JOY AND PEACE OUTREACH: Recent Episodes
JOYANDPEACE
Joy And Peace Outreach is an active ministry in houston and surrounding vicinities touching hundreds of lives weekly.this ministry is a 501c3 and sincerely desire to enlarge itself in a numerical scope.This ministry includes Biblical teaching , citywide monthly outreaches of giveaways of clothing food , furniture as well as ministering on the frontline to those who are downcast and destitute.This outreach ministry provides resources for families in crises, serve as mentorships for men and women inmates released from prisons, provide information for prisonerse-entrance to socity. also offers resources for abused women and children & etc.
CONFESSION CAN BE EITHER ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUILT OR GLADLY ACKNOWLEDGING ALLEGIANCE TO CHRIST. CONFESSION TAKE THE LID OFF, OPEN THE WINDOW , OPEN THE DOOR, REVEALING WHAT IS WITHIN SIN OR FAITH. WHEN WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE UGLINESS OF SIN, IT IS EMBARRASSING AND SOMETIMES PAINFUL TO TAKE THE LID OFF. IRONICALLY, MANY FIND IT ALMOST EQUALLY EMBARRASSING TO REVEAL THEIR DEEP-SEATED FAITH. PERHAPS THE EMBARRASSMENT IS IN LETTING OTHERS SEE DEEP INTO OUR LIVES. PERHAPS IT IS A RETICENCE TO REVEAL SOMETHING PERSONAL, WHETHER GOOD OR BAD.
WHEN THE FORCES OF EVIL WANT THEIR WAYS , WE CANNOT GIVIE IN , TO COMPTOMISE GOD'S TRUTH OR GOD'S WAYS OR GOD'S WORD OR OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE IS TO NEGOTIATE AWAY THAT WHICH IS HOLY. THE TEST OF ACCEPTABLE COMPROMISE IS SIMPLE DO BOTH SIDES ULTIMATELY WIN THROUGH COMPROMISE, UNACCEPTABLE CO MPROMISE IS GIVING UP TOO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU GET, TO GIVE UP GODLINESS FOR ANYTHING IS A BAD BARGAIN . YOU LOSE AND SATAN WINS.
IN BIBLE TIMES HOSPITALITY WAS NOT MERELY A GRACIOUS ACT, IT WAS NECESSITY . THERE WERE NO MOTELS, OR HOTELS AS WE KNOW THEM , ONLY A VERY FEW CRUDE INNS WITHOUT BATHROOM, BEDROOMS, OR RESTURANTS. STRANGERS WERE TO BE TREATED AS GUESTS, AND THE HOST WAS EXPECTED NOT ONLY TO HOUSE THEM BUT ALSO TO FEED THEM AnD PROTECT THEM.
WE SUFFER A GREAT LOSS , A SEPARATION FROM SOMEONE IMPORTANT TO US. SEPARATION OR LOSS MEANS WE NO LONGER HAVE A VITAL, ONGOING, LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS PERSON ONLY MEMORIES. WE NO LONGER CAN TALK WITH PERSON, HUG OR KISS THIS PERSON, THERE ARE OTHER LOSSES, TOO WE MAY ALSO LOSE A HOUSES , BY FIRE OR WIND. WE MAY LOSE A CAR , BY ACCIDENT OR THEFT . WE MAY LOSE OUR JOB, LOSE OUR CHURCH, OR LOSE ANY NUMBER OF THINGS IMPORTANT TO US.
GOD SETS STANDARDS FOR OUR GOOD AND TO PROTECT US FROM EVIL AND HATM . GOD DESIRES OBEDIENCE MOTIVATED NOT BY FEAR BUT BY LOVE AND TRUST, IRONICALLY, OBEDIENCE ACTUALLY FREES US UP TO ENJOY LIFE AS GOD INTENDED, BECAUSE IT KEEPS US FROM BECOMING ENTANGLED OR ENSLAVED TO THOSE THINGS THAT DISTRACT US AND CAUSE US HEARTACHE. EVEN THROUGH GOD;S COMMAND IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT , OR DOESN.T MAKE SENSE FROM OUR HUMAN PERSPECTIVE, OBEDIENCE WILL ALWAYS BRING BLESSING, JOY, AND PEACE.
PUNISHMENT COMES IN AT LEAST THREE FORMS, FIRST , THERE IS THE PUNISHMENT A PARENT DOLES OUT TO A CHILD, WHICH IS INTENDSD FOR DISCIPLINE AND CORRECTION. THEN THERE IS THE PUNISHMENT OF NATURAL CONSEQUENCES. IF A CHILD TOUCHES A HOT STOVE, THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING BURNED GENERAIS SUFFICIENT PUNISHMENT . FINALLY THERE IS A PUNISHMENT THAT IS VENGEFUL. WHEN A NATION RESPONDS TO A PERCEIVED INJUSTICE BY SENDING AN ARMY TO WIPE OUT A VILLAGE OF THE OFFENDING STATES.IT IS PUNISHMENT WITH A VENGEANCE.
TO WORSHIP IS TO ASCRIBE ULTIMATE VALUE TO AN OBJECT, PERSON, OR GOD AND THEN TO REVERE, ADORE, PAY HOMAGE TO , AND OBEY BY ORDERING THE PRIORITIE OF OUR LIVES AROUND THAT WHICH WE WORSHIP.THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD ALONE IS WORTHY.OF OUR WORSHIP. HUMAN BEINGS WERE CREATED TO WORSHIP.THE PSALMIST SPEAKS OF WORSHIP AS A REVERENT CELEBRATION WE EXPRESS OUR DEVOTION TO GOD BY SINGING HIS PRAISE AND CELEBRATING HIS GOODNESS WITH SHOUTS OF JOY . THE DUAL FOCUS OF CELEBRATION AND REVERENCE KEEP OUR WORSHIP FROM BECOMING EITHER TOO RESTRAINED OR TOO SUPERFICIAL. IS YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE OF WORSHIP MARKED BY BOTH CELEBRATION AND REVERENCE.
SOLVING A COMPLEX PROBLEM IN TRIGONOMETRY AND WRITING A COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT WILL GUIDE A NUCLEAR SUBMARINE BOTH REQUIRE A GREAT INTELLIGENCE. BUT SUCH INTELLIGENCE DOES NOT GUARANTEE A FULFILLING , BALANCED, AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE. SUCCESS IN RELATIONSHIPS, RAISING CHILDREN , AND SPIRITUAL MATURITY ARE DEPENDENT NOT ON INTELLECT, BUT RATHER ON WISDOM, THE BIBLE WHICH DEVOTES THE WHOLE BOOK OF PROVERBS TO THE SUBJECT , TEACHES THAT THW WISDOM TO MASTER LIFE 'S CHALLENGES AND TO UNDERSTAND SPIRITUAL TRUTH IS FOUND ONLY IN GOD.
THE BIBLE SPEAKS ABOUT EACH THIS TENDENCY FOR STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS TO IMPERSONATE EACH OTHER IN OUR LIVES. SOMETIMES THE SEEMINGLY STRONG IS VERY WEAK. AND APPARENT WEAKNESS BELIES GREAT STRENGTH. THE KEY IS NOT EXTERNAL APPEARANCES BUT INTERNAL SPIRITUAL CHARACTER . AS WE GROW IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY WE LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE WEAKNESS OF OUR STRENGTHS.
THERE A CHRISTIAN WHO HAVE NOT ASKED THIS QUESTION AT LEAST ONCE, SOMETIMES GOD'S WILL SEEMS SO VAGUE , SO HARD TO KNOW. BUT PERHAPS THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE'RE EXPECTING GOD TO REVEAL SOMETHING SPECIAL TO US. WHILE IGNORING THE REVELATION HE'S ALREADY GIVEN HIS WRITTEN WORD. THE BIBLE HAS DOZENS OF CLEAR COMMANDS FOR US TO FOLLOW. WORSHIP GOD ONLY, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR'S AND YOUR ENEMIES, USE YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS, DO NOT LIE, DO NOT COVET , DO NOT STEAL, OBEY GOD'S LAWS, REMAIN FAITHFUL. LET THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTROL YOUR LIFE AND AND THE LIST GOES ON. GOD IS VITALLY INTERESTED IN THE DETAILS OF OUR LIVES, BUT HIS REAL WILL IS THAT WE SPEND MORE TIME THINKING ABOUT WHAT,S REALLY IMPORTANT.
THE BIBLE PROMISES US A VICTORY FAR GREATER AND MORE LASTING. WE CAN EXPERIENCE SPIRITUAL VICTORY OVERY SIN AND DEATH, A VICTORY BOTH SURE AND FINAL THROUGH CHRIST'S VICTORY OVERY DEATH. THE VICTORIOUS LIFE IS A LIFE OF VICTORY OVER SIN, SELF, AND SATAN, ALIFE OF FREEDOM FROM THE POWER OF SIN AS WELL AS FREEDOM FROM THE PENALTY OF SIN. LIVING OUT WITH JOY THE RESPONSIBILITIES GOD HAS GIVEN TO US, NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL THEY APPEAR TO BE IN A GIVEN MOMENT.
GOD INTENDS THAT YOU EXPERIENCE JOY AND ABUNDANCE , SO , TODAY AND RVERY DAY CELEBRATE THE LIFE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU BY FOCUSING YOUR THOUGHTS UPON THOSE THINGS THAT ARE WORTHY OF PRAISE . TODAY , COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS INSTEAD OF YOUR HARD SHIPS . THANK THE GIVER OF ALL THINGS GOOD FOR GIFTS THAT ARE TO NUMEROUS TO COUNT. BLESSINGS CAN EITHER HUMBLE US AND DRAW US CLOSER TO GOD OR ALLOW US TO BECOME FULL OF PRIDE AND SELF SUFFICIENCY.
DO NOT REMEMBER THE FORMER THINGS, NOR CONDIDER THE THINGS OF OLD , BEHOLD, I WILL DO A NEW THING IN 2024. NO MATTER HOW BADLY WE HAVE FAILED , WE CAN ALWAYS GET UP AND BEGIN AGAIN. OUR GOD IS THE GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS. THE WORD OF GOD SAY I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART AND PUT A NEW SPIRIT IN YOU. ARE YOU IN SEARCH OF A NEW BEGINNING OR, FOR THAT MATTER, A NEW YOU. IF WE SINCERELY WANT TO CHANGE OURSELVES FOR THE BETTER, WE MUST START ON THE INSIDE AND WORK OUR WAY OUT FROM THERE.
WHEN JESUS MODELED THE PERFECT ASSIGNMENT ., HE INVITED OTHER TO SHARE IN THIS RESPONSIBILITY. . MANY TIMES, AFTER HEARLING THE SICK OR PERFORMING A SIRN TO INAUGRATE THE KINGDOM OF GOD , HE WOULD RELEASE THE RECIPIENTS WITH A DIRET ASSIGNMENT..GOD REDEEMED YOU SO YOU COULD DOHIS HOLY WORK. YOUR MINISTRY IS TO SEVE OTHERS. GOD INTENDS TO USE YOU FOR HIS GOALS. GOD HAS A MINISTRY OR SERVICE FOR YOU IN CHURCH AND A MISSION FOR YOU IN THIS WORLD
USING YOUR GIFTS THAT GOD GAVE YOU .FAITH, HEALING, PROPHECY,PROCLAMATION, TEACHING, ADMINISTRATION, DISCERNMENT, EVANGELISM, KNOWLEDGE , WISDOM BASED ON THE GIFTS THEY HAVE RECEIVED , EVERYONE SHOULD USE IT TO SERVE OTHER , AS GOOD MANGERS OF THE VARIED GRACE OF GOD.ONE THING TAUGHT LARGE IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES IS THAT WHILE GOD GIVES HIS GIFTS FREELY , HE WILL REQUIRE A STRICT ACCOUNTING OF THEM AT THE END OF THE ROAD.YUR GIFTS ARE PRICELESS AND ETERNAL LET US HELP OTHERS DISCOVER THEIRS.
THERE ARE MANY EVENT IN OUR LIVES OVER WHICH WE HAVE NO CONTROL. HOWEVER, TRYING TIMES AND PRESS ON OR TO GIVE UP. THE SECRET OF SURVIVAL , WHETHER OR NOT WE QUESTION GOD.S PRESENCE OR HIS ABILITY TO HELP US. IS REMEMBERING THAT OUR HOPE IS IN THE FAIRNESS, GOODNESS, AND JUSTICE OF GOD. WHEN WE PUT OUR TRUST IN THE CHARACTER OF A GOD WHO CANNOT FAIL US.
HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD. AND HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP. THE HUMBLE SHALL SEE THEIR GOD AT WORK FOR THEM. NO WONDER THEY WILL BE SO GLAD . ALL WHO SEEK FOR GOD SHALL LIVE IN JOY. FOR SOME REASON , WE TEND TO EVALUATE OTHER PEOPLE. YET BIT'S NOT OUR JOB TO JUDGE OTHERS. THAT REMAINS THE WORK OF GOD. OUR NEED TO JUDGE USUALLY BSAYS MORE ABOUT US THAN ABOUT THYE PERSON WE'RE JUDGING.TRUE HUMILITY IS VIEWING OURSELVES AS WE REALLY ARE FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE AND ACTING ACCORDINGLY. PEOPLE TODAY PRACTICE FALSE HUMILITY WHEN THEY TALK THEMSELVES DOWN SO THAT OTHERS WILL THINK THEY ARE SPIRITUAL.
WE DO NOT THINK OF OURSELVES AS A WORSHIPING CULTURE, LET ALONE OTHERWISE. . HUMAN BEINGS WERE CREATED TO WORSHIP . TO WORSHIP IS TO ASCRIBE ULTIMATE VALUE TO AN OBJECT , PERSON , OR GOD AND THEN TO REVERE , ADORE, PAY HOMAGE TO AND OBEY BY ORDERING THE PRIORITIES OF OUR LIVES AROUND THAT WHICH WE WORSHIP. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT GOD ALONE IS WORTHY OF OUR WORSHIP
FOR THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUS FALL SEVEN TIMES , THEY RISE AGAIN, BUT TE WICKED STUMBLE WHEN CALAMITY STRIKES. MAKING MISTALES IS A NECESSARY PART OF LIVING A FULFILLED LIFE;STUMBLING AND FALLING ARE ALL A PART OF GROWING . LET GO OF ANY FEAR OF FAILURE, AND FOCUS ON DOING YOUR BEST. BE PROUND OF YOUR WONDERFULLY IMPERFECT JOURNEY.
THE WORD WORSHIP MEANS TO ENCOUNTER GOD AND PRAISE HIM.. TRUE WORSHIP REQUIRES A PEOPLE TO CONTACT GOD, THE SPIRIT , IN THEIR , AS WELL AS HAVE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE TRUTH. NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP MUST BE IN SPIRIT AND IN THE TRUTH SINCE GOD IS SPIRIT , HE MUST BE WORSHIPED IN SPIRIT . HUMAN BEINGS POSSESS A HUMAN SPIRIT , THE NATURE OF WHICH CORRESPONDS TO GOD'S NATURE . WHICH IS SPIRIT, THEREFORE, PEOPLE CAN HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND WORSHIP GOD IN THE SAME SPHERE IN WHICH GOD EXISTS.
TIME FOR A CHANGE FUELED BY UNFUFILLED PROMISE, UNREALZED HOPES, AND INCREASING DIFFICULTIES, IT'S TIME FOR A CHAGE HAS BECOME A COMMON THEME WITH BOTH POLITICIANS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. TRUST THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BE CHANGE WHILE THERE IS STILLN TIME. FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME , BEHOLD , NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.
CHRIST STATED THAT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME , THE DISCIPLES WOULD PRAY TO THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF CHRIST ACCORDINGLY WE FIND THAT AFTER THE COMING OF THE SPIRIT ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST THE EARLY CHURCH IS CHARACTERIZED BY PRAYER THE SPIRIT ENABLES ALL CHRISTIANS TO COME TO GOD WITH ALL THEIR NEEDS.PROMINENT AMONG THESE NEEDS IN THE MIND OF THE APOSTLE PAUL, ARE DEEPENING OF FAITH. IN CHRIST, PRAYER IS ALSO PART OF THE CHRISTIAN'S ARMOR AGAINST SATANIC ATTACK.
HEN ONE OF US AT SOME TIME IN LIFEHAS NOT WISHED FOR, EEN LONGED FOR A LIFE LIKE PWHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? SHALL TROUBLE OR HARDSHIP OR PERECUTION OR FAMINE OR NAKEDNESS OR DANGER OR SWORD IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM .. WHICH ONE OF US AT SOMETIME IN LIFE HAS NOT WISHED. FOR EVEN LONGED FOR A LIFE LIKE PAUL FULL OF ADVENTURE , FRUIT, REWARDS, CHANGING THE WORLD IN WHICH HE LIVED. THEN INFLUENCING PEOPLE ALL OVER THE EARTH . COULD THE SECRET BE THAT PAUL LEARNED AND ACCEPTED GOD;
YOUR DECISON TO SEEK A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WILL NOT REMOVE ALL PROBLEMS FROM YOUR LIFE. LIFE. TO THE CONTRARY FEAR THOU NOW FOR I AM WITH THEE. TODAY YOU WILL FACE MANY OPPORTUNITIED TO SAY YES TO YOUR CREATOR AND YOU WILL ALSO EN COUNTER MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO SAY NO TO HIM. YOUR ANSWERS WILL DETERMINE THE QUALITY OF YOUR DAY AND THE DIRECTON OF YOUR LIFE.
WHAT SHOULD I DO/ THIS IS A COMMONLY ASKED QUESTION . IN AN AGE OF CONFLICTING CLAIMS AND CONFUSING DIRECTIONS, MANY SEARCH FOR WISE COUNSEL . IT SEEMS HARDER TO KNOW WHAT TO DO THESE DAYS. MAYBE THAT'S WHY COUNSELORS ARE IN SUCH GREAT DEMAND AND ADVICE COLUMNISTS ARE IN EVERY NEWPAPER. BUT THERE IS A CIRITICAL DIF FERENCE BETWEEN WISE COUNSEL AND MISLEADING ADIVCE, WELL MEANING DIRECTION THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION . OF ALL WISDOM. GOD'S WISDOM IS THE BEST, FOR HIS IS GIVEN WITH A PERSPECTIVE OF ETERNITY. WHO AMONG US WOULD NOT LIKE TO TALK WITH SOMEONE WHO KNOW EVERYTHING THAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW . WE WOULD DO WELL TO SEEK ADVICE MORE FROM THE SOURCE OF DIVINE WISDOM . GOD'S WORD.
LYING IS DECEIVING SOMEONE . IT CAN BE DIRECT I DIDN'T TOUCH THAT CAKE OR IT CAN BE INDIRECT SUCH AS TELLING ONLY PART OF THE TRUTH WHEN IT BENEFITS YOU TO DO SO. BUT TO FALL SHORT OF TRUTH , IN ANY WAY, IS TO LIE, PILATE ASKED. WHAT IS TRUTH PILATE HAD THE ANSWER TO HIS QUESTION STANDING BEFORE HIM, IN PERSON I AM THE WAY , THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. JESUS SAID ON ANOTHER OCCASION THINK OF IT JESUS NOT ONLY TELLS THE TRUTH, HE IS TRUTH. WE CANNOT FOLLOW THR GOD OF TRUTH WHILE WE PERSISTENTLY TELL LIES EVEN SMALL ONES DETERMINE TO TELL THE TRUTH IN ALL MATTERS OF LIFE , BIG OR SMALL.
HOW WILL ONE BE ABLE TO FACE THE FUTURE WITHOUT FAITH AS THE THE WRITER OF HEBREW NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPE FOR , THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN..WE OFTEN HEAR THE CLARION CALL REMINDING US THAT WE LIVE IN THE LAST DAYS AND THAT THE SECOND CO0MING OF CHRIST IS AT HAND. THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAT HUMANITY CAN DO TO PREVENT THYE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD.
WOMEN MOVING FORWARD IN CHRIST . MOVING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE A WOMEN GOD CAN USE IN THE HARD PLACE TAKE THAT BRAVE STEP.A WOMEN GOD CAN USE DOES MORE THAN JUST RUN THAT ALLIGATOR ALL THE TIME. SHE WILL LISTEN TO WHAT GOD IS SATING TO HER AND DO WHAT HE SAY. WOMEN IN THE BIBLE HAVE PLAYED INFLUENTIAL AND TRANSFORMATIVE RO;ES FOR CENTURIES. DESPITE THE CULTURAL AND SOCIAL LIMITATIONS THAT WOMEN FACED , THEY CHOSE TO TRUST GOD AND FOLLOW WHERE GOD LED THEM.
WHEN WE SEE A FOOTPRINT IN THE SAND, DO MWE DOUBT THAT SOMEONE WALKED THERE? WHEN WE SEE A FINGERPRINT ON A WINDOW, DO WE QUESTION WHETHER NOR NPOT A PEARSON WAS THERE? GOD'S WORK AND WORDS ARE HIS FOOTPRINTS AND FINGERPRINTS, AND THEY ARE ALL AROUND US. THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL SAW GOD PERFORM COUNTLESS MORACLES MIRACLES ON THERE BEHALF , YET THEY DOUBTED HIS LOVE AND POWER AGAIN AND AGAIN. WHAT HAS GOD DONE THAT ONLY GOD COULD HAVE DONE THAT YOU HAVE DISMISSED OR FORGOTTEN.
THE SEEDS OF COMPASSION AND CONCERN ARE BURIED IN THE HUMAN HEART, AND WHEN NEED APPEARS OR TRAGEDY STRIKES. CHOSE SEAND WILLING TO HELP ANOTHER IN DIRE NEED. CALL IT LOVE, CONCERN, COMPASSION, OR CARE IT IS OUR WILLINGNESS TO REACH OUT. PROVIDE FOR OTHERS IN A TIME OF NEED. SHARE WITH THEM, COMFORT THEM AND JUST BE WITH THEM. BUT AMONG CHRISTIANS THERE IS A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF CARING. THE VERY TERM BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST.
IT HAPPENS FORMALLY IN SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOMS; IT HAPPENS INFORMALLY IN PLAYGROUNDS AND BACKYARDS. IT HAPPENS INTENTIONALLY WHEN STUDENTS ENROLL IN COURSES OF STUDY; IT HAPPENS UNNTENTIONALLY WHEN CHILDREN WATCH TV . WHETCHER OR NOT WE ARE CAREFUL ABOUT WHO WE LEARN FROM , TEACHING PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN ALL OUR LIVES. IN THE BIBLE GOD REVEALS HIMSELF AS A TEACHING GOD . FROM THE WRITINGS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT TO THE TEACHING MINISTRY OF JESUS AND THE APOSTLES. GOD ENCOURAGES THE INTENTIONAL AND ACCURATE TEACHING TRUTH . WARNS US TO BE WARY OF FALSE TEACHING THAT CAN DISTOR OUR THINKING AND VALUES AND LEAD OUR SOUL TO DESTRUCTION.
