613 What?

Since we talked about this briefly this week, here is a list of all 613 Mitzvot that Jewish tradition has enumerated from the Torah -- just in case you were wondering!

Judaism 101

APPROACHING THE TOPIC OF GOD

Hi Jim,

Now that I got logistics out of the way, I appreciate your thoughts about approaching your friend.

Perhaps, you should first determine where your friend is at whether is happy with his or her life. A possible way to bring up the subject, is to share in confidence that you have another friend who is unhappy or unsatisfied with their existence, and want to solicit some ideas how to help him or her out of depression or negative situation. Hence, you could bring up introducing Christ in their life as a potential option because how much it meant to you and changed your own life in a positive direction. This approach does not place your targeted friend on the spot upfront, but may afford you some sense indirectly whether your friend would be open to the Holy Spirit at this time in their life.

Wish I could say that I tried this approach, but I have not. Just brainstorming, and hopefully, the Spirit had a hand in it.

Blessings in your endeavor,

Richard

HI ALL

Hi Jim,

Just a noted to let know that I accepted your invitation to join your blog. Stay positive and love all.

Your brother in Christ,

Richard Tom (aka rxt)

Approach Others

I've had the concept of hope through faith on my mind for a couple weeks, and, particulary after reading Psalm 145 and studying again Romans 5, came up with the following. I'm going to try this approach (at least once) as an argument to convince a friend in need to take the time to listen.

What are the odds that this might work?

You know what a relationship is. You may not know it, but you have all kinds of them. Some are with friends, some with men, others with women. Some are with family. Some may be with pets, others may be with groups of people. But, you have them.

Do you have a relationship with God?

Do you want one?

Have you any idea how He wants one with you? Do you know how he waits for you with open arms and a loving heart?

Do you have any idea of how he has pursued you all the days of your life, seeking you, encouraging you to turn to Him?

Do you have any concept of how He will bless you and love you and nurture you once you commit yourself to Him?

You do not need a go-between to have this relationship.

It is purely one-to-one.

You do not need a priest—a human priest, that is.

But, you will have a God priest on your side.

All you need for this relationship with your Creator, the Creator of the universe, is Jesus Christ. Accept him, and he become your priest in heaven, who sits at the right hand of the Father as His Son and your personal representive, interceding for you.

He said before he suffered and died and sacrificed Himself to pay the price for your sins and mine and the ransom for our captivity to sin, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, NIV)

This then is the King, you King who ransomed you with His life, who unlocks the door to salvation and to eternal life.

What is the work that God wants of you?

To believe in his Son. That's all.

My prayer is that you grasp hold that belief as soon as you can. Then, ask questions. You will find answers. That is the beginning of belief, of faith.

Come to Christ. He will embrace you and help you nurture your faith while you are still able to do so.

Start a relationship with God, and you know what? Your current relationships will grow stronger and could even be mended as a result. It happens.

IBG / JF