Thoughts

1

I put the Scriptures above all the saying of the fathers, angels, men and devils!  Here I take my stand. - Martin Luther

2

Dear God, Be good to me.  The sea is so wide, and my boat is so small. - The Breton Fisherman’s Prayer

3

When you concern yourself only with Jesus’ opinion of you, life suddenly becomes far less complicated, emptied of fears and regrets, and filled up with honesty and love. - Christine Dallman

4

Because I know the Who I don’t have to fear the what even though I don’t understand the Why. – Unknown

5

Attitudes to live by …
Compliment three people every day.
Watch a sunrise at least once a year.
Be the first to say hello.
Live beneath your means.
Be kinder than necessary.
Keep your promises.
Treat everyone like you would want to be treated.
Never give up on anybody; miracles happen!
Never deprive someone of hope; it may be all they have.
Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage.
Be tough-minded, but tenderhearted.
Learn to show cheerfulness, even when you don’t feel like it.
Remember that overnight success usually takes about 15 years.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
- Unknown

6

In Rome many people maintain the custom of throwing something out the window on New Year’s Eve.  What a relief to get rid of every old resentment, every old fear, old prejudices, old notions, old ways of doing things. - Norman Vincent Peale

Names of God -186 – (65 -71)

65 - King all over the earth

Zechariah 14:9

And the Lord shall be King over all the earth.

 In that day it shall be—“The Lord is one,” And His name one.

66 – Lamb in the midst of the Throne

Revelation 7:17

For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

67 – Lamb of God

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

68 – Lamb slain

Revelation 5:12

Saying with a loud voice:

 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom,

 And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

69 – Lamb without Blemish

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

70 – Life Giving Spirit

1 Corinthians 15:45

And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

71 – Light of the World

John 8:12

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

WHOEVER Includes YOU

“For God so loved the world He gave His only Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16”

Whoever!  A word that is God’s wonderful word of welcome.

I so hope you will too.  Not ‘yes’ to the worldly desires but to God. 

However. 

Whenever.

 Wherever. 

Whoever includes you forever

Our God is Able

If it is possible, kindly put this details on the slides (on chart).

Our God is Able

1. He is Able to bring everything under His control – Phil. 3:20b-21 –

2. He is Able to help those who are tempted – Heb. 2:18

3. He is Able to do immeasurably more than all - we ask or imagine – Eph. 3:20

4. He is Able to make all grace abound in us – 2 Cor. 9:8

5. He is Able to make us stand – Rom. 14:4

6. He is Able to Save – Hebrews 7:25

6 - HE IS ABLE TO SAVE US – Hebrews 7:25

Rebirth and Renewal 

Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit... Repent and live! - Ezekiel 18:31-32

God reminds us to turn away from our own self-seeking ways. He calls us to turn to him with a willingness to obey his will. If we refuse, we must know that we are walking the road that leads to death. God longs to do the work of rebirth and renewal, but he asks us to turn from our destructive ways and offer our hearts to him to be made new by his Holy Spirit.

Repentance is to turn off the road leading to destruction and onto the road that leads to the Father's house, the place of life.

The Book of Moses

Mark 12:26

Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

The Book of Isaiah

Luke 3:4

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

 “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.

Luke 4:17-18

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

The Book of Psalms

Luke 20:42

Himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand

Acts 1:20

“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’

The Book of the Prophets

Acts 7:42

But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:

“‘Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?

The Word is like Fire

Jeremiah 23:29

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

The Word is like a Lamp

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

The Word is like Milk

1 Peter 2:2

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

The Word is like a Rod

Revelation 11:1-2

I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.

The Word is like a Seed

1 Peter 1:23

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Luke 8:11

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

James 1:18

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

The Word is like a Hammer

Jeremiah 23:29

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Darkness

Darkness

1. Darkness does not hide one from the eyes of God

Psalms 139:11-2

I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

2. God will make manifest the hidden things of darkness

1 Corinthians 4:5

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

3. What has been said in darkness will be heard in light

Luke 12:3

What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

Constant Watch

The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. — Psalm 121:7-8

One of my hardest challenges as a parent knows that I can't ultimately protect my children from some hurts and heartbreaks. Some of that pain is necessary to help them mature and grow. Some of it is just the agonizing result of living in a fallen world.

But, we can be fully confident that if we share the Lord with them, if they give their lives to his will, nothing can steal them from his ultimate victory, care, and reunion with us and with him.

Knowing how we love them, imagine how much the Father loves us and longs to bring us to that place of safety in his house! Until we get home, isn't it comforting to know that he is watching over us and those we love, now and forevermore?

Names of God -186 – (58 – 64)

58 – Jehovah Shalom – The Lord of Our Peace

Judges 6:24

So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

59 – Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is There

Ezekiel 48:35

The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits.

  “And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.

60 – Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.

61 – Jesus Christ the Righteous

1 John 2:1

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One

62 – Judge of the Living and the Dead

Acts 10:42

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

63 – King in His Beauty

Isaiah 33:17

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar.

64 – King of Kings

Revelation 17:4

The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.

Names of God -186 – (51 – 57)

51. Jehovah-Elyon – The Lord Most High

Psalm 7:17

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

52.  Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord will provide

Genesis 22:8

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

53. Jehovah –Mekaddishkem – The Lord our sanctifier

Leviticus 20:8

Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

54. Jehovah –Nissi – The Lord my Banner

Exodus 17:15

Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.