THERE IS A POSITIVE , HEALTHY SIDE TO PRIDE BEING PROUD OF YOUR CHILDREN OR SPOUSE OR , TAKING PRIDE IN YOUR WORK. BUT THE BIBLE LOOKS MAINLY AT THE DESTRUCTIVE SIDE OF PRIDE BECAUSE IT HAS SUCH GREAT POWER TO DAMAGE OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS AND WITH GOD. PRIDE IS DESTRUCTIVE WHEN IT INVOLVES WANTING TOO MUCH RECOGNITION , TAKING TOO MUCH CREDIT.WANTING YOUR OWN WAY, THINKING YOUR WAY IS BEST IN SUMMARY , THINKING TOO HIGHLY OF YOUR SELF . IT CAUSE US TO FACE THE WORLD FROM A SELFISH POINT OF VIEW,
MERCY IS COMPASSION,POURED OUT ON NEEDY PEOPLE. BUT THE MERCY OF GOD , WHICH HE EXPECTS US TO MODEL, GOES ONE STEP FURTHER. GOD'S MERCY IS UNDESERVED FAVOR. EVEN WHEN WE DON'T DESERVE MERCY. GOD STILL EXTENDS IT TO US. OUR SIN AND REBELLION AGAINST GOD DESERVE HIS PUNISHMENT; BUT INSTEAD HE OFFERS US FORIVENESS AND ETERNAL LIFE. IF GOD WAS MERCIFUL TOWARD US DESPITE OUR SIN, HOW MERCIFUL SHOULD WE BE TOWARD THODE WHO HAVE WRONGED US.
WE ALL LIVE IN A WEB OF REALATIONSHIPS DEPENDENT UPON OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORITY. LIKE A LOVING PARENT , GOD SETS STANDARDS FOR OUR GOOD AND TO PROTECT US FROM EVIL AND HARM. GOD DESIRES OBEDIENCE MOTIVATED NOT BY FEAR BUT BY LOVE AND TRUST, IRONICALLY , OBEDIENCE ACTUALLY FREES US UP TO ENJOY LIFE AS GOD INTENDED, BECAUSE IT KEEPS US FROM BECOMING ENTANGLED OR ENSLAVED TO THOSE THINGS THAT DISTRACT US HEARACHE. EVEN THOUGH GOD'S COMMAND IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT, OR DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FROM OUR HUMAN PERSPECTIVE, OBEDIENCE WILL ALWAYS BRING BRING BLESSING, JOY AND PEACE.
BITTERNESS IS ANGER THAT HAS SETTLED IN FOR THE LONG TERM. IT IS AN ANGERNTHAT HAS BIRTHED RESENTMENT , THE FEELING THAT WE HAVE BEEN TREATED HARSHLY. THE POSION OF BETTERNESS , LEFT UNCHECKED, CAN DESTROY US. AND THE MOST DANGEROUS THING ABOUT BITTERNESS IS THAT IT RENDERS FORGIVENESS INACTIVE , WHICH PUT VOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND OTHERS ON HOLD.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. DO NOT BE AFRAID OR TERRIFIED BECAUSE OF THEM, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD GOES WITH YOU; HE WILL NEVER YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.WHEN YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT QUTTING SOMETHING, INSTEAD FROCUS ON GOD'S PROMISE THAT HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.HE IS FAITHFUL , AND BY FOCUSING ON HIS STEADFAST PROMISE TO NEVER LET YOU GO, YOU WILL GAIN THE FORTITUDE TO FINISH.
EXCELLENCE IS NOT BETTER MRDIOCRITY; IT IS MORE OF THE SAME OLD THING, BUT RATHER IT IS A NEW STANDARD , A NEW AND HIGHER ORDER OF THINGS SURPASSINGNESS , EXCEEDINGNESS. BEYOND EXPECTATIONS. IT IS GLORY, MAJESTY, SPLENDOR, OVER FLOWING , VIRTUE, LUSTER. OUR LIVES SPEAK OF EXCELLENCE WHEN WE HONOR GOD.
WHEN STRENGTH FAILS AND WE GROW WEARY AND DISCOURAGED WE NEED SOMEONE TO COME ALONGSIDE US, SHOW UNDERSTANDING, CHEER US UP, AND INSPIRE US TO HAVE THE STRENGTH AND COMMITMENT TO MOVE ON. WHEN BILLS PILES UP AND MONEY RUNS SHORT. WE NEED AN ENCOURAGER. WHEN WE BECOME A SINGLES PARENT AND THE WORLD SEEAGAINST US. WE NEED AN ENCOURAGER. WHEN FRIENDS OR FAMILY TURN AGAINST US. WE NEED AN ENCOURAGER. OUR STRENGTH AND RESOLVE WEAKEN ,
AT THE HEART OF PEACE IS HARMONY . TO BE AT PEACE WITH SOMEONE WHETHER A NEIGHBOR. , A FAMILY MEMBER, OR GOD IS TO BE IN A HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. WHEN WE ASK CHRIST TO CLEANSE US OF OUR SIN AND MAKE US NEW CREATIONS, WE ARE ASKING FOR PEACE , A NEW HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CREATOR. GOD IS THE TRUE SOURCE OF PEACE.
IT IS TIME FOR GOD WOMEN TO ARISE AND KEEP GOING AND EMBRACE THEIR DESTINY MANY HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL BUT THERE ARE SOME STAYING ON THE SIDE LINE AND NOT DOING WHAT GOD HAVE CALL THEN TO DO. THERE ARE STILL LEADERS THAT HAVE NOT RELEASED THERE DAUGHTERS. ITS TIME FOR WOMEN TO COME FORTY AND SAY . THIS IS THE TIME FOR ME TO DO WHAT GOD HAS SAID FOR ME TO DO. USE THE GIFTINGS, CALLING AND PROPHETIC DESTINY THAT GOD HAVE ON YOUR LIFE.WHAT IS IT THAT HAVE. HINDERS MANY WOMEN TODAY.
FRUSTRATION HAS FRUSTRATION MANY FACES YOU MAY FEEL BAFFLED , CANCELED, CRIPPLED, DEFEATED, DISAPPOINTED, DISSATISFIED, INTERCEPTED, NEUTRALIZED, UNDERMINED, OR INHIBITED. FRUSTRATION EMPTIES YOU . CONFUSES YOU , UNDERCUTS YUO, MAKES YOU FEELYOU WERE SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR AWAY THE BIBLE SAYS THAT FRUSTRATIONS ARE A PAIR OF LIVING IN THIS SINFUL WORLD.
HUMAN BEINGS ARE CREATURES OF BOTH SIMPLE AND COMPLEX NEEDS. A NEW BORN CHILD CRIES OUT EVERY FEW HOURS WITH HUNGER THAT NEEDS TO BE SATISFLED . THAT SAME CHILD WILL SUFFER EMOTIONAL STARVATION IF HIS OR HER NEEDS FOR LOVE, AFFECTION, AND AFFIRMATION GO UNMET. TEENAGERS AND ADULTS CRAVE SOCIAL ACCEPTAANCE, MATERIAL SUCCESS, AND PERSONAL SIGNIFICANCE.
ACCOUNTABILITY MEANS ANSWERING TO SOMEONE. IT IS LITERALLY GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF YOURSELF WHERE YOU'VE BEEN , WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING, WHAT YOUR MOTIVES ARE. ACCOUNTABILITY ALSO SUGGESTS THAT THE ONE WHO IS HOLDING YOU ACCOUNTABLE HAS THE FREEDOM TO ASK FOR AN ACCOUNT. MOST OF US DON'T LIKE TO BE FULLY ACCOUNTABLE , BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT IT PUTS TOO MANY RESTRICTION UPON US, IT ALSO MAY FORCE US TO OPEN UP DARK CORNERS OF OUR LIVES WE 'D PREFER TO KEEP HIDDEN. BUT REAL ACCOUNTABILITY KEEP US HONEST , MORAL , AND ON THE RIGHT PATH.
THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ANY GOAL OR PURPOSE REQUIRE COMMITMENT WHETHER FOR GOOD OR FOR EVIL. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF COMMITMENT IN BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE WAYS. COMMITING A SIN AND COMMITTING YOUR WAY TO THE LORD. EACH ALTERNATIVE INVOLVES MAKING A DECISION , TURNING ONESELF OVER TO SOMETHING OR SOMEONE, A FOCUSED AND SOMETIMES COSTLY PERSERVANCE , AND THEN REAPING THE CONSEQUENCES OR REWARD OF OUR COMMITMENT.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE COMFORTERS . BUTB GOD IS OUR ULTIMATE COMFORTER, THROUGH CHRIST AND THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. COMFORT IS RELIEF FROM BURDENS, ENCOURAGEMENT FOR A NEW DAY, EXHORTATION TO RISE ABOVE THE BURDEN THYAT AFFICT US. AND HOPE THAT THE PAIN AND SUFFERING WILL ULTIMATELY END. JUST BEING THERE WITH US IS PERHAPS THE GREATEST SOURCE OF COMFORT.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BEAUTIF UL? THE ORIGINAL GREEK AND HEBREW WORDS USED IN THE BIBLE THAT ARE TRANSLATED BEAUTY GIVE SOME INTERESTING CLIES. ONW WORD DESCRIBES THAT WHICH IS RIPE IN ITS SEASON CAN BE THE PRIME OF LIFE IF WE BEST REPRESENT THAT SEASON IN WHICH WE ARE NOW LIVING. THE MATURE BEAUTY OF AN OLDER PERSON IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF A 20 YEAR OLD WITH AN ATTRACTIVE APPEARANCE. THE BEAUTY OF AN IONFANT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE EMERGING BEAUTY OF AN OLDER CGILH . EACH HAS IT SEASONAL BEAUTY.
A FIR BURNS AND CONSUMES . IT IS CALLED ANGER SMOLDERING, FLAMING , AT TIMED WHITE HOT. ANGER IS PASSION. OF ALL EMOTIONS IT MAY WELL BE THE MOST PASSIONATE , FOR IT HAS THE POWER TO FUEL HATRED AND SMOTHER LOVE. ANGER ITSELF IS NOT BAD. IT IS NOT WRONG. WHAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT ARE THE OBJECT OF OUR ANGER, OUR MOTIVE FOR ANGER , AND THE OUTCOME OF OUR ANGER. ANGER THAT IS SELF RIGHTEOUS , PROTECTS OUR PRIDE, IS SELF CENTERED , OR DEMANDS ITS OWN WAY IS DANGEROUS.
ONE OF THE MOST FEARFUL CONCEPTS IN LIFE IS THE UTTER TERMINATION OF A CHERISHED REATIONSHIP. WHETHER WE CALL IT ABANDONING , FORSAKING, GIVING UP ON US . OR DIVORCE, THR PORTRAIT IS OF A SHARP LINE DRAWN IN A RELATIONSHIP A LINE THAT QUICKLY BECOMES A GREAT GULF BETWEEN THE TWO PERSON , PUTTING THEM OUT OF REACH OF ONE ANOTHER. AND ONE OF THE GREATEST CONSEQUENCES OF BEING ABANDONED IS THAT IT THREATENS OUR FEELING OF SELF WORTH.
GOODNESS IS NOT MERELY BEING GOOD AT SOMETHING LIKE SHE IS GOOG AT COOKING GOODNESS IS BEING LIKE GOD . IT IS DOING SOMETHING SOMETHING POSITIVE THAT EXHIBITS OUR LIKENESS TO GOD. THE BIBLE SAYS THAT WHEN WE SAY, I WANT TO BE GOOD WE ARE REALLY SAYING I WANT TO BE LIKE GOD, THE QUALITY OF BEING MORALLY GOOD OR VIRTUOUS . A BELIEF IN THE BASIC GOODNESS OF MANKIND.
WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR ACTIONS OR LYING TO PRESERVE YOUR INTEGRITY, YOUR EXCUSE WILL GET YOU IN TROUBLE . IT IS FAR BETTER
IN THE LONG RUN TO ADMIT WHAT YOU'VE DONE , SEEK FORGIVENESS, AND MOVE FORWARD.THERE ARE LEGITIMATE EXCUSES I COULD 'T MEET YOU BECAUSE I WAS SICK. AND THERE ARE POOR EXCUSES TRY TO RATIONALIZE IMPROPER BEHAVIOR.
BITTERNESS I S ANGER THAT HAS SETTLED IN FOR THE LONG TERM. IT IS AN ANGER THAT HAS BIRTHED RESENTMENT , THE FEELING THAT WE HAVE BEEN TREATED HARSHLY, UNFAIRLY, OR CARELESSLY. LEFT TO EAT ITS WAY DEEP INTO OUR MIND, EMOTIONS AND EVEN OUR SOUL. BITTERNESS CAN TURN US INTO HOSTILE, HARDENED PROPLE. THE POISON OF BITTERNESS. LEFT UNCHECKED CAN DESTROY US . AND THE MOST DANGEROUS THING ABOUT BITTERNESS IS THAT RENDERS FORGIVENESS INACTIVE WHICH PUTS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND OTHERS ON HOLD.
LEARN THE ART OF BEING GRATEFUL IN EVERY SITUATION, DO SOMETHING TO ENCOURAGING OTHERS, REMEMBER THAT GOD USE OUR PROBLEMS FOT GOOD PURPOSE. REMEMBER WHO GOD IS. SHIF YOUR FOCUS FROM YOUR CISCOURAGING CIRCUMSTANCES TO GOD HIMSELF. REMEMBER THAT HE IS LOVE TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT WE NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK FOR THE LORD. OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT IS TO SIMPLY DO SOMETHING ELSE
HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE? WHO ARE THEY? IF YOU ARE TYPICAL, YOUR FRIENDS RANGE FROM CASUAL ACQUAINTANCES TO THOSE WHO WOULD DIE FOR YOU. SOMETIMES FRIENDS ARE CLOSER THAN BROTHERS OR SISTERS, FRIENDS SHARE AFFECTION, COMPANIONSHIP, CONFIDENCES DEVOTION, FAITHFULNESS, FELLOWSHIP,LOYALTY, SUPPORT, TRUST, UNDERSTANDING. FRIENDS ARE SPECIAL. ABOVE ALL. GOD IS OUR VERY BEST FRIEND.
AT THE HEART OF PEACE IS HARMONY . TO BE AT PEACE WITH SOMEONE WHETHER A NEIGHBOR , A FAMILY MEMBER, OR GOD IS TO BE IN A HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM,. WHEN WE ASK CHRIST TO CLEANS US OF OUR SIN AND MAKE US NEW CREATIONS, WE ARE AKING FOR PEACE , A NEW HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CREATOR.GOD WANTS US TO KNOW PEACE IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES PEACE IN OUR DAILY WORK , OUR BUSINESS, OUR FAMILY, OUR SOUL. THE KEY TO LETTING PEACE ENTER IN.
A HABIT IS A USUAL MANNER OF BEHAVIOR; A PATTERN. THERE ARE GOOD HABITS A ND BAD HABITS, MUCH THE SAME AS AUY PERSON EXHIBITS BOTH AND BAD BEHAVIOR. THE QUESTION IS . WHAT'S THE PREVAILING PATTERN/ ? THE TERM BAD HABITS BRINGS TO MIND THINGS LIKEB SMOKING, ALCOHOL, DRUGS. BUT SPREADING GOSSIP, COMPLAINING, OR BACKBITING CAN BECOME BAD HABITS. TOO WORRY CAN BECOME A BAD HABIT AND CAN HURT US DEEPLY. GOOD HABITS, ON THE OTHER HAND, CAN BE OF GREAT VALUE . THE HABIT OF PRAYER IS SOMETING BEAUTIFUL . THE BIBLE HAS MUCH TO SAY ABOUT HABITS THAT WILL BENEFIT US FOR A LIFETIME.
BEING LAZY OR AT EASE WHEN YOU SHOULD BE HARD AT WORK, WHEN THE TIME IS LATE , WHEN YOUR FULL INVOLVEMENT IS NEEDED . DANGERS ARE ON THE HORIZON, AND YOU DON'T SEE THEM AS DANGERS GOD HAS SOME VERY STRONG WORDS ABOUT COMPLACENCY , ESPECIALLY COMPLACENCY TOWARD HIM AND COMPLACENCY TOWARD SIN , FOR BOTH PUT US AT GREAT RISK. GOD LOVES US TOO MUCH TO LOSS US WITHOUT A FIGHT,
HAVE YOU EVER MET A COMPLAINER, A GRIPER , APERSON WHO LIKE TO LOOK AT THE DARK SIDE OF EVERY BRIGHT CLOUD A COMPLAINER HAS A PERPETUAL RAW DEAL; SOME ONE IS ALWAYS GETTING SOMETHING MORE THAN HE , BETTER THAN HE, FASTER THAN HE. THE BIBLE COMPARES COMPLAINING TO A DRIPPING FAUCET IT GETS VERY ANNOYING. COMPLAINING IS EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION WITH SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. BUT MORE THAN THAT THERE TEND TO BE A SELF CENTERED BENT TO IT.
FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD IS NEAR UPON ALL THE NATIONS. AS YOU HAVE DONE, IT SHALL BE DONE TO YOU; YOUR DEEDS SHALL RETURN ON YOUR OWN HEAD.THE BOOK OF OBADIAH IS ONE OF THE SHORTEST BOOKS IN THE ENTIRE BIBLE . PROOF THAT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS RIGHT, REASONABLE, OR JUSTIFILED. TO PROVEN CORRECT OR CLEARED OF BLAME.
PREJUDICE IS FORMING A NEGATIVE OPINION ABOUT SOMEONE WITHOUT ADEQUATE BASIS . IN A VERY REAL SENSE, IT IS JUDGING SOMEONE WITHOUT ALL THE FACTS. CONDEMNING THEM IN THE COURT OF PERSONAL OPINION. PREJUDICE CAN BE FORMED AGAINST A PERSON OR AN ENTIRE RACE OF PEOPLE. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OUT CLEARLY AGAINST PREJUDICE . GOD CREATED ALL PEOPLE EQUALLY; ALL HUMANS ARE UNIQUE AND SPECIAL CREATIONS FORMED BY THE LORD HIMSELF. WE ARE NOT TO BE JUDGEMENTAL , BUT LOVING. WE ARE NOT TO BE SUSPICIOUS , BUT INVITING.
WHETHER BURNED ALIVE FOR NERO'S ENTERTAINMENT , TORTURED DURING THE MIDDLE AGESS, EXILED TO A SIBERIAN GULAG , OR CALLED NAMES BY A HATEFUL JUNIOR HIGHT PEER GROUP, CHRISTIANS HAVE ALWAYS FACED PERSECUTION . WHILE CHRISTIANS AND NON-CHRISTIANS ALIKE SUFFER UNJUST TREATMENT, PERSECUTION IMPLIES AN INTENTIONAL AND SYSTEMATIC INFLICTION OF SUFFERING OR HARDSHIP BECAUSE OF A PERSON'S BELIEFS.
IT IS WRONG TO HATE ? THAT DEPENDS ON THE OBJECT OF OUR HATE. WE SHOULD NEVER HATE ANOTHER PERSON, BECAUSE EVERY PERSON IS A UNIQUE CREATION OF GOD, AN ETERNAL SOUL THAT REDEEMED. BUT WE SHOULD CERTAINLY HATE THE SINFUL THINGS THAT EVEN OUR MOST CHERISHED LOVED ONES DO . WE ARE TO LOVE THE SINNER BUT HATE THE SIN . FOUL LANGUAGE , PERVERSION , CRIME, WAYWARDNESS, EVEN GOSSIP ARE THINGS TO HATE.
MERCY IS COMPASSION , POURED OUT ON NEEDY PEOPLE. BUT THE MERCY OF GOD, WHICH HE EXPECTS US TO MODEL, GOES ONE STEP FURTHER. GOD'S MERCY IS UNDESERVED FAVOR. EVEN WHEN WE DON'T DESERVE MERCY, GOD STILL EXTENDS IT TO US. OUR SIN AND REBELLION AGAINST GOD DESERVE HIS PUNISHMENT ; BUT INSTEAD HE OFFER US FORGIVENES AND ETERNAL LIFE . IF GOD WAS MERCIFUL TOWARD US DESPITE OUR SIN, HOW MERCIFUL SHOULD WE BE TOWARD THOSE WHO HAVE WRONGED US.
TO PRAISE LORD IS TO DO ANY
, NUMBER OF THINGS. IT MEANS ; TO LIFT HIM UP WITH OUR WORDS, TO CALL ON HIM TO RECOGNIZE HIS GREATNESS TO RECOGNIZE HIS NAME TO GIVE CREDIT TO HIS WORTHINESS ADMIT PROPER FEAR BEFORE HIM AND TO PRAISE HIS WORD . BUT PRAISE TO THE LORD IS ONLY ACCEPTABLE FROM AN UPRIGHT PERSON. PRAISE IS DIRECTED TO GOD AND HIM ALONE . PRAISE THE LORD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSING FLOW HE IS OUR GREAT GOD AND FATHER.
ALL OF US PUT OFF DOING CERTAIN THINGS; GOING TO THE DENTIST, FILLING TAX RETURNS, WRITING THAT LETTER, AND OTHER THING . WHY DO WE AVOID THAT WHICH WE KNOW WE MUST DO SOONER OR LATER/? SOMETIMES WE FEAR DISCOMFORT OR PAIN ; SOMETIMES WE FEAR FAILURE OFTEN WE ARE JUST PLAIN LAZY . SOMETIMES OUR FAILURE TO ACT IS ITSELF AN ACT OF ANGER OR REBELLION .
THE NEW TESTAMENT WORD FOR MATURITY SUGGESTS REACHING THE FINISH LINE. COMPLETING THE TASK. WE. SHOULD MATURE AS INDIVIDUALS.CHRISTIANS STRIVING FOR AND REACHING THE GOALS WE HAVE SET MATURITY IS .GROWING TOWARD THE HIGH MARKS, THE GOAL LINES OF LIFE, AND GIVING THAT PROCESS ALL WE HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
IN THE LONELY HOURS OF THE NIGHT YOU WRESTLE WITH GOD AND WITH YOUR FEELINGS, FOR YOU FEEL DESPERATELY ALONE , REJECTED. PERHAPS A BEST. FRIEND DESERTED YOU. THE ONE YOU HOPE TO MARRY WANTS ANOTHER. OR THE ONE YOU DID MARRY WANTS ANOTHER. YOUR CHILD HAS TURNED AGAINST YOU. OR YOUR PARENTS DONT'T SEEM TO CARE. IRONICALLY , YOU CAN FEEL EQUALLY LONELY ON A CROWDED CITY STREET OR TRAIN TERMINAL , IN A BUSY AIRPORT OR IN THE MIDDLE OF CROWDS ANYWHERE.
