Paul’s Ministry of Power

Romans 1:11

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—

Acts 19:11

And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,

Read: Romans 15:18-29

Baptism into Christ, not in water: the secret of redemption.

Romans 6:3-8

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.  We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  For one who has died has been set free from sin.  Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him

1 Corinthians 12:13

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Galatians 3:27

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ

Stewardship

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. – 1 Corinthians 4:1-4

Conversion

Conversion, a change of direction, a new walk with God. Blessings for all Believers –

- Psalm 19:7

The law of the Lord  is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

- Psalm 51:13

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners  will turn back to you.

   - Matthew 18:3

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,  you will never enter the kingdom of heaven

- Luke 22:32

But I have prayed for you,  Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

- Acts 3:19

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,  that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

- James 5:19-20

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth  and someone should bring that person back,    remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save  them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Mark 9:23

 "`If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." —

Jesus is the ultimate one "who believes." All things ARE possible for him. Guess what? He longs to do great things through us, too! In fact, he promised he would do even greater things through us than he did himself because he is now at the Father's side helping us! (See John 14:12-14.) So isn't it time that we quit talking about what we can't do, and start believing in the one who can do great things? Paul put it this way: God can do "more than we can ask or imagine by his power at work in us." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Two evils in religion

Proverbs 20:25

It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows.

A minister for good

Proverbs 20:26

A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them.

A light of man

Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

An antidote for anarchy

Proverbs 20:28

Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

1 Corinthians 12:18-20

But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. —

The Apostle Paul reminds us that God assigns our roles in the Body of Christ. Several principles interact with God's choice. First, be faithful in what God has given you to do — until we are faithful in/with little things, he will not entrust us with big ones (Luke 16:10-13). Second, if we don't use what he has given us, it will be taken away (Matt. 25:14-30). Third, we reap what we sow — sinful or irresponsible behavior can create consequences that limit the effectiveness of our service (Gal. 6:7-8). Bottom line — let's be faithful with what God has given us, let's serve him when given new opportunities, and let's honor him with our choices so that Satan cannot use our failur! e to interfere with our service!

Thoughts 

- Believing Christ died, that’s history.  Believing Christ died for me, that’s salvation. -Unknown
- If I started with the mind and will of God, viewing the rest of my life from that point of view, other details would fall into place–or at least fall into a different place. - Philip Yancey

Everywhere but Home

They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

  After the two days he departed for Galilee.  (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown. - John 4:42-44

One of the hardest heartbreaks occurs when those we know and love most don't share our faith even though we can reach strangers with the gospel of Jesus. Lest we think we are alone in this heartbreak, we need to remember that Jesus suffered this same rejection. He knows the weight of this specific sorrow. We can share this personal grief with him. It was his resurrection that changed the hearts of many of the people who previously rejected him.

That's probably why Peter reminds us that to influence our family members, we may have to depend on their being "won over without words" through the changes they see in our lives because of Jesus (1 Peter 3:1-2 NIV). In our frustration and heartbreak, let's go to God our Savior and ask for his comfort. Let's pray that his power will transform us so that our loved ones will come to see Jesus as Lord and Savior through us.

Psalm 34:16

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
God hates violence and demands that we not admire those who are violent or share in their violent lifestyle. (Prov. 3:31) God abhors those who do evil. God not only opposes them when they are alive, he also mitigates their influence after they are gone. He helps them be seen for what they really are. Far from being viewed as heroes, their legacy of hate and wickedness is spurned, shunned, scandalized, and forgotten.

Quotes 

.. Christ is like a river that is continually flowing.  There are always fresh supplies of water coming from the fountainhead, so that a man may live by it and be supplied with water all his life.  So Christ is an every-flowing fountain; he is continually supplying his people, and the fountain is not spent.  They who live upon Christ may have fresh supplies from him for all eternity; they may have an increase of blessedness that is new, and new still, and which never will come to an end. - Jonathan Edwards

His Mediatorial Work

1 Timothy 2:4

Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;  and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

  From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;  that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Prayer 

Dear Father, judge of all mankind,

Help me be a profitable slave to you and good steward of your mysteries. As a steward may I be found trustworthy.

May I not be concerned about being judged by human beings or by any human court. May I not even set in judgment on myself. Only you do that. I am not aware of anything against myself, but that, I understand, in and of itself, does not acquit me before you. You are my judge. You can condemn. And you can and will make me stand.

It is by Jesus' authority and in his name that I offer up this prayer. Amen.

Thought 

The best evangelism in the world is laughter, a church laughing-not naive tittering, not sarcastic boisterousness, not angry irony, but deep, joyful laughter from the pit of our being…laughter which has suffered from the consequences of evil choices and found redemption and newness of life through the cross of Jesus Christ, laughter which remembers tears, yet knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are not to fear, for Jesus, God’s good-humoured Christ, has overcome the world before us. - Sylvia C. Guinn-Ammons

Left Alone

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day (Gen. 32:24).

Left alone! What different sensations those words conjure up to each of us. To some they spell loneliness and desolation, to others rest and quiet. To be left alone without God, would be too awful for words, but to be left alone with Him is a foretaste of Heaven! If His followers spent more time alone with Him, we should have spiritual giants again.