55. Jehovah – Rohi – The Lord my Shepherd

Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing

56. Jehovah – Rapha – The Lord my Healer

Exodus 15:26

He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”

57. Jehovah – Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts

1 Samuel 1:3

Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord.

Thoughts

1

God is in our past; He has brought us through it.
God is in our present, walking beside us even now.
God is in our future; He will lead us safely there.
-Unknown

2

O God, who art the truth, make me one with Thee in continual love!  I am weary often to read and hear many things.  In Thee is all that I desire and long for.  Let all teachers hold their peace; let all creatures be silent in Thy sight; speak to me alone. - Thomas Kempis

3

No matter how discouraged you are about your Christian life–today, you are the best Christian many are ever going to meet! – Unknown

4

If Satan brings up your past–bring up his future. –Unknown

5

Real Christian is an odd number, anyway.  He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen; talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see; expects to go to Heaven on the virtue of Another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels the worst.  He dies so he can live; forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible; hears the inaudible; and knows that which passeth knowledge.
- A. W. Tozer

6

Every person with whom I interact today will be affected to some degree by me.  I can persuade them, however slightly or significantly, to be kinder, happier, and more serene.  And if I happen to succeed in tipping the scales in the right direction, then I have made a positive difference in the world.- Christine Dallman

7

O God, we thank you for this earth, our home; for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the salt sea and the running water, for the everlasting hills and the never-resting winds, for trees and the common grass underfoot.  We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of the summer fields, and taste of the autumn fruits, and rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of the spring.

Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty; and save our souls from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thorn bush is aflame with your glory, O God our creator. - Walter Rauschenbusch

Some Specific Things We Should Pray about

No one prayer or combination of prayers could mention all the possible subjects there are to pray about. But an examination of Bible prayers can teach us the kind of specific things that are commonly included in Bible prayers. We may pray about these things for ourselves or for others. We may request them and should give thanks when we receive them.

All these things are mentioned in Bible prayers:

God's will to be done 

Matthew 6:9-13 

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Matthew 26:39 

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Necessities of life 

 Matthew 6:11

Give us daily bread

Acts 27:35

After he said these things and had taken some bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all of them, and when he broke it, he began to eat.

Matthew 15:36

He took the seven loaves and the fish, and He gave thanks, broke them, and kept on giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

Matthew 14:19

Then He commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

1 Timothy 4:3-5

They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Luke 24:30

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.

Jealousy

Jealousy is sometimes a good thing

1. God is jealous – he doesn’t want people to worship other Gods

Exodus 20:5

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

Exodus 34:14

“Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices.

Deuteronomy 2:24

“Set out now and cross the Arnon Gorge. See, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his country. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle.

2. Jehovah was jealous for his land

Joel 2:18

Then the Lord was jealous for his land and took pity on his people.

3. God was jealous for Jerusalem and Zion

Zechariah 1:14

Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion,

4. A husband may be jealous for his wife

Numbers 5:14

And if feelings of jealousy come over her husband and he suspects his wife and she is impure—or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she is not impure

Numbers 5:29

“‘This, then, is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray and makes herself impure while married to her husband,

5. Paul was jealous over the Corinthians with a godly jealousy that they might not be beguiled by Satan

2 Corinthians 11:2-3

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ

Names of God -186 – 43-50

43. Health of My Countenance

Psalm 42:11

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

44. He Who Shall Have Dominion

Numbers 24:19

A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”

45. Hiding Place from the Wind

Isaiah 32:2

Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

46. High and Lofty One

Isaiah 57:15

For this is what the high and exalted one says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

47. Holy and Awesome

Psalm 119:9

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name.
48. Holy One of God

Luke 4:34

“Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

49. Hope of Glory

Colossians 1:27

 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

50. I AM

John 8:58

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Forgiveness of Sins

Forgiveness of sins and deliverance from the consequences of sin

Matthew 6:12.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Acts 2:38

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

 Mark 16:16.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 8:22-24

Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Luke 18:13-14

But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted

Psalm 32:5-7

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Why Praise?

1. Great is the Lord

Psalm 48:1

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

2. Worthy is the Lamb – “Worthy is the

Revelation 5:12

In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

3. For His Words

Psalm 56:4

In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

4. Acts of power

Psalm 150:2

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

5. We have breath

Psalm 150:6

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

6. It pleases Him

Psalm 69:30-31

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.

7. For giving wisdom

Daniel 2:23

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:

You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.

Names of God -186 – 35

35. Governor

Matthew 2:6

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’

36. Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess

37. Great King Over All the Earth

Psalms 47:2

For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.

38. Great King above all gods

Psalms 95:3

For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.

39. Great Light

Isaiah 9:2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

40. Great Shepherd of the Sheep

Hebrews 13:20

Now 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,

41. Head of Every Man

1 Corinthians 11:3

 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

42. Head over All Things

Ephesians 1:22

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church

Let’s Praise God

“He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” — Deuteronomy 10:2

He is our praise! The God who parted the Red Sea and supplied manna to the Israelites in the wilderness is also the God who did the most amazing miracles in us — he has turned our selfish hearts to do his will and turned our lives to do his eternal work in the world.


Then, after doing those things in us, he has gifted us and empowered us to do those things he has placed in our hearts. He is our praise, the One we worship and the One who makes us worthy worshipers!

Be Ready

“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” — Matthew 10:22

Jesus' words are very strong! His emphasis is for a reason. Christians need to realize that they are not going to be the dominant culture. Discipleship can be hard and demanding; most folks want things simple and easy.
The values that disciples are called to put into place in their lives are not going to be the dominant cultural ones. "So be ready!" Jesus is telling us.

