Happy New Year Greetings...

Happy New Year to all my dear readers…

Greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Deuteronomy 11:11 But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. 12 It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.

Today, dear friends we stand upon the verge pf the unknown. There lies before us the New Year and we are going forth to possess it. Who can tell what we shall find? What new experiences, what changes shall come, what new needs shall arise? But here is the cheering, comforting, gladdening message from our Heavenly Father, “The Lord thy God careth for it.” “His eyes are upon it away to the ending of the year.”

All our supply is to come from the Lord. Here are springs that shall never dry; here are fountains and streams that shall never be cut off. Here, anxious one is the gracious pledge of the Heavenly Father. If He be the Source of our mercies they can never fail us. No heat, no drought can parch that river, “the streams whereof make glad the city of God.”

We cannot tell what loss and sorrow and trial are doing. Trust only. The Father comes near to take our hand and lead us on our way today. It shall be good, a blessed New Year!

Yours in Christ

Edwin James

Dec 31, 2013

Good

Good heart

Luke 8:15

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Good pleasure

Luke 12:32

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Ephesians 1:5-9

5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

Good wine

John 2:10

and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

Good Shepherd

John 10:11-14

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, 

he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

Right

Right Foot

Exodus 29:20

Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle blood against the altar on all sides.

Right Side

1 Kings 7:39

He placed five of the stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north. He placed the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner of the temple.

1 Kings 7:49

the lampstands of pure gold (five on the right and five on the left, in front of the inner sanctuary); the gold floral work and lamps and tongs;

Right Spirit

Psalms 51:10

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Right Paths

Proverbs 4:11

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

Right Things

Proverbs 8:6

Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

Proverbs 23:16

My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

Right Answer

Proverbs 24:26

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

Right Way

1 Peter 2:15

For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

Right to the tree of Life

Revelation 22:14

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Kept

Kept as apple of eyes

Deuteronomy 32:10

In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye,

Kept the ways of the Lord

Psalms 18:21

For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God.

Kept His testimonies

Psalms 99:7

He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.

Psalms 119:22

Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.

Kept thy law and precepts

Psalms 119:55-56

55 In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law.

56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.

Kept thy Word

Psalms 119:67

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

Psalms 119:158

I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.

Kept thy precepts

Psalms 119:168

I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.

Jeremiah 35:18

Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Recabites, “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’

Church leaders had authority to

Executive judgment

Acts 13:6-13

They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,

7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.

9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,

10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?

11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.

Appoint officers

Acts 14:23

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Titus 1:5

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

Impart Spiritual gifts

Romans 1:11

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—

1 Timothy 4:14

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

2 Timothy 1:6

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Hebrews 6:1-2

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Duties of Citizens

Honor civil rulers

Exodus 22:28  

“Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

Acts 23:5  

Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

1 Peter 2:13-17  

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,

14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, and honor the king.

Obey civil laws

Ezra 7:26  

Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.

Do not curse rulers

Ecclesiastes 10:20  

Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Work for peace

Romans 12:18  

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Things to rejoice in.

Hope:   “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”…Romans 12:12

The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their children; which is more tender and natural than any other; unforced, unconstrained.

And love to God and man, with zeal for the gospel, will make the wise Christian diligent in all his worldly business, and in gaining superior skill. God must be served with the spirit, under the influences of the Holy Spirit. He is honored by our hope and trust in him, in especially when we rejoice that hope. He is served, not only by working for him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for God's sake is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope are likely to be patient in tribulation.

We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, or soon weary of it. Not only must there be kindness to friends and brethren, but Christians must not harbor anger against enemies. It is but mock love, which rests in words of kindness, while our brethren need real supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them. Be ready to entertain those who do good: as there is occasion, we must welcome strangers. Bless, and curse not. It means thorough good will; not, bless them when at prayer, and curse them at other times; but bless them always, and curse not at all.

True Christian love will make us take part in the sorrows and joys of each other. Labor as much as you can to agree in the same spiritual truths; and when you come short of that, yet agree in affection. Look upon worldly pomp and dignity with holy contempt. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. Be reconciled to the place God in his providence puts you in, whatever it be. Nothing is below us, but sin. We shall never find in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves; therefore that must be mortified.

Lay

Lay in ambush

Joshua 8:2

You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.”

Lay dead

Judges 4:22

Barak came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. “Come,” she said, “I will show you the man you're looking for.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple—dead.

Lay hand upon mouth

Job 21:5

Look at me and be astonished; clap your hand over your mouth.

Job 40:4

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.

Lay snores

Psalms 38:2

For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me.