The Master set us an example. Note how often He went to be alone with God; and He had a mighty purpose behind the command, "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray."

.. What Should We Boast About?

2 Corinthians 10:27

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

.. Breaking Chains

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

.. Build Others Up

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

.. People!

Hebrews 3:12-13

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Thought 

More light than we can learn,
More wealth than we can treasure,
More love than we can earn,
More peace than we can measure,
Because one Child is born.
Unknown

Warning Words

Beware of Covetousness – The Hear

Luke 12:15

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Beware of Men – The Mind

Acts 20:28-31

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.  I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;  and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.  Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

Beware of False Teachers – Glorification

2 Peter 3:17

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

Thought 

God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him. -Andrew Murray

Parental Care and Training

Ephesians 1:15-19

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,  I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

Read: Ephesians 3:13-21

The Mystery of the indwelling Christ

Romans 8:10

But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

"The 7 modern sins: 

politics without principles,
pleasures without conscience, wealth without work,
knowledge without character, industry without morality,
science without humanity, worship without sacrifice."
— Canon Frederic Donaldson —

Duties of Wives

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Duties of Husbands

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Duties of Children

Ephesians 6:1

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Thoughts 

You don’t have a soul.  You are a Soul.  You have a body. - C. S. Lewis
Dear Jesus, how foolish of me to have called for human help when You are here.
- Corrie ten Boom

Christian goal – to win Christ

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Matthew 7:21-23

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Daniel 3:25

“He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel 3. Their faith is solid whether God chooses to save them from the fire, or not. God not only saves them, but those who intended to execute them become the key witnesses of their faith and God's miraculous deliverance. They are not only sons of the One True God, but they are also examples to all of us who are tempted to compromise our faith to get along in a society that has lost all respect for the Almighty God.

Prayer 

. Holy and Righteous God my Father, purify my heart and cleanse my words of all deceit, slander, vulgarity, wickedness, untruth, exaggeration, mean-spiritedness, distortion, guile, and words that wound. May the words of my mouth and the intentions of my heart be pleasing to you, O God. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The creator of all

Proverbs 22:2

The rich and the poor have this in common,
 The Lord is the maker of them all.

Please Stay!

When [the Samaritans] came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. - John 4:40-41

In other instances, some people who saw the powerful work of Jesus in the lives of those they knew asked him to leave. Others tried to take that power and use it selfishly for themselves. Some, like the people in this village, asked him to stay longer so they could know him more completely.

God's messengers often find each of these same basic reactions to their message about Jesus — fearful rejection, selfish misappropriation, or a yearning for more of Jesus. Which is your reaction?
Do you want Jesus to draw closer to you? Or do you push him away because you want to keep him at arm's length?

Do you sometimes wonder about what and why you believe? Basically, none of us is ever really going to know about Jesus until we ask him to come and "stay" with us (literally "abide" with us).
There is something about inviting Jesus to come and stay in our lives that enables us to hear him more clearly and believe in him more passionately. He stands at the door and knocks. Will you invite him in to abide with you so you may learn more from him? (Revelation 3:20)

Romans 6:5-6

we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin...

Paul reminds us that our baptism was more than just a dunking in water. In baptism, we shared in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. What he did to save us is now shared with us. We die to sin and are raised to be a new person, cleansed and made holy, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We have been set free from the power and the penalty of sin.

Thought

We are designed to function poorly, to feel overwhelmed and alone apart from our relationship with Jesus.  We are made to be lost without God. - Angela Thomas McGuffey

The Model Church

Acts 2:42-47

The Fellowship of the Believers

 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 4:32-37

They Had Everything in Common

 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.  And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold  and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.  Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,  sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 5:12-16

Many Signs and Wonders Done

 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.  None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.  And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,  so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.  The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Consider the work of God

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked (Eccles. 7:13).

Often God seems to place His children in positions of profound difficulty, leading them into a wedge from which there is no escape; contriving a situation which no human judgment would have permitted, had it been previously consulted. The very cloud conducts them thither. You may be thus involved at this very hour.

It does seem perplexing and very serious to the last degree, but it is perfectly right. The issue will more than justify Him who has brought you hither. It is a platform for the display of His almighty grace and power.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

God has blessed us with so many wonderful promises. He has secured them through the sending of his Son "to conquer death and bring life and immortality to life." He will "transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body." He will take us home to be with him eternally, but until that day, he will live inside us and reveal himself to us. He will make us more than conquerors and will not allow anything to separate us from his love. So what should our response be? Yes, sure we should offer him praise.

But, we must not limit our praise to words. God wants our lives to be pure, staying away from what is evil, vile, putrid, and corrupt. He wants us to do this, not so we can claim some moral superiority, but so that we can show him our adoration and reverence. In our desire to offer God praise, let's not forget that one of the greatest ways to praise him is to seek him in purity and holiness!