 "Be ready to face criticism and rejection." But while we know it may be an uphill battle to change the hearts of men and women, we can be God's tools to bless others and to lead them closer to him! And for us, salvation in all its glory awaits us at the end of the journey.
Share God’s Word

Luke 2:28-32

Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

God's gift to Simeon was truly precious and touching. Yet Simeon is just the embodiment of all of every nation, race, and culture who are seeking God's salvation. God's salvation, as Luke loves to remind us again and again, is for all people! What's more, God's light has dawned. Let's greet that dawn and share it with others.

Two certain things in the Bible

Life and Death

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Righteousness and Unrighteousness

Romans 6:18-22

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.

What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life

High & Holy place, contrite & lowly spirit

Psalms 66:10

For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

Goodness and Love of God

Psalm 23:6

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Loving God and Neighbor

Matthew 22:40

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

God’s Word and God’s promise

Hebrews 6:18

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged

Names of God -186 – (28 34)

28. God of All Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

29. God of All Grace

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

30. God of Hope

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

31. God of Peace

Romans 15:33

The God of peace be with you all. Amen

32. God of My Life

Psalms 42:8

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me a prayer to the God of my life.

33. God of Truth

Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

34. God the Judge of All

Hebrews 12:23

To the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect

Names of God -186 – (21 - 27)

21. Emmanuel – God with us

Matthew 1:23

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

22. Faithful and True

Revelation 19:11

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.

23. Father of Mercies

2 Corinthians1:3

 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

24. Flame

Isaiah 10:17

The Light of Israel will become a fire, their Holy One a flame; in a single day it will burn and consume his thorns and his briers

25. Fountain of Living Waters

Jeremiah 17:13-14

Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.
Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

26. Friend who sticks closer than a brother

Proverbs 18:24

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

27. Glorious Lord

Isaiah 33:21

There the Lord will be our Mighty One. It will be like a place of broad rivers and streams. No galley with oars will ride them, no mighty ship will sail them.

Only one thing is needed

Listening to the Lord’s Words

Luke 10:42

But few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Lord’s never failing Promises

Matthew 28:20

And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

One thing you lack – be obedient

Mark 10:21

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

To be certain of our salvation experience

John 9:25

He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
To press on forward towards what is ahead

Philippians 3:13

Brothers and sisters, 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,

To dwell in House of the Lord

Psalm 27:4

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Names of God -186 – (14-20 )

14. Captain of the Host of the Lord

Joshua 5:14

“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

15. Chief Cornerstone

1 Peter 2:6

For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

16. Chief Shepherd

1 Peter 5:4

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

17. Christ the Power of God

1 Corinthians 1:24

But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

18. Consuming Fire

Hebrews 12:29

For our “God is a consuming fire.”

19. Cover from the Tempest

Isaiah 32:2

Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

20. Deliverer

Romans 11:26

And in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
   “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

Names of God -186 – (7-13)

7. Arm of the Lord

Isaiah 51:9

Awake, awake, arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength! Awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced that monster through? Was it not you who dried up the sea,

8. Author of our Faith

Hebrews 12:2

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

9. Balm of Gilead

Jeremiah 8:22

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing
for the wound of my people?
10. Banner for the Nations

Isaiah 11:2

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
 the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

11. Blessed and Only Potentate

1 Timothy 6:15

Which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

12. Bright and Morning Star

Revelation 22:16

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

13. Captain of our Salvation

Hebrews 2:10

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

Names of God -186 – (1 – 6)

God’s names are dynamic; they are full of power; and He reveals great truths about Himself that can be found only in His Names.

1. Adonai – Jehovah

Genesis 12:2
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

Genesis 12:8
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.

2. Advocate

1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One

3. All and All

Colossians 3:11
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

4. Anchor

Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

5. Angel of His Presence

Isaiah 63:9
In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

6. Apostle and High Priest

Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest

New Beginning

Dear Friends

We are all in the New Year with our New Beginnings. Already we are in the first 17th day of the year.
We are all so curious to set our agendas and every other things in our lives. I am sure we are all equally concerned about the Spiritual lives of God’s people, hence let us share with them the following thoughts:
You are now “born again” into the Kingdom of God, restored to Him. When this occurs, the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, enters into you when you relinquish your spirit to God through the act of believing God, turning from your sinful nature, to trusting God, and then by act of faith, asking Jesus Christ into your heart as Savior and Lord of your life.

This allows God’s Holy Spirit to come into you and place the seal of God’s redemption upon your heart (inner man).

Amen.
Edwin James - Evangelist

Work Together

All things” (Rom. 8:28) is a phrase that treats the seemingly good and bad events of life as a whole. The idea is that there is a dynamic interaction between the good and bad to bring a desired outcome, though this positive outcome may not yet be visible. If we consider a young man nailed to a cross dying in agony, we might wonder if anything good could be found there.

But if we understand that this is Jesus Christ atoning for the sins of those who love Him, we can see how even this terrible event worked together for good. God works for “the good” of those who are true believers in Jesus Christ.

Characteristics of Evil People - 2

Evil words proceed from an evil heart

Matthew 12:33-37

Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Luke 6:45

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

All evils proceed from the heart

Mark 7:21-23

For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Evil comes from lust

James 1:13-15

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Evil people shall wax worse and worse

1 Timothy 3:13

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Characteristics of Evil People - 1

Works of the world are evil

John 7:7

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.