WE BELONG TO GOD AS HIS CHILDREN AND FRIENDS. AND AS BELIEVERS WE BELONG TO THE CHURCH , BOTH THE LOCAL CHURCH BODY AND WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS. AS MEMBERS OF AN EARTHLY FAMILY WE BELONG TO ONE ANOTHER, HUSBAND WIFE , PARENT CHILD , BELONGING IS ESSENTIAL FOR A SENSE OF SECURITY.
HOLINESS MEAN TO BE WHOLLY DEDICATED AND DEVOTED TO GOD, DISTINCT AND SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD'S WAY OF LIVING. COMMITTED TO RIGHT LIVING AND PURITY . HOLINESS IS THE ABSENCE OF SIN , EVIL, AND WRONGDOING. IT IS BEING SPOTLESSLY FREE FROM BLEMISH. BUT HOLINESS IS MUCH MORE THAN THE ABSENCE OF SIN. IT IS THE PRESENCE OF RIGHEOUSNESS, PURITY, AND GODLINESS, WHEN WE BE COME CHRISTIANS GOD MAKE US HOLY BY FORGIVING OUR SINS. HE LOOKS AT US AS THOUGH WE HAD NEVER SINNED.
A DISHONEST PERSON WANTS TO ROB SOMEONE TO ENRICH HIMSELF. AT ITS CORE , DISHONESTY IS TAKING SOMETHING THAT IS NOT OURS. IT CAN BE TAKING MATERIAL POSSESSIONS, LIKE STEALING SOMETHING FROM A STORE. JUST AS BAD , HOWEVER , IS ROBBING SOMEONE OF THEIR REPUTATION OR SELF ESTEEM, TAKING FROM THEM TO TRY TO ENCHANCE OUR POSITION, CHEATING AT A BOARD GAME SEEMS HARMLESS ENOUGH TO SOME, BUT IN FACT WE ARE ROBBING SOMEONE ELSE OF THE AFFIRMATION OF VICTORY .
A YOKE IS A WOODEN CROSSPIECE FASTENED OVER THE NECK OF TWO ANIMALS AND ATTACHED TO A PLOW OR CART. A YOKE ALL E TWO ANIMALS TO SHARE A LOAD AND PULL TOGETHER . YOKES WERE USED IN THE BIBLE TIMES WITH BULLS OR OXEN TO PLOW FIELDS AND PULL WAGONS . THE ANIMALS YOKED TOGETHER NEEDED TO BE CLOSE IN SIZE AND WEIGHT FOR THE CART OR PLOW TO PULL.PEOPLE IN JESUS DAY READILY UNDERSTOOD ANALOGIES USING A YOKE. THEY KNEW WHAT JESUS MEANT WHEN HE SAID, COME TO ME , ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED , AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU AND LEARN FROM ME, FOR I AM GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART. AND YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.FOR MY TOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.
THROUGHOUT LIFE, ONE OF THE HARDEST WORDS TO HEAR IS WAIT. SOMETIMES WE MAY ANXIOUSLY WONDER, WHERE IS GOD WHEN I NEED HIM ? AND YET WE ARE REMINDED IN SCRIPTURE , BLESSED ARE ALL THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM TO HELP THEM. PATIENCE IS DEVELOPED THROUGH FAITHFUL WAITING . GOD HAS A DESIGN IN EVEN THE MOST DIFFICULT SITUATION THAT WILL ENABLE OUR GHARACTER TO BECOME STRONGER.AS WE LEARN PATIENCE, WE ALSO LEARN TO TRUST THAT GOD HAS OUR BEST INTERESTS IN MIND.
God saved us , not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy . He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit.Most of us recall the excitement we felt as children when our birthdays came around . Some of us would even start counting down the days as much as a month in advance. we wamted. to get our hands on the gifts we knew would be waiting for us on our special day unearned giftts , simply celebrations of the fact of our births.When the day finally arrives , we are surrounded by friends and family , all eager to join in our happiness.
WHEN WE THINK OF INTEGRITY ,WE THINK OF SOMEONE WHO IS HONORABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY A PERSON WHO KEEPS THEIR WORD AND GUARDS THEIR WORD. AND GUARD THEIR REPUTATION. TO BE CALLED A MAN OR WOMAN OF INTEGRITY IS A HIGH COMPLIMENT. SUCH A PERSON KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIRHT AND WRONG AND DILIGENTLY PURSUES DOING RIGHT,
WE KNOW THAT WHEN GOD HAS RENEWED OUR MIND WITH A FRESH ATTITUDE WE CAN CHOOSE TO MAKE RIGHT DECISIONS .FOR INSTANCE. WE KNOW THAT LOVE IS NOT NECESSARILY A FEELING BUT A CHOICE . WE MUST ALSO CHOOSE TO THINK GOOD THOUGHTS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. TAKE A MOMENT AND THINK GOOD THOUGHTS ABOUT SOMEONE YOU KNOW, AND SEE HOW MUCH BETTER YOU FEEL.
BUT WHEN HE , THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COME, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH.FOR HE SHALL NOT SPEAK OF HIMSELF, FACING THE TRUTH ABOUT YOURSELF IS A VITAL KEY TO EXPERIENCING A BREAKTHROUGH TO VICTORY. IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUALLY LIVE IN NEW LEVELS OF VICTORY, YOU MUCH REMAIN OPEN AND RECEPTIVE TO THE TRUTH ABOUT YOURSELF.THIS IS NOT JUST A SUPERFICIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WRONG THINKING AND BEHAVIOR
WAIT AND HOPE FOR AND EXPECT THE LORD; BE BRAVE AND OF GOOD COURAGE AND LET YOUR HEART BE STOUT AND ENDURING.REMEMBER , GOD BLESSES YOU SO YOU CAN BE A BLESSING NOT ONLY IN A FEW PLACES BUT EVERYWHERE YO GO. INVOKE BLESSINGS UPON AND PRAY FOR THE HAPPINESS OF THOSE WHO CURE YOU. IMPLORE GOD'S BLESSING UPON THOSE WHO ABUSE YOU
WITHOUT ACCEPTANCE OF A PERSON INTO AN EVEN DEEPER INTIMACY THAT IS UNIQUE . THE ESSENCE OF RELATIONSHIP IS ACCEPTANCE . WITHOUT ACCEPTANCE , WE ARE ABANDONED TO REJECTION AND LONELINESS. WITH ACCEPTANCE, WE CAN LIVE JOYFULLY TOGETHER WITH A KALEIDOSCOPE OF FRIENDSHIP, LOVE , BONDING, AND FAMILY TIES. WE ACCEPT INTO OUR LIVES NOT ONLY PERSONS, BUT FROM PERSONS ACTS OF KINDNESS FROM THEM OR EXPRESSIONS FROM THEM. BUT THE BIBLE ALSO CALLS US TO ACCEPT THOSE THE WORLD DEEMS UNACCEPTABLE THE POOR, HOMELESS, HANDICAPPED, ELDERLY, PRISONER, OR ADDICT.
THE WORLD WOULD LOVE YOU IF YOU BELONGED TO IT. BUT YOU DON"T . I CHOSE YOU TO COME OUT OF THE WORLD, AND SO IT HATES YOU. THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD WILL HATE YOU BECAUSE YOU BELONG TO ME. FOR THEY DON"T KNOW GOD WHO SENT ME. YOU CANNOT BELONG YO BOTH , CHRIST AND THE WORLD BEACUSE THEIR PURPOSE ARE SO DIFFERENT. WHEN YOU BELONG TO THE WORLD, YOU WILL PURSUE WORLDLY PLEASURES. WHICH ARE SELF INDULGENT. WHEN YOU BELONG TO CHRIST .
WHO AMONG US DOES NOT SUFFER, BEARINGPERSISTENT PAIN AND HURT, SICKNESS OR HANDICAPS, BRPKEN RELATIONSHIP,INSUFFICIENT RESOURCES, THESE ARE ALL SOURCES OF PAIN AND SUFFERING.
HOW MANY FRIENDS DO YOU HAVE WHO ARE THEY IF YOU ARE TYPICAL , YOUR FRIENDS RANGE FROM CASUAL ACQUAINTANCES TO THOSE WHO WOULD DIE FOR YOU. SOMETHIMES FREINDS ARE CLOSEE THANK BROTHERS OR SISTERS. FRIENDS SHARE AFFECTION, COMPANIONSHIP, CONFIDENCES, CONSIDERATION, DEVOTION, ESTEEM, FAITHFULULNESS, FELLOWSHIP, HARMONY, HELPFULNESS, LOYALTY, PARNERSHIP, SUPPORT, FRIENDS ARE SPECIAL. ABOVE ALL, GOD IS OUR VERT BEST FRIENDS.
THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH AND CERTAIN PROPHETS AND TEACHERS ARE REFERRED TO IN OUR TEXT. IF WE WILL NOTE THE LANGUAGE USED IT BECOMES APPARENT TO WHOM THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS SPEAKING. WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID, SEPARATE ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK WHEREUNTO I HAVE CALLED THEM HE WAS SPEAKING OF SOMEONE ELSE TAKING ACTION ON BARNABAS ANS SAUL THE DIRECT OBJECTS OF THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN .
TO THINK MORE HIGHLY OF OURSELVES THAN WE OUGHT IS PRIDE. BUT TO THINK LESS OF OURSELVES THAN WE OUGHT IS FALSE HUMILITY . THE BIBLE 'S MESSAGE IS SIMPLE GOD VALUES US HIGHLY BECAUSE HE LOVES US DEEPLY . BUT WE MUST NOT THINK WE ARE SUFFICIENT WITHOUT GOD OUR SUFFICIENCY IS IN THE LORD . OUR VALUE IS TIEDTO THE VALUE HE PLACE ON US. THAT MAKE US PEOPLE OF GREAT VALUE INDEED. BECAUSE OF GOD'S POWER WITHIN US. WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING FAR MORE THAN MOST US HAVE DARED TO DREAM
THROUGH AN HOST SHOULD ENCAMP AGAINST ME, MY HEART SHALL NOT FEAR ; THROUGH WAR SHOULD RISE AGAINST ME. IN THIS WILL I BE CONFIDENT.WHEN DAVID FACED HARDSHIP . INSTEAD OF QUESTIONING OR DOUBTING GOD , HE PRAISED HIM. WHEN YOU ARE IN A TIME OF DOUBT, TURN TO DAVID'S FAITH AS A MODEL AND DECLARE THAT YOU WILL SEE GOODNESS IN THE LORD.
PRAISE THE LORD, OH GIVE THANK TO THE LORD , FOR HE IS GOOD FOR HIS MERCY ENDURE FOREVER. I WILL SING OF THE MERCIES OF THE LORD FOR EVER; WITH MY MOUTH WILL I MAKE KNOW THY FAITHFULNESS TO ALL GENERATIONS..OH COME , LET US SING UNTO THE LORD; LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION.O COME LET US WORSHIP AND BOW DOWN ; LET US KNEEL BEFORE THE LORD OUR MAKER.. PRAISE YE THE LORD . PRAISE O YE SERVANTS OF THE LORD PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD.
LET US NOT BECOME VAINGLORIOUS AND SELF CONCEITED, COMPETITIVE AND CHALLENGING AND PROVOKING AND IRRITATING TO ONE ANOTHER, ENVYING AND BEING JEALOUS OF ONE ANOTHER. THE HOLY SPIRIT BEAR US UP IN. OUR WEAKNESS. BE A BELIEVER, NOT AN ACHIEVER.TRYING TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN ON YOUR OWN WITHOUT GOD'S HELP IS FOOLISH AND OFTEN CAUSES FEELINGS OF FRUSTRATION AND CONDEMNATION . IT MAKE NO SENSE FOR YOU TO TYR TO DO WHAT ONLY GOD CAN DO.
WHEN JESUS SAW HIM LYING THERE AND LEARNED THAT HE HAD BEEN IN THIS CONDITION FOR A LONG TIME, HE ASKED HIM, DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL.. IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH ENERGY PEOPLE WASTE IN PRETENDING TO BE WHAT THEY ARE NOT. THEY GO THROUGH LIFE AND INTERACT WITH THEIR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS , ALL THE WHILE HOLDING UP A FACADE TO MAKE THEM ACCEPTABLE TO OTHER. BEHIND THEIR MASKS T5HEY MAY HIDE FEELINGS OF INFERIORITY , FRUSTRATION OR SUPPRESSED ANGER, BUT ALL THESE EMOTIONS ARE OBSCURED BY A VEIL OF PRETENSE THAT IS ONLY LIFTED FOR BRIEF MOMENTS.
EVEN IF YOU'RE THE BUSIEST PERSON ON PLANET EARTH , YOU CAN STILL CARVE OUT A LITTLE TIME FOR GOD . AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THAT THE VERY LEAST YOU SHOULD DO.THEY SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME.HAVE YOU MADE GOD THE CORNERSTONE OF YOUR LIFE, OR IS HE RELEGATED TO A FEW HOURS ON SUNDAY MORNINGS. HAVE YOU GENUINELY ALLOWED GOD TO REIGN OVER EVERY CORNER OF YOUR HEART, OR HAVE YOU ATTEMPTED TO PLACE HIM IN A SPIRTUAL COMPARTMENT. THE ANSWER TO THESE QUESTIONS WILL DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DAY AND YOUR LIFE.
PEOPLE OFTEN THINK OF THERE WORK JESUS NAME AS A NESESSARY BUT TEDIOUS CALLING . THEY DO THEIR WORK WIH A GRUMBLING ATTITUDE , AND CONSEQUENTLY FIND FOR THE MASTER WILL PLAY NO JOY IN IT. YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS YOUR WTHE WAY THAT YOU WORK FOR HIM.ORK FOR THE MASTER WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE WAY THAT YOU WORK FOR HIM. IT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAPPINESS AND UNHAPPINES IN HIS SERVICE . YOUR ATTITUDE WILL HAVE AN AMAZING EFFECT ON YOU AS WELL AS ON THOSE YOU SERVE.
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, LORD, HE SAID TAKE MY LIFE; I AM NO BETTER THAN MY ANCESTOR'' INTENTIONS ARE M HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU FELT , LIKE ELIJAH , THAT PERHAPS IT WAS TIME YOU GAVE UP? YOUR PLANS GO AWRY; YOUR PROBLEMS SEEM INSURMOUNTABLE ; YOU HAVE JUST MANAGE TO OVERCOME ONE CRISIS WHEN YOU HAVE TO FACE THE NEXT . YOUR GOOD INTENTIONS ARE MISINTERPRETED YOU ARE MISUNDERSTOON AND BLAMED FOR THINGS YOU ARE INNOCENT OF; YOU SUFFER INJUSTICE AT THE HANDS OF OTHERS.
LIFE ISN'T A COMPETITION . THE MORE YOU RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR JOURNEY IS A BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE PATH AND THAT MONEY OR MATERIAL GOODS DON'T REFEFLECT YOUR WORTH THE MORE YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE FLOW OF GOD'S BLESSINGS IN YOUR LIFE NOW. LIFE IS NOT A COMPETITION TO BE WON ON ONE DAY. IT IS A REMARKABLE JOURNEY THAT WILL HAVE A HIGHS AND LOWS.
AFTER SALVATION EVERY BELIEVER IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH. JUST LIKE A BABY GROWS FROM LIVING ON ORDINARY MILK TO SOME LIGHT SOILD MEAL AND EVENTUALLY TO CRACKING REAL BONES AT ADULTHOOD, A CHRISTIAN MUST GROW FROM JUST TAKING THE MILK OF THE WORD TO A SPIRITUAL BONE CRACKER . IT IS NOT CORRECT TO CLAIM THAT THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIVES IN YOU WITHOUT ANY EFFECT ON YOUR LIFESTYLE.
YOU GAVE ME LOVE WHEN I FIRST DREW BREATH. YOU NOURISHED MY BODY AND SOUL . YOU GAVE ME THE GIFT TO BELIEVE IN MY SELF..HELPING ME BECOME THE UNIQUE PERSON I AM. YOU GAVE ME AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE VALUE OF LIFE. A DESIRE TO SHARE MY SPECIAL TALENTS WITH OTHERS.AND TO LOVE OTHERS WITH THE LOVE YOU GIVE EVERY WOMAN HAS HER VERY OWN TAILOR MADE INFIRMITY HER PLACE OF WEAKNESS. WHOEVER YOU ARE , THE ENEMY HAS BEEN STUDYING YOU ALL OF YOUR LIFE ..
STAY FOCUSED AND BE MENTALLY TOUGH.STAY FOCUSED ON THE MISSION GOD GIVE YOU.STAY FOCUSED AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. STAY ON TRACK WITH GOD HAVE FOR YOU TO DO.IT IS EASIER TO STAY FOCUSED .AND KEEP YOUR HEARD ABOVE WATER.DON'T LOSE FOCUS. FOCUS ON GOD'S PROMISES. IN SPITE OF ANY NEW S YOU MAY HEAR THAT TEMPTS YOU..KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON WHAT IS RIGHT. AND LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD TO WHAT IS GOOD.
ONE OF GOD'S GLORIES IS THE UNIQUE WAYS THAT HE CAN REACH YOU. SOMETIMES HIS MESSAGES WILL COME THROUGH SIGNS AND COINCIDENCES TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH. OFTEN , HE WILL SHOWER YOU WITH GIFTS AND BLESSINGS TO SHOW HE LOVES YOU AND IS LOOKING AFTER YOUR WELL BEING.
BUT THE LORD SAID UNTO THEM, GO THY WAY ; FOR HE IS A CHOSEN VESSEL UNTO ME. TO BEAR MY NAME BEFORE THE GENTILES , AND KINGS, AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; FOR I WILL SHEW HIM HOW GREAT THINGHE MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAME'S SAKE.GOD'S CHOSEN VESSELS ARE CALLED TO BREAK NEW GROUND, GOD'S CHOSEN VESSELS ARE APPOINTED A CHOSEN TASK, GOD'S CHOSEN VESSELS MUST SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE..YOU DID NOT CHOSE ME BUT I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU THAT YOU SHOULD GO AND BEAR FRUIT, AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN THAT WHATEVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME NE MAY GIVE YOU.
WE OFTEN USE PRAYER TO THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US , TO LAY OUR NEEDS BEFORE HIM, AND TO CONFESS OUR SINS AND SHORT COMINGS TO HIM . IT IS SAD, BUT TRUE, THAT WE OFTEN NEGLECT TO EXPRESS OUR PRAISE OF HIM IN PRAYER. PRAISE IS THE PRODUCT OF A SINGING HEART . IT IS THE INNER PERSON WHO IS DELIGHTED IN THE LOVE AND GRACE OF GOD.
EVEN THROUGH WE ARE IMPERFECT , FALLIBLE HUMAN BEIMGS, EVEN THROUGH WE HAVE FALLEN FAR SHORT OF GOD.S COMMANDMENTS, CHRIST LOVE US STILL. HIS LOVE IS PERFECT AND STEADFAST; IT DOES NOT WAVER IT DOES NOT CHANGE. OUR TASK AS BELIEVERS IS TO ACCEPT CHRIST'S LOVE AND TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO LIKEWISE. IN TODAY 'S TROUBLE WORLD, WE ALL NEED THE LOVE AND THE PEACE THAT IS FOUND THROUGH THE SON OF GOD. THANKFULLY , CHRIST'S LOVE HAS NO LIMITS; IT CAN ENCIRCLE ALL OF US.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT AMNESIA IS , IT IS SIMPLY MEMORY LOSS SOONER OR LATER. THERE ARE MANY THINGS IN LIFE WE WOULD LIKE TO FOR GET. SIMON PETER PROBABLY WENT THROUGH A BIG PORTION OF HIS LIFE WISHING HE COULD FORGET THAT HE DENIED THE LORD , BUT IT IS DOUBFUL IF HE EVER FORGOT THAT DAY. I BELIEVE ONE OF THE THINGS PLAGUING CHRISTIANS AND CHURCHES TODAY IS SPIRITUAL AMNESIA . MANY CHRISTIANS SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THEIR OBLIGATIONS A ND RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CHURCH. I WANT TO SAY THREE THINGS ABOUT SPIRITUAL AMNESIA. THE CAUSE,,,,,,,, THE COST, THE CURE.
THE ORIGINA GREEK AND HEBREW WORDS USED IN THE BIBLE THAT ARE TRANSLATED BEAUTY GIVE SOME INTERESTING CLUES. ONE WORD DESCRIBES THAT WHICH IS RIPE IN ITS SEASON, PRODUCED AT THE RIGHT TIME. THINGS ARE LOVELIEST AND BEST WHEN THEY ARE IN THE RIGHT SEASONS. LIFE HAS ITS SEASONS, AND EVERY SEASON CAN BE THE PRIME OF LIFE .. IF WE BEST REPRESENT THAT SEASON WHICH WE ARE NOE LIVING. THE MATURE BEAUTY OF AN OLDER PERSON IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF A 20 YEAR OLD WITH AN ATTRACTIVE APPERANCE..THE BEAUTY OF AN INFANT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE EMERGING BEAUTY OF AN OLDER CHILD EACH HAS ITS SEASONAL BEAUTY.
WE''VE HEARD THAT ACTION SPEAK LOWDER THAN WORDS. AND SO IT IS WITH THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. LIKE IT IS OR NOT, WE AFFET OTHERS BY WHAT WE SAY AND DO. THE BIBLE ADMONISHES US TO NEVER TIRE OF LOYALTY AND KINDNEDD. HOLD THESE VIRTUES TIGHTLY WHETHER WITH FRIENDS , FAMILY, COWOWORKERS, OR EVEN TOTAL STRANGERS, GOD WANT STRANGER'S GOD WANT US TO ALWAYS TREAT OTHERS WITH THE UTMOST CARE AND RESPECT.
THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT IS YOURS TOO. BECAUSE GOD HAS SAID. I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL PEOPLE JOEL 2:28 JESUS CONFIRMS THIS IN THE WORDS OF TODAYS SCRIPTURE . THE SPIRIT IS OUR GREAT HELPER AND TEACHER IN MEDITATATION. THE SPIRT GUIDED THE WRITERS OF SCRIPTURE TO GIVE US THE WORDS OF GOD . JESUS PROMISED HIS FOLLOWERS THAT HIS SPIRIT WOULD; DWELL WITH US AND BE IN US. TEACH US BEAR WITNESS TO OTHERS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST , GUIDE US INTO ALL TRUTH, GLORIFY JESUS CHRIST.