Thoughts 

+ In our attempt to penetrate God’s truth we are held within the bonds of ignorance by the weakness of our minds.  We comprehend Divine ideas by earnest attention to God’s teaching and by obedience to the faith which carries us beyond mere human apprehension. - Hilary of Poitiers

+ We must strive to place ourselves completely in God’s hands.  Then He will cause us to feel the effects of His goodness and protection–which are at times extraordinary. - John Baptist de la Salle

Examples of Making Choice - 3

John 15:19

you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Acts 1:2

until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

. Mary – the good

Luke 10:42

but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

. Pharisees – chief rooms

Luke 14:7

Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,

. Paul – Silas

Acts 15:40 

but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

Psalm 69:30

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

When was the last time you sang praises to God outside a church or devotional service? Why not open up the Psalms and find several verses that reflect your own praise and thanks to God and give them a tune — your own tune! God doesn't care if your spiritual gift is music or not; he's just listening for your heart to be full of joy as you share your praise and thanksgiving with him.

To know Christ in power, sufferings and death

John 4:12

Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.”

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Peter 4:1

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

To be found in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Colossians 2:10

 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Isaiah 43:1

But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."

We belong to the LORD, God of all creation and God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. 1 Pet. 2:9-10). We are recipients of God's grace and are blessed by his love for Israel's fathers. We do not have to fear because God is in control of our future, just as he worked through the history of his chosen people to send the Messiah. He will accompany us through the difficult trials we will face. He will make sure our redemption is realized. Why? Because we belong to him. We are his. He knows us. He formed us. God's people are his possession forever. We are children of the Almighty God!

Manifestations of a fleshy life

{Sin that will damn the Soul}

Mark 7:21-23

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Romans 1:29

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,

1 Corinthians 6:9

 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

Murders

{Works of the Flesh}

Matthew 15:18

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

1 John 3:15

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Isaiah 54:17

"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD. —

Because of the LORD God's grace and power, we will be victors. This is the final message of Revelation. It is the song that is sung throughout the Scriptures. This is the assurance that we have from God himself. Our lives will not be lived in vain. Those who berate, belittle, and batter God's people will be exposed and his beloved children, his saints of light, will receive vindication and salvation from the Father they love.

Examples of Making Choice - 2

. Job for others

Job 29:25

I chose their way and sat as chief,
and I lived like a king among his troops,
like one who comforts mourners.

. David-way of truth

Psalm 119:30

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.

Psalm 119:173

Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.

. Israel – idolatrous gardens

Isaiah 1:29

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks
that you desired;
and you shall blush for the gardens
that you have chosen.

. Christ – disciples

Luke 6:13

And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:

John 6:70

Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”

John 13:18

I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’

John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

The Lent Season

The Lenten Season originated during the fourth century A.D. it Lasts for 40 weekdays beginning on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Saturday before Easter. (This year  Ash Wednesday: February 14, Good Friday: March 30, & Easter: April 1

The number 40 is an important number in the Bible. Many biblical events are connected with this number such as Great flood [Gen. 6], the Israelites ate manna for 40 years [Exd. 16:35]. Moses spent 40 days  and nights on the mountain with God [Exd. 24:18]. Elijah travelled for 40 days and 40 nights  to Mount Horeb (Sinai – 1Kings 19:8).

Our Lord fasted and prayed for 40 days before He began His public ministry [Mt. 4:1-2]

Things to Observe or Follow during Lent are:

- I will turn  away from my sin and  ask for God’s forgiveness

- I will devote my time, talents and life to God

- Eliminate wasteful habits, excessive expenses, cut down on unnecessary purchases

- Give up one big meal a week, daily choose simpler, more healthful meals. Make your family focus of mealtime.

- Self-denial is a positive act. Help others though Church activities. Watch less television or videos, forgo some favourite sports events and pray instead.

- Spend more time in reading, studying and meditating Word of God and Praying.

- Attend Church regularly with family.

- Maintain good fellowship  with other believers.
- Consider about the many times that God has forgiven you.
- Speak forgiveness from someone you have hurt
- Forgive someone who has hurt you
- Ask God to forgive  your sins and commit your life to Him. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

- Think about better  ways  to resolve problems at home and at work.

- Meet God in the morning, walk with Him during day and night.

- Think about my attitudes and behaviour patterns that need to change. Pray  for God’s help in changing them.

- Read the Bible every day for God’s guidance, inspiration and comfort.

- Join a prayer group.

- I will live a full Christian life by sharing your resources and talents with others.

- I will show my concern, be compassionate towards the needy, unfortunate, the suffering and the lonely persons.

- I will not gossip or spread rumours.

- I will pray for Christians who are persecuted.

- I will visit patients in the hospital and senior and lonely people.

- I will pray for prisoners and their families.

- Pray for Great Commission work.

Seed, Towel, Promise, and Torchlight: The Towel

Jesus said that earlier to his disciples on the way to Jerusalem. Now, he is about to demonstrate it in the heart-rending moments he spends with his closest friends before his death.Jesus did not come to earth to be served, but to serve. One simple object, a towel, demonstrated that truth and etches it into our hearts. One menial act, washing his disciples’ feet, says so much about his love in this moment of absolute grace.

He would demonstrate a love stronger than hate, death, and hell by going to the CROSS.

Spiritual Quote

"Neither genius, fame, nor love show the
greatness of the soul. Only kindness can do that."
— Jean Baptiste Henri Lacordaire —

Longing to Look

All [the prophets] were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves — through the Holy Spirit — the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this! - 1 Peter 1:12 MESSAGE

Angels stood on tiptoe longing to look over the horizon of heaven, trying to understand the promises the Holy Spirit inspired in the words of the prophets. And now, those of us who follow Jesus have heard the story of God's grace given to us in Jesus. This message wasn't given by chance, and it wasn't simply the proclamation of human messengers, but it was brought to us by the work of the Holy Spirit and through the conviction inspired by the Spirit.