Some love darkness because their deeds are evil

John 3:19

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Because of his evil works, Cain killed his brother

1 John 3:12

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.

People are enemies of God because of their evil works

Colossians 1:21

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

The one who doesn’t forgive his brother is evil

Matthew 18:32

Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.

The lazy man is evil

Matthew 25:26

His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

Self-praise is evil

James 4:16

As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

Works of the Devil – 7

Propagating false doctrines

Kindly read: 1 Timothy 4, 2 Timothy 4, 2 Thessalonians 2, and Revelation 13

Oppressing men

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Persecuting Christians and warring on saints

Ephesians 6:18-19

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Colossians 2:14-17

Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

 Freedom from Human Rules

 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality,

however, is found in Christ.

1 Peter 2:14-17

Or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Luke 10:19

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

John 14:12

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Mark 16:17-18

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Works of the Devil – 6

Causing lunacy and mania


Matthew 17:14-21

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

   “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

   Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

   He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Mark 5:1-18 = kindly read

Urging suicides

Matthew 17:15

Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Agitating lusts

John 8:44

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Ephesians 2:1-3

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath

Lying and false prophecy

1 Kings 22 = kindly read.

Matthew 24:11

And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

Matthew 24:24

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Works of the Devil – 5

Causing sickness and disease

Matthew 4:23-24

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them

Matthew 9:32-33

While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

Matthew 15:22

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Causing infirmities

Matthew 8:17

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

 “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

Luke 13:16

Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Acts 10:38

But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Works of the Devil – 4

Opposing the gospel 

Ephesians 6:18 

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people

Supervising demons

John 12:31 

Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

Fallen angels

Revelation 12:7-12  

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

Fallen man   

Ephesians 2:2

In which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

1 John 3:8

The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

John 8:44

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Divine Unity

Children in one Family – One Father

John 20:17

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Disciples in one School – One Teacher

John 13:13-25 = kindly read.

Sheep in one Flock – One Shepherd

John 10:16

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

Members of one Body – One Head

1 Corinthians 12:20

It is, there are many parts, but one body.

Stones in the Building - One Foundation

1 Peter 2:5

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:11-12

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,

Locked Into Love

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.—Psalm 106:1

I’m grateful for Your unending love, Father. I’m locked into Your love by the Holy Spirit who is living in me.
Christ’s death and resurrection are the measure of God’s love for me.

Old yet New

The old and damaged was made new.

This is a great reminder of what God has in store for believers in Jesus. In Revelation 21:1, John spoke of seeing “a new heaven and a new earth.”

Many biblical scholars see this “new” earth as a renovated earth, for their study of the word new here reveals that it means “fresh” or “restored” after the decay of the old has been wiped away. God will renovate what is corrupt on this earth and provide a fresh, yet familiar place where believers will live with Him.

What an amazing truth to contemplate: a new, refreshed, familiar, and beautiful earth. Imagine the majesty of God’s handiwork!

Our Creator God makes everything new.

Evangelism 

Making disciples of others (Matthew 28:18-20).

We are to share our faith and tell nonbelievers about the wonderful changes Jesus Christ has made in our lives. No matter what our maturity level in the Christian life, we have something to offer.

Too often, we believe the lie from Satan that we don't really know enough or haven't been a Christian long enough to make a difference. Not true! Some of the most enthusiastic representatives of the Christian life are new believers who have just discovered the awesome love of God.

They may not know a lot of Bible verses or the "accepted" way of saying things, but they have experienced the love of the living God, and that is exactly what we are to share.

Verse for the Day

But the Israelites said to the LORD, "We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now." - Judges 10:15

Ephesians 6:24

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Thoughts on This Verse....

Ephesians makes some of the greatest declarations in the entire Bible about the grace of God. This one, however, may be the very richest. Grace is offered to us whether we accept it or not. But, grace is with us in rich abundance and blessing as we love Jesus and hang on to his love with a grip of faith that is unwavering.

How to overcome temptations? - 2

Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Matthew 4:7

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Matthew 4:10

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Ephesians 6:17

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Psalm 119:11

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

 But how can one keep warm alone?

1 John 4:4

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Passion for Praise - Glorious

The mountains take one look at GOD And melt, melt like wax before earth's Lord. The heavens announce that he'll set everything right, And everyone will see it happen — glorious! - Psalm 97:5-6

How to overcome temptations? - 1

1) Look to Jesus. The answer is in Him. He was tempted like us “in all point’s but He overcame.

Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 2:18

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Job 31:1

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.

Romans 6:13

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

Romans 6:3-4

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Ephesians 2:4-6

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Can I know I am saved?

Yes, Salvation is both a present reality and a future prospect.

1 John 3:14

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

1 John 5:19

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

John 1:12

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

John 20:31

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 8:44

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Revelation 21:27

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Romans 8:33-34

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

1 John 1:7-9

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

   If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

John 10:28-29

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

Divinity of Jesus

1) He taught with authority. “I tell you the truth…”

John 3:3

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again

2) He taught with simplicity. Lost sheep, Lost son…

Luke 15:4

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it

John 15:11

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.

3) He taught with major themes, repentance, Kingdom…

Mark 1:15

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

4) He taught with mortality, not to be angry..

Matthew 5:22

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

5) He taught with practicality. “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:37

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

6) He taught with anointing. “The Spirit is on me.”

Luke 4:18

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

7) He taught with novelty. “A new command.”