BEHOLD , I WILL DO A NEW THING NOW IT SHALL SPRING FORTH, SHALL YOU NOT KNOW IT, I WILL MAKE A ROAD IN THE WILDERNESS AND RIVERS IN THE DESERT..I BELIEVE GOD IS CALLING ON US TO REACH FOR THE NEW THING THAT IS DOING. GOD PROMISED THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL A LAND THAT WAS FLOWING WITH AND HONEY .GOD HEARD THEM CRYING AND CAME DOWN TO BRING THEM INTO NOT ONLY A NEW LAND BUT A NEW SEASON.
IF A HABIT IS CONTROLLING YOU, YOU WILL NOT ENJOY THE BEST THAT GOD OFFERS YOU. DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR BONDAGES THAT SEE.GM TO HAVE A HOLD ON YOU. DENIAL AND EXCUSES WILL KEEP YOU FROM I ENJOYING YOUR LIFE. FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD WALKS IN THE MIDSTGOD WILL ANOINT YOU TO DO WHAT HE CALLS YOU TO DO .MOVE FORWARD CALL KEEP US GOD MAY ASIGN YOU A TASK BUT HIS CALL KEPS US GOING WHEN WE DON'T WANT TO GO EXCUSES AND ARE READY TO QUIT. WE ARE SKILLFUL AT THE ART OF MAKING EXCUSES. IN CHRISTIAN WORLD WE CAN FIND ALL SORTS OF EXCUSES NOT TO OBEY.
GOD COMAND EVIL WITH GOOD BY POURING OUT, HIS LIMITLESS GRACE UPON YOU SO THAT IF YOU SIN, HIS GRACE BECOMES GREATER THAN YOUR SIN, GOD'S LOVE IS THE POWER THAT FORGIVES YOUR SINS. HEALS YOUR EMOTIONAL WOUNDS, AND MEND YOUR BROKEN HEART.IF YOU DO NOT REALIZE YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE BY THE GRACE OF GOD, LEARN TO RECEIVE MORE OF GOD'S GRACE . GRACE IS POWER, GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGS SALVATION HAS APPEARED TO ALL MEN. IT TEACHES US TO SAY. NO TO UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY PASSIONS , AND TO LIVE SELF CONTROLLED, UPRIGHT AND GODLY LIVES IN THIS PRESENT AGE.I
FOR THERE IS NOTHING COVERED , THAT SHALL NOT BE REVEALED ;NEITHER HID. THAT SHALL NOT BE KNOW.BE ON GUARD FOR THOSE WHO WOULD SCHEME TO EXPLOIT YOU BECAUSE OF THEIR DESPERATION. IF IT SEEM TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS. FOR THERE IS NOTHING HIDDEN WHICH WILL NOT BE REVEALED, NOR HAS ANY THING BEEN KEPT SECRET BUT THAT IT SHOULD COME TO LIGHT.
TO KEEP YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD FRESH AND VITAL OVER THE LONG HAUL IS NOT AUTOMATIC . ITREQUIRE FOR THOUGH , EFFORT, AND CONSTANT ATTENTION. EVEN GOOD THINGS BECOME ROUTINE; WHEN THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE PHILIPPIANS , HE HAD BEEN A CHRISTIAN FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS. GOD HAD USED HIM . HE SAID I PRESS ON SO THAT I MAY LAY HOLD OF THAT FOR WHICH ALSO I WAS LAID HOLD OF BY CHRIST JESUS . BRETHREN , I DO NOT REGARD MY SELF AS HAVING LAIDNHOLD OF IT YET; BUT ONE THING I DO ; FOR GETTING WHAT LIES BEHIND AND REACHING FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD, I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD.IN CHIRST JESUS.
OUR HAPPINESS AND JOY ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON WHETHER OR NOT OTHER PEOPLE DO WHAT WE WANT THEM TO DO. WE MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO INFLUENCE ANY ONE ELSE TO DO WHAT WE THINK IS RIGHT. BUT WITH GOD'S HELP. WE CAN CHANGE OURSELVES TO BRING ABOUT THE RESULTS WE WANT IN LIFE.
GOD WOULD NEVER TELL YOU TO BE HOLY WITHOUT GIVING YOU THE HELP YOU NEED TO MAKE YOU THAT WAY.IN OUR OWN POWER AND WISDOM, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO UNDERSTAND AND LIVE OUT THE CONCEPT OF HOLINESS. YET GOD IS HOLY AND DEMANDS THAT HIS PEOPLE BE HOLY TOO.THE WONDERFUL NEWS IS THAT WE CAN BEGIN HOLY LIVING AT ANY MOMENT. THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST TRULY CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN AND RESTORES OUR REATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
GOD TRANSFORMS PEOPLE FOR USE IN HIS DIVINE PLAN.WE OFTEN VIEW CRISES AS UNWANTED INTRUSION IN OUR LIVES, ROBBING US OF JOY AND STEALING OUR DREAMS. WE FEEL CHEATED, THINKING LIFE IS UNFAIR OR THAT GOD DOESN'T CARE . WHAT WE DON'T REALIZE IS THAT GOD OFTEN ORCHESTRATES THESE UNPLEASANT EVENTS FOR OUR GOOD THAN OUR COMFORT, GOD PUT US IN POSITIONS WHERE WE CAN LISTEN AND LEARN.
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; AND LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING . IN ALL THY WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS. SUBMITTING ALL YOUR PLANS TO HIM AND ALLOWING HIM TO WORK THEM OUT ACCORDING TO HIS WILL AND DESIRE FOR YOU. HE WANT YOU TO KNOW HIM IN THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION . BEFORE YOU GET OUT OF BED. LISTEN TO HEAR WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY TO YOU. ACKNOWLEDGE GOD.
IF YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO BE DIFFERENT YOU NEED TO CHANGE . YOU CAN BE CHANGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY.THANK YOU LORD FOR CHANGING ME TODAY. BELIEVING THAT GOD IS AT WORK ON YOU TO CHANGE YOU WILL BRING ITS TO MANIFESTATION.IF YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL RECEIVE WHAT EVERY YOU ASK FOR IN PRAYER.UNTIL YOU MAKE A DECISION TO CHANGE THAN ACT ON IT.STOP EXCUSES GET RID OF BAD HABITS AND NEGATIVE ATTITUDES TODAY .THAT WAY YOU CAN START YOUR CHANGE 'ASK THE LORD TO HELP YOU TO CHANGE.YOU WANT A POSITIVE CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE.HE WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AS YOU GO THRU YOU CHANGE.
THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU; THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU. AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU .I WILL BLESS THEM AND THE PLACES SURROUNDING MY HILLL. I WILL SEND DOWN SHOWERS IN SEASON ; THERE WILL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS.MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU. MAY THE LORD SHOW YOU HIS KINDNESS AND HAVE MERCY ON YOU.TODAY COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS , INSTEAD OF YOUR HARDSHIP. THANK THE GIVER OF ALL THINGS GOOD FOR GIFTS THAT ARE TOO NUMEROUS.
GOD SAYS NOT TO BE BITTER AND HOLD A GRUDGE.. LET ALL BITTERNESS , AND WRATH, AND ANGER, AND CLAMOUR , AND EVIL SPEAKKING. BE PIT AWAY FROM YOU, WITH ALL MALICE.. FRET NOT THYSELF BECAUSE OF EVIL MEN. DO NOT EVEN START ENTERTAINIBG THOUGHTS OF GETTING EVEN.WE CANNOT CHANGE ANOTHER PERSONN HEART, BUT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR OWN ATTITUDE. THE BIBLE SAYS BE KINF TO ONE ANOTHER, TENDERHEARTED, FORGIVING EACH OTHER, JUST AS GOD IN CHRIST FORGAVE YOU. IN YOUR ANGER DONOT SIN. DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN WHILE YOU ARE STILL ANGRY.,
ABIDE IN ME , AND I IN YOU. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT OF ITSELF. EXCEPT IT ABIDE IN THE VINE; NO MORE CAN YE , EXCEPT YE ABIDE IN ME,YOU WORSHIP A GOD THAT PERFORMS MIRACLES. IN TIMES OF STRESS AND TENSION YOU CAN CALL UPON HIM. EXPERIENCE HAS PROVED THAT HE WILL ANSWER IN HIS CHOSEN WAY. WITH GOD YOU WILL ALWAYS RECEIVE WHAT YOU NEED. BECAUSE HE IS THE GIVER OF EVERY PERFECT GIFT AND YOU ARE THE FORTUNATE RECEIVER.
WATCH . THE WAY YOU TALK. LET NOTHING FOUL OR DIRTY COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. SAY ONLY WHAT HELPS, EACH WORD A GIFT. LET NO CORRUP COMMUNICATION PROCEED OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, BUT THAT WHICH IS GOOD TO THE USE OF EDIFYING , THAT IT MAY MINISTER GRACE UNTO THE HEARERS. THE WORDS THAT WE SPEAK HAVE THE POWER TO DO GREAT GOOD OR GREAT HARM. IF WE SPEAK WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND HOPE , WE CAN LIFT OTHERS UP.
MY LITTLE CHILDREN , LET US NOT LOVE IN WORD, NEITHER IN TONGUE ; BUT IN DEED AND TRUTH .LOVE IS THE GREATEST OFFERING THAT WE CAN BRING GOD, BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE .ONLY LOVE CAN TRANSPORT PEOPLE TO PERFECTION , BECAUSE IT IS ONLY LOVE THAT CAN TAKE POSSESSION OF THEM AND UNITE THEM WITH IS HIDDEN DEEP INSIDE THEM.BECAUSE OF GOD'S LOVE FOR HUMANITY , JESUS CHRIST BECAME WHAT WE ARE IN ORDER TO MAKE US WHAT HE IS .
HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE A CHRISTIAN ? MORE TO THE POINT HOW CAN OTHERS RECOGNIZE CHRISTIANITY IN YOU THERE IS MUCH TO PONDERIN THESE QUESTIONS, AND WE SHOULD CONSIDER THEM THOUGHTFULLY . IF WE TRY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IN ALL HONESTY AND SINCERITY , IT WILL INVARIABLY LEAD TO EARNEST SELF SCRUTINY AS CHRISTIANS, WE ARE TO BE COMPASSIONATE , HUMBLE , GENTLE , GENTLE, AND KIND. BUT SOMETIMES, WE FALL SHORT. IN THE BUYNESS AND CONFUSION OF DAILY LIFE .
THE KINGDOM OF GOD DOES NOT COME WITH YOUR CAREFUL IS, BECAUSE THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU. OBSERVATION, NOR WILL PEOPLE SAY, HERE IT IS, OR THERE IT IS, JESUS SAYS, THE KINGDOM HAD ALREADY BEGUN, RIGHT UNDER THE PHARISEES NOSES. GOD WAS RULING IN THE HEARTS OF COME PEOPLE, AND THE KING HIMSELF WAS STANDING AMONG THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU OR SMONG YOU. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ESSENTIALLY INWARD, WITH MAN'S HEART THE KINGDOM IS WITH YOUR REACH IF YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES; THE KINGDOM OF
TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED, WHO ARE LOVED BY GOD THE FATHER AND KEPT BY JESUS CHRIST:MERCY, PEACE AND LOVE BE YOURS IN ABUNDANCE LET HIM WHO WALKS IN THE DARK, WHO HAS NO LIGHT, TRUST IN THE NAME OF THE LORD AND RELY ON HIS GOD.JESUS , LIGHT OF THE ANXIOUS HEART. YOU APPEAR AND COMMAND THE DARKNESS TO DISAPPEAR, THUS SPREADING THE BEAUTY OF YOUR HEAVENLY LIGHT. JESUS ALSO MOVES IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE , AND IS PREPARED TO ILLUMINATE YOUR MOVES IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE, AND IS PREPARED TO ILLUMINATE YOUR DARKNESS IF YOU ARE ONLY WILLING TO TURN TO HIM AND TRUST HIM.
FOR THEY LOVED THE PRAISE OF MEN MORE THAN THE PRAISE OF GOD. BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT EVEN AS YOUR FATHER WHIC IS IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT..BUT WE ALL , WITH OPEN FACE BEHOLDING AS IN A GLASS THE GLORY OF THE LORD , ARE CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY , EVEN AS BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD..BLESSED ARE THE MEEK ; FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.BUT NOW BEING MADE FREE FROM SIN, AND BECOME SERVANTS TO GOD, YE HAVE YOUR FRUIT UNTO HOLINESS, AND THE END EVERLASTING LIFE FOLLOW PEACE WITH ALL MEN, AND HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD:
THE BIBLE CONTAINS MANY PROMISES . LET ME TRUST YOUR PROMISES , AND LET ME LIVE ACCORDING TO YOUR HOLY WORD, NOT JUST FOR TODAY, BUT FOREVER. LIFE IS A TAPESTRY OF GOOD AND DIFFICULT DAYS, WE ARE TEMPTED TO TAKE OUR BLESSING FOR GRANTED . DURING LIFE'S DIFFICULT DAYS, WE DISCOVER PRECISELY WHAT WE"RE MADE OF. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY , WE DISCOVER WHAT OUR FAITH IS MADE OF.THE ROOTS GROW DEEP WHEN THE WINDS ARE STRONG.
PRAYER IS FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE. IT IS NATURAL INCLINATION OF A CHILD OR OF THE ADULT. IT IS NOT STRANGE, OR EMOTIONAL APPROACH TO A PROBLEM, BUT A QUIET , CHRISTLIKE ATTITUDE THAT LOOKS FOR THE GOOD IN EVERYTHING AND EVERONE . IT IS AN ATTITUDE OF HEART AND MIND THAT KNOWS THERE IS A GOOD OUTWORKING OF HEART AND MIND THAT KNOWS THERE IS A GOOD OUTWORKING FOR EVERY CHALLENGE.
SO WE FIX OUR EYES NOT ON WHAT IS SEEN , BUT ON WHAT IS UNSEEN . FOR WHAT IS SEEN IS TEMPORARY , BUT WHAT IS UNSEEN IS ETERNAL IF YOU TAKE THAT WHICH HAS THE LONGEST DURATION WE ARE TAUGHT BY SCRIPTURE THAT IT IS TEMPORAL , AND REASON CONFIRMS THE IDEA. THE ETERNITY OF MATTER WOULD MAKE MATTER TO BE GOD. THE THE WHOLE UNIVERSE IS BUT THE MATERIAL MANIFESTATION OF GOD
IN AN ERA IN WHICH THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS UNDER CONSTANT THREAT, THERE ARE TWO MAIN PROBLEMS WITHIN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY; INDIFFERENCE AND DISSENSION. THE EVIL ONE UNDERMINES THE PRINCIPLES OF CHRIST IN MANY WAYS, AS IS EVIDENT FROM THE MANIFOLD INSTANCES OF DISSIPATION, IMMORALITY, DRUG ADDICTION AND VIOLENCE IN OUR SOCIETY. MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH THE BOND OF PEACE. THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IS NOT AN INSTITUTION ; IT IS A NEW LIFE WITH AND IN JESUS CHRIST, GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
DO NOT BE AFRAID , FOR I KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR JESUS, WHO WAS CRUCIFIED . HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN, JUST AS HE SAID COME , SEE THE PLACE WHERE THE LORD LAY.WITHOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST CHRISTIANITY WOULD HAVE BEEN A LONG FORGOTTEN RELIGION. HIS PRINCIPLES TOUCH OUR HEARTS, STIMULATE OUR THOUGHTS AND ARE AN INSPIRATION TO INNUMERABLE CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS . BUT THE SAME THINGS MAY BE SAID OF OTHERS RELIGIOUS LEADERS..
WHILE THEY WERE STILL TALKING ABOUT THIS , JESUS HIMSELF STOOD AMONG THEM AND SAID TO THEM, PEACE BE WITH YOU . AFTER THE TERRIBLE EVENTS OF THAT FIRST GOOD FRIDAY , JESUS FOLLOWERS WERE FLABBERGASTED . WITHOUT THEIR BELOVED MASTER THEY WERE SCARED , CONFUSED AND WITHOUT A LEADER. THEIR DREAMS HAD BEEN SHATTERED AND LIFE HAD LOST ALL MEANING FOR THEM.ALL THEIR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS WERE DESTROYED WHEN THEY HAD TO WITNESS HOW THE ONE THEY REGARDED AS THE MESSIAH WAS HUMILIATED HIS SHAMEFUL DEATH.
LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER IN PSALM AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONG , SINGING WITH GRACE IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD. THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE. WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE. HOW DO YOU SURVIVE WHEN THINGS GO WRONG. HOW DO YOU COPE WITH FINANCIAL SETBACKS, FAMILY CRISES, ILLNESS OR DEATH? CAN YOU MAINTAIN A CALM AND POISED ATTITUDE, OR DO YOU GO TO PIECES IN A TURBULENT SEA OF DOUTH, CONFUSION AND DESPAIR.
THE BIBLE STUDY TODAY IS ISAIAH 61 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THAT WILL TALK ABOUT THIS CHAPTER THAT WILL GIVE A LOT OF PEOPLE BETTER UNSTANDING OF OF THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD IS UPON ME; BECAUSE THE LORD HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREACH GOOD TIDINGS UNTO THE MEEK; HE HATH SENT ME TO BLIND UP THE BROKEN HEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES , AND THE OPENING OF THE PRISON TO THEM THAT ARE BOUND;TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.
I WILL COME DOWN AND SPEAK WITH YOU THERE, AND I WILL TAKE OF THE SPIRIT THAT IS ON YOU AND PUT THE SPIRIT ON THEM. THEY WILL HELP YOU CARRY THE BURDEN OF THE PEOPLE SO THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO CARRY IT ALONE. THERE ARE MANY DEVOUT AND ZEALOUS SERVANTS OF THE LORD WHO SERVE HIM WITH ENTHUSIASM TO THE DETRIMENT OF THEIR PERSONAL HEALTH. THAY NEVER REFUSE A REQUEST TO SERVE ON A COMMITTE AND WILLINGLY TAKE ON ANY TASK; EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT EQUIPPED FOR IT.ULTIMATELY THEIR ESPONSIBILITIES BECOME SO NUMEROUS THAT THEY CAN DO NOTHING PROPERLY.
WE OFTEN FEEL LIKE OUR PRAYERS ARE INEFFECTUAL , THAT OUR CRIES OF DISTRESS GO UNHEARD AND THAT HE TAKES NO HEED OF THEM.WE PRAY EARNESTLY AND SINCERELY ,BUT IT SEEMS AS IF THERE IS NO ANSWER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS WE BEGIN TO DOUBT OUR FAITH, OR EVEN WORSE, WE BEGIN TO QUESTION THE PURPOSE AND VALUE OF PRAYER
WHEREFORE SEEING WE ALSO ARE COMPASSED ABOUT WITH SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES, LRT US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, AND THE SIN WHICH DOTH SO EASILY BESET US,AND LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORT US.
BE ON YOUR GUARD ; STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH; BE MEN OF COURAGE ; BE STRONG. DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE. AS THE YEARS PASS IT SEEMS AS IF LIFE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE RUSHED. THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE DONE THAT WE OFTEN COMPLAIN OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO DO EVERYTHING. IN ADDITION THERE ARE SO MANY DISTRACTIONS AND DIVERSIONS THAT WE EASILY NEGLECT THE THINGS WE KNOW WE SHOULD DO.KEEP ME, O HOLY SPIRIT, FROM BECOMING SO INVOLVED IN MY PERSONAL GOALS THAT I FAIL TO SEE GOD'S GREAT GOAL FOR MY LIFE
A SINGLE WORD CAN MAKE A VAST DIFFERENCE TO A PERSONS LIFE, AND IT IS THEREFORE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE HOW IT IS SAID . SOME PEOPLE HAVE A GIFT FOR WORDS. BY SAYING THE RIGHT WORD AT THE RIGHT TIME THEY CAN RADICALLY CHANGE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE BY FILLING THEM WITH A SENSE OF PLEASANTNESS AND WELL BEING. A WORD APTLY SPOKEN IS LOIKE APPLES OF GOLD IN SETTINGS OF SILVER. (PROVERBS 25; 11) SMALL KEYS CAN UNLOCK GREAT LOCKS.
IN ORDER TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY IN GOD'S WILL, YOU MAY NEED A NEW VIEW OF GOD AS ONE WHO NERVER MAKE A MISTAKE. WE MAY PRAY FOR SOMETHING THAT SEEMS VERY GOOD TO US, BUT GOD KNOWS THE WHAT IFS IN OUR LIVES. HE KNOWS THE CALAMITIES THAT MIGHT OCCUR IF HE ANSWERED OUR PRAYERS IN THE WAY WE THINK BEST.. HE ALSO KNOWS ABOUT ALL OUR DIFFICULT SITUATIONS AND WANTS TO TURN THEM INTO SOMETHING TREMENDOUSLY GOOD.
RESPONDING TO THE POSITIVE COMMANDS OF GOD'S WORD IS ANOTHER PREREQUISITE TO ANSWERED PRAYER BASED ON OBEDIENCE.
FOR BY HIM ALL THINGS WERE CREATED; THINGS IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM FOR HIM..AND HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS CONSIST.WE SO EASILY FAIL TO NOTICE THE BEGINNING OF SPRING SIMPLY BECAUSE OUR LOVE OF LIFE HAS FADED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT IS USUALLY A GOOD TIME TO COME TO S STANDSTILL, TAKE STOCK, IS NO LONGER MOVED BY THE BEAUTY OF A SUNRISE OR THE S0UNDS. OF SOOTHING MUSIC.IF YOU NO LONER FIND JOY IN THE COMPANY OF TRUSTED FRIENDS..
THE LETTERS OF APOSTLES. WE ASK YOU,BROTHERS, TO RESPECT THOSE WHO WORK HARD AMONG YOU,WHO ARE OVER YOU IN THE LORD AND WHO ADMONISH YOU,HOLD THEM IN THE HIGHEST REGARD IN LOVE BECAUSE OF THEIR WORK.THROUHGOUT THE AGES THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH HAS SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF INTERNAL STRIFE AND ARGUMENTS.YOU WILL FIND EXMPLES OF THIS EVEN IN THE LETTER OF APOSTLES. IN SOME CASE THE DIFFERENCES WERE ABOUT IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL MATTERS HOWEVER, IN MOST CASES THEY WERE OF A MORE PERSONAL NATURE.