The prophecies given by the Holy Spirit were fulfilled, and we have received this grace because the Spirit's work wasn't done when the words were spoken, or even when they were fulfilled; no, the Spirit isn't satisfied until the message comes alive in us!

Prayer 

Lord, I confess that I’ve focused much of my adult life on my ambition to a higher level, a higher income, and a higher status — worldly status. I confess that I’ve let the desires of this world outweigh my desire to follow Your will for my life and Your plan to use me in Your kingdom work. Please forgive me. Help me now as I work to refocus my goals and objective and ask for Your input and Your will along each and every step of the journey. Lead me to the fulfilment that comes from being in tune with You, my Creator. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sin – that which is not of faith

Romans 14:23

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. —

Want to know something you can do that will please God? Rejoice in his grace. Pray for others. Give thanks for your blessings. It's simply something that he wants us to do.

How Can a Christian Become a Christian?

Soren Kierkegaard once asked how a person who is already a Christian can become a Christian. Think about that for a moment. How can a person who already is a Christian become a Christian? Kierkegaard was directing his thoughts toward those of us who have grown up in the church. He was saying that second-hand faith is not enough.

It is easy to take the faith we have grown up in for granted, isn't it? After all, it is like the air we breathe. It's always been there. We need something more than that. Baptism reminds us that a fresh experience of God's grace and God's love is always available to us if we seek it.

Philippians 2:7-8

...but [Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! —

Christianity is not for wimps or the faint of heart. Our example is described by words like... "made himself of no reputation" ..."servant" ..."humbled himself" ..."became obedient" ..."death on a cross!" That's tough stuff. And that is our example. The story of the Jesus may begin with a sweet child, but it also begins with him being placed where animals ate their food. While it may be powerful and precious, it is not saccharine and fake sentiment. It is about the price paid to redeem and the people who are different because they know their Redeemer.

His fourfold pre-eminence

Colossians 1:24

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

Ephesians 1:20-23

that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

1 Peter 3:22

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Psalm 34:15

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry...
We are righteous because of God's grace. We are remembered because of God's faithfulness. We are heard because of God's faithfulness. We are blessed because God is God.

What to “Put Off”

Ephesians 4:22

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires

what to “Put On”

Ephesians 4:23-24

and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,  and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Spiritual Thought

The most powerful life is the most simple life.  The most powerful life is the life that knows where it’s going, that knows where the source of strength is; it is the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness. - Max Lacado

Examples of Making Choice - 1

. Fallen Angels

Genesis 13:11

So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other.

. Moses-able men

Exodus 18:25

Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

. Go-Israel

Deuteronomy 4:37

And because he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power,

Deuteronomy 10:15

the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day.

. Joshua-warriors

Joshua 24:22

Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.”

. Israel-new gods

Judges 5:8

When new gods were chosen,
then war was in the gates.
Was shield or spear to be seen
among forty thousand in Israel?

. Saul-warriors

1 Samuel 13:2

Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the people he sent home, every man to his tent.

. David-stones

1 Samuel 17:40

Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.

Prayer of Distress

Psalm 17:1

Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!

Psalm 25:1

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

Prayer – Praise – Psalm

Psalm 26:1

Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

Psalm 50:14

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,

Psalm 116:14-18

I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
  Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
  O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
  I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the LORD.
  I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,

Read: Leviticus 27:1-33

Paul’s Ministry and Suffering for the Church

1 Corinthians 4:9-13

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.  We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 
To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,  and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;  when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;  by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;  through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;  as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;  as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.  Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.  Three times I was beaten with rods.

Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;  on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;  in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Read:  2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Spiritual Thoughts 

Every Sunday school teacher is just as much called of God as a missionary to the heart of Africa.  He needs to prepare just as diligently-he needs to labor just as earnestly-as if he were carrying the Gospel to the most remote spot on the globe. - Billy Graham

The Western dream is to have a lot of money, and then you can lead a life of leisure and happiness.  Nothing in my experience could be further from the truth. - Michael Phillips

God, Why Me?

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:1-3

Several times, people ask this very question which implies that God has either abandoned them or that, He no longer cares. In challenging situations they ask, ‘God why me’? In depressing times they ask’ God why me’? Hardly do these persons ask ‘God, Why me‘?  when they swim in successes and abounds in His goodness.

Indisputably, challenges and trials confront us in life. It is only of the mercies of God that we are not consumed in them, for God’s love for us is new each passing day.  Bearing this in mind, during overwhelming times, God expects us to understand that; “it is not of him that wills, nor of Him that runs, but of God that shows mercy” – Romans 9:16

Have you ever asked ‘God why me’? – For making you see a new day.  Have you asked Him, ‘God why me’? – that Jesus shed His blood  to redeem you from the bondage of Satan. Have you asked God why me?, that you are not in prison (many people are there without even committing any crime) Have you asked ‘God why me’? – for healing you of illnesses that killed other persons. Have you asked ‘God why me’? – For rescuing you from disasters that consumed many other people. Have you asked ‘God why me’? That you can see with your eyes, breath normally without a life-support, you are mentally healthy, you can eat normal food, you have access to clean drinkable water, etc. Many persons dream of what you have, but, can’t anywhere close to possess them.

