"How Great Thou Art" Sorry, your browser doesn't support Java(tm). Do You Know The StepsTo Peace With God? In all of life, there is nothing more wonderful than discovering peace with God. Step 1 Step 1 to this discovery is realizing God's Plan... Abundant Life. God loves you and wants you to experience peace and the abundant life. The Bible says... "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) " ... I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."(John 10:10b) Since God planned for us to have peace and the abundant life right now, why are most people not having this experience? Step 2 Step 2 is acknowledging Man's Problem... Separation. God created man in His own image and gave him an abundant life. He did not make him as a robot to automatically love and obey Him, but gave him a will and freedom of choice. Man chose to disobey God and go his own willful way. Man still makes this choice today. This results in separation from God. The Bible says: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) "For the wages of sin is death (separation from God); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Man through the ages has tried to bridge this gap in many ways ... without success. There is only one remedy for this problem of separation. Step 3 Step 3 is recognizing God's Remedy... The Cross. Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem of separation. When Jesus Christ died on the Cross, He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap from God to man. "God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, Himself man, is between them to bring them together." (I Timothy 2:5, Living Letters). The Bible says ... "But God commendeth (showed) His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9) God has provided the only way... Man must make the choice. Step 4 Step 4 is Man's Response... Receive Christ. We must trust Jesus Christ and receive him by personal invitation. The Bible says... "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock (Christ is speaking): if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20) "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12) Is there any good reason why you cannot receive Jesus Christ right now? What You Must Do 1. Admit your need (I am a sinner). 2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent). 3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you. 4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life. (Receive Him as Savior and Lord.) What To Pray Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe that Christ died for my sin. I am willing to turn from my sins. I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal savior. I am willing, by God's grace, to follow and obey Christ as the Lord of my life. Amen. God's Assurance ... His Word Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is He right now? What do you have? The Bible says... "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20) "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life (right now); and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:11, 12) Outline For The Christian Walk Received from the Holy Spirit Continue to listen to and heed my call. Continue to check with me and consult me in all things, great and small. Continue to trust me and have faith in me for yourself and for all whom you commit to me. Continue to study my Holy Word and get it inside you to help you with your ministry, your teaching, and your prayer life. Continue to have fellowship with me on all possible occasions. Continue to come to me in prayer, offering your worship and adoration ... telling your joys, your sorrows, your concerns, and your petitions ... and listen expectantly for my answers. Continue to check with me for authenticity according to I John 4:2-3 when you hear that "still, small voice." Begin and continue to make use of the Power within you that I have made available to help you accomplish the ministry to which I have called you. Put On The Full Armor Of God GIRDLE OF TRUTH: "Lord, by faith, I'm putting on the girdle of truth. I affirm today, Father, the truth of who I am: I am a child of God; I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit. You're my God; Christ is my life; He is my helper and my guide today. I know the truth about who I am. I choose to speak the truth today. I choose to walk in the truth and because I am who I am, sin has no part in my life. I put on the girdle of truth. I will speak the truth; I will think the truth; I will walk in the truth today. I know the truth about who I am, Lord, and who You are." BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: Lord, in Jesus' name, I put on the breastplate of righteousness to protect my emotions today, my heart. Lord, protect me from responding to situations and circumstances emotionally without, first of all, thinking and remembering the truth of who I am, who You are, what fits in my life and what does not fit. So I want to thank you, Lord, as I put on the breastplate of righteousness today to protect me emotionally." SANDALS OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE: "Lord, I want to thank You that as I put on the sandals of the gospel of peace, Lord, today wherever You lead me, I want to be a peacemaker through the gospel. To those who have never trusted Jesus Christ, I want You to use me to help them to make peace with God. Wherever You send me today, Lord, and there is conflict, let my presence there be a source of peace and