LET NO DEBT REMAIN OUTSTANDING, EXCEPT THE CONTINUING DEBT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.IF WE CONSIDER THE MATTER CAREFULLY, WE ALL HAVE SO MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL FOR TO THE LORD. DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE .BECOME DEJECTED AND PESSIMISTIC WHEN THINGS GO WRONG, WE MUST REALIZE THAT GOD"S MERCY AND LOVE FOR US ARE INFINITE. HE GRANTED YOU LIFE AND THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE TO DO WITH THIS LIFE WHAT YOU WISH. YOU MAY BE BLESSED WITH A HAPPY FAMILY WHO LOVES YOU DEEPLY. EVEN THE MOST DEJECTED PERSON WILL,
DEPRESSION AND PESSIMISM ARE AILMENTS THAT DESTROY THE SOUL. APART FROM THE FACT THAT DEPRESSION IS AN ILLNESS OF THE MIND , IT ALSO AFFECTS YOUR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL WELL BEING, LIMITS YOUR VISION OF THE FUTURE, AND NEGATIVELY INFLUENCES YOUR GENERAL ATTITUDE TO LIFE. . THE CAUSES OF DEPRESSION ARE NUMEROUS AND INCLUDE FEAR, ANXIETY, ILLNESS, FINCIAL INSTABILITY AND LONELINESS, TO NAME BUT A FEW.FOR YOU WHO REVERE MY NAME, THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL RISE WITH HEALING IN ITS WINGS.
FEAR IN ANY OF ITS DREADFUL FORMS IS A POWERFUL AND NEGATIVE FORCE IN THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE. IT MAY BE CAUSED BY ECONOMIE AND SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, RACIAL TENSION AND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER.FACTORS THAT ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO .LIST.HOWEVER, IT IS AN UNDENIABLE FACT THAT FEAR CAUSES IRREPARABLE HARM TO MANY PEOPLE"S LIVES. THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION WHOM SHALL I FEAR.THE LORD IS THE STRONGHOLD OF MY LIFE OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID .
THERFORE IF THOU BRING THY GIFT TO THE ALTAR, AND THERE REMEMBEREST THAT THY BROTHER HATH OUGHT AGAINST THEE. LEAVE THERE THY GIFT BEFORE THE ALTER, AND GO THY WAY; FIRST BE RECONCILED TO THY BROTHER, AND THEN COME AND OFFER THY GIFT.WHEN YOUR CHRISTIANITY BECOMES SO PERSONALIZED AND LIMITED THAT IT SIMPLY IGNORES THE EVIL OF BROKEN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS , IT DOES NOTHING BUT RIDICULE THE HIGHT MORAL STANDARDS OF CHRIST. CHRIST'S MESSAGE CAN EASILY BE OVERSHADOWED BY RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS FUELED BY PROFOUND EMOTIONS.
HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD YOUR GOD AND YOU WILL BE UPHELD ; HAVE FAITH IN HIS PROPHETS AND YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. GENUINE FAITH IS NEVER MEANT TO BE LOCKED UP IN THE HEART OF A BELIEVER; TO THE CONTRARY, IT IS MEANT TO BE SHARED WITH THE WORLD.HOW CAN YOU STR ENGTHEN YOUR FAITH ,OUR FAITH GROWS BY EXPRESSION . IF WE WANT TO KEEP OUR FAITH, WE MUST SHARE IT. WE MUST ACT. . YOUR FAITH/ THROUGH PRAISE, THROUGH WORSHIP, THROUGH BIBLE STUDY, AND THROUGH PRAYER. AND NOT FEAR.EXP
ALL THAT THE FATHER GIVES ME WILL COME TO ME , AND WHOEVER COMES TO ME I WILL NEVER DRIVE AWAY. REJECTION IS ONE OF THE GREAT TRAGEDIES OF LIFE. THE LONELINESS OF BEING EXCLUDED FROM A GROUP CAN BE EXTREMELY PAINFUL. MANY PEOPLE UNDERGO THE DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE OF BEING PASSED OVER FOR PROMOTION OR EVEN DISMISSED FROM THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO HAVE YOUR SOUND ADVICE REJECTED , WHILE KNOWING THAT THE PATH FOLLOWED CAN ONLY END IN DISASTER. EXAMPLES OF REJECTION ARE RIFE AND CAN HAVE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR PERSONALITY AND EMOTIONS.
WORRY IS A FEELING OF UNEASINESS , APPREHENSION, OR DREAD USUALLY RELATED TO NEGATIVE THOUGHTS OF SOMETHING THAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE . SUCH POSSIBILITIES MAY BE IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT , BUT THOSE THOUGHTS ARE HEALTHY ONLY IF WE ARE ABLE OR WILLING TO DO SOMETHING POSITIVE WITH THEM. WORRY DEFEATS US WHEN IT REPLACES WISE ACTION OR NEEDED REST WITH FEARFUL EMOTION. ALL OF US INDULGE IN WORRY FROM TIME TO TIME. ANY ONE WHO TAKES RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY CAN'T HELP BUT CONSIDERWHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.
BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS , THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS..IN EVERY GENERATION GOD HAS HAD FOLLOWERS TO PROCLAIM HIS TRUTH AND DO HIS WILL. SOMETIMES THEY HAVE BEEN IN HIGH ESTEEM BY THE COMMUNITY.. OTHERS HAVE REMAINED UNKNOWN AND HAVE MODESTLY PERFORMED THE TASK THAT HE ASSIGNED THEM TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY. REGARDLESS OF THEIR STATUS, ALL OF THEM LOVED GOD WITH A FERVOR THAT INSPIRED.
LET YOUR CONVERSATION BE ALWAYS FULL OF GRACE , SEASONED WITH SALT, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW HOW TO ANSWER EVERYONE.BELOVED SAVIOR, MAY WHAT I SAY ALWAYS BE ACCEPTABLE TO YOU. PLEASE USE MY WORDS FOR YOUR HOUR AND GLORY.OUR SPEECH SHOULD BE NORMAL.TALK TO OTHERS WITH GEUNINENESS AND AUTHENTICITY, AS ONE HUMAN BEING TALKS TO ANOTHER.LET ALL OF YOUR SPEECH BE FAVORABLE , WINSOME, AND TRUTHFUL . LET WHAT COMES OUT OF OUR MOUTH BE GENTLE, LOVING AND THOUGHFUL. IN JESUS NAME.
I have considered my wayaveles and have turned my steps to your statutes.I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.If you are sensible, you will take some time to study the path that you have traveled, and consider the direction in which you are going.if you neglect to do this , you may find, to your regret , that you achieve little in life.Eventually your daily routine may become the grave of your ideals and ambitions.
EARLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK, MARY MAGDALENE WENT TO THE TOMB. THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES WOMEN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE, AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE CHRISTENDOM SHOULD NEVER BE UNDERESTIMATED. WOMEN WERE THE LAST ONES PRESENT AT JESUS CROSS AND THE FIRST AT HIS TOMB, THEY WERE THE FIRST TO ANNOUNCE HIS RESURRECTION AND THEY WERE UNDOUBTEDLY PRESENT AT THE FIRST DOMESTIC DEVOTIONS.WHILE JESUS MINISTERED TO CROWDS OF GALILEE. HE WAS SERVED BY A GROUP OF WOMEN WHO USED THEIR OWN POSSESSIONS TO SUPPORT HIM AND HIS DISCIPLES. WHEN THE APOSTLES FIRST ARRIVED IN EUROPE THEY WERE WELCOMED BY WOMEN.
IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS IT IS CRUCIAL TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE MASTER. DISPLAY HIS LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING IN THE WAY THAT YOU TREAT THEM AND THEIR PROBLEMS. ASSURE THEM OF YOUR INTEREST IN THEM AND YOUR CONCERN FOR THEIR WELFARE. LET THE LOVE OF CHRIST SHINE THROUGH YOU SO THAT THEY MAY FIND HIS PEACE IN YOU. IN THIS WAT YOU ARE FOLLOWING HIS COMMAND TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD . A CITY THAT IS SET ON AN HILL CANNOT BE HID
TAKE A MOMENY AND REFLECT ON YOUR FAITH. GO THROUGH YOUR LIFE AND SEE WHATS GETTING IN THE WAY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. ASK HIM FOR GUIDANCE AS YOU DIG DEEP INTO THE CLUTTER AND CLEAR AWAY ANY GRIME SEPARATING YOU FROM HIM. PURGE ME WITH HYSSOP , AND I SHALL BE CLEAN ; WASH ME , AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW.RESTOR UNTO ME THE JOY OF THY SALVATION ; AND UPHOLD ME WITH THY FREE SPIRIT FROM ME.
O HOLY SPIRIT, COME AND FILL MY LIFE . INSPIRE ME TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE WILL AND INSTRUCTIONS OF GOD THE FATHER AND MY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.AND I WILL ASK THE FATHER, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COUtNSELOR TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.COME, O HOLY SPIRIT. AND PERMEATE MY LIFE SO THAT THE STRENGTH OF JESUS MAY BE REVEALED IN MY LIFE AND I MAY BECOME A POWERFUL WITNESS FOR YOU.THE FUTURE OF THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE DEPEND UPON WHETHER WE CAN BRING THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL MORE COMPLETELY AND PERFECTLY UNDER THE DOMINION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
HE SHALL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS , AND UNDER HIS WINGS SHALL THOU TRUST ; HIS TRUTH SHALL BE THY SHIELD AND BUCKLER.THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID FOR THE TERROR BY NIGHT; NOR FOR THE ARROW THAT FLIETH BY DAY. AMMUNITION THE MEANS OF IGNITING OR EXPLODING .PROVERBS 10; 14-24 THE WISE ACCUMLATE KNOWLEDGE ATRUE TREASURE. DEUTERONOMY 8 . THE BIBLE IS THE INEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF ALL TRUTH. THE EXISTENCE OF THE BIBLE IS THE GREATEST BLESSING EVER EXPERIENCED BY MAN KIND.
ENLARGE THE PLACE OF YOUR TENT, AND LET THEM STRETCH OUT THE CURTAINS OF YOUR DEWULLINGS; DO NOT SPARE ; LENGTHEN YOUR CORDS, AND STRENGTHEN YOUR STAKES. FOR YOU SHALL EXPAND TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT. TO STRETCH MEAN TO LENGTHEN, EXTEND, OR SPREAD; TO MALE DEMANDS ON ONE's CAPACITY OR RESOURCES, OR TO MALE THE MAXIMUM USE OF SOMETHING.THERE ARE THINGS THAT ONLY BECOME POSSIBLE WHEN WE STRETCH AND MAKE ROOM FOR ENLARGEMENT,TRANSFORMATION AND NEW LEVELS.NEW PEOPLE
JEALOUSY IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF SELF CENTERDNESS . WHEN YOU ARE INTERESTED SOLELY IN YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD OF SERVICE, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ENVYING THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS, YOUR VISION BECOMES LIMITED AND RESTRICTED. YOUR SERVICE IS NO LONGER A SOURCE OF SATISFACTION TO YOU. AND IF YOU PERSIST IN YOUR JEALOUSY, IT EVENTUALLY WEAKENS YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE UNTIL YOU NO LONGER EXPERIENCE GOD AS A REALITY. LET US CONSIDER HOW WE MAY SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON TOWARD LOVE AND GOOD DEEDS
AND AT MIDNIGHT PAUL AND SILAS PRAYED, AND SING PRAISES UNTO GOD. AND THE PRISONERS HEARD THEM ,AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A GREAT EARTQUAKE , SO THAT THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE PRISON WERE SHAKEN ; AND IMMEDIATELY ALL THE DOORS WERE OPENED, AND EVERY ONE,S BANDS WERE LOOSED.PAUL AND SILAS WERE ARRESTED FOR DISTURBING THE PEACE AFTER BEING SRRIPPED AND BEATEN, THEY WERE THROWN INTO JAIL AMD CHAINED TO THE WALLS, AS WAS CUSTOMART IN FIRST CENTURY PRISONS PAUL AND SILA PASSED THE LONG , PAINFUL NIGHT PRAYING.
IS YOUR RELIGIOUS MIND BROAD ENOUGH TO EXPECT MIRACLES . ONE OF THE GREAT TRAGEDIES MODERN CHRISTENDOM IS THAT IT HAS BECOME SO ORDINARY THAT IT IS NO LONGER EXPECTED THAT EVENS WILL OCCUR. AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE BELIEVED ON HIM, AND SAID , WHEN CHRIST COMETH, WILL HE DO MORE MIRACLES THAN THESE WHICH THIS MAN HATH DONE. COME AND SEE THE WORKS OF GOD; HE IS AWESOME IN HIS DOING TOWARD THE SONS OF MEN.TRANSFORMS
NAY, IN ALL THESE THINGS YOU ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVE YOU. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO CONSTANTLY DEGRADE THE GIFTS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU, SO THAT THESE GIFTS EVENTUALLY BECOME USELESS. OTHERS BEMOAN THE FACT THAT THEY ARE SO ORDINARY THAT THEY HAVE NO GIFTS AT ALL. BOTH THESE ATTITUDES CAUSE GOD GREAT SORROW.GOD HAS GIVEN EACH PEARSON AT LEAST ONE GIFT. IT MAY INITIALLY BE BARELY NOTICEABLE ,BUT IT IS THERE AND WAITS TO BE DISCOVERED AND DEVELOPED .
GOD CAN RESTORE YOUR LOST YEARS NO LONGER LOST. AND I WILL RESTORE TO YOU THE YEARS THAT THE LOCUST HATH EATEN , THE CANKERWORM , AND THE CATERPILLER , AND THE PALMERWORM , MY GREAT ARMY WHICH I SENT AMONG YOU.GOD FORGIVES ALL OUR SINS AND HEALS ALL OUR DISEASES.HE REDEEMS US FROM DEATH AND CROWNS US WITH LOVE AND TENDER MERCIES.HE FILLS OUR LIVES WITH GOOD THINGS.WE ALL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR OWN SINS OR SINS COMMITTED AGAINST US BY OTHERS.
THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES WOMEN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE , AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE CHRISTENDOM SHOULD NEVER BE UNDERSTIMATED .WOMEN WERE THE LAST ONES PRESENT AT JESUS CROSS AND THE FIRST AT HIS TOMB; THEY WERE THE FIRST TO ANNOUNCE HIS RESURRECTION AND THEY UNDOUBTEDLY PRESENT AT THE FIRST DOMESTIC DEVOTIONS . WHILE JESUS MINISTERED TO THE CROWDS OF GALILEE, HE WAS SERVED BY A GROUP OF WOMEN WHO USED THEIR OWN POSSESSIONS TO SUPPORT HIM AND HIS DISCIPLE..WHEN THE APOSTLES FIRST ARRIVED IN EUROPE THEY WERE WELCOMED BY WOMEN.
YET I AM WRITING YOU A NEW COMMAND ; IT'S IS SEEN IE THE DARKNESS IS PASSING AND THE TRUE LIGHT N HIM AND YOU. BECAUSE THE DARKNESS IS PASSING AND THE TRUE LIGHT IS ALREADY SHINING .HE THAT LOVETH HIS BROTHER ABIDETH IN THE LIGHT , AND THERE IS NONE OCCASION OF STUMBLING IN HIM. BUT HE THAT HATETH HIS BROTHER IS IN DARKNESS , AND WALK ETH IN DARKNESS HATH BLINDED HIS EYES.THE SIMPLICITY OF JESUS CHRIST.
JESUS. BUT CHRIST BRING TRUE FREEDOM CHRIST CAME TO FREE US FROM SIN THROUGH HIS ATONING SACRIFICE THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH. CHRIST PAID THE DEATH PENALTY FOR US, FREEING US FROM DEATH ROW THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE, BUT WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE .GOD"S CALLING FREES US FROM WRONG DOING .. THE BIBLE CAN HELP US DISTINGUISH BETWEEN WHAT IT MEANS FOR US TO BE FREE FROM SOMETHING AND TO BE FREE TO DO OR BE SOETHING. THE BIBLE SAYS THAT TRUE FREEDOM BEGINS IN THE HEART.
AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. REST IN THE LORD AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM; FRET NOT THYSELF BECAUSE OF HIMS OF TIMING . HE LIVED HIS LIFE WITH S OF TIMING . S WHO PROSPERETH IN HIS WAY, BECAUSE OF THE MAN WHO BRINGETH WICKED DEVICES TO PASS.TIMING IS IMPORTANT IN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE AS WELL. JESUS WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF TIMING. HE LIVE HIS LIFE WITH AN ACUTE AWARENESS OF GOD'S TIMING FOR HIS LIFE,
MY HEART IS STEADFAST, O GOD; I WILL SING AND MAKE MUSIC WITH ALL MY SOUL. AWAKE, HARP AND LYRE I WILL AWAKEN THE DAWN, GOD , MY HEART IS FIXED; I WILL SING AND GIVE PRAISE , EVEN WITH MY GLORY.I WILL PRAISE THEE. O LORD AMONG THE PEOPLE ; AND I WILL SING PRAISE UNTO THEE AMONG THE NATIONS.FOR THY MERCY IS GREAT ABOVE THE HEAVENS; AND THY TRUTH REACHETHUNTO THE CLOUDS.BE THOU EXALTED, O GOD ABOVE ALL THE EARTH.
PRAYER IS A CONVERSATION WITH God , NOT A FORMULA. YET SOMETIMES WE MIGHT NEED TO USE A METHOD TO FRESHEN UP OUR PRAYER TIME. I RECENTLY CAME THIS FIVE FINGER PRAYER TO USE AS A GUIDE WHEN PRAYING FOR OTHERS. CONFESS YOUR FAULTS ONE TO ANOTHER, AND PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER, THAT YE MAY BE HEALED.THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH.THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK , AND THE LORD SHALL RAISE HIM UP.
BLESS THEM WHICH PERSECUTE YOU ; BLESS AND CURSE NOT.LET LOVE BE WITHOUT DISSIMULATION. ABHOR THAT WHICH IS EVIL; CLEAVE TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD. THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST HAS ACHIEVED VICTORY OVER EVIL IN ITS MOST BARBARIC FORMS. WHY SHOULD YOU NOT ALLOW THIS SAME LOVE TO CURE YOU FROM YOUR BITTERNESS. LOVE IS THE GREATEST OFFERING THAT WE CAN BRING GOD, BECAUSE GOD IS LOVE. HELP ME, O LORD, TO CONTINUALLY LOVE YOU MORE, SO THAT I WILL ALSO INCREASINGLY SERVE MY FELLOW MAN IN LOVE.
BY HIM THEREFORE LET US OFFER THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD CONTINUALLY , THAT IS THE FRUIT OF OUR LIPS GIVING THANKS TO HIS NAME.O PRAISE THE LORD , ALL YE NATIONS; PRAISE HIM, ALL YE PEOPLE. FOR HIS MERCIFUL KINDNESS IS GREAT TOWARD US; AND THE TRUTH OF THE LORD ENDURETH FOR EVER.PRAISE YE THE LORD.PRAISE YE THE LORD. PRAISE ,O YE SERVANTS OF THE LORD , PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD.PRAISE YE THE LORD. I WILL PRAISE THE LORD WITH MY WHOLE HEART.
THE BLOOD STILL WORK TODAY.THEN COMETH JESUS WITH THEM UNTO A PLACE CALLED GETHSEMANE, AND SAID UNTO THE DISCIPLES, SIT YE HERE, WHILE I GO AND PRAY YONDER..AND THE CHIEF PRIESTS TOOK THE SILVER PIECES, AND SAID , IT IS NOT LAWFUL FOR TO PUT THEM INTO THE TREASURY, BECAUSE IT IS THE PRICE OF BLOOD. AND THEY TOOK COUNSEL , AND BOUGHT WITH THEM THE POTTER"S FIELD , TO BURY STRANGERS IN. WHEREFORE THAT FIELD WAS CALL, THE FIELD OF BLOOD, UNTO THIS DAY. THE BLOOD STILL WORK.
INDIVIDUALS MAY MAKE NEW FRIENDS, OPEN DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY , OR BECOME POPULAR WITH A NEW CROWD BY CONFORMING . FOR CHRISTIANS TO CONFORM TO THE SINFUL WATS OF THE WORLD. WHEN IN EPHESUS , DO AS THE EPHESIANS DO WAS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR FOR THE EPHESIAN BELIEVERS.PAUL PULLED NO PUNCHES WITH THEM ABOUT WORLDLY, CONFORMITY.BEHIND THE BIBLICAL TERM TRANSLATED HOLY LIES THE IDEA OF SEPARATION. BELIEVERS ARE TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM SINFUL THOUGHTS AND DEEDS, HENCE THE TITLE TOPIC FOR TODAY IS LIVE HOLY LIVES.
;WITHOUT NATURAL AFFECTION, TRUCEBREAKERS, FALSE ACCUSERS, INCONTINENT, FIERCE, DESPISERS OF THOSE THAT ARE GOOD. ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE , FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.TRAITORS, HEADY, HIGHMINDED, LOVERS OF PLEASURES MORE THANK LOVERS OF GOD.HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS , BUT DENYING THE POWER THEROF ; FROM SUCH TURN AWAY.WHAT WILL IT BE HEAVEN OR HELL. EVERY LEARNING , AND NEVER ABLE TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.
THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD IN OUR LIVES CAN HAVE AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AND LASTING EFFECT OF ERODING THE HARD PLACES IN OUR HEARTS. THAT'S WHY IT IS SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE SURROUND OURSELVES WITH HOLY SCRIPTURE AS MUCH WE CAN. AND THAT FROM A CHILD THOUS HAS KNOWN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, WHICH ARE ABLE TO MAKE THEE WISE UNTO SALVATION THROUGH FAITH WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS. DON'T TAKE FOR GRANTED THE AWERSOME POWER OF GOD'S WORD . WHEN SCRIPTURE BUILDS UP WITHIN US OVER TIME, IT CAN CHANGE EVEN THE HARDEST OF HEARTS.
IN THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS , PAUL DESCRIBED IN DETAIL HOW THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST POWERFULLY CHANGED THE ESPHESIANS. TH SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH.SALE GOSPEL STILL CHANGES LIVES TODAY. REGARDLESS OF HOW DEEP AN INDIVIDUAL HAS BECOME STEEPED IN SIN. THE POWER PF GOD IS AVAILABLE TO SAVE ANYONE WHO WILL RESPOND IN FAITH TO GOD'S OFFER.THROUGH WHAT BELIEVERS EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF GOD IN SALVATION AND EITHER RECEIVE SALVATION BY BGRACE THROUGHFAITH IN CHRIST
GIVE INSTRUCTION TO AWISE MAN AND HE WILL BE STILL WISER.TEACH A RIGHTEOUS MAN AND HE WILL INCREASES HIS LEARNING..A WISE MAN WILL HEAR AND INCREASE .AND A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING WILL ACQUIRE WISE COUNSEL..BUT THE HELPER , THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, HE WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS , AND BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCES ALL THAT I SAID TO YOU.REMEMBER THOSE WHO LED YOU , WHO SPOKE THE WORD TO YOU, AND CONSIDERING THE RESULT OF THEIR CONDUCT, IMITATE THEIR FAITH.