If you can begin to ask, ‘God why me’?  in a positive manner, that is, remembering and acknowledging God’s goodness,  it will amaze you what God did, does and is doing in your life. For once, ignore whatever it is that is keeping you awake through the night and start celebrating the faithfulness of God in and all around you.  By so doing, you will develop an attitude of thanksgiving to God, and in return, He will melt off all your problems.

Displeased - 2

. Displeased Darius

Daniel 6:14

Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him

. Displeased Jonah

Jonah 4:1

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.

. Displeased Chief Priests, Scribes

Matthew 21:15

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant,

. Displeased Jesus

Mark 10:14

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God

. Disciples Displeased

Mark 10:41

And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.

. Displeased Herod

Acts 12:20

Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food

Thoughts 

How was it that, even in the common tasks of an ordinary life, Jesus drew the praise of heaven?  At the core of His being, He only did those things which pleased the Father.  In everything, He stayed true, heartbeat to heartbeat, with the Father’s desires.  Jesus lived for God alone; God was enough for Him.  Thus, even in its simplicity and moment-to-moment faithfulness, Christ’s life was an unending fragrance, a perfect offering of incomparable love to God. - Francis Frangipane

What you should say?

Luke 12:8; Luke 12:11-12

Jesus gives us two incredible promises. First, he assures us that if we publicly confess our allegiance to Him, then he will claim us as his own before the Father and the angels in heaven (Matthew 10:32).
Then, he goes a step beyond the first promise: He tells us that we aren't to worry even about what to say in difficult situations because the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say!

No wonder the Holy Spirit is described as God's seal of ownership and our guarantee of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Quote

"Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, it makes you free." - Stormie Omartian

Today I have a choice

"You have shown me the path to life, and you shown me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful." - Psalm 16:11

Today. I have some important choice to make.

1. What will I DO today with God besides me.?

2. What will I SAY today with God besides me?

3. What will I THINK about today with God beside me?

As you go throughout your day think of ways to be Jesus to others. What negative thoughts enter your mind, fill them with thoughts of God. With God besides you, look for ways to be His servant.

Philippians 1:29

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him...”

Suffer! How is suffering a privilege? It's not unless it is for Jesus. Remember how the early apostles were joyful because they were counted worthy to suffer for the name? (cf. Acts 5:41) You see, he suffered for us so we could be saved. When we face suffering for the cause of Christ and his Kingdom, we help inspire others to live faithfully in adversity and show to all the genuineness of our faith. So few have anything worthy of their living, dying, or suffering. We have reason for all three: our lives will be caught up in Jesus' victory! (cf. Rom. 8:32-39; 1 Cor. 15)

Displeased - 1

. Displeased the Lord

Genesis 38:10

what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also.

Numbers 11:1

And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.

2 Samuel 11:2

It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.

1 Chronicle 21:7

But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel

. Displeased Moses
Numbers 11:10

Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased.

. Displeased Samuel

1 Samuel 8:6

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord.

. Displeased Saul

1 Samuel 18:8

And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?

. Displeased David

2 Samuel 6:8

And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day.

1 Chronicles 13:11

And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day.

The Model Preacher

Matthew 4:23

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Mark 16:15-20

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

  So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.  And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]

Acts 1:1

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,

Romans 15:18-19

I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,  by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ

Romans 15:29

know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:4

 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

1 Corinthians 4:18-21

 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.  But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.  For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.  What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Hebrews 2:1-4

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,  how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?
It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,  while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Read: Matthew 10:1-8

Made known to us His will

Matthew 11:25

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

 But, as it is written,      
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
  these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God

read: Ephesians 3:1-12

Give us an inheritance 

Romans 8:17

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

1 Peter 1:2-5

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:    
 
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.    
 Born Again to a Living Hope
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,  who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Prayer 

. Heavenly Father, deliver me from the sin that entangles my actions and pollutes my heart. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me through your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your forgiveness and grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Enjoying God

Psalm 5:11-12

The Scriptures are full of verses that speak of the enjoyment God’s people find in Him, and this sometimes leaves us wondering why our experience doesn’t match theirs. If we aren’t delighting in the Lord on a consistent basis, there may be some hindrances in our life.

When we really enjoy the Lord, we find ourselves slow to leave His presence and desiring to linger. Does this describe your relationship with your heavenly Father?

Thought

His kingdom is so simple–one person telling another about the Savior.  Yet we’re busy and full of excuses.  Just remember, someone’s eternal destiny is at stake.  The joy you’ll have when you meet that person in heaven will far exceed any discomfort you felt in sharing the gospel. - Charles Stanley

Danger! Danger

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. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

— 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

Can we recognize when someone is teaching the truth or is teaching what is false about Jesus? Do we have the knowledge and spiritual discernment to recognize when someone is teaching error about the Holy Spirit? Paul is challenging the Corinthians — and us as well — not to be so gullible as to accept perversions of truth.

Some of these false teachings sound nice, but underneath we find distortions of the nature of Jesus and the work of God's Holy Spirit. So let's ask God to use the Holy Spirit in our lives to tune our hearts to know the truth about both Jesus and the Spirit. Let's go back and read John 14-16 and let God's word remind us that the Holy Spirit is to help us in the quest to honor God's truth!  