a cause for peace. Thank you, Father, as I put on my sandals and I tie them today that my life is going to mean peace. It's going to bring peace wherever I go, because I'm going carrying forth the gospel of Jesus Christ." Jon Cotner SHIELD OF FAITH: "Father, in Jesus' name, I pick up the shield of faith that by placing my trust in You today, Lord, I'm trusting You to protect me mentally (my head), emotionally (my heart), and physically (my total being). I'm walking under Your divine protection that when Satan shoots all of his fiery arrows, his missiles of temptation at me, I'm under Your divine protection. I take my position behind the shield of faith for Your protection of me today. Lord, I'm trusting You to protect me." HELMET OF SALVATION: "Father, today, in Jesus' name, I put on the helmet of salvation to protect my mind. Father, protect and guide my thinking. Lord, if You see Satan sending something my way that I should not think, I want to just claim by faith that the helmet of salvation will protect my thinking. Father, by faith, I place over my mind today the helmet of salvation to protect my thinking so that I think the way You think." SWORD OF THE SPIRIT: "I take up the sword of the Spirit. Now the sword of the Spirit is that sharp, two-edged weapon. Lord, I take it up today, in Jesus' name, to protect me and to fight offensively, sharing the gospel, the Word of God." Sermon, "Dressed for the Battle" based on Ephesians 6:10-15 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,deceiving your own selves."(James 1:22) It is not enough to own a Bible; we must read it. It is not enoughto read it; we must let it speak to us. It is not enough to let itspeak to us; we must believe it; we must live it. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."(Psalm 119:105) If a man's Bible is coming apart, it is an indication that he himself is fairly well put together. Be Still And Know That You Know That I Am God Received from the Holy Spirit It is I who have made you. I made you in my spiritual image to worship me and praise me and to yield your life uncompromisingly to me. I love you more than you can possibly know, conceive, or imagine. I love you so much that I sent my only son, in the flesh, to suffer, bleed and die for the remission of your sins, your salvation, your healing, your baptism in the Holy Spirit, your sanctification, your ministry, your protection, benefits and blessings, and your eternal life. I sent my Holy Spirit to dwell in you, with you and around you...to give you my love, my joy and my peace...to counsel you...to comfort you...to teach you... to chastise you as necessary...to give to you the power to live the life to which I have called you. And, I have called you, my son, to a unique ministry to be accomplished by my signs and my wonders. When I Say I Am A Christian When I say I am a Christian, I am not shouting "I am saved." I am whispering "I am lost." That is why I choose this way. When I say I am a Christian, I do not speak of this with pride. I am confessing that I stumble And need Someone to be my guide. When I say I am a Christian, I am not trying to be strong. I am professing that I am weak And pray for strength to carry on. When I say I am a Christian, I am not bragging of success. I am admitting I have failed And cannot ever pay the debt. When I say I am a Christian, I am not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are too visible But God believes I am worth it. When I say I am a Christian, I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches Which is why I seek His name. When I say I am a Christian, I do not wish to judge. I have no authority; I only know that I am. Emergency Numbers When in sorrow... Call John 14 When people fail you... Call Psalm 27 If you want to be fruitful... Call John 15 When you have sinned... Call Psalm 51 When you worry... Call Matthew 6:19-34 When you are in danger... Call Psalm 91 When God seems far away... Call Psalm 139 When your faith needs stirring... Call Hebrews 11 When you are lonely and fearful... Call Psalm 23 When you grow bitter and critical... Call I Corinthians 13 For Paul's secret to happiness... Call Colossians 3:12-17 For understanding of Christianity... Call II Corinthians 5:15-19 When you feel down and out... Call Romans 8:31 When you want peace and rest... Call Matthew 11:25-30 When the world seems bigger than God... Call Psalm 90 When you want Christian assurance... Call Romans 8:1-30 When you leave home for labor or travel... Call Psalm 121 When your prayers grow narrow or selfish... Call Psalm 67 For a great invention/opportunity... Call Isaiah 55 When you want courage for a task... Call Joshua 1 How to get along with your fellow man... Call Romans 12 When you think of investments and return... Call Mark 10 If you are depressed... Call Psalm 27 If your pocketbook is empty... Call Psalm 37 If you are losing confidence in people... Call I Corinthians 13 If people seem unkind... Call John 15 If discouraged about your work... Call Psalm 126 If you find the world growing small and yourself great... Call Psalm 19 Alternate Numbers For dealing with fear... call Psalm 34:7 For security... call Psalm 121:3 For assurance... call Mark 8:35 For reassurance... call Psalm 145:18 My Jesus. This site is maintained by: Jon Cotner 2004
" ... I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."(John 10:10b)
Since God planned for us to have peace and the abundant life right now, why are most people not having this experience?