AS WE WALK THROUGH LIFE WITH GOD. HE GIVES US VICTORY OVER EVERY OBSTACLE. VICTORY IN LIFE COMES THROUGH WALKING WITH GOD ON A DAILY BASIS . PRAYER AND STUDY IN THE WORD FORTIFIES YOU AGAINST ATTACKS FROM THE ENEMY AND ALLOWS GOD TO POUR HIS GRACE INTO YOUR LIFE.AS YOU TRUST IN GOD AND REMAIN IN HIS GRACE. HE WILL GIVE YOU THE CONFIDENCE AND HOPE TO OVERCOME ANY SITUATION. IT IS THE LORD WHO GOES WITH YOU. TO FIGHT FOR YOU AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES, TO GIVE YOU VICTORY
OUR irreverent culture often sees holiness as something to be ridiculed. not attained. Even within the church, adults largely do not consider holiness as something that applies to them, but rather is for the professional .Christians or the spiritually elite. But scripture clearly declares that God expects holiness of all His people.God's people are to obey Him. God's people must prepare to meet HIM. God 's people experience God's presence.It is our responsibility to be holy as God.s coventant people.
HAVE YOU EXPERIENCD JESUS AS YOUR SHEPHERD ? ASK GOD TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE GOOD SHEPHERD THAT JESUS DESCRIBED IN JOHN 10:7-18 THERE ARE SEVERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SHEPHERD THAT WANT US TO GRASP THE GOOD SHRPHERD , LONG TO GIVE HIS SHEEP . OUR SHEPHERD SACRIFICED HIMSELF FOR EACH ONE OF US, DOSE YOUR PASTOR REFLECT THE LIFE OF A GOOD SHEPHERD.WE WANT TO THANK GOD FOR PASTORS WHO ARE GOOD SHEPHERDS..AS YOU GO TO WORSHIP, SEE YOUR PASTOR AS THE SHEPHERD OF YOUR LOCKFLOCK. THANK GOD FOR HIM OR HER.
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS, ALL OUR LIVES WE HAVE MADE DECISIONS. SOME WERE ROUTINE CHOICES WITH MINOR CONSEQUENCES. OTHERS CHANGE OUR LIVES . AT OUR AGE , WE HAVE MADE MAJOR CHOICES SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT, RETIREMENT, FRIENDS, CHURCH ATTENDANCE. EACH TIME WE ARE CONFRONTED BYTHE TRUTH WE MUST DECIDE WHETHER TO EMBRACE OR REJECT IT. OF ALL THE DECISIONS WE FACE, THE MOST IMPORTANT IS WHETHER WE WILL BELIEVE IN JESUS AS SAVIOR AND TURN OUR LIVES OVER TO HIM. THAT DECISION HAS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES AND DAILY APPLICATION.
MATTHEW 7 ENCOURAGES US TO EVALUATE OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND MAKE WHATEVER CHANGES NESSESSARY TO BRING HOW WE RELATE TO OUR SELVES, TO OTHERS , AND TO GOD IN LINE WITH HIS PLAN. THESE THREE AREAS OF RELATIONSHIP MUST BE CONSIDERED IN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES AS WELL AS SUCH TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES . CHANGE HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF ,HOW YOU RELATE TO OTHERS , AND HOW YOU WALK WITH GOD.JESUS URGED HIS FOLLOWERS TO BE GENUINE AND TO RELATE TO OTHERS WITH SENSITIVITY AND DISCERNMENT.
FIRST LET ME SAY WHAT THE MEANING OF MOTIVES IS SOME INNR DRIVE , IMPULSE,THAT CAUSE ONE TO ACT IN A CERTAIN WAY.AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS , WHY WE SEEK TO OBEY GOD IS AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT WE DO. WE NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS IN THE RIGHT WAY AND FOR THE RIGHT REASON.JESUS SAID LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN, SO THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GIVE GLORY TO YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.WE WILL CONSIDER HOW JESUS APPLIED THAT PRINCIPLE TO THREE AREAS OF OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES ; GIVING, PRAYING, AND FASTING.WE ARE TO DO GOOD WORKS TO GLORIFY GOD.MOTIVATION.PRACTICE,
I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE BRETHREN BY THE MERCIES OF GOD. THAT YE PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE , HOLY , ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD , WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE.AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD ; BUT BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD , AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT , WILL OF GOD SET APART COME FROM AN OLD VERB MEANING TO MARK OFF BY BOUNDARIES. PAUL USED THE WORD TO DESCRIBE GOD'S CALL ON HIS LIFE
THEN SAID JESUS UNTO HIS DISCIPLES, IF ANY MAN WILL COME AFTER ME, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF, AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS , AND FOLLOW ME. FOR WHO SOEVER WILL SAVE HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT; AND WHOSOEVER WILL LOSE HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE SHALL FIND IT.IN 2019 GOD WANT US TO SAY YES TO HIM. IN PRAYERYES, DENIALS OUR SELF YES, DEEP LOVE AND RESPECT YES,READING OUR BIBLE MORE YES, OBEY HIM YES, TO HIS WAY YES, TO HIS WILL YES,FOR HIS PURPOSE AND PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE IN 2019 YES.
HOW TO RENEW YOUR MIND JESUS ,SING SONG OF PRAISE. MEMORIZE SCRIPTURES, PRAY , BRING EVERY THOUGHT UNDER CHRIST'S CONTROL, SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE. COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD AS A LIVING SACRIFICE .GREAT LOVE FOR YOU AND OF YOUR WORTHINESS IN HIS SIGHT, YOU WILL BEGIN TO ACT LIKE A PERSON OF WORTH. YOU CAN RENEW YOUR MIND BY RELACING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR SELF WITH THE REMINDER THAT CRIST DIED FOR YOU . YOU CAN RENEW YOUR MIND BY REMEMBERING WHO AND WHOSE YOU ARE.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THEIR EMOTIONS. YOU MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHECK ONE OF THE FEELING THAT WHEN YOU TRIED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF IT , YOU WERE CLUELESS. OR PERHAPES YOU SENSE THAT YOUR EMOTION IS OUT OF PROPORTION TO THE EVENT THAT CAUSE IT.YOU MAY KNOW THAT YOU FEEL LONELY AND ABANDONED WHEN A FRIEND FORGETS A LUNCHEON ENGAGEMENT WITH YOU.THANK GOD THAT HE WILL HELP YOU MASTERIT.IDENTIFY THE BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO IT. OBEY THE HOLY SPIRIT'S LEADING
WHEN YOU ARE BORN OF THE SPIRIT , YOUR SPIRIT IS MADE ALIVE, AND YOUARE ABLE TO RESPOND SPIRITUALLY; THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPSYOU UNDERSTAND SPIRITUAL THINGS. ALLOW GOD TO WORK THROUGH YOU. WITHOUT THE THE SPIRIT APEARSON CAN UNDERSTAND NOTHING ABOUT GOD.THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS PEOPLE OF SIN BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE NOT ON ME. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS THE WORLD OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS BY HIS SINLESS LIFE. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS THE WORLD IN JUDGMENT BY CONDEMNING AND JUDGING SATAN . ANY ONE WHO FOLLOWS SATAN, THEREFORE , IS ALSO CONDEMNED.
IN SOME PEOPLE 'S MIND THAT WORD IS A BAD WORD. THEY DON.T LIKE TO HEAR THAT WORD. THEY DON'T LIKE WHAT THAT MEAN. THEY DON.T LIKE WHAT THATWORD DEMANDS OR REQUIRES. THE CARNAL NATURE OF MAN IS REBELLIOUS . IT DOES NOT WANT TO OBEY MAN .LET ALONE GOD. THE BILE CLEARLY TEACHES US TO OBEY THOSE WHO HAVE THE RULE OVER US. BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT OR DO THAT.OVER IN NEHEMIAH 9;26 ISRAEL AS A NATION WAS DISOBEDIENT.
WHAT NON- CHRISTIANS NEED TO SEE ARE CHRISTIAND WHO ARE HONEST , OPEN TRANSPARENT AND HUMAN; PEOPLE WHO OCCASIONALLY HAVE BAD DAYS . SUFFER DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRUSTRATIONS AND ARE CAPABLE OF BEING WOUNDED BY CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT WHO LEAD THE WAY BY RESPONDING GOD'S WAY , WITH HIS ENABLING , AND DON'T GIVE THE IMPRESSION THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE OR THAT THE CHRISTIAN WALK IS UNCOMPLICATED. THE FACT REMAINS, LIFE CAN BE TOUGH AND THE CHRISTIAN WALK IS UNCOMPLICATED ALL CHRISTIANS STRUGGLE AND SIN FROM TIME TO TIME .
WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME WHEN MOST OF THE WORLD IS UNSAVED . 45% 10% NEVER 100% OF THE WORLD IS NOT IN CHURCH TODAY.THERE IS A MAJOR FIGHT BETWEEN THE BELIVER AND THE WORLD . WE MUST ALIGN OURSELVES WITH THE GOD OF GODS, HIS ETERNAL WORD AND THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR DAILY GUIDANCE AND THE RENEWAL OF OUR THOUGHTS AND DESIRE .THEN WE CAN EARNESTLY MOVE FORWARD, AS GOD DESIRES, TO OUR NEXT LEVEL.I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM THAT SENT ME, WHILE IT IS DAY; THE NIGHT COMETH, WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK.
THERE IS ENMITY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN BECAUSE OF MAN SIN. THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMS HOW GOD HAS TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO RECONCILE MAN BACK TO HIMSELF. GOD IS NOT RECONCILED TO MAN , AS THOUGH GOD WERE PARTLY TO BLAME FOR THE ENMITY.MAN IS RECONCILED TO GOD, FOR IT IS MAN WHO MOVED AWAY FROM GOD.MAN AND GOD IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT, . WHEN PEOPLE NEED TO BE RECONCILED TO ONE ANOTHER IT NORMALLY INVOLVES A SITUATION WHERE FAULT LIES ON BOTH SIDES TO SOME DEGREE.
HIS PLAN FOR YOU IS NOT IN THE PAST IT'S IN THE FUTURE. YOUR OLD LIFE IS GONE. NOW IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD. IMAGINE IF PETER, PAUL, DAVID AND MORE NEVER MOVES ON FROM THEIR PAST. THEY WOULD NOT HAVE WENT ON TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR THE LORD.. DON.T LET YESTERDAY USE UP TOO MUCH OF TODAY SOMETIMES GOD CLOSES DOORS BECAUSE IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD. HE KNOWS YOU WON'T MOVE UNLESS YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES FORCE YOU. YOU CAN'T START THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE IF YOU KEEP REREADING THE LAST ONE.
WE COME TOGETHER AND SING THE SONGS OF PRAISE BUT THE SONG IS NOT WORSHIP. WE LOVE TO HEAR THE MUSIC PLAY BUT THE MUSIC ITSELF IS NOT THE WORSHIP. ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE WHAT WE USE TO BRING US INTO A PLACE OF WORSHIP. BUT THEY ARE NOT WORSHIP IN AND OF THEMSELVES, FOR TRUE WORSHIP COMES ONLY FROM THE HEART.IT IS MY PRAYER THAT WE COME TOGETHER WITH ONE MIND AND ONE ACCORD , TO ALWAYS SEEK TO WORSHIP THE LORD IN SPIRIT A ND IN TRUTH,
I Realize Christians carry a lot of excess baggage with them throughout their lives.. The excess baggageof the past that is weight. The bile say Brethren, i come not my self to have apprehended; butthis one thing i do , forgetting those things whch are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.Ifind a parallel here. as if being human were not enough baggage, Christians choose to exceed the allowable number of bags while traveling through this life
BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST , WHICH ACCORDING TO HIS ABUNDANT MERCY HATH BEGOTTEN US AGAIN UNTO A LIVELY HOPE BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL GIVE YOU A CUP OF WATER TO DRINK IN MY NAME , BECAUSE YE BELONG TO CHRIST, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, HE SHALL NOT LOSE HIS REWARD.THERE ARE CERTAIN PRIVILEGES , POSITIONS, AND POSSESSIONS ONE MAY HAVE BECAUSE OF RELATIONSHIP.WE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST ARE BORN OF GOD, HAVE BEEN REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.
WHEN A CHURCH AND PREACHER DEPEND UPON THE LORD AND ALLOW THE LORD TO GUIDE THEM A PASTOR AND WILL HAVE THE RIGHT CHURCH AND A CHURCH WILL HAVE THE RIGHT PASTOR. THE BIBLE DOESN'T SAY HOW LONG A PASTOR SHOULD STAY AT ONE CHURCH. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU WHY SOME PASTORS CHANGE CHURCHS. 1 PASTORS CHANGE CHURCHES BECAUSE OF COMPLACENCY OF THE PEOPLE. COMPLACENCY MEAN TO BE CONTENT OR SELF SATISFIED. THE WORD OF GOD SAY . TAKE HEED THEREFORE UNTO YOURSELVES, AND TO ALL THE FLOCK , OVER THE WHICH THE HOLY GHOST HATH MADE YOU OVERSEER,TO FEED THE CHURCH OF GOD, WHICH HE HATH PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD.
TRULY MY SOUL WAITED UPON GOD; FROM HIM COMETH MY SALVATION. HE ONLY IS MY ROCK AND MY SALVATION: HE IS MY DEFENCE; I SHALL NOT BE GREATLY MOVED. MANY EXPERIENCES OF LIFELOOK TO OUT SIDERS LIKE A TOMBSTRONE HUNG AROUND OUR NECK, BUT REALLY IT WAS ONLY A WEIGHT NECESSARY TO KEEP US DOWN WHILE WE COLLECTED PEARLSHE ONLY IS MY ROCK AND MY SALVATION HE IS MY DEFENCE; I SHALL NOT BE MOVEDIN GOD IS MY SALVATION AND MY GLORY ; THE ROCK
HOW CAN SATAN GET THE ADVAANTAGE OF THE LORD'S PEOPLE AND CHURCHES ? HOW CAN HE DESTROY CHURCHES AND WORKS. HE DOES SO BY ATTACKING THE FIRST INSTITUTION THAT GOD MADE, MARRIAGE AND THE HOME. IF HE CAN DESTROY THE HOME HE CAN HINDER THE CHIRCHES. IF HE CAN DESTROY THE HOME HE CAN IMMOBILIZETHE LORD'S WORK. FAMILIES ARE CRIPPLED UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND STRUGGLES OF SATAN. HE CAUSES DOUBT ABOUT THE INSTITUTION OF THR HOME.
TRUST IN THE LORD . TRUST MEANS TO PUT ONES CONFIDENCE IN . THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN WHICH WE SHOULD NOT TRUST . WEAPONS, WEALTH, WORKS, ONES OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. WHO SHOULD BE TRUSTED GOD. HIS VERY NAME , HIS SON, HIS WORD, WE OUGHT TO GIVE REASONS AS TO WHY WE TRUST, WHAT WE TRUST, OR WHO WE TRUST.I AM TRUSTING THE LORD BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS..
There is a generations that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.The word Generation means a class of people . Sin entered into the Human race these Four Classes of people have existed. The Scripture describing our own day and time . this could be you Son, Daughter, Friend, or someone you know ,You ,I trust you would Not be Classified in either of these , But if so, then make a changr TODAY. four generations
II TIMOTHY 4;6-10 PAUL JUST TOLD US ABOUT HIS LIFE . HE WAS A FAITHFUL SOLDIER . HE WAS TRUE TO THE LORD, HE WAS AWAITING THE TIME OF HIS BEING REWARDED. HE TOLD TIMOTHY THAT DEMAS HAD FORSOOK HIM. HOW SAD ARE THESE WORDS DESCRIBING DEMAS. HE IS REFERRED TO 3 TIMES IN THE WORD OF GOD. HE IS CALLED A FELLOW LABORER. HIS MANE APPEARS IN A LIST OF OTHER NAMES. THIS IS THE LAST REFERENCE TO DEMAS. PAUL WRITES HE HAD FORSAKEN HIM OR QUIT SERVING THE LORD WITH PAUL .
THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MANY SERMONS HAVE BEEN PREACHED FROM THIS CHAPTER LUKE 16; 19-31 NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MANY SOULS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS TRUE BIBLE STORY . IT IS NOT PARABLE. MOST EVERONE HAS GIVEN THOUGHT TO ETERNITY , THE OTHER SIDE OF LIFE. HERE GOD HAS GRACIOUSLY OPENED THE CURTAIN AND REVEALED TO US SOME PICTURES FROM LIFE'S OTHER SIDE.IT IS PORTRAYED BY TWO MEN WHO LIVED ON EARTH.IT IS PORTRAYED BY TWO DEATHS.
THE WORD MUST CARRIES THE MEANING SOMETHING REQUIRED, NECESSARY OR COMPELLED. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE EXPRESSION , OH, THAT IS SIMPLY A MUST. THERE ARE MANY THINGS IN OUR LIVES WE THINK ARE A MUST THAT ARE NOT. THERE ARE SOME THINGS MANY PEOPLE DISREGARD AS A MUST THAT ARE A MUST. THE BIBLE AFFORDS US A LESSON ON THINGS THAT ARE A MUST; AND IT ALL BEGINS AS OUR TEST REVEALS, FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS
Two men are named in the Bible as having walked with God, NOAH AND ENOCH . This does not mean they were the only men who ever walked with GOD. Throughout the Bible you will find others who walked with GOD. There are those today who are seeking to walk with GOD. BOTH these men were of the faith line (Seth) Enoch was taken , translated, raptured , before the flood and is a type of all believers who will be raptured , before the great tribulation , of which the flood is a type. Noah was preserved through the flood and is a type of jewish remnant who will find grace .
II KINGS 4:26 One of the common expressions of our day is hello , how are you? This greeting oftentimes starts a conversation between folks. It is often made in passing. The greeting is often really sincere; OFTENTIMES IT IS INSINCERE. OFTENTIMES WE DON"T really care how the other fellow is. The replies one gets from hello , how are you are often trufhful some folks will spend thirty minutestelling you how they are if you 'll listen. On the other hand , some will say , I"m fine.
First of all , we may as well face the reality of the devil's existence. Lucifer, the shining one; was head of a host of angels placed over the realm of material things. He was not satisfied and said, I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE STARS OFGOD AND BECOME LIKE THE MOST HIGHT. God cast him out , He became Satan and has since the beginning of time and man been the fierce enemy of God and man and all that is right. Some forty different names.
Jeremiah 6: 16 Thus said the Lord stand ye in the ways. and see , and ask for the old paths, where is the good way , and walk therein , and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said , We will not walk therein.TO the law and to the testimony : if they speak not according to this world , it is because there is no light in them.God spoke these words through the weeping prophet .
Hezekiah gives us an example of waiting on God . In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him , Thus says the LORD , SET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER, FOR YOU SHALL DIE AND NOT LIVE. Isaiah 38;1 You have to wait on God to Ansewr. Isaiah 40: 31 James 1: 6 The Lord heard his desperate prayer . He did not need to wait long on God for an answer . but he did wait . He received an additional 15 years of life.
Have you ever met a complainer , a griper , a person who like to look at the dark sside of every bright cloud/? A complainer has a perpetural raw deal. Someone is always getting something more than he, better than he, faster than he. The bible compares complaining to dripping faucet it gets very annoying . Complaining is expressing dissatisfaction with something or someone ; but more than that , there tends to be a self centered bent to it
Life something causes us to feel like a rubber band stretched tright. Pressures build up and pull us in different directions or pull against our sense of well being. Trying to do too much work with too little time or too few resources stretches us beyond our capacity. Trying to live in today"s society with its many demands may put excessive pressures on us. Trying to cope with financial demands of life without adequate income is a stretching experience. Marital difficulties or difficulties in parent child relationships, or any relational difficulties can bring stress into life .
Deep within the human spirit is a desire , and a capability , to do wonderful things.because we were made in the image of God. we inherited from him the desire to create, to accomplish , to make thing happen. But God wouldn"t give us these desires without the means to carry them out. These means are called ability or talents. They are the gifts . God has given us to help us accomplish great things for him, and to help us enjoy life.
Therei is happiness that reacts to happines that overrules happenings , Happiness based on happenings is part of life. but if that is all we can count on we have to keep feeding ourselves with events to keep us upbeat. Those who know the joy that come from God don't need happenings to keep them happy .They learn how to develop inner joy because they know that no matter what happens, God offer;s hope and promise rejoice , lasting joy.
Humility is not effacing oneself . it is not destroying one's sense of self- worth. it is honest recognition of our own worth, our worth as God sees us. Pride elevates us above others, and often above God himself . But to destroy one's sense of self worth is also unacceptable , for it denies the value God placed upon us when he created us in his image and when he sent his Son to die for us. Christ did not die for worms but for people he loves very much, and those people have great worth or value in God's eyes.
A. Healthy definition of love is crucial to understanding thr central message of the Bible .According to the Bible, love is not confined to sexuality, nor is it ptimarily a feelings, but rather on a consistent and courageous decision to extend The bible teaches that love is a commitment . as a commitment , love is not dependent on good feelings , but rather on a consistent and courageous decision to extend oneself for the well being of another.That commitment then produces good feelings, not the other way around .Jesus became the perfect demonstration of God's unconditional love for us by laying down his life for our benefit.
Isaiah,s ministry began when he saw into the heavenly realms in a vision,I saw the Lord , hight and exalted seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were angels, each with six wings;with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying (is 6;1-2) the spiritual realm ran parallel to Isaiah function in his ministry as a Prophet.Elish opened the eyes of his servant so he could see what was happening in the spiritual realm.
WE hear so much , but we are conditioned to listen to so little. Relationships among people are built on the degtee to which we listern and the acceptance in our listening . How often throughout the scriptures God's people heard him speak but refused to listern, refused to acknowledge what he said, and refuse to obey and act upon it. Listen to wise counsel from others Listern to God . LISTEN AND LEARN then you will be better equipped to know how to live when you are bombarded with innimerable voices.
The Bible and Tradition both teach that convictions are not to be base upon human wisdom but upon the power of God and His Spirt which He gives to those who obey Him.Foras much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your father; But with the precious blood of Christ , as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,
Why are thous cast down.O my soul/? and why art thou disquited in me . hope thou in God for i shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. When discouragement strikes, some Christiand spread gloom anddoom. They see only the bad in others, te Church, and in circumstances.many Christians drift away from the Lord, neglecting Prayer. God's Word, and church attendance.In 2018 you need to say no o Discoragement in your life look to God for all your answers.