Lay wait to murder

Proverbs 1:11

If they say, “Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul;

Proverbs 1:18

These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!

Layup knowledge

Proverbs 10:14

Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Lay foundations of earth

Isaiah 51:16

I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

The Resurrection of the Righteous

The first resurrection

Revelation 20:4-6

4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5  (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

The resurrection of the just

Luke 14:14

and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

The resurrection of life

John 5:29

And come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

A better resurrection

Hebrews 11:35

Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.

The resurrection of (from among) the dead

Philippians 3:10-15

10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

Do We Know Our Future?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Romans 8:22

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Please read Acts 16:1-40

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 22:30

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Please read Matthew 1:1-25

Jeremiah 27:9

So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers who tell you, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’

Isaiah 65:25

The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.

Isaiah 47:12-15

12 “Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror.

13 All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you.

14 Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.

15 That is all they can do for you— these you have labored with and trafficked with since childhood. Each of them goes on in his error; there is not one that can save you.

Jesus our Model

Apostle:

Hebrews 3:1

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

Prophet:

Luke 24:19

“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.

John 4:9

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Acts 3:22-26

22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.

23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’

24 “Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days.

25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’

26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Evangelist:

Luke 4:18

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

Pastor:

John 10:2

The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.

Hebrews 13:20

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

1 Peter 5:4

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Teacher:

John 3:2

He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Thoughts on this verse…

TEMPTATION... We've all been there. Satan's silver bullet designed just for us personally. "No one will ever know; besides it won't hurt anybody!" some mysterious voice sounding like our own whispers. Even if those two statements were true, and they never really are, it would matter because something inside of us caved in to what we knew was wrong. One line of defense is to simply remind ourselves we are not alone in this temptation -- others have faced it and conquered it, so we can too, by God's help and the power of his Holy Spirit.

Matthew 7:12

In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sum up the Law and the prophets.

Thoughts on this verse

The Golden Rule -- golden because it's genuine, lasting, and valuable. Imagine how different our world would be if we practiced this principle -- not just in our "church life" but in our daily life... ...with our family ...with our coworkers and employer ...with the people we manage ...with the folks on the freeway and in the neighborhoods where we drive ...toward the waiters and waitresses who serve us. What a wonderfully different world it would be if the Golden Rule were to be practiced. I think I'll start changing my world with it today! How about you?

The Thirty Wise Sayings

                                                            (1)

Proverbs 22:22-23

22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

                                                            (2)

Proverbs 22:24-25

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

                                                            (3)

Proverbs 22:26-27  

Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

                                                            (4)

Proverbs 22:28 

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.

                                                            (5)

Proverbs 22:29

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

                                                            (6)

Proverbs 23:1-2  

1 When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

                                                            (7)

Proverbs 23: 4-5  

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

                                                            (8)

Proverbs 23:6-8 

6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; 7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

                                                            (9)

Proverbs 23:9  

Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

                                                            (10)

Proverbs 23:10-11  

10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, 11 for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

                                                            (11)

Proverbs 23:12  

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

                                                            (12)

Proverbs 23:13-14  

13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

                                                            (13)

Proverbs 23:15  

15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; 16  my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

                                                            (14)

Proverbs 23:17-18  

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. 18  There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

                                                            (15)

Proverbs 23:19  

19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. 20 Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, 21 for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

                                                            (16)

Proverbs 23:22-24  

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23 Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. 24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.

                                                            (17)

Proverbs 23:26-28  

26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways, 27 for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well. 28 Like a bandit she lies in wait, and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

                                                            (18)

Proverbs 23:29-35  

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?  30 Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls 31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. 34 You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. 35  “They hit me,” you will say, “but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”

                                                            (19)

Proverbs 24:1-2  

1 Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company; 2  for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.

                                                            (20)

Proverbs 24:3-4  

3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; 4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

                                                            (21)

Proverbs 24:5-6  

5 A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; 6  for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers.

                                                            (22)

Proverbs 24:7  

Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say.

                                                            (23)

Proverbs 24:8-9  

8 He who plots evil will be known as a schemer. 9 The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker.

                                                            (24)

Proverbs 24:10  

If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!

                                                            (25)

Proverbs 24:11-12  

11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

                                                            (26)

Proverbs 24:13-14  

13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. 14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

                                                            (27)

Proverbs 24:15-16  

15 Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man's house, do not raid his dwelling place; 16  for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

                                                            (28)

Proverbs 24:17-18  

17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.

                                                            (29)

Proverbs 24:19-20  

19 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, 20 for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

                                                            (30)

Proverbs 24:21-22  

21 Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, 22 for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?