Step 2
God created man in His own image and gave him an abundant life. He did not make him as a robot to automatically love and obey Him, but gave him a will and freedom of choice.
Man chose to disobey God and go his own willful way. Man still makes this choice today. This results in separation from God. The Bible says:
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) "For the wages of sin is death (separation from God); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"For the wages of sin is death (separation from God); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
Man through the ages has tried to bridge this gap in many ways ... without success. There is only one remedy for this problem of separation.
Step 3
Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem of separation.
When Jesus Christ died on the Cross, He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap from God to man.
"God is on one side and all the people on the other side, and Christ Jesus, Himself man, is between them to bring them together." (I Timothy 2:5, Living Letters).
The Bible says ... "But God commendeth (showed) His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9) God has provided the only way... Man must make the choice.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
Step 4
Step 4 is Man's Response... Receive Christ. We must trust Jesus Christ and receive him by personal invitation. The Bible says... "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock (Christ is speaking): if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20) "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12) Is there any good reason why you cannot receive Jesus Christ right now?
We must trust Jesus Christ and receive him by personal invitation. The Bible says...
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:12)
What You Must Do
2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life. (Receive Him as Savior and Lord.)
What To Pray
God's Assurance ... His Word
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20) "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life (right now); and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:11, 12)
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life (right now); and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:11, 12)
Outline For The Christian Walk
Received from the Holy Spirit
Continue to check with me and consult me in all things, great and small.
Continue to trust me and have faith in me for yourself and for all whom you commit to me.
Continue to study my Holy Word and get it inside you to help you with your ministry, your teaching, and your prayer life.
Continue to have fellowship with me on all possible occasions.
Continue to come to me in prayer, offering your worship and adoration ... telling your joys, your sorrows, your concerns, and your petitions ... and listen expectantly for my answers.
Continue to check with me for authenticity according to I John 4:2-3 when you hear that "still, small voice."
Begin and continue to make use of the Power within you that I have made available to help you accomplish the ministry to which I have called you.
Put On The Full Armor Of God
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: Lord, in Jesus' name, I put on the breastplate of righteousness to protect my emotions today, my heart. Lord, protect me from responding to situations and circumstances emotionally without, first of all, thinking and remembering the truth of who I am, who You are, what fits in my life and what does not fit. So I want to thank you, Lord, as I put on the breastplate of righteousness today to protect me emotionally." SANDALS OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE: "Lord, I want to thank You that as I put on the sandals of the gospel of peace, Lord, today wherever You lead me, I want to be a peacemaker through the gospel. To those who have never trusted Jesus Christ, I want You to use me to help them to make peace with God. Wherever You send me today, Lord, and there is conflict, let my presence there be a source of peace and a cause for peace. Thank you, Father, as I put on my sandals and I tie them today that my life is going to mean peace. It's going to bring peace wherever I go, because I'm going carrying forth the gospel of Jesus Christ."
