Time To Start Year Two

As you know, I took the month of July off from Blog world. As I stated when I started this last year.....this BLOG was not a "Keep in touch" with my personal world (so I was not going to BLOG from my vacations or "twitter" anyone about what I was thinking while sitting by the pool). The BLOG also was not going to give statistics of how wonderful our church is in a spiritual bragging kind of way.

As I stated at the end of each service yesterday... I use the BLOG for church information that you need to know, a little for church advertising of what is coming up that you need to be a part of and for daily inspiration in the form of devotional thoughts using our daily Bible reading and my personal experiences. I was actually shocked by how many people were daily readers and were sharing it with their friends as a tool to share with their friends about our church. I was also surprised to find out how many of my wife's family from out of town read it weekly.......I had to start watching what I said.....HA HA

So.....we are back. Lets get started:

Yesterday we had an awesome service as many of you ended the service by taking communion. The message of how to truly accept grace was well received and by the looks of the watery eyes in each service....well needed. Many of you said that you had never heard that you really can't forgive yourself. (sorry Oprah and Dr. Phil)It is impossible to forgive yourself. In the Bible we are never asked to, taught how to or shown an example of it. Why? Because you can't do it. However, what we can do is to confess our sins and then accept God's grace and forgiveness. Done deal.....

Next week we will talk about how do we "Move or Live in Grace." The practical way we give and receive forgiveness in ALL relationships. As Carolina Panther fans we will have front row seats this week to the saga with Steve Smith. Today, he is suppose to apologize for his attack on a teammate that has cost him a two game suspension. The news media is reporting that some of his teammates have said it is "unforgivable" others have said, "we all make mistakes it is time to move on.." Steve and his teammates will have to learn how to "move in Grace" this week.

Today's Bible Reading: We are in John chapter 3.

(Yesterday we passed out bookmarks with the new easy web site of WWW.KennyHibbard.com and the reading guide for August and September.)

The first pre-season NFL football game was last night. After the first touchdown, the Redskins kicked an extra point. As normal, a fan held up a sign that read: John 3:16. Why is it that you see that sign at every football game? Why is it that most people who have ever been to church can quote that verse? Because John 3:16 is a basic presentation of the "good news" (The word Gospel comes from the two words that mean Good news) of Jesus Christ.

That verse says that God loves you and me a whole bunch. It is the basis of the new song we have been singing on Sunday ..."Oh How He Loves Us So." God loves us so much that he sent His son to die for our sins. The reason I could tell you on Sunday that God can make our sins "just-as-if-I-had-never sinned" or Justified...is because of that great love. Today... What have you done that you think is so bad that God could not forgive you and make you Justified? Whatever comes to mind...is wrong. You have never done anything that God has not already forgiven you for....and He waits for you to confess the wrong doing and accept His complete forgiveness. Verse 18 says that when we believe in Him and place our trust in Him....we are forever....NOT Condemned.

After you think about that for a minute.....send this BLOG to a CSF friend and remind them....we are back to the daily BLOG!