“” Chapter 8 entitled “God’s Ultimate Gift: Sacrificial Love” from my book, Choosing the Abundant Life by Gary L . Hardesty My Ow Melody, LLC God’s Ultimate Gift: Sacrificial Love. The most wonderful gift of life is to love and to be loved. God created us to love and to be loved because it is in loving that we find the true meaning of completion. When you can get past that point of selfish expectation, then you will experience what true mercy and compassion is all about. Love is the solution to all things good, righteous, and holy. There [Read More…]
No matter how long we contend, no matter how sincerely we persuade, there are only two destinations; and we will all end up in one or the other. It just so happens that one destination, or road, is wide and easily traveled while the other is narrow and sometimes difficult (Matthew 7:13-14). Satan has placed the carnal mind in a state of resentment and defiance so that it can no longer rationalize. His intentions are to relieve man of his sanity and to bring him into that place of hopelessness and utter depravity. We all begin at the same [Read More…]
Intimacy… We were created in the likeness and image of God; and, God, in His intimate plan for man, yearns to be loved and adored (Matthew 23:37). For any relationship to be exceptional and life giving, intimacy must be an essential part. The problem in society today is that everything is taken out of context; and, we use our worldly desires to justify our sinful passions and lust. Personal intimacy, or the act of being intimate, has nothing to do with sexual impropriety or perversion; and, no matter how hard we try to justify our inappropriate actions, God will hold [Read More…]
How is it humanity decrees its judgments to be holy and justifiable when God’s Words say they are sinful? Society today is in complete opposition to the laws of God and refuse to do His bidding. We do not only surrender our freedoms when we adhere to societies demands but are also in jeopardy of losing our eternal souls. True courage is not that of being one that will not conform, but of resisting Satan’s evil onslaught. There is a time we should not allow ourselves to be bullied and willingly stand for our righteous beliefs. Not to do so [Read More…]
Why is it that so many of God’s children are living defeated lives and are not receiving the many blessings that He has promised to give them? God has promised to forgive all those that will ask for His forgiveness. Through the precious blood of His only Son He has chosen to forgive our many sins and allow us to become joint heirs with Him in His eternal home (Romans 8:17). The ultimate of blessings, forgiveness of sin, will be given to all those that confess Him, but that is only the beginning, He has promised us so much more. [Read More…]
The self-justification of man is never more powerful or judicial than the absolute command or “thou shall not” of almighty God. Abstinence from sin is always the best insurance from corruption and moral decay. Once you leave that place of innocence, you can never go back. You must accept the consequences and the penalties for doing so. Saying no to sin can never be classified as foolish; and, it will never leave you empty and hurting. The enticing of the mind will always be tempting and alluring; but, yielding to its folly will never be a way to triumph [Read More…]
What has anyone lost? What has anyone gained? Nothing! The natural man is still a servant of sin and new rules and regulations will never change it. My initial response to the ruling of our highest court was one of anger and disgust. These individuals who are considered to be of the best educated and wise, have proven to be ordinary and superficial. How do you look up to betrayal or depend upon those who espouse their own agenda. Those that do not defend the rights and honor of the ones they have sworn to defend? While I was not [Read More…]
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” Philippians 2:5-8. It is not my intention to minimize man or to diminish his importance. If God was willing to die for all humanity, then I [Read More…]
Favorite titles: It’s hard to choose which one I anticipate and admire the most. Title or Name often used by close acquaintances, friends, family members. Friend, Pal, Sir, Brother or Sister Title or Name often used by Wife. Sweetheart, Dear, Honey or Hon Title or Name often used by Children. Father, Dad, Pops Title or Name often used by Granddaughters and Grandsons, Grandchildren. Papa, Gpaw, Grandpa Title or Name often used by God Adopted Son, my Child All titles show respect and love, they are issued as an act of reverence and esteem. As [Read More…]
God builds mountains in an instant, while man must build them one rock at a time. What have I seen that He cannot see; or, what can I hope to accomplish that He has not already done? If I were to live for an eternity, I could never match His completeness or His total splendor. Placing myself as His equal or denying His power and His complete supremacy will cause me nothing but heartache and defeat. I gain nothing when I am arrogant and loud, while in my silence I am made to feel Gods unmerited mercy and grace. Lying [Read More…]