And i saw a new Heaven and a new Earth, for the first Heaven and the first Earth had pased away. Also there was no more sea. Thaen I, John , saw the Holy city, New Jerusalem , coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband. And i heard a loud voice from heaven saying , Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them , and they shall be His people.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow ; for the morrow shall take throught for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.Concentrate on things that are calmin.What soever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,whatsoever things are pure whatso ever thins are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report think on these things you don't have to be caught up in noise and confusion deal with stree in 2018 by concencentrating on calming influences there are so many things that can bring relaxation.,
The word of God s quick, and powerful , and sharper than any twoedged sword.The power of God's word is the same today .Jesus said , If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you , ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done.The bible teaches that God's power is manifest in Creation, demonstrated in his redemptive intervention in the history of his people. Only with God's power can you accomplish great things. God's word supplies power to the tired and the weak. All nations will recognize God's power.Blessing come from applying God's word Gog willhelp you understand the power of his word.Revealing powerThe power of God's word endures.God's word reveals his will for humankind.h
Joshua 6; 1-5, 20 This chapter reveals God;s instructions concerning the capture and destruction of jericho . It reveals the importance of folloeing the commands of God. It reveals one of the great miracles of the Old Testament. do you realize that we are called upon to believe the, humanly, speaking, unbelievable. Perharps one of the greatest lessons in this chapter is how spiritual victories are won by means a nd upon principles utterly foolish and inadequate in the sight of human wisdom.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time . Thou shall not kill; and whoso ever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment..But i say unto you . that whosever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment ; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca , shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Thus said the Lord , Stand ye in the ways , and see, and ask for the old paths, where is thr good way, and walk therein , and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk there in.God spoke these words through the weeping prophet, Jermiah .How sad the reply . We will not walk. we will not hearken' Let this three fold call include us ; you , me , my family, your family. Let it include the Church.This three fold call of God to His people is to STAND, ASK, and TO WALK.
Literally tens of thousands of sermons have been preached with regard to to the events leading to and including this portion of scripture. The reason being because of the events leading up to the crucifixion of jesus.the betrayal of Judas and the denial of Christ by Simon Peter. There is a message about the ROOSTER that is mentioned in connection with the denial of Peter.And he said , I tell thee, Peter , the crock shall not crow this day , before that thou shall thrice deny that thou knowest.
Having announced the subject of this message, you think i am going to meddle, and you are exactly right. I am going to talk about busy bodies. T here are different kinds of busy bodies. It will be up to you to determine which kind of busy body you are and to determine if you are the right kind of a busy body or the wrong king. Yes , there is a wronr kind of busy body and there is :2 And be not conformed to this world : But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind : that ye may prove what is that good , and acceptable, and perfect, will of GOD. II THESSALONIANS 3: 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all , but are busybodies.
Are you a busy body at the house of the Lord .are you worshipping at the house of the lord are you talking about every one that come thru the door. are you praying, are you backbitting., are you loving each others, are you anger with everyone,. do you smile at the house of the lord, are you you playing with the people feeling at the house of the Lord, what is realy going on at the house of the Lord,
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the lord.Did you every drive by a place where lots of cars are parked and wonder what's going on ? Auytime you see a crowd gathering anywhere you can rest assured something is going on, something is happening. It may be something either good or bad. Multitudes gather to do evil, or others good.It may be something enjoyable , or not enjoyable Glad or sad.
The most important part of a house is it's foundation. many building has fallen because of the lack of a proper foundation. are you building on a spiritual house. some people are building on some religious leader or denomination. are on what someone else has said. what are you building on for your self.Jesus taught the concerning home, life, family life, social, and spiritual He taught them concerning prayer, riches, giving, He taught the concerning the two ways leading to eternity.He taught them as one having AUTHORITY. He taught them that the law and Prophets must be fulfilled.
Among the most common public ceremonies of our lives are weddings. The vows of marriage are breathtaking in beauty and boldness , and are intended to be binding. Yet divorce ststistics prove that today even the most serious of human promises are made to be broken, Not so with God. God's promises are anchored in his unchanging character and steadfast love. The bible is filled with promises upon which the believer can depend. Where wven our most heartfelt promises somethimes falter, The word of God is his promise and nerver fails.
Peter was therefort kept in prison , but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
Daniel prayed . all thru the bible you read every one that prayed for something. Prayer is not a religious form without power.Prayer is thw living word in your mouth. I know you have been in s situation where there seemed to be no way out, you feel every thing is going along just fine . have you stop to pray about what is going on around you at that moment.God is right there with you all you have to do is talk with him thru prayer is is listening to your every word .In act 12, we find the story of how God took a tragic, even hopeless, and turned it around . What do you think about your situation give it to him he will turn it around for you.
In order to grow up in God, we will have to go through trials. . There is no other way to grow strong spiritually than to go through trials.James 1, Consider it all joy, my brethren , when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing . if any of you lacks widom, let him ask of God who gives to all men generously and without reproach and it will be given to him.but let him ask in faith,
as we live our lives, it is easy to lose focus on what is important . it is so easy to get cauight up in the problems of life that we forget where opur focus is supposed to be.When you face tough times what are you focusing on, Whyou are confronted with a choice between two things that claim to be truth, what are you realy focusing on. To focus is to direct one 's attention or concentrate on something. If we focused on Christ, then He has our attention, We are concentrating on Him and His word , He occupies the forefront of our minds. Such a focus is only fitting , because Jesus is the Head of the body, the Church, He is the beginning and the firstborn from among thr dead.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth , where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, But lay up for your sellves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where theves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Jesus did not say we had to wait until we get to heaven to received from this account.We lay hold of eternal life here in this world, not in heaven.
And whatsoever ye do , do it heartily , as to the lord, and not unto men;Genuine , heartfelt Christianity is contagious. If you enjoy a life altering relationship with God, that relationship will have an impact on others perhaps a profound impact.it is importab to remember that the work required to build and sustain your faith is an ongoing process.The work of nourishing your faith can and should be joyful work.The hours that you invest in Bible study, Prayer, Meditation, and worship should be times of enrichment.
Sometimes we come to an unhappy place in our life. but today we can start a new direction for 2017. We want many things .we do not want to lose what we have . we are caught up in the moment. we do not have the perspective to see where our life is going God is taking us in a new direction for 2017 will you go are will you stay back. he want to do a new thing in your life in 2017 so let's get to doing what our Father have for us this new year. You cannot stand where you are . The people has change.
God does not love us so that we can hoard His love for ourselves.He desires that we pass it on to others. By preaching the joy of his love, we improve the ves o those around us and our own lives in the process.Although you have not seen Jesus you love him; and even through you do not see him belive in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.We do not naturally love like God does.but can desire to grown in demonstrating.
We all havenumerous resources from which to share. Having a generous spirit does not mean simply giving money. Time is another precious commodity and generous volunteera enable many organizations to tunction well; Hospitals, School, Missions, Animal Shelters, Community Centers, Nursing homes, Child Care center,Churchs Look around . What do you have to share? a SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY MEANS OPEN GIVING TIME, ENERGY, AND CREATIVITY AS WELL AS MONETARY RESOURCES. GREAT IS THE REWARD OF THR PERSON WHO GENEROUSLY GIVES WHAT EVERY
THIS SHOW TODAY IS IN MEMORY OF MY SISTER THAT HAVE GONE TO BE WITH THE LORD. BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD. COME TO ME , ALL OF YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND CARRY HEAVY BURDENS AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST . THE LORD HIMSELF GOES BEFORE YOU AND WILL BE WITH YOU; HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU. DO NOT BE AFRAID; DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED.MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.
Believers today must walk in the spiritIt is the essence of the steward ship of our dispensation and the criteria by which God will evaluate us. No one in the old Testament had ever commanded , walk in the spirit, It was new with the apostle paul. Jesus had hinted at it. and laid the groundwork fo it . But paul made walking on the spirit the central element of the believers responsibility, so, what does it mean to walk in the spirit , and how do we accomplish it
When you spend time with Jesus , you can't remain the same. Either you get better, or you get bitter. As we spend time with Jesus at Jacob;s well, we will see how the life of a Samaritan women was completely change and I Trust our lives wii be changed as well.Jesus talked with her. Jesus was on His way from Galilee The lord never did anything by mistake. The lord's steps were deliberate.There cometh a women of Samaria to draw water; Jesus said unto her.
No man likes to make a bad bargain or a bad trade . no one like to feel that he has been cheated. Yet who is there among us who have not made bad bargaind, got cheated , and wondered how did that happen to me . And then to rub salt in the wound have someone around that say,s iI told you so . yes , there have been some bad bargains made and we finally lived over them, but there are bad bargains that will never be survived.
When God saves us ,He wants us to serve Him .He wants us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. In our text in the book of Deuteronomy , the Lord gave the israelites several requirement, but us conoentrate on the requirement of service. They were command to serve thE Lord their Gpd with all their heart and with all their soul. we should do the same thing. In order to serve God effectively, we need to meet certain requirement in our lives , so let us consider four requirment that are important in serving God.
The apostle Paul instructs the age men and the young men. Paul spoke of the need to be doctrinally sound and holy behavior . Sometimes our behavior may be holy , but our doctrine unsound in the christian life there has to be an agreement between doctrine and behavior or both will suffer. God wants men who will be godly examples for there families.God want spiritual fathers. men born again. men blood bought. men battling the devil. God want seprated fathers.
The importance of words it is through words that we gain knowledge and communicate. The impact of words Through words we bless cut hurt develop and destroy. The insights Believers need to know the meaning of bible words and how they apply to our lives. when you understand them you know what to do. we need to understand the following. What a christian is. What God has done for us. What God want us to do.Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them;
Operations of the mind of Chrisr in us not only explore what each one is. We cannot possess the mind of christ at all inles we first have the spirit of God in our heats . we have asked Jesus Christ to come into our heart and have become born againThe spirit of the lord is the energy Source pr Power Source of our lives. With out God's spirit in our hearts, wo won't have either the agape Love of God or the mind of Christ.
`God is a promise keeper , God know everything. God is not out to harm you. God want to help you. God has plans for you. With God our future is filled with hope.Because of the promise of God's presence we can live free from the love of money and become more content with what we have. Now that's a promise we all need.Be careful about claiming someone else's promise. The word of God say for i know the plans i have for you. declares the lord, plans toprosper you and not harm you.
The word must carries the meaning ; somethingrequired necessary or compelled. have you ever heard the expression , noh, that is simply a must . there are many things in our lives we think are a must ` a must that are a must.that are not. there are some things many people disregard as a must that are a must. the bible affords us a lesson on things that are a must and it all begins as our text reveals.
Elijah predicts a drought and Elijah the taishbite , who was of the inhabitants of Gilead , said untoAhab As the Lord God of Israel Liveth , before whom I stan, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. and the word of the Lord came unto him saying Get thee hence and turnthee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook And it shall be, that thou shall drink of the brook; and i have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
HAVE YOU EVER MET A COPLAINER , A GRIPER, A PERSON WHO LIKES TO LOOK AT THE DARK SIDE OF EVERY BRIGHT CLOUD/ A COMPLAINER HAS A PERPETUAL RAW DEAL. SOMEONE IS ALWAYS GETTING SOMETHING MORE THAN HE OR SHE BETTER THAN HE, FASTER THAN HE, OR SHE. THE BIBLE COMPARES COMPLAINING TO A DRIPPING FAUCET IT GETS VERY ANNOYING . COMPLAINING IS EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION WITH SOMETHING OR SOMEONE; BUT MORE THAN THAT, THERE TENDS TO BE A SELF CENTERED BENT TO IT. WE DIDN'T GET WHAT WE WANTED, WE GOT LESS THAN SOMEONE ELSE,
The Lord;s servant had learned through experience how tolive in the face of adversity and hardship daily morning by morning he depended on the Lord . he knew that God cares for and help his faithful servants, because he had experienced that help. Thus he was able to speak the word that sustains the weary .The discourge, wounded, and defeated are all around us. How can we who are Christians speak words of encouragement most effectively/ What words do we have for fellow believers and what words do we have for unbelievers.
The God who made the world and everthing in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples build by hands.He created the universe .He owns it and controls it .Lord means sovereign rule. His sovereignty extends to every human being as well. not just to nature.Some philosophers tried to work out a system combining many deities with a supreme being, but generally people did not accept the idea that one God had created the world.
GOD GIVEN TASKS CAN BE COMPLETED WITH CINFIDENCE AND RESOLVE BECAUSE GOD HAS CONQUERED ALL OBSTACLES TO WORK.Sanballat and geshem sent message Come , let's meet together in the villages of ono vally, But they were planning to harm me. So i sent messengers to them , saying I am doing a great work and cannot come downWhy should the work cease while i leave it and go down to you.Four btimes they sent me the same proposal, and i gave them the same reply.
The highest form of faith is faith in God's word and its suthority alone.one thing is needful, The Word.without faith, it is impossible to please God.The God kind of faith will work for whosoever Jesus , the author and finisher of our faith.we are to look unto Jesus .The word and Jesus are one . looking unto Jesus is looking into and acting on the word This bring Jesus on the scene instantly.Believing is acting there is no believing without acting.
Belivers can rest assured the lord intends for us grow into strong , mature believers. Such a walk with christ comes by way of obedience. as we obey christ, God permits us to build our lives on the foundation of the gospel. we nerver want to negelect, drift off of , or walk away from the foundation. nBut neither are we to stay on the ground floor of faith. we are to grow, building onthe gospel foundation toward a fully mature.
Therefore , since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay befefore Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.For conder Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself,
Therefore , as the Holy Spirit says; Today, if you hear His Voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion on the day of testing in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested me, tried me, and saw MY Word for 40 years. Therfore i was provoked with that generation and said , They always go astray in their heart, and they have not know my ways. They will not enter my rest. WATCH OUT,brothers , so that there won't be in any of you.
WE MUST , THEREFORE . PAY EVEN MORE ATTENTION TO WHAT WE HAVE HEARD, SO THAT WE WILL NOT DRIFT AWAY. FOR IF THE MESSAGE SPOKEN THROUGH ANGELS WAS LEGALLY BINDING AND EVERY TRANSGRESSION AND DISOBEDIENCE RECEIVED A JUST PUNISHMENT, HOW WILL WE ESCAPE IF WE NEGLECT SUCH A GREAT SALVATION? IT WAS FIRST SPOKEN BY THE LORD AND WAS CONFIRMED TO US BY THOSE WHO HEARD HIM. AT THE SAME TIME , GOD ALSO TESTIFIED BY SIGNS AND WONDERS, VARIOUS MIRACLES.
Meditation is not optional . The same Bible that commands us to pray without ceasing , to rejoice evermore. and ineverything give thanks also urges us to meditate.i find it interesting that this term appears no less than twenty times in the word , with fourteen of those references occurring in the Psalms. I suggest that meditation is to be broad enough to include imagination as we ponder. God"s Word.we should link our lives with his Word in our times of meditation
How do i developp an attitude of thankgiving for all the things God have done fir me in the year of 2015 . Cultivate thankfulness by giving thanks regularly to God and also to others. Set aside time every day to think about things you are thankful for . Make amental list of all Gods blessings in your life and thank him for them . Don"t wait to feerl thankful before giving thanks .Giving thanks will lead you to feel thankfuel
Damaged people with serious family issues. Messed up people from the bible when you look around all of us have be messed up at one time or another . God can still use us. we all deal with issues in our life.if not one thing it's another.Adam the first man, was a blame shifter who couldn't resist peer pressure. messed up.Adraham the forefather of faith , let other men walk off with his on two different occasions. messed upJob supposedly a contemporary of Abraham and the epitome of faith , suffered from the nagging of a faithless wife. messed up.
Holiness means to be wholly dedicated and devoted to God, distinct and separete from the word 's way of living committed to right living and purity. Holiness is the absence of sin, evil and wrongdoing. it is being spotlessly free from blemish. bUT HOLINESS IS MUCH MORE THAN ABSENCE OF SIN.do YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE OF HIM TODAY . THAN YOU NEED TO BE SANCTIFIED . YOU NEED TO BE SET APART FROMALL THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD AND MADE SEPARATE AND HOLY BEFORE THE Lord.
Thou shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; and the light shall shine upon thy ways.As a belivever , you are empowered with all the rights and privilegds from God you will ever have. all you need to know is how to appropriate.them.your authority is available to you for what ever you need. consequently you need never question or wonder how.when and where your delegated authority in jesus christ is in control of your life.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU SAY THANKS THINK ABOUT IT . HE WROKE YOU UP THIS MORNING DID YOU SAY THING YOU PUT FOOD ON YOUR TABLE DID YOU SAYTHANK YOU. HAD A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD . DID YOU SAY THING YOU. CHILDREN ARE DOING OK NOT IN JAIL THINK YOU. YOU HAVE A JOB THANK YOU . NOT IN THE HOSPITAL THANK YOU LORD. HAVE A PHONE YOU CAN TALK ON THANKYOU LORD. HAVE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET THANK YOU . I COULD GO ON BUT THANK YOU LORD TO WE ABLE TO TYPE THIS .
iT IS GOOD TO PROCLAIM YOUR UNFAILING LOVE IN THE MORNING , YOUR FAITHFULNESS IN THE EVENING , MORNING AND EVENING. EVERTHING GOD CREATED IS GOOD. WE MAY RECEIVED IT GLADLY , WITH THANKFUL HEARTS. WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO EAT GIVE GOD THANKS FOR THE FOOD HE HAS GIVEN TO YOU.. ALWAYS BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDE FOR YOU.NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, ALWAYS BE THANKFUL, FOR THIS IS gODS WILL FOR YOU WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS.WE SHOULD MAINTAINA SPIRIT OF CONSTANT GRATITUDE.
Jesus poses a powerful Question that should cause each of us to examine our relationship a nd service. Jesus asked if peter loved Hime, more than theses. Do you love me more than other things. Ihear Jesus askyng me. DO you love me more than material things ? D o you love me more than other christians do/? Do you love me more than you love other christians ? think how much do i love jesus TAKE TIME TO REALY THINK ABOUT YOUR REALATIONSHIP with Jesus.
Jesus love us so much that he went to calvary .. Jesus told those hard hearted listeners that he was going to be crucified , and then they would know certain things. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the son of man, then shall ye know that i am he, and that i do nothing of myself; but as my father hath taught me. i speak these things. And he that sent me is with me. the father hath not left me alone; for i do always those things that please him.
In times like these you need a savior In times like these you need an anchor . be very sure be very sure. we are living in times where you got to have a savior . with all the thing going on in the world if you don't have jesus what will you do. Jesus Christ is the savior for the world today take hold of his hand now before it is to late.. evil is deeper and of greater intensity . the society we are in have turn ther back on Jesus
Have you resist carrying out divine instructions God have for you to do . your desires or differs fromGod. But God have a blue print for your life. so do what God have for you and you want go wrong .you may be tempted to resist carrying out God's instructions when those instructions differ from the one you had. you can appreciate that God is gracious toward those who resit him and can discover that following God's will always relates to helping fulfill his redemptive purpose.
THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS WORK IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS. YOU CAN GROW IN ASSURANCE THAT BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU CAN BOLDLY LIVE INLOYALTY YO GOD WHATEVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONFIDENTLY SERVE HIM IN WAYS YOU MIGHT NEVER HAVE IMAGINED. BIBLICAL WORDS FOR SPIRIT RUACH AND PNEUMA . BOTH WORDS CAN ALSO MEAN WIND AND BREATH. THE WIND BLOWETH WHERE IT LISTETH JOHN 3;8 THE WORDS ALSO CAN REFER TO THE HUMAN SPIRIT.
Don't be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me.He has saved us and called us with a Holy calling Our calling to Salvation is only possible because of the gospel.Paul said that our salvation and calling are real. and the certificate of authenticity is found in the gospel the life , Death, Resurrection of Jesus .Everyone who is saved by Jesus Christ is called to be on mission with Jesus Christ.all christians are called to be people who proclaim the good news of the king.
God was working out our salvation even before the foundation was laid, and he's still at wrk today for this we give him glory.for he chose us in him before the foundationof the world, too be holy and blameeless in his sight.He predestined us to be adopted through jesus chirst for himself according to his favor and will the prasie of his glorious grace that he favored us with in the beloved.the scripyure says he's blessed us with every spiritual blessing.
One of the saddest things in all the world is for a preacher to go wrong. satan works extra hard to rob preachers of reputations, morals, and power with God and man.it is a tragedy compounded to see the wasted life, talents, and education when satan ruins a preacher.as a spiritual leader. respected by his people, a preacher should be on guard at all times against the insidious attacks of satan to ruin him.God records for us the stories of ruin which came to many of God's men .
Paul'ss preaching was in the demonstration of the spirit and power, so our faith can stand in the power of God.The gospel is the power of God to save those who believe. but faith comes by hearing God's word .The gospel is able to produce true faith in the heart of any honest person..Have you seen the power of God word work in your life.For the word of god is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword,
Let's admit it, forgiving another person can be hard .Really hard.you may have every reason to feel hurt, angry, bitter. but you need to forgiveness, I know you are saying hoe can i let go of the past without forgettig it.Think about it when have you been willing to forgive.Restoration is amazing thing a restored relationship is truly amazing. forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.incorporate forgiveness into your everyday life.
Have you every felt forgotten Ever frlt like the world has passed you by. like friends and family have gone on to bigger and better things and you're just stuck .Ever felt like even God has forgotten you. keep doing what God has gifted you to do. even when we face difficulty,we can and we certainly should continue to use the gifts god has given us. How do we remain faithful when we find ourselves where we didn't expect to be.
Church membership is not like football . There should be no spectators. The body of christ wasn't designed to operate as an organization where the supporters come and give there money and watch the hired players do all the work.We're all participants. Everyone has a role to play. Everyone is needed. That's how the body of christ grows and fulfills it's mission.Do you have a role in the church. yes what's my role in the church.until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God 's son , growing into a mature man or women with aststure measured by christ's fullness.
Today topic is about Hannah's prayer for a son and what her example teaches us about passing on a legacy grounded in hope.A legacy of hope is priceless. Too often when we are in difficult situations, weturn to everything but God. for hope. Disappointment and frustration are usually the result. We must remember that genuine hope rest in God. We must remind ourselves that for those who foll w Christ, there is a better tomorrow.this topic can help you renew your hope in God and show you ways you can pass that legacy of hope on to your children.
Building our lives on a foundation of obedience to god and in turn leading future generations to on that same foundation As surely as we pass on a legacy of the way to do things, we pass on a spiritual legacy. i wonder if the spiritual legacy i amcreating is the one i actually want to leave behind . it deserves my careful examination and close attention.The challenge is to build a spiritual legacy on a strong foundation. of obedience to God.
WE live in a day of ingratitude and presumption. The world, our own sinful flesh, and the devil have motivated and captivated many of us to be in persistent hot pursuit of perishable products that all have temporary stamped on them. This spirit of ingratitude is robbing us of the spirit of generosity and humility.Some people never stop to give thanks to almighty God for his many blessings. but today you have the opportunity to change that.What will you do this week to accurately express to God your feelings of thanksgiving to him.
The holy spirit move james to write that we often find ourselves in the midst of conflicts , fights, arguments,, quarrels, or some other dispute. we fight each other over politics, in relationships, at work and church. we quarrel over race, religion , sports, you name it. just stop. we flight among ourselves. we feel pressure caused by a lack of contentment and a restlessness in our spirits that cant't seem to be satisfied. we even flight God not a very good move on our part; it is sin.