What to teach young men

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

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,

What to teach young women

1 Timothy 5:11

But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

The condition of continued life in Christ

Hebrews 3:6

but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

Hebrews 3:12-14

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end

Hebrews 4:11

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
Hebrews 6:4-6

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit,  and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come,  and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

The Light of His Countenance

God is Light” - John 1:5

 “The LORD is my Light” - Psalm 27:1

Every morning the sun rises, and we walk in its light and perform our daily duties.  Whether we think about it or not, the light of the sun shines on us all day.  Likewise, the light of God shines on His children every morning.  But in order to enjoy the light of God’s countenance, the soul must turn to God and trust Him to let His light shine in upon it.

Just as you need the light of the sun each hour, so, too, is the heavenly light of the Father’s countenance indispensable.  If we expect the sun to rise each day and receive its light, we can also confidently count on God to let His light shine on us.  Make sure that the light of God shines on you as you commune with Him in the morning.  Then expect His light to remain with you all day long.
Remember, it is the ardent longing of your heavenly Father that you should dwell and rejoice in His light.  So, do not rest until you know that the light of His countenance and His blessing is resting on you.  Then you will experience the truth of the words:

 “They will walk in the light of your  presence, LORD. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.”  Psalm 89:15-16.

Prayer 

. Heavenly Father and Almighty God, I am thrilled at the very thought of being your child. Abba Father, please hear my prayer of concern for several people who are on my heart today... Loving God, thank you so much for the blessings you pour into my life each day. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

Quotes 

.. If your hopes are being disappointed just now, it means that they are being purified. - Oswald Chambers


.. The most powerful life is the most simple life.  The most powerful life is the life that knows where it’s going, that knows where the source of strength is; it is the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness. - Max Lucado

.. Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny. - C. S. Lewis

.. Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the window which hope has opened. - Charles H. Spurgeon

Commands for different classes - 2

` Young widows

1 Timothy 5:11-15

But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry  and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.  Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.  So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.  For some have already strayed after Satan.

` Church officers or elders

1 Timothy 5:17-19

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.  For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”  Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses

` Anyone who sins

1 Timothy 5:20

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

` Servants

1 timothy 6:1

Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.

` Masters

1 Timothy 6:2

Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.    

False Teachers and True Contentment

Teach and urge these things.

Lasciviousness

{Works of the Flesh}

Mark 7:22

coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

2 Corinthians 12:21

 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.


Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,  idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,  envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 4:19

They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

1 Peter 4:3

For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry

Matthew 1:20

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Reassurance beyond understanding! That's the beginning of the Christ story for Joseph. What he cannot understand and what he had no part in creating, will now be the groundbreaking journey of his own faithful and generous heart. He will be the human daddy to the Savior of the world. He will live the rest of his life knowing that a miracle happened with Mary without his input or involvement. His faith, and God's use of him in this story, should awaken each of us to the incredible possibilities that God may have in store for us. Why not use this December to re-awaken your heart to the Holy One, born Jesus of Nazareth.

Forgiveness of Sin

Through the blood of Christ – Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace

Through personal repentance – Acts 2:38

And Peter said to them, “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.

Related to forgiving others – Matthew 18:35

So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

God is immune to evil

Proverbs 21:30

There is no wisdom or understanding
 Or counsel against the Lord.

Psalm 94:19

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. — Psalm 94:19

God is our comforter, sustainer, and Lord. Only his gracious presence and tender blessings can bring consolation and comfort to our restless and discouraged souls. So let's turn to him, honestly confessing both our sins and our sorrows. Let's ask him to take our anxiety away and restore to us the passion, the joy, and the confidence of our salvation.

Bible Promises

Job 5:8

. But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.

 Amos 5:24

. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Prayer

. Holy and loving God, thank you for the gift of Jesus. Thank you that he entered our messy world with all its contradictions, ironies, and conflicts. Thank you for not being aloof or immune to our struggles. Thank you for Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

According to His purpose – Rom. 8:28

When God has a plan for an individual, He often begins with discipline in the form of affliction and sorrow.

Sometimes a storm brings people to their senses and arouses their consciences until they cry to the Lord.

Submit cheerfully. There is no affliction that comes by chance. We are not left to the misery of believing that things happen independent of a divinely controlling power. Not a drop of bitter ever falls into our cup unless the heavenly Father’s wisdom places it there. We dwell where everything is ordered by God. Whenever adversity must come, it is always with a purpose. And if it is God’s purpose, should I wish to escape it?

We have blessed assurance. “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28).

Adversity is a healing medicine and not a deadly poison. Thus, without a murmur drink it all and say with your Savior, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Mat. 26:39).

1 Corinthians 2:9

“However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."

Kids look forward to Christmas, Disneyland, and summer vacation. They imagine how great those things could be. Christians look forward to heaven and dream of seeing the Lord face to face, of being reunited with those we love that have gone home to the Lord before us, and of sharing in the glory of Jesus and his angels. But we can't even begin to imagine the great things that God has prepared for us.