SHIELD OF FAITH: "Father, in Jesus' name, I pick up the shield of faith that by placing my trust in You today, Lord, I'm trusting You to protect me mentally (my head), emotionally (my heart), and physically (my total being). I'm walking under Your divine protection that when Satan shoots all of his fiery arrows, his missiles of temptation at me, I'm under Your divine protection. I take my position behind the shield of faith for Your protection of me today. Lord, I'm trusting You to protect me." HELMET OF SALVATION: "Father, today, in Jesus' name, I put on the helmet of salvation to protect my mind. Father, protect and guide my thinking. Lord, if You see Satan sending something my way that I should not think, I want to just claim by faith that the helmet of salvation will protect my thinking. Father, by faith, I place over my mind today the helmet of salvation to protect my thinking so that I think the way You think." SWORD OF THE SPIRIT: "I take up the sword of the Spirit. Now the sword of the Spirit is that sharp, two-edged weapon. Lord, I take it up today, in Jesus' name, to protect me and to fight offensively, sharing the gospel, the Word of God."
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,deceiving your own selves."(James 1:22)
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."(Psalm 119:105)
I sent my Holy Spirit to dwell in you, with you and around you...to give you my love, my joy and my peace...to counsel you...to comfort you...to teach you... to chastise you as necessary...to give to you the power to live the life to which I have called you. And, I have called you, my son, to a unique ministry to be accomplished by my signs and my wonders.
When I Say I Am A Christian
When I say I am a Christian, I am not shouting "I am saved." I am whispering "I am lost." That is why I choose this way. When I say I am a Christian, I do not speak of this with pride. I am confessing that I stumble And need Someone to be my guide. When I say I am a Christian, I am not trying to be strong. I am professing that I am weak And pray for strength to carry on. When I say I am a Christian, I am not bragging of success. I am admitting I have failed And cannot ever pay the debt. When I say I am a Christian, I am not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are too visible But God believes I am worth it. When I say I am a Christian, I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches Which is why I seek His name. When I say I am a Christian, I do not wish to judge. I have no authority; I only know that I am.
When I say I am a Christian, I do not speak of this with pride. I am confessing that I stumble And need Someone to be my guide.
When I say I am a Christian, I am not trying to be strong. I am professing that I am weak And pray for strength to carry on.
When I say I am a Christian, I am not bragging of success. I am admitting I have failed And cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say I am a Christian, I am not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are too visible But God believes I am worth it.
When I say I am a Christian, I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches Which is why I seek His name.
When I say I am a Christian, I do not wish to judge. I have no authority; I only know that I am.
Emergency Numbers
When in sorrow... Call John 14 When people fail you... Call Psalm 27 If you want to be fruitful... Call John 15 When you have sinned... Call Psalm 51 When you worry... Call Matthew 6:19-34 When you are in danger... Call Psalm 91 When God seems far away... Call Psalm 139 When your faith needs stirring... Call Hebrews 11 When you are lonely and fearful... Call Psalm 23 When you grow bitter and critical... Call I Corinthians 13 For Paul's secret to happiness... Call Colossians 3:12-17 For understanding of Christianity... Call II Corinthians 5:15-19 When you feel down and out... Call Romans 8:31 When you want peace and rest... Call Matthew 11:25-30 When the world seems bigger than God... Call Psalm 90 When you want Christian assurance... Call Romans 8:1-30 When you leave home for labor or travel... Call Psalm 121 When your prayers grow narrow or selfish... Call Psalm 67 For a great invention/opportunity... Call Isaiah 55 When you want courage for a task... Call Joshua 1 How to get along with your fellow man... Call Romans 12 When you think of investments and return... Call Mark 10 If you are depressed... Call Psalm 27 If your pocketbook is empty... Call Psalm 37 If you are losing confidence in people... Call I Corinthians 13 If people seem unkind... Call John 15 If discouraged about your work... Call Psalm 126 If you find the world growing small and yourself great... Call Psalm 19 Alternate Numbers For dealing with fear... call Psalm 34:7 For security... call Psalm 121:3 For assurance... call Mark 8:35 For reassurance... call Psalm 145:18 My Jesus. This site is maintained by: Jon Cotner 2004
Alternate Numbers
For dealing with fear... call Psalm 34:7 For security... call Psalm 121:3 For assurance... call Mark 8:35 For reassurance... call Psalm 145:18 My Jesus. This site is maintained by: Jon Cotner 2004
This site is maintained by: Jon Cotner 2004
