BALANCED DOG ~ BALANCED OWNER
As you train your dog, remember that dogs are first animals, then dogs, and then a specific breed, which has certain strengths and weaknesses. In addition to fulfilling his mental “breed needs” you will have to give your dog limitations and boundaries as part of his/her discipline. Adequate exercise, good quality nutrition, a lifetime commitment to training and affection will all add up to a well balanced dog. A well balanced dog is a pleasure to have as a family member and a joy to introduce to your friends and family.
Now, how about you? Are you a balanced human being as our Creator intended you to be? We are triune beings: body, soul (mind, will and emotions) and sprit. If we just feed and take care of our physical body or only take part in learning and “soulish” activities we will be unbalanced individuals. We also must be spiritually alive to lead balanced lives.
These scriptures are from the book of Romans and they are called the Roman Road. This is just one book of the Bible where I’m showing you how God directs you toward Him to become spiritually balanced. If you read the Bible you will see His love for you and how He is calling you to Him and instructing you how to live while on earth in all the books.)
Here’s the "Roman Road" facts:
1. Everyone is a sinner.
Romans 3:10-- "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
Romans 3:23-- "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"
No matter what our religious background, we all find ourselves short of the standard that God has set for us.
2. There is a price for that sin.
Romans 6:23-- "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Revelation 21:8-- "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
As frightening as it may seem, God's Word declares that all of us have sinned enough to merit the punishment of Hell.
3. You cannot pay that price.
Romans 3:28-- "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
Ephesians 2:8-9--"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."
[Galatians 2:21 "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. "
There is not one deed we can do, not one rite to perform, not one law we could keep that has the ability to pay for one sin that we have committed. The only hope that we have is to find cleansing apart from the Law or man's idea of self-redemption.
4. Jesus paid that price.
Romans 5:8-- "But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
John 3:16-- "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."
Jesus paid the price for the sins of the world, now it is up to you what you do with this free gift.
5. You must personally accept this gift.
It is time to transfer your trust from your own effort, works, religion, or intentions and realizing that these are a futile attempt to pay for sin, trust in Jesus Christ and his finished works alone for payment of your sin.
Romans 10:13-- “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Hebrews 6:1b --"...let us go unto perfection; not laying against the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.
If you wish to personally receive this free gift, then go to God and accept it with a prayer like this:
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve eternal separation from you but I also know that You died in my place, taking the punishment that I deserved. I now accept that free gift, the payment for my sins through Your shed blood. I believe that my sins are now forgiven and I am heaven bound. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.
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https://www.billygraham.org
May God bless you.