They are far more glorious than anything we can dream or imagine. So let's anticipate being surprised and live with passion for the cause of the Kingdom knowing that any loss, any wound, any trouble, will "not be worth comparing to the glory to be revealed in us." (Rom. 8:18)

Thoughts 

+ Till men have faith in Christ, their best services are but glorious sins. - Thomas Brooks

+ I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward. - Charlotte Bronte

+ There is no hell on earth like horizontal living without God. - Charles Swindoll

Commands for different classes - 1

` Elderly men

1 Timothy 5:1

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,

` Young men

1 Timothy 5:1

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers,

` Elderly women

1 Timothy 5:2

older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

` Elderly widows

1 Timothy 5:3-10

Honor widows who are truly widows.  But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.  She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,  but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.  Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.  But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

  Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,  and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

1 Timothy 5:16

If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

To Unity and Joy in Christ

1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Exhortation to believers to stand fast in the Lord

1 Corinthians 16:13

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Galatians 5:1

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

His pre-existence and power

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.

John 1:1-2

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.

Prayer

. O LORD God Almighty, how can I ever show you how much the gift of your Son means to me? I am struck with wonder and joy that you should love me in this incredible way. Please accept my praise and adoration for both you and your Son. Praise to you, loving Father, for your indescribable gift! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Causes of Weeping - 3

. Remorse in Hell

Matthew 8:12

But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 22:13

Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 24:51

and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:3

Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them

Luke 13:28

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.

. Sorrow for Sin

Luke 7:38

and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.

. Death of Lazarus

John 20:11

But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.

. Death of Docas

Acts 9:39

Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

. Love for the Church

Philippines 3:18

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

. Destruction of Babylon

Revelation 18:15-19

The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’

   “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’

What to Mortify

Romans 1:29-32

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,  slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,  foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 
Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Romans 8:13

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,

1 Corinthians 6:9

 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

Mark 7:14

And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand:
2 Timothy 3:1-9

Godlessness in the Last Days

 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.  For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

Avoid such people.  For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,  always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.  Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.  But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

Is today the limit of God's working time?

 There hath not failed one word of all his good promise (1 Kings 8:56).

Some day we shall understand that God has a reason in every NO which He speaks through the slow movement of life. "Somehow God makes up to us." How often, when His people are worrying and perplexing themselves about their, prayers not being answered, is God answering them in a far richer way! Glimpses of this we see occasionally, but the full revelation of it remains for the future.
Oh for the faith that does not make haste, but waits patiently for the Lord, waits for the explanation that shall come in the end, at the revelation of Jesus Christ! When did God take anything from a man, without giving him manifold more in return?

Suppose that the return had not been made immediately manifest, what then? Is today the limit of God's working time? Has He no provinces beyond this little world? Does the door of the grave open upon nothing but infinite darkness and eternal silence?

A Commitment to Obey

Psalm 1:1-6

Complete obedience is a choice to follow God regardless of the consequences. This means that we obey the Lord even if our friends choose a different path or when suffering and embarrassment are guaranteed. Seeing His will done is more important than our own comfort or personal ambition. We commit the consequences to God and cling to His promises: He will never leave us (Deut. 31:6), and He makes good out of every situation (Rom. 8:28).

If Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life, what right do you have to limit how and when you’ll do His will?

Believers have no right to set their own limits; their one criterion for making decisions should be, What does God want me to do? The answer at times may cause suffering, but obedience is always right. And following God in all things is the surest path to favour and spiritual growth.

Thoughts 

+ To the true servant of God every place is the right place and every time is the right time. - Catherine of Siena

+ It is not only impossible but useless to know God without Christ. - Blaise Pascal

+ It seems to me that if we get one look at Christ in His love and beauty, this world and its pleasures will look very small to us. - D. L. Moody

+ Any parent who comes to terms with God’s claim of authority on his life needs little more to qualify as an effective parent. - Earl Jabay

Sin – Sin is Lawlessness

1 John 3:4

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

Psalm 34:12-13

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. —

God reminds us that our words and the way we use our speech greatly impact the quality of life we enjoy. Nothing cuts short a vibrant life like evil speech and lies we tell. They set loose a force of deception and damage that we cannot control. This unleashed power not only damages those about whom and to whom we speak, but they eventually boomerang and come back and bring their deadly payload back into our own lives. Let's be people who speak what is right, good, wholesome, holy, true, and a blessing. (cf. Ephesians 4:20-5:12)

'Intimate Friendship'

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. - 2 Corinthians 13:14

While most translations of this verse say "fellowship of the Holy Spirit," I find the phrase "the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit" to be powerful and exciting. We are brought into close fellowship with God and each other through "the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit."

Think about the implications of this concept. Our fellowship with one another and our connections to each other are based on our being drawn together through our shared friendship of the Spirit. As we are drawn into the intimate friendship of the Spirit of God, we find ourselves drawn nearer and closer to each other.