John 13:34

A new command I give you: Love one another. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Where is God?

It is important to recognize that God dwells in a different realm. He occupies another dimension. “My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).
Our thoughts are not like God’s thoughts. Our ways are not like his ways. He has a different agenda. He dwells in a different dimension. He lives on another plane.

What controls you doesn’t control him. What troubles you doesn’t trouble him. What fatigues you doesn’t fatigue him. Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, he rises above it. Is the whale perturbed by a hurricane? Of course not; he plunges beneath it. Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it.

How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of the earth! “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (see Matthew 19:26). Our questions betray our lack of understanding:

This knowledge gives us confidence as we face the uncertain future. We know that he is in control of the universe, and so we can rest secure. But important also is the knowledge that this God in heaven has chosen to bend near toward earth to see our sorrow and hear our prayers. He is not so far above us that he is not touched by our tears.

Though we may not be able to see his purpose or his plan, the Lord of heaven is on his throne and in firm control of the universe and our lives. So we entrust him with our future. We entrust him with our very lives.

Psalm 104:33-34

I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.

Thoughts on This Verse....

Do you sing in the shower? What words are on your lips? Singing is such a wonderful gift! First, it is a gift from God to us, to help us express our joy, excitement, sorrow, and victory. Second, it is a gift from us to God, to help us communicate our respect, appreciation, love, and confidence in God.
So let's sing, praising God for what he has done, proclaiming what he will do, and sharing what he is currently doing in our lives!

Evangelism 

"No one is a firmer believer in the power of prayer than the devil; not that he practices it, but he suffers from it." -Guy H. King

God works in you

Bible Truths

God works in you

Philippians 2:13

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

One thing I do

Philippians 3:13-14

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

The steps of a good man

Psalms 37:23-24

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Do not stop

Proverbs 24:16

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes
Great things have small beginnings

Zechariah 4:10

Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”

Matthew 13:31

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field

Christian life is a walk, not a jump!

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

Christian life, don’t limit your boundaries 

Isaiah 54:2

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.

Tell God desires of your heart

Psalm 37:5

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

It’s all in God’s hand

Romans 9:16

It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

Treat yourself

Ecclesiastes 9:7-8

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.

Conditions to God’s Promises

1. Keeping Commandments.

Deuteronomy 28:9

The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him.

2. Being Persuaded

Romans 4:21

Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

3. Having Faith

Hebrews 6:12

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

4. Waiting patiently

Hebrews 6:15

And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

5. Doing God’s will

Hebrews 10:36

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Luke 2:28-32

Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Thoughts on This Verse....

God's gift to Simeon was truly precious and touching. Yet Simeon is just the embodiment of all of every nation, race, and culture who are seeking God's salvation. God's salvation, as Luke loves to remind us again and again, is for all people! What's more, God's light has dawned. Let's greet that dawn and share it with others.

Genesis - Introduction

As its name implies, Genesis is about beginnings. Genesis tells us that God created everything that exists. It shows that God is both the Creator and the Ruler of all creation. But it also tells of humanity’s tragic fall into sin and death, and of God’s unfolding plan of redemption through his covenant with Abraham and his descendants.

Genesis includes some of the most memorable stories in the Bible, beginning with Adam and Eve (chs. 1–4), continuing through Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and ending with the life of Joseph (chs. 37–50), who died before 1600 b.c.

Traditionally, Jews and Christians have recognized Moses as the author, writing after the Exodus from Egypt, commonly dated around 1440 b.c. though some prefer a date around 1260 b.c.   

Daily Wisdom

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. - James 1:27

Ephesians 4:24

...and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Thoughts on This Verse....

One of the biggest decisions we face at the beginning of each day is what we will wear.
Well, no matter what we choose in the way of clothing, let's make sure we choose to put on the new person God re-made us to be when we became Christians (Galatians 3:26-27). Those are the only clothes that will fit us eternally!

Amen.

Spirit Fire

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who are victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. --Revelation 2:7

Why suffering?

We are destined for it.

1 Thessalonians 3:3  

So that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.
To enter God’s kingdom   

Acts 14:22 

Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

To follow Christ’s example   

1 Peter 2:21   

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.   

To discipline us  

Hebrews 12:6  

Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

To test us   

2 Chronicles 32:31   

But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.

To turn to God  

Amos 4:6-10   

“I gave you empty stomachs in every city yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.  “I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up. People staggered from town to town for water but did not get enough to drink, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.

To reap what we sowed  

Galatians 6:7

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows

Know Your Bible – 9

Philemon

57th book of the Bible; 1 chapter; 25 verses; 455 words; 1 question; no prophecy.

Hebrews

58th book of the Bible; 13 chapters; 303 verses; 6913 words; 17 questions; 270 verses of history; 9 verses of fulfilled and 24 verses unfulfilled prophecy.

James

59th book of the Bible; 5 chapters; 108 verses; 2309 words; 24 questions; 100 verses of history; 8 verses of fulfilled prophecy.

1 Peter

60th book of the Bible; 5 chapters; 105 verses; 2482 words; 4 questions; 92 verses of history; 3 verses of fulfilled and 10 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

2 Peter

61st book of the Bible; 61 verses; 3 chapters; 1559 words; 2 questions; 51 verses of history; 2 verses of fulfilled and 8 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

1 John

62nd book of the Bible; 5 chapters; 105 verses; 2523 words; 5 questions; 100 verses of history; 5 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

2 John

63rd book of the Bible; 1 chapters; 14 verses; 303 words; no question; no prophecy.

