loving Him with our real person. Our soul is who we are when everything else is stripped away. As believers this real person is advised and led by the Holy Spirit. This person is reassured constantly by the gospel that proclaims his or her sin is forgiven because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. If He has done this much for me, how can I not love Him with everything I have in return?

   Loving God with all one's mind is thinking rightly or accurately about God. The Word of God provides the content for considering the character and the works of God. The people whose lives are detailed in the pages of Scripture give us pictures of how to live, or conversely, what to avoid. That which we invite to fill our minds reflects whether or not we love God with all our minds. Scripture encourages meditating upon its precepts and teachings in order to walk with God in His ways.

   Written by John Kennedy of Wheaton Bible Church