Thoughts 

. I ask Him daily and often momently to give me wisdom, understanding and bodily strength to do His will, hence I am asking and receiving all the time.   -George Washington Carver

. Satan pushes and condemns.  God draws and encourages, and with time and experience we learn the difference. - Richard Foster

Causes of Weeping - 2

. Sickness and accusations

Job 16:16

My face is flushed from weeping,
 And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

. Judgment on Nation

Isaiah 15:3-5

In their streets they will clothe themselves with sackcloth;
 On the tops of their houses
 And in their streets
 Everyone will wail, weeping bitterly.
  Heshbon and Elealeh will cry out,
 Their voice shall be heard as far as Jahaz;
 Therefore the armed soldiers of Moab will cry out;
 His life will be burdensome to him.
  “My heart will cry out for Moab;
 His fugitives shall flee to Zoar,
 Like a three-year-old heifer.
 For by the Ascent of Luhith
 They will go up with weeping;
 For in the way of Horonaim
 They will raise up a cry of destruction,

. False Worship

Ezekiel 8:14

So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.

. Killing of Infants

Matthew 2:18

“A voice was heard in Ramah,
 Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
 Rachel weeping for her children,
 Refusing to be comforted,
 Because they are no more.”

Power Behind the Testimony

Revelation 19:10

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, whether that truth was revealed through ancient prophecy or revealed now. The Spirit is our assurance that we can know, understand, and apply the truth about Jesus.

So when we hear true testimony, when people give true witness to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit is right there supporting that message, using that message to convict people of sin and bringing comfort from that message to those in need.

When we speak the truth about Jesus, the Holy Spirit is there giving power to that truth.

Our Redeemer

Philippines 2:7-8

Christianity is not for wimps or the faint of heart. Our example is described by words like... "made himself of no reputation" ..."servant" ..."humbled himself" ..."became obedient" ..."death on a cross!" That's tough stuff. And that is our example. The story of the Jesus may begin with a sweet child, but it also begins with him being placed where animals ate their food. While it may be powerful and precious, it is not saccharine and fake sentiment.

 It is about the price paid to redeem and the people who are different because they know their Redeemer

Psalm 37:23-24

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

I don't know about you, but I've stumbled my way through much of life. I've tripped at some of the most embarrassing moments. I've stumbled over my own feet, shoelaces, curbs, and just pure air. However, I am confident that in my spiritual life, even though I have stumbled from time to time, God has not let me completely fall.

When I think I'm going to plunge into the depths of the abyss, the Father's love, care, concern, Scriptures, servants, and helpers have kept me from destruction. God's hand does uphold me. He is there in times of trial. He has been mighty to save. I do believe that he delights in my journey. How about you?

Causes of Weeping - 1

. Judgement

Numbers 25:6

And indeed, one of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meet

. Death of Moses

Deuteronomy 34:8

And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended.

. Wife taken from husband

2 Samuel 3:16.

Then her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, “Go, return!” And he returned.

. Rebellion of Absalom

2 Samuel 15:30

So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up.

. Rebuilding of Temple

Ezra 3:13

so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off.

. Integration

Ezra 10:1

Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly

. Decree of destruction

Esther 3:13

And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions.

The Holy Spirit received by Faith

{And not by law – works}

John 7:37-39

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”  Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Galatians 3:13-14

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—  so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Secret of Victory over Sin

Romans 8:1-13

Life in the Spirit

 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,  in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

  You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

 Heirs with Christ

 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

God is with me—even in the Dark

Are you in a time of darkness? You can’t see the way. You don’t understand what’s happening. It makes no sense to you. Tell God about it and then leave it with Him. He knows the way and He is leading you into a new day.

God has promised us treasures of darkness. “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name “ (Isaiah 45:3).

The greatest treasure is to know God in a deeper way: to know that God is real and He meets real needs. It’s in the dark that God’s picture unfolds.

God says, “Trust Me. Don’t try to figure out what is happening. Simply trust Me and thank Me in advance for the good that will come out of it all.”

It will be a surprise how God will break into your life this time.

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4,5).

The Great Physician

The end of Matthew 4 implies that people were following Him in the hope of being healed of anything that ailed them. Yet in response to the crowd’s desire to be physically healed, Jesus responds with words that can heal the soul.

The Great Physician looks deep into our hearts and heals not just our bodies but our souls as well.

Believe and Unbelieve

If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).

Faith adds its "Amen" to God's "Yea," and then takes its hands off, and leaves God to finish His work. Its language is, "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he worketh."

Thoughts 

+ Good and evil both increase at compound interest.  That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. - C. S. Lewis

+ The million little things that drop into our hands, the small opportunities each day brings, He leaves us free to use or abuse and goes unchanging along His silent way. - Helen Keller

+ I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.
- Booker T. Washington

Asunder - 3

. Plucked-chains

Mark 5:4

because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.

. Burst-bowels

Acts 1:18

(Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.

. Departed-Paul and Barnabus

Acts 15:39

Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

. Dividing-Soul and Spirit

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

. Sawn-body

Hebrews 11:37

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—

Prayers 

. Lord, thank You for empowering Christians with authority and power. Thank You for the power in our prayers and the spoken word. Thank You for giving Christians authority here on earth. Remind us always to be bold, loving, and forgiving to those around us. Remind us in the heat of the moment that we can speak realities into our daily situations because of that authority. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
. Lord, grant me the discernment I need to help others find freedom from demons and all evil forces in this world. Use me to free them and help them find eternal freedom available through Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What Should We Boast About?

2 Corinthians 10:27

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

.. Breaking Chains

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

.. Build Others Up

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

To be glorified with Christ

Colossians 3:4

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Corinthians 15:23

But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.  When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:      
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
  “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Romans 8:17

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.