3rd John

64th book of the Bible; 1 chapter; 14 verses; 299 words; 2 questions; no prophecy.

Jude

65th book of the Bible; 1 chapter; 25 verses; 613 words; no question; 22 verses of history; 1 verse of fulfilled and 2 verse of unfulfilled prophecy.

Revelation

66th book of the Bible; 22 chapters; 404 verses; 12000 words; 9 questions; 53 verses of history; 10 verses fulfilled and 341 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

Know Your Bible – 8

Galatians

48th book of the Bible; 6 chapters; 149 verses of history; 3098 words; 4 unfulfilled and 1 fulfilled prophecy; 19 questions.

Ephesians

49th book of the Bible; 6 chapters; 155 verses; 3039 words; 1 questions; 146 verses of history; 1 verse of fulfilled and 8 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

Philippians

50th book of the Bible; 4 chapters; 104 verses; 2002 words; 1 question; 96 verses of history; 5 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

Colossians

51st book of the Bible; 4 chapters; 95 verses; 1998 words; 1 question; 92 verses of history; 3 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

1 Thessalonians

52nd book of the Bible; 5 chapters; 89 verses; 1857 words; 3 question; 69 verses of history; 20 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

2 Thessalonians

53rd book of the Bible; 3 chapters; 47 verses; 1042 words; 1 question; 31 verse of  history; 16 verse of unfulfilled prophecy.

1 Timothy

54th book of the Bible; 6 chapters; 113 verses; 2269 words; 1 question; 106 verses of history; 5 verses of fulfilled and 2 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

2 Timothy

55th book of the Bible; 4 chapters; 83 verses; 1703 words; no question; 68 verses of history; 10 verses of fulfilled and 5 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

Titus

56th book of the Bible; 46 verses; 921 words; 45 verses of history; 1 verse of unfulfilled prophecy.

Know Your Bible – 7

Mark

41st book of the Bible; 16 chapters; 678 verses; 15176 words; 121 questions; 11 Old Testament prophecies full filled in Mark; 30 new prophecies given; 582 verses of history; 43 verses fulfilled and 53 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 2 distinct messages from God.

Luke

42nd book of the Bible; 24 chapters; 1151 verses; 25944 words; 165 questions; 9 Old Testament prophecies; 54 new prophecies; 930 verses of history; 118 verses fulfilled and 103 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

John

43rd book of the Bible; 879 verses; 19099 words; 167 questions; 15 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled; 44 new prophecies ; 85 verses of fulfilled and 7 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

Acts

44th book of the Bible; 28 chapters; 1007 verses; 24250 words; 75 questions; 21 Old Testament prophecies; 20 new prophecies; 949 verses of history; 49 verses of fulfilled and 14 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

Romans

45th book of the Bible; 16 chapters; 433 verses; 9447 words; 87 questions;  19 old testament prophecies; 4 new prophecies; 388 verses of history; 29 verses of fulfilled and 16 verses unfulfilled prophecy.

1 Corinthians

46th book of the Bible; 16 chapters; 437 verses; 9489 words; 113 questions; 5 old testament prophecies; 13 new prophecies; 377 verses of history; 55 verses of unfulfilled prophecy.

2 Corinthians

47th book of the Bible; 257 verses; 6092 words; 29 questions; 4 old testament prophecies; 4 new prophecies; 249 verses of history; 4 verses of unfulfilled and 4 verses of fulfilled prophecy

Know Your Bible – 6

Nahum

34th book of the Bible; 47 verses; 1285 words; 8 questions; 5 commands; no promises; 72 predictions; 46 verses of prophecy; 6 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 40 verses of fulfilled prophecy; and 2 distinct messages from God.

Habakkuk

35th book of the Bible; 3 chapters; 56 verses; 1476 words; 12 questions; 1 command; no promises; 20 predictions; 11 verses of prophecy; 2 distinct messages from God.

Zephaniah

36th book of the Bible; 53 verses; 1617 words; no question; 14 commands; 4 promises; 86 predictions; 45 verses of prophecy; 5 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 40 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; and 4 distinct messages from God.

Haggai

37th book of the Bible; 2 chapters; 38 verses; 1131 words; 8 questions; 9 commands; 3 promises; 14 predictions; 9 verses of prophecy; 6 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 3 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; and 5 distinct messages from God.

Zechariah

38th book of the Bible; 14 chapters; 211 promises; 226 predictions; 122 verses of prophecy;31 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 91 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; and 59 distinct messages from God.

Malachi

39th book of the Bible; 55 verses; 1783 words; 27 questions; 32 sins of Israel; 5 commands; 5 promises; 30 predictions; 19 verses of prophecy; 6 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 13 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; and 28 distinct messages from God.

Matthew

40th book of the Bible; 28 chapters; 1071 verses; 23684 words; 177 questions; 25 Old Testament prophecies; 47 New Testament prophecies; 815 verses of history; 256 verses of prophecy – 164 unfulfilled and 92 fulfilled; two distinct messages from God.

Know Your Bible – 5

Daniel

27th book of the Bible; 12 chapters; 357 verses; 11606 words; 16 questions; 218 verses of history; 79 verses of fulfilled and 60 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 7 commands; 4 promises; and 16 messages from God.
Hosea
28th book of the Bible; 14 chapters; 197 verses; 5175 words; 16 questions; 26 commands; 10 promises; 298 predictions; 152 verses of prophecy; 17 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 134 verses of fulfilled prophecy; and 10 distinct messages from God.
Joel
29th book of the Bible; 73 verses; 2034 words; 7 questions; 50 commands; 10 promises; 69 verses of prophecy; 11 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 59 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; and 1 distinct message from God.