Never compromise when it is a matter of biblical right or wrong.The apostle paul encouraged believers not to juge someone on issues such as what to wear, what to eat, or howthey practiced their Sabbath; but he was vehement on issues of truth . He face conflict to defend matters of grace to people who were very attached to the lawFirst paul was passionate about what he believed and was willing to stand his ground in support of it.Paul didn"t go to Jerusalem because he loved to travel. Paul was on a mission.
The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth. And the tongue is a fire , a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among ourmembers, that it defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the dear, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind; But the tongue can no man tame;
God provides spiritual mentors to disciple us, so that we in turn can disciple others, a spirtual mentor trains us to train others.one of the greatest joy of a spiritual mentor is to see there disciple turn around and begin mentoring others. paul told his disciple timothy that the things timothy learned from paul should be taught to others. whether you are looking for a spiritual mentor or seeking to be one for someone else.in reading the book of 1 Thessalonians which is a great book from which to draw out principles of spirtual mentoring we can see that paul uses the way we treat one another as christians
Grace is undeserved favor it is mercy when we dont expect it or deserve it. the bible tells us how God has extended grave to us by offering us salvation external life with him for free we dont have to do anything yo mearn it. in fact we cant earn or buy it. we simply accept it by believing that jesus. God's Son , died for our sins so we wouldn't have to.it's is by God grace that he decided .
Now to him who is able to keep you without stumling or slipping or falling , and to present unblemished before the presence of his glory in triumphant joy and exultation .Obedience to God fills our lives with so much joy that we domt evev know how to talk about it.The Bible calls it Joy unspeakable and full of glory. Experience the joy of being in God's awesome presence . start your day by praising God for your blessings, and worshiping him with a heart ready to serve him.
Let no foul or polluting language , nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk come out of your mounth, but only such as is good. and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace to those who hear it .as a christian you have an awesome responsibility with regard to the words you speak. the bible tells us that words are containers for power .
God,S wisdom is most clearly seen in the gospel of the crucified christ , as conveyed in the New Testament. The world did not know God by their own wisdom. the true revelation of God and his redemption of mankind were not revealed to those who sought such truth through worldly wisdom alone , and yet the gospel of jesus christ was both the power of God and the wisdom of G od . jesus for those who believed , became the ultimate source of that wisdom which could come from God .
Most americans say they pray.Among christian adults, the percentage who say they pray is overwhelmimg. God uses prayer to lead us into deeper things and greater understanding . we can expect God to work in use and through us to accomplish. his purposes in ways that others less attuned to him could ever perceive. . many dhristians would indicate how precious their prayer, believers are able to focus on God's all of us can grow in our faith by having a cosistent prayer life..
First tell it like it is.Warning others of God'S judgment against is fraught with risk. those warning others risk being viewed as judmenttal, hypocritical ,and mean. they run the risk that such reaction might contain an element of truth. on the other hand, humbly and honestly warning others of God'S judgment.
Christ Jesus will one day return for the purpose of judging all people. the goal of this is to help christians to remain humble in light of God;S judgment against sin.
As we face our current circumstances, we must remember that there is a world beyond the one we see now. No one 's ever see or heard anything like this. Never so much as imagined anything quite like it What God has arranged for those who love him.as you face your current circumstances, remember that there is a world beyond the one you see now a world that has been prepared just for you and I . And whether you are rich or poor, you will someday live in this wonderful place that God has prepared for you and I.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.the disciples knew the importance of prayer and had listened when Jesus spoke about going to God in prayer with an attitude of humility and faith .likle many people today the disciples still questioned whether they were praying the right way and for the right things. God is so anxious to answer our prayers that he has given us a beautiful prayer to use as a guide when taking our requests to him.
But the word of the lord endureth for ever. and this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you..
.God want good things for your life , but you must cooperate with him by carefully choosing what you think and speak. by speaking negative words you are inviting negative experiences, but when you speak positive , faith fill wors , you can expect to received the goodness of God . E nduring the word of God.death and life are in the power of the tongue.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6 tells us that we are in a spiritual fight with unseen forces. just because we dont see them doesnt make them less real , less dangerous, or less worthy of our being equipped to resist them, we need some top quality protecrive gear.Protective equipment is used by first responders such as police officers, firefighters. football players are required to wear protective gear to prevent injuries.
We have medicines today that cleanse and disinfect all wounds. We have antibiotics to cure infections We have procedures for cleaning out some types of arteries . But we have no means for creating a clean heart.That is because this is something only God can do.Creat in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me. David knew this truth personally , since he tried to deal with his sin on his own terms, as many do today.
Not the place where you'REHEADED ON THE TRAIN, OR BUS, BUT RATHER THE DIRECTION YOU HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE IN LIFE . lIFE IS FULL OF QUESTIONS. qUESTIONS OF THE WHAT , HOW, WHEN AND WHY OF LIFE ARE ALL IMPORTANT. THESE QUESTIONS CAN BE WAPPED UP IN ONE SINGLE QUESTION WHERE WRE YOU GOING?The bottom line is simply this . most people chase after things which in the end dont really matter expensive homes, fancy cars, prestige and ststus.
Through those who love and follow him, christ lives again in the world.God will love us wherever we roam, and he'll always be waiting for us to come home. God loves us just as much now as he did the day we first met him.God's love never fails to set us free to really live.Love has the amazing ability to set us free. Jesus modeled this kind of love when he became disfigured for our sakes, to set us free froom the disigurement of our own sin. Because of him , we have been set free to pursue a new life of righteousness and freedom.
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive for they watch over for your souls.God ia the ultimatate authority over mankind. He has chosen to delegate his power to different individuals in various leader ship roles.God has placed his leaders in our midst and given care over our souls.Leaders can be parents, teachers, church leaders, when you submit to these individuals, you also sumit to the authority of God and your life benefits as a result.the family of God needs a leader. leader means the first one to lead the way .
True success follows people who are faithful , and it is a means of showing the world that our God still takes care of us despite the pitfalls we might encounter. we must realize that the price for sharing the good nrewa of jesus is still worth it. In the end , we are assured by our lord that in his eyes we stll be overcomers.Joseph had been brought from prison into the palace to interpret pharaoh.s dreams. Joseph informed the king that his dreams meant there would be seven years of great agricultural success in the country..
When we think of celebration we usually think of enjoying ourselves , of having a great time with others. we celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, ptomotions, special milestone, the birth of a new baby. what makes celebration unique is that we take time out from the ordinary to honor and to observe something that is notable, something that is special, something important to us all. but what about God he gives us the ultimate reason to celebrate because he has rescued us from consequences of sin and shown us the wonders of eternity. those who love him truly have the most to celebrate on Christmas eve.
Two people have found each other, pledged to each other a lifetime of commitment, vowed to be devoted and loving, and promised never to leave or forsake each other. vows of faithfululness are bedrock of marriage. Through those vows two people, in a miraculous way, become one.Then begins a lifetime of working together, worshiping together; playing together, loving together, raising children together,building a home together, solving problems together.God's loving reationship with his people is so similar to the marriage relationship
God will provide for his children what they needed . God would in fact provide another a lamb.just as Abraham had promised Issac, God provided an animal for the sacrifice. in Issac's place He provided a ram. in keeping with God.s provision, Abraham name the place Jehovah-jireh, meaning the lord sees; and thus provides What about you and i God will provide for his children . God tests us to prove our faithFaith trusts God to provide even when we cannot see how He will provides.
We must trust God, He will guide and protect us and give us his grace to make it through every hardship. God says i am with you i will help you i will take good care of you . But God commendeth his love toward us. in that , while we were fet sinners, christ died for us. Behold , he put no trust in his servants and his angels he charged with folly.Trust in the lord , and do good; so shall thou dewell in the land, and verily thou shall be fed.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.To praise God can at times feel like the most ineffective and meaningless action we can take Especially when we are surrounded by chjallenges. so why should we sing a song to God when everything in life is fighting hard against us. and God seems absent? God is always helping us, especially when we are praising him . come on lets praise the lord every body. praise him in the good time and the bad time
What God makes in the simple light of the soul is more beautiful and more delightful than all the other things he creates. Through that light comes grace. God also calls himself names. the beginning and the end , comforter, counselor, creator, deliverer, day star, faithful, father, friend,His grace gives us the right to call Him by these names without fear of rejection.and on the basis of our second birth, God has given us a gift again unearned and undeserved.
Every one who has hidden behind a mask will be revealed. But those who know the all sufficient father, and are controlled by his grace, can live with a clear conscience and godly sincerity unity that day.Nothing is more humbling than the expectation of standing berfore the lord jesus in judgement.Be thankful today for the bessing that God has put into your life; Family,Friends,Shelter, Clothing, joy in the little things, and even the struggles that bring you closer to him. if you want to give someone a good word today , say Thanks
Go to the ant thous sluggard consider her ways and be wise. , How long wilt thous sleep, O sluggard when wilt thous arise out of sleep? yet a little sleep , a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;.give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. the sluggard is not sensitive to the voice of God..The sluggard will not plow by reason of the coldtherefore shall he beg in harvest , and have nothing.
Saddie Elliott of Joy and Peace will discusses Heart Disease or Adultery in the heart today. the preparations of the heart in man , and the answer of the tongue, is from the lord. but those thingd which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart ; and they defile the man. for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,adulteries,fornications,thefts,false witness, blasphemies;blessed are the purre in heart. a heart from which flows the supernatural love of God.
All things you ask in prayer, believing you will receive. take the time today and talk to the lord. tell him your throughts and concerns and listen for a response. you may be surprised by the things He wants to talk to you about . the issues He wants you to address, and the gentle, loving way he opens your eyes and your heart to help you become a better person.prayer not only change people . it changes us.David prayed
Noah found grace, favor in the sight of God, in the midst os sin , idolatry, evil works and deeds syrrounding his life. Noah stood for righteousness. Probably not expecting a reward for doing so, certainly not aware of the plan of God to destroy the world, untilGod had spoken to him, but because he challenged himself to be different , he acquired, received, was given the favor of God, Which was totally undeserving of.Grace adds to us, make us .
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION , WHOM SHALL I FEAR/ THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE; OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID WHEN THE WICKED , EVEN MINE ENEMIES AND MY FOES CAME UPON ME TO EAT UP MY FLESH, THEY STUMBLED AND FELL PSALM 27;1-2 THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION, THOUGH AN HOST SHOULD ENCAMP AGAINST ME, MY HEART SHALL NOT FEAR THROUGH WAR SHOULD RISE AGAINST ME ,IN THIS WILL I BE CONFIDENT
NOW THE DAY S OF DAVID DREW NIGHT THAT HE SHOULD DIE; AND HE CHARGED SOLOMON HIS SON, SAYING I GO THE WAY OF ALL THE EARTH BY THOU STRONG THEREFORE ND SHEW THEYSELF A MAN . AND KEEP THE CHARGE OF THE LORD THY GOD, TO WALK IN HIS WAYS, TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. AND HIS JUDGMENT, AND HIS TESTIMONIES.AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES, THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER IN ALL THAT THOU DOEST, AND WHITHERSOEVER THOUS TURNEST THYSELF.
I CHARGE THEE THEREFORE BEFORE GOD, AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO SHALL JUDGE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD AT HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM; PREACH THE WORD; BE INSTANT IN SEASON , OUT OF SEASON; REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE. FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE, BUT AFTER THEIR OWN LUSTS SHALL THEY HEAP TO THEMSELVES TEACHERS HAVING ITCHING EARS AND THEY SHALL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH.
BUT THE LORD SAID UNTO THEM, GO THY WAY; FOR HE IS A CHOSEN VESSEL UNTO ME , TO BEAR MY NAME BEFORE THE GENTILES , AND KINGS, AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; FOR I WILL SHEW HIM HOW GREAT THINGS HE MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAME"S SAKE ACTS 9;-15-16 THE APOSTLE PAUL DESCRIBES A GREAT HOUSE WHICH IS A METAPHOR FOR THE CHURCH.PAUL SEE TWO TYPES OF VESSELS OF HONOR GOLD AND SILVER. WHILE THE VESSELS OF DISHONORARE WOOD AND EARTH.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT IAM ; AND HIS GRACE WHICH WAS BESTOWED UPON ME WAS NOT IN VAIN : BUT I LOBOURED MORE ADUNDANTLY THAN THEY ALL.. 1 CORINTHUANS 15;10 GRACE RESPONSE , GIVING, WHO GOD IS ,WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. WHAT GOD'S PURPOSES ARE YOU ARE NOTHING WITOUT THE GRACE OF GOD.JUST THINK OOF THE LOVE AAND FAVOR THAT GOD SHOWS TOWARD HIS PEOPLEHAVE YOU THROUGH WHERE YOU WOULD BE WITHOUT HIS GRACE ON YOU TODAY.
What my God should supply all your needs according to his riches and glory. Phillipians 4 19. We have to supply all our needs, but if it doesn't work without us believing, how is it that we should express our faith in the area of finance? It takes faith to give away a portion of what we have and trust that we have enough. If there were no God, and if his promise of multiplying I would give back to us was not true, it would be stupid to give. But there is a God who is true, to his promise. When we give we express that faith. People who are not giving because they do not have enough are people who don't believe. But phillipians has proof that faith through that giving. Some people have used the word Need to say they are only the bare neccessities. And the word supply came from the greek word PLEROO which means to Replenish.
EXAMINE YOUR SITUATION,
EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW HOW GOOD THINGS LOOK ON THE SURFACE TO OTHERS . LIFE COULDN'T BE WORSE FOR YOU . LET EXAMINE SOME OPTIONS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH IT WHEN LIFE LEAVES A GREAT BIG STEAMING PILE ON YOUR DOORSTEP.2 CORINTHIANS 4;18 WHILE WE LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN, BUT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN; FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL :BUT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL.THE TEMPORARY TROUBLES OF LIFE FADE IN LIGHT OF THEETERNY GLORY THAT WAIT FOR US .
YOU MAY SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION . EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW HOW GOOD THINGS LOOK ON THE SURFACE TO OTHERS , LIFE COULDN'T BE WORSE FOR YOU. LET'S EXAMINE SOME OPTIONS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH IT WHEN LIFE LEAVES A GREAT BIG STEAMING PILE ON YOUR DOORSTEP. 2 CORINTHIANS 4;14 WHILE WE LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS WHICHARE SEEN , BUT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN; FOR THE HINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL; BUT THE THING WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL.DON'T LOOK AT THE SITUATION BUT LOOK FOR A CHANGE.
JOHN , WHO ALSO AM YOUR BROTHER, AND COMPANION IN TRIBULATION, AND IN THE KINGDOM AND PATIENCE OF JESUS CHRIST , WAS IN THE ISLE THAT IS CALL PATMOS,THE SEVEN MESSAGES GIVEN TO JOHN ON THE ISLE OF PATMOS WERE MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES , TO THE PASTORS, THE CONGREGATIONS.THE ONLY WAY TO RIGHTLY UNDERSTAND THESE MESSAGES IS TO READ THEM AS MESSAGES. THESE IS SEVEN CHURCHES THEY ARE EPHESUS, SMYRNA,PERGAMOS,THYATIRA,SARDIS,PHILADELPHIA,LADODICEA .THE SEVEN STARS, THE SEVEN CANDLE STICK's REVELATIO CHAPTER 2 TO CHAPTER 3.
Therfore the jews sought the more to kill him, Because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father , making himself equal with God. Jesus had to die for our sins was so that we could be forgiven and go to be with the lord. he must punish the sinner, the law -breaker.if he didn"t.hie law is ont law.he treated all men the same. he was the perfect embodiment of his father he led people.
THEN ANSWERE PETER AND SAID UNTO HIM, BEHOLD, WE HAVE FORSAKEN ALL , AND FOLLOWED THEE; WHAT SHALL WE HAVE THEREFORE? MATTHEW 19;27
AND AT MIDNIGHT PAUL AND SILAS PRAYED , AND SANG PRAISES UNTO GOD; AND THE PRISONERS HEARD THEM. AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A GREAT EARTQUAKE , SO THAT THE FOUNDATION OF THE PRISON WERE SHAKEN; AND IMMEDIATELY ALL THE DOORS WERE OPENED, AND EVERY ONE'S BANDS WERE LOOSED.
WHEN THOU PASSEST THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH THEE; AND THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW THEE; WHEN THOU WALKEST THROUGH THE FIRE, THOUS SHALT NOT BE BURNED; NEITHER SHALL THE FALAME KINDLE UPON THEE.
I HAVE A NEED AND ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE A NEED AND TO GET THE JOB DONE, NO MATTER HOW TRIVIAL THE TASK. I AM VERY CONFIDENT OF ACHIEVING GREAT THINGS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.I HAVE SEEN MY PRAYERS HEAL PEOPLE.WHENEVER I HEAR REPORTS ON THE NEWS OR IN CONVERSATION ABOUT NEEDY SITUATIONS , I AM BURDENED TO PRAY.I OFTEN STEPT OUT AND START PROJECTS THAT OTHER PEOPLE WON'T ATTEMPT , AND THE PROJECTS ARE USUALLY SUCCESSFUL
YAHWEH GAVE TO THE CHURCH BOTH CORPORATE AND LOCAL , THE FIVE FOLD MINISTRY .1.APOSTLES,PROPHETS,EVANGELIST,PASTORS,TEACHERS
THE FIVE FOLD MINISTRIES REPRESENTS THE HAND OF GOD IN THE CHURCH TODAY. THIS IS THE HAND THAT PERFORMS THE WORK THAT HE DESIRES IN THIS WORLD TODAY. TO PERFECT THE SAINTS TO IDENTIFY, EQUIP AND INVOLVE THE SAINTS IN THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY TO EDIFY THE BODY OF CHRIST.
But the lord said unto them, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto mee , to bear my name before the gentiles, and kings, and the children of israel; for i will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name s sake. act 8;15-16
SATAN HAS INVADED TERRITORY HE DID NOT CREATE AND DOES NOT OWN, BRINGING WITH HIM DEATH, DIEASE AND DESTRUCTION.GOD HAS FORMED A COALITION OF HIS PEOPLE, MADE UP OF ALL RACES, CLASSES, AND CULTURES, WHO HAVE ONE OVERRIDING PURPOSE; TO SERVE NOTICE ON THE ENEMY THAT HE MUST VACATE THE PREMISES. FOR WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST THE PRINCIPALITIES.
WHEN THE FLESH REFERS TO FLESH IT SUGGEST OUR EVIL NATURE, WHEN THE CRAVING FOR SELF SATISFACTION REARS ITS HEAD IN OUR LIVES, THAT'S THE FLESH .WE'RE QUICK TO SHIFT THE BLAME WHEN SIN CATCHES UP WITH USTHE REASON WE'RE EASILY TEMPTED TO GRATIFY THE FLESH IS BECAUSE IT'S GRATIFYING .WE FEEL BAD AFTERWARDS BUT WE STILL SIN.
WE MAY FEEL PRESSURES TO PLEASE PEOPLE TO WHOM WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE .THOUGH WE KNOW PLEASING THEM MEAN DISPLEASING THE LORD BY VIOLATING HIS COMMANDMENTS,WE MAY EVEV BE PRESSURED BY IMPLIED OR DIRECT THREATS.FOR VARIOUS REASONS, WE MAY BE TEMPTED TO GO ALONG WITH ACTIONS.MOST OF US EXPERIENCE OR HAVE EXPERIENCED PRESSURES TO COMPROMISE OUR CHRISTIAN CONVICTIONS AND INTEGRITY.
THE COURAGE TO TAKE A STAND FOR THE LORD AS ELIJAH DID KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON THE LORD.KEEP FOCUS ON THE LORD IN TIME OF MATERIAL NEED. TRUST IN GOD AS YOU FACE OVERWHELMIMG ODDS. A CHRISTIANS STAND IS ESPECIALLY TOUGH WHEN THE OPPOSITION RISES FROM MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILIES.
SOLOMON ALLOWED WORLDLY INFLUENCES TO LEAD HIM AWAY FROM HIS COMMITMENT TO THE LORD . HE STARTED WELL BY FOCUSING ON THE LORD, AND THE LORD BLESSED HIS LIFE AND REIGN HE FAIL TO KEEP HIS FOCUS ON THE LORD ;THEREFORE , HE DID NOT END HIS LIFE AND REIGN WELL.
GOD'S WORD COMMANDS CHRISTIANS TO PRAY , AND PRAYER IS A VITAL EXPRESSION OF FAITH FOR MANY BELIEVERS.OTHERS HAVE NOT HAD PARTICULAR PRAYERS ANSWERED IN WAYS THEY EXPECTED AND HAVE BECOME DISILLUSIONED.
People come in two basic models. The big difference in people is not that some are rich and others are poor, or that some are learned and other less so. it is that some have hope and others do not.this is the difference that makes all the difference in the world.
IS ANY SICK AMONG YOU/ LET HIM CALL FOR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH; AND LET THEM PRAY OVER HIM, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD..
THE KNOWLEDGE SPOKEN OF HERE IS MORE THAN MERELY ACQUIRING FACTS; THIS CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE SHEDS ITS LIGHT ON ALL THE FACTS AND AIMS OF LIFE. AND BESIDE THIS , GIVING ALL DILIGENCE, ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE,AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE,
GOD' S PEOPLE ARE CALLED UPON TO LIVE LIFE RELATIONALLY .ALL OF LIFE INVOLVES RELATIONSHIPS UNLESS YOU LIVE IN A CAVE. THREE RELATIONSHIPS ARE CRITICAL TO SPIRITUAL SUCCESS.A RELATIONSHIP TO GOD. A RELATIONSHIP TO FELLOW BELIEVERS,A RELATIONSHIP TO THE UNCONVERTED WORLD.
ARE YOU DOING WHAT GOD CALLED YOU TO DO.THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS CLEAR THAT HE WAS CALLED OR COMMANDED BY GOD TO HIS APOSTLESHIP.GOD HAS PUT A HOLY CALLING IN YOU. STICK TO YOUR CALLING.
HE THAT ANSWERETH A MATTER BEFORE HE HEARETH IT, IT IS FOLLY AND SHAME UNTO HIM. PROVERBS 18:13
THIS ONLY WOULD I LEARN OF YOU. RECEIVED YE THE SPIRIT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, OR BY THE HEARING OF FAITH.
My time are in the hand; Deliver me from the hands of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH , A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. THERFORE WILL NOT WE FEAR, THOUGH THE EARTH BE REMOVED, AND THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS BE CARRIED INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA;
PHARAOH COULD HAVE DONE THAT. BUT HE DIDN'T. HE REFUSED TO BE BROKEN. AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY, WITH EACH OF THE PLAGUES, HIS HEART BECAME HARDER AND HARDER.