Lord, Help Me to Be a Forgiving Person

Proverbs 19:11
A person’s wisdom yields patience;
 it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Matthew 5:44-45
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,    that you may be children  of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Lord, Teach Me to Walk in Obedience to Your Ways

John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.  The one who loves me will be loved by my Father,  and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

1 John 3:24
The one who keeps God’s commands  lives in him,  and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

1 Thessalonians 5:12

“Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.”

What are you doing to bless the lives of your spiritual leaders? Do you pray daily for them? Do you send them notes of encouragement? Do you thank them for their loving attention? Do you respond to their rebukes and take heart in their affirmations? Leaders don't need to be followed blindly, but often they get no support for their efforts. Let's make their work a blessing and not a burden! (Hebrews 13:17)

[Message No: 6557]

It all starts with God

Colossians 1:16

For in him all things were created:  things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;  all things have been created through him and for him.

You are not an accident

Isaiah 44:2
This is what the Lord says—
 he who made  you, who formed you in the womb,
 and who will help  you:
 Do not be afraid,  Jacob, my servant,
 Jeshurun,  whom I have chosen.

What drives your life?

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace
 those whose minds are steadfast,
 because they trust  in you.

Made to last forever

1 John 2:17
The world and its desires pass away,  but whoever does the will of God  lives forever.

Seeing life from God’s view

Luke 16:10
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,  and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.   So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth,  who will trust you with true riches?

Life is a temporary assignment

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,  since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

[Message No: 6556]

How can you obtain all things?

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

Seek! That is the focus word in this verse. This word is a robust word, describing a passionate pursuit of something to make it our own. The Kingdom, and the righteousness of those in this Kingdom, is not our wish, our hope, our dream — it is our passion. We will pursue it at all costs. We will pursue it with passion. This will be our consuming effort until we make it our own, or better yet, find it our home!

Spirit-Inspired Joy

And the disciples  were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. - Acts 13:52

The Holy Spirit's presence in God's people is accompanied by joy! Jesus was full of joy because of the Spirit (Luke 10:21), and the same is also true of his disciples (Romans 14:17; Galatians 5:22). What I find interesting about today's passage is that all the external reasons for the disciples of Jesus to rejoice were absent. Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and run out of the region of Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:49-52). But, the good news of Jesus had penetrated the hearts of people who believed and turned to him. Paul and Barnabas continued on their mission and left behind a group of people in whom the Holy Spirit of God lived. No matter the circumstances, the Holy Spirit is going to bring God's deep and abiding sense of joy. Before his death, Jesus had promised this joy to his followers (John 16:21-24). God lives in us through the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is our assurance that we belong to God and will ultimately share eternity with him (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13). While trials, persecutions, and hardships may come our way, the Holy Spirit within us is God's reminder that our ultimate victory is secure and that our Father's love is always present. It's no wonder we are filled with "an inexpressible and glorious joy"! (1 Peter 1:8-9)

Prayer

. Lord, I confess I can't do life on my own without You. And I admit that is what I've tried to do at times in my life. When I have plenty, Lord, I forget to pray or give You any credit — acting like I've done it on my own. And, when I'm in need, I've run to You with a list of what I expect You to do — kind of like You are my great Santa Clause in the sky. Forgive me for my self-centeredness. I now know that I can live in any circumstance You put me in — just not on my own. I can only accomplish this mastery of life's situations through the strength of Jesus and my relationship with Him. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

[Message No: 6555]

Father God…You are Peaceful!

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything,  but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.    And the peace of God,  which transcends all understanding,  will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:9

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.  And the God of peace  will be with you.

Ephesians 2:13-14

But now in Christ Jesus you who once  were far away have been brought near  by the blood of Christ.
    For he himself is our peace,  who has made the two groups one  and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

Psalm 29:11

But now in Christ Jesus you who once  were faThe Lord gives strength to his people;
 the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 143:8

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

In nearly every disciple's life, there comes a time of loneliness and doubt. It seems as if our prayer requests just bounce off the ceiling and fall in broken pieces at our feet. God seems distant, hiding, asleep, or unsympathetic to our cries for mercy and help. Thankfully God gives us the Psalms. In the Psalms we can find words for almost all of life's ups and downs.

It is nice when we are down to know that others have been there before us and have recovered their faith and vitality. But, there are just some moments in life when we need to have God's reminders of his love and guidance. This psalm, and these words are made for such a time. If the request is not relevant to your need, then please, pray these words for someone

[Message No: 6554]

Christ and the Inness of Things

Christ ever  taught the Inness of things.