Amos

30th book of the Bible; 146 verses; 4217 words; 28 commands; 31 Questions; 2 promises; 117 predictions; 121 verses of prophecy; 8 unfulfilled verses of prophecy; 113 verses of fulfilled prophecy; and 35 distinct messages from God.

Obadiah

31st book of the Bible; 21 verses; 670 words; 1 command; 4 questions; no promises; 30 predictions; 12 verses of prophecy; 5 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 7 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; and 3 distinct messages from God.

Jonah

32nd book of the Bible; 4 chapters; 48 verses; 1231 words; 8 commands; 12 questions; no promises; 1 verse of fulfilled prophecy; and 6 distinct messages from God.

Micah

33rd book of the Bible; 7 chapters; 105 verses, 3153 words; 20 commands; 23 questions; 2 promises; 123 predictions; 32 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 91 verses of fulfilled prophecy; and 7 distinct messages from God.

Know Your Bible – 4

Proverbs

20th book of the Bible; 31 chapters; 915 verses;  15043 words; 49 questions; 27 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 67 sins; 66 things about fools; 28 things about sluggards; 22 things about kings; 25 abominations; 215 commands; 120 promises; 27 blessings; 24 secrets of life; 17 better things; 560 proverbs.

Ecclesiastes

21st book of the Bible; 12 chapters; 222 verses; 5884 words; 33 questions; 34 commands; no prophecy; 1 promise and no message from God.

Song of Solomon

22nd book of the Bible; 8 chapters; 117 verses; 2661 words; 13 questions; 14 commands; no prophecy; no promise; no distinct message from God.

Isaiah

23rd book of the Bible; 66 chapters; 1292 verses; 37044 words; 634 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 395 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 1313 predictions; 449 fulfilled predictions; 864 unfulfilled predictions; 273 verses of history; 190 questions; 120 promises; 308 commands; and 71 distinct messages from God.

Jeremiah

24th book of the Bible; 52 chapters; 1364 verses; 42659 words; 680 verses of history; 1002 predictions; 666 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 180 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 779 fulfilled predictions; 223 unfulfilled predictions; 194 questions; 303 commands; 16 promises; 62 messages from God.

Lamentations

25th book of the Bible; 5 chapters; 154 verses; 3415 words; 2 verses of prophecy; (4:21-22, fulfilled except part of v. 22); 13 questions; 3 commands; no promises; 2 predictions; no distinct messages from God.

Ezekiel

26th book of the Bible; 48 chapters; 1273 verses; 39047 words; 310 verses of history; 530 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 433 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 953 predictions; 659 predictions fulfilled; 294 predictions unfulfilled; 345 commands; 25 promises; 80 questions; and 179 messages from God.

Know Your Bible - 3

2 Chronicles

14th book of the Bible; 36 chapters; 822 verses; 26074 words; 583 verses of history; 32 verses of fulfilled prophecy.

Ezra

15th book of the Bible; 280 verses; 7441 words; no prophecy; no messages from God; no promises; 9 questions; 43 commands.

Nehemiah

16th book of the Bible; 406 verses; 10483 words; 3 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 3 predictions; 14 commands; no promises; no new messages from God; 24 questions.

Esther

17th book of the Bible; 10 chapters; 167 verses; 5637 words; 11 commands; 21 questions; one prophecy (6:13); no promises; and no distinct message from God.

Job

18th book of the Bible; 10102 words; 1070 verses; 1066 verses of history; 1 verse of fulfilled prophecy; 3 verses unfulfilled prophecy; 329 questions; 13 commands; no promises; 4 predictions; 10 messages from God; it can be seen by this that  there is very little prophecy in the book of Job, as well as only a few messages from God.

The reason is easy to understand. The book is one of many charges and counter charges between men who did their reasoning without consulting God on any matter whatsoever.

 Psalms

19th book of the Bible; 150 chapters; 2461 verses; 43743 words; 2027 verses of history; 160 verses of fulfilled and 274 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 164 questions; 413 commands; 338 acts of God; 124 vows; 174 statements of praise; 118 complaints; 72 facts about Judas; 865 facts about God; 235 things about God’s word;  182 statements of testimony; 97 promises; 128 facts about Messiah; 281 blessings; 190 facts about the psalmists; 78 acts of the righteous; 101 acts of the wicked; plus 233 sins; 582 requests; and 187 reasons for the requests.

In studying these requests it can be seen how few concern God and His win. Most of them concern’s man and his begging to get out of trouble.

Know Your Bible - 2

Judges

7th book of the Bible; 21 chapters; 618 verses; 18966 words; 585 verses of history; 33 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 92 questions; 23 messages from God. 71 commands; 26 predictions; and 5 promises.

Ruth

8th book of the bible; 4 chapters; 85 verses; 2575 words; 16 questions; 1st book of the Bible without prophecy or any particular message from God by a prophet to Israel; 30 commands and 2 promises.

1 Samuel

9th book of the Bible; 31 chapters; 810 verses; 25049 words; 157 questions; 50 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 2 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 29 distinct messages from God; 4 promises; 117 commands; and 57 predictions.

2 Samuel

10th book of the Bible; 24 chapters; 695 verses; 20600 words; 125 questions;679 verses of history; 9 verses fulfilled prophecy; 7 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 11 distinct messages from God; 70 commands; 25 predictions; and 13 promises.

1 Kings

11th book of the Bible; 22 chapters; 816 verses; 25524 words; 66 questions; 1 verse of unfulfilled prophecy; 71 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 36 distinct  messages from God; 92 commands; 73 predictions; 6 promises.

2 Kings

12th book of the Bible; 25 chapters; 719 verses; 23532 words; 118 questions; 560 verse of history; 58 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 1 verse unfulfilled prophecy; 65 predictions; 118 commands; 3 promises; and 20 distinct messages from God.

1 Chronicles

13th book of the Bible; 29 chapters; 942 verses; 20369 words; 929 verses of history; 8 ½ verses of fulfilled prophecy; 7 ½ verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 30 predictions; 53 commands; 19 questions; 9 promises; and 8 messages from God.

Know Your Bible - 1

Genesis

First book of the Bible, 50 chapters; 1533 verses; 38267 words; 156 verses beginning with and, 1385 verses of history; 149 questions; 56 prophecies; 123 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 23 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; shortest chapter has 16 verses; 32nd has 32 verses; 5 chapters have 34 verses; 4 have 22, 24, and 32 each; 106 commands; 71 promises; 326 predictions. Genesis has 95 distinct messages from God.
Exodus
2nd book of the Bible; 40 chapters; 123 verses; 32692 words; 1089 verses of history; 129 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 2 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 58 questions. Exodus has 73 separate messages from God.

Leviticus

3rd book of the Bible; 27 chapters; 859 verses; 24541 words; 3 questions; 58 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 6 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; 799 verses of history; 795 commands; 26 promises; 125 predictions; and 35 messages from God.

Numbers

4th book of the Bible; 36 chapters; 1288 verses; 32889 words; 59 questions; 42 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 15 verses of unfulfilled prophecy; Numbers has 72 distinct messages of God. 544 commands; 5 promises; and 79 predictions.

Deuteronomy

5th book of the Bible; 34 chapters; 959 verses; 28355 words; 33 questions; 690 verses of history; 230 verses of fulfilled prophecy; 37 verses of fulfilled prophecy; Deuteronomy has 33 separate messages from God. 519 commands; 47 promises; and 497 predictions.

Joshua

6th book of the Bible; 24 chapters; 658 verses; 18852 words; 624 verses of history; 42 verses of fulfilled prophecy; no fulfilled prophecy; 21 questions; 14 messages from God; 98 commands; 44 predictions; and 15 promises.

Good Things - 4

Tiding of truth 

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

  Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Comfortable words

Zechariah 1:13
” So the Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.

 Works

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. —

Thoughts on This Verse....

Prayer is an incredible invitation from God to share with him what is on our hearts. Even when we don't have words to say, he helps us through his Spirit in those moments. This incredibly intimate conversation, sustained by the very precious Spirit of God within us, must never be debased by crass showmanship or pride. Prayer is not done to prove our piety, but to deepen our relationship with Almighty God!

What all sinners must do?

Luke 13:1-5

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Luke 24:47

And that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Glorious state of the early church –

Acts 2:42-47

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.  And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 

And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Acts 5:12

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico.

Acts 6:1

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the one who tells what the Holy writings mean.

In 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 it says, “The Holy Writings say, ‘No eye has ever seen or no ear has ever heard or no mind has ever thought of the wonderful things God has made ready for those who love him.’ God has shown these things to us through His Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit Who looks into all things, even the secrets of God, and shows them to us. Who can know the things about a man, except a man’s own spirit that is in him? It is the same with God. Who can understand Him except the Holy Spirit? We have not received the spirit of the world. God has given us His Holy Spirit that we may know about the things given to us by Him.

We speak about these things also. We do not use words of man’s wisdom. We use words given to us by the Holy Spirit. We use these words to tell what the Holy Spirit wants to say to those who put their trust in Him. But the person who is not a Christian does not understand these words from the Holy Spirit. He thinks they are foolish. He cannot understand them because he does not have the Holy Spirit to help him understand.”
There are some special things the Holy Spirit did while Christ was on earth:

A.  He had an important part in bringing Christ to earth and in making Christ able to do His work here on earth. John 3:34b says, ‘God gives Him all of His Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18b; Luke 1:35)

B.  He was there when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, and He came down from heaven like a dove. (Luke 3:22; John 1:32).

C He was with Christ when He was tested by the devil in the desert. (Luke 4:1-13)

D.  He was there when God showed that He had put His hand on Christ and had chosen Him. (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:16-21)

E.  He was the One Who taught men when Christ spoke to them. (John 3:3-6; 14:25-26)

F.  His power was able to heal people. (Acts 10:38)

G. He showed His power in Christ’s life. (Luke 4:14-15)

H.  He had a part in raising Christ from the dead. Romans 8:11 says, ‘The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. If the same Holy Spirit lives in you, He will give life to your bodies in the same way.”

I. He told men they were guilty of their sins. The followers of Jesus knew they were guilty of sins and they trusted Christ. The Holy Spirit must have told them this.

The most important thing to remember is that the Holy Spirit, as one part of the Three-in-one God, has always been and always will be. The Holy Spirit was doing things before Christ came in the flesh to this earth. The Holy Spirit did things during the time Christ was on earth. The Holy Spirit is doing things today, and the Holy Spirit will do things forever.