1] To Nicodemus it was  the inward  life – John 3:7

Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

2] To the woman of Samaria, inward supply – John 4:14

but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

3] To Saul of Tarsus, inward light – Acts 26:13-19

at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

      Paul's Post-Conversion Life

     “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision

4] To the demonic inward liberty – Mark 5:15

Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

5] To the palsied man, inward blessings –

Mark 2:5

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Mark 2:9

Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?

6] To Simon the Pharisee, inward love – Luke 7:47

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

7] To the Pharisees, inward cleansing – Matthew 23:25-26

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

[Message No: 6553]

Besides Still Waters - 28

Caught Nothing

Luke 5:5
But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the ne

After the Storm

Luke 8:25
But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
  And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

When you Pray

Luke 11:2
So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
  Our Father in heaven,
 Hallowed be Your name.
 Your kingdom come.
 Your will be done
 On earth as it is in heaven.

Ask and it will be Given

Luke 11:9
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

If He asks for an Egg

Luke 11:12
Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

Not one is Forgotten

Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

God feeds Them

Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?

[Message No: 6552]

Tears

+ Tears of Faith – Mark 9:24

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

+ Tears  of Devotion – Luke 7:38
As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

+ Tears of Service – Acts 20:19
I served the Lord with great humility and with tears  and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.

+ Tears of Sympathy – 2 Timothy 1:4
Recalling your tears,  I long to see you,  so that I may be filled with joy.

+ Tears of Warning – Acts 20:31
So be on your guard! Remember that for three years  I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Thoughts 

"There is never any peace for those who resist God." - François Fénelon

"All worry is atheism, because it is want of trust of God." - Bishop Fulton Sheen

"The heart is rich when it is content, and it is always content when its desires are fixed on God." - Miguel Cordero-Munoz

"Prayer is an end to isolation. It is living our daily life with someone; with Him who alone can deliver us from solitude." - Georges Lefevre

Prayer 

. O gracious Father, giver of every good and perfect gift, forgive me for relegating my thanksgiving and praise to special days and special places. I praise you for creating your human children with the capacity to celebrate goodness, to rejoice in your creation, and to have the capacity to for praise and thanksgiving. Thank you for making our world so full of reasons to offer thanks to you, our Abba Father and Creator. As you continually fill me with your Spirit, may my heart overflow with songs of praise and words of thanksgiving. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

[Message No: 6551]

When God Seems Distant

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Lord, Show me How to take control of my Mind

Ephesians 4:23-24

and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 John 4:20

“If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”

"O how I love Jesus!" we sing. Jesus responds by asking how well we are doing with loving our brothers and sisters! We can't love God if we can't love those around us.

Psalm 138:8

“The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands.”

First there is conviction: the LORD will finish his work in us! (cf. Phili. 1:6). Second, there is declaration: the LORD's love endures and doesn't fail (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8). Finally, there is supplication: O Lord, don't forget me, your creation (cf. Ps. 139:13-16). What beautiful balance for our walk with the Lord.

Thoughts

"The glory of God is a living man; and the life of man consists in beholding God."
— Irenaeus

"The longer you delay, the more your sin gets strength and rooting. If you cannot bend a twig, how will you be able to bend it when it is a tree?" - Richard Baxter

[Message No: 6550]

Traits of a wicked Sinner

He has –

1] The Covetousness of Balaam – 2 Peter 2:15
They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness

2] The Double Dealing of King Saul – 1 Samuel 15:20-23

And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
   So Samuel said:

   “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
 As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
 Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
 And to heed than the fat of rams.
  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
 And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
 Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
 He also has rejected you from being king.”

3] The Worldliness of Demas – 2 Timothy 4:10

for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

4] The Cunning of Absalom – 2 Samuel 15:1-6

After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a lawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.”
Moreover Absalom would say, “Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

5]  The Keenness of Gehazi – 2 Kings 5:20

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

6] The Greed of Achan – Joshua 7:21

When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.”

7] The Grab of Judas – John 12:6

This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

[Message No: 6549]

Seven Pillars of Wisdom

Proverbs 9:1

Wisdom has built  her house; she has set up its seven pillars.

James 3:17

the wisdom that comes from heaven  is first of all pure; then peace-loving,  considerate, submissive, full of mercy  and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

1.Putrity

2. Peace-Loving

3. Considerate

4. Submissive

5. Full of mercy and good

6. Impartial

7. Sincere

Do Not Deny Jesus

Luke 22:60

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.

1.Jesus is counting on you

2. We may not have the chance to testify again

3. Jesus holds our future in his hands.

A Desert Land

Deuteronomy 32:10

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

Evangelism

“I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. May I be happy and contented whether in the homeland or on the foreign field; whether married or alone, in happiness or sorrow, health or sickness, prosperity or adversity -- I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. I want it; oh, I want it.” - Oswald J. Smith
 “We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first.” - Oswald J. Smith

[Message No: 6548]

Marching Orders

[Jesus said,] "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." — Matthew 28:18-20

Last words! The last words of a parent to a child leaving for college... The last words of a loved one at the bedside of someone dying... The last words of a friend before moving to a distant place... These last words are chosen with care because they leave a lasting impact. Jesus' last words are our marching orders. "Go make disciples of all peoples! To do this," he emphasized, "you must go where they are, baptize them, and then teach them to do what I taught you to do." The words are not hard to understand, so what are we doing about obeying those last commands?

Spiritual Quote

"Not only does sin hinder prayer; prayer hinders sin. The two are always opposed. The more careless we are about sin, the less we will pray. The more we pray, the less careless we will be about sin. Both sin and prayer are powerful forces. Which one is moving you?" - Dr. Alvin Vander Griend

Quotes on Prayer 

Prayer is not a hard requirement - it is the natural duty of a creature to its creator, the simplest homage that human need can pay to divine liberality."

- Charles Spurgeon

"We should pray when we are in a praying mood, for it would be sinful to neglect so fair an opportunity. We should pray when we are not in a proper mood, for it would be dangerous to remain in so unhealthy a condition." - Charles Spurgeon

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God wants all people brought to repentance so they can receive his grace and live with him in glory. If that is God's passion, how can we not make it our passion?

[Message No: 6547]

Prayer of love for God

Psalm 18:1

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.

Psalm 139:17-18

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
 How great is the sum of them!
  If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
 When I awake, I am still with You.

'The Voice of the Shepherd' — John 10:3-4

Even today, sheep are separated from other flocks by the sound of their shepherd's voice. They follow their shepherd while sheep from other flocks follow their own shepherd even if the flocks are intermingled. Jesus wants us to know that as our Shepherd, he knows us intimately and will call us by name. We, in turn, need to learn to recognize his voice when he calls us. How do we learn to do that? By reading his words in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John in the Bible) and learning to recognize his ways and his will.

He will lead us where he wants us to go and bless us as we need to be blessed, but we need to be able to distinguish his voice from the many false religious voices that crowd into our world today. The only way to recognize Jesus' voice is to listen to and follow the words God has given us from Jesus in the Scriptures. Let's renew our passion to know the Jesus of the Gospels and follow his words!

Prayer 

. O Eternal Father, God of my ancestors' history and the assurance of my future, please help me be a person of integrity, especially when I deal with those who are not of my age group. May I be respectful and careful with my tone as I speak with those who are older. May I be pliable and open to change when confronted with my errors by those who are younger. Most of all, Father, please lead those people into my life who will love me enough to forgive my errors and also love me enough to point them out to me and to help me grow beyond them. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Thought 

"Christ is the Word of God. It is not in certain texts written in the New Testament, valuable as they are; it is not in certain words which Jesus spoke, vast as is their preciousness; it is in the Word, which Jesus is, that the great manifestation of God is made." - Phillips Brooks

[Message No: 6546]

Besides Still Waters - 27

Inherit the Kingdom

Matthew 25:34
Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

O My Father

Matthew 26:42
Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.

We are Perishing

Mark 4:38
But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

The Power of Jesus

Mark 4:41
And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Be of good Cheer

Mark 6:50
for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Forsaken by God?

Mark 15:34
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
  
 Tender Mercy

Luke 1:78
Through the tender mercy of our God,
 With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

[Message No: 6545]

Lord, Strengthen Me to Stand Against the Enemy

Ephesians 6:10-11

Finally, be strong in the Lord  and in his mighty power.    Put on the full armour of God,  so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,  intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—   for kings and all those in authority,  that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness  and holiness

Proverbs 10:25

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
 but the righteous stand firm  forever.

Thoughts 

"The greatest battles are fought in the mind." - Casey Treat

"Satan, the Hinderer, may build a barrier about us, but he can never roof us in, so that we cannot look up." - J. Hudson Taylor

"The word of God hidden in the heart is a stubborn voice to suppress." - Billy Graham

Ephesians 5:15

“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Living with urgency doesn't mean living recklessly. It means living with a holy abandon to honor God and with a holy passion to make each moment count for righteousness. That means we must be intentional about our choices, taking care that we use our moments wisely as we live a life of character different from the world around us because we are dedicated to Jesus.

The Lord who heals you

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.”

[Message No: 6544]

This is the Bread

Exodus 16:15

When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know  what it was.
 Moses said to them, “It is the bread  the Lord has given you to eat.

Proverbs 3:25-26

“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”

What guards your heart from fear? Only one protector is sure and faithful, his name is the LORD. He is our confidence and protector. As Paul said so powerfully long ago, prayer and the Holy Spirit are our assurance of God's deliverance.

Either we will be delivered from death to serve God powerfully or we will be delivered through death to share with him in eternity. We will not be snared when our fate and future remain in God's hands!

Thoughts 

"Apart from God every activity is merely a passing whiff of insignificance."
— Alfred North Whitehead

"Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just cracker jack clean living. Just honest to goodness, bone - deep, non-hypocritical integrity." - Charles Swindoll

Expect trials to Multiply

Genesis 22:1

Sometime later God tested  Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
 “Here I am,”  he replied.

Prayer

. Lord, help me to know Your Word so well that I’m not surprised when the enemy comes in some clever disguise. Remind me that evil beings and evil people can sound and look like they are actually good. I know they will get what they deserve in the end, but I want to make sure that I’m not connected with any of them in any way when that day finally comes. Help me to separate myself from these evil folks and their evil ways so I can please You in every possible way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[Message No: 6543]

'Urgency!'

[Jesus said,] "We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. - John 9:4

Jesus recognizes that his time on earth is short. He feels a sense of urgency to get the work of God completed. He also shares the importance of getting that work done with his disciples. Many of us have all sorts of distractions crowding into our lives. Some of these distractions seem important to us. Others, we recognize as insignificant intrusions.

The real question, however, is this: How well are we doing with placing God's priorities first in our lives regardless of the apparent importance of possible distractions? Do we feel a sense of urgency to get God's work done? Is God's work our focus or just another item to check off our "to do" list crowding into our busy lives?

Prayer 

. Great Almighty God, Ruler of the nations, Creator of the universe, and Lord of all things, please forgive me. Forgive me for my wimpy and limited prayers. Forgive me for getting involved in petty quarrels over mundane and irrelevant things. Forgive me for my spiritual lack of vision. Please stir me by your Spirit. Please open my eyes so that I can see what you long to do through me. Please empower me to be a powerful witness to our world trapped in darkness. Please give me incredible dreams for your Kingdom, then astound me by doing far more than I ever imagined. In the name of Jesus, and to your glory, I pray. Amen.

Evangelism 

"All great soul-winners have been men of much and mighty prayer, and all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by persevering, prevailing knee-

"God will not let me get the blessing without asking. Today I am setting my face to fast and pray for enlightenment and refreshing. Until I can get up to the measure of at least two hours in pure prayer every day, I shall not be contented. Meditation and reading besides." - Andrew Bonar

Thoughts 

"Prayer wonderfully clears the vision; steadies the nerves; defines duty; stiffens the purpose; sweetens and strengthens the spirit." - S. D. Gordon

"We all need love, but we need it most when we deserve it least — when we have sinned against someone, when we have made poor choices, when we have failed. In these situations, ordinary love must become extra-ordinary love."

— Barbara Rosberg

[Message No: 6542]

Redeemed us by His blood

Matthew 26:28

for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins

Colossians 1:14

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Romans 3:21

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

Romans 15:4

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. —

If the Bible is a love story, then its theme is hope. No matter how dire the circumstances, no matter how big the enemy, no matter how deep the sin, no matter how lost the people, no matter how empty the cupboard, no matter how wide the river, no matter ... God repeatedly gives his people reason to hope in a brighter tomorrow. Then God brought the assurance of that tomorrow in Jesus!

Eternal God, please give me patience and endurance as I search your Scriptures to know and understand your truth. I am amazed at the incredible things you did to redeem and bless your people in the Old Testament. I am absolutely astonished at what you were able to do with Jesus' rag-tag bunch of disciples. Please, O God, inspire my hope so that I will expect something great from your hand and then live to see you accomplish it in my day. May this, as well as all other things in my life, be to your honor and glory. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen.

Thoughts 

+ Not I, but God in me. - Dag Hammarskjold

+ Your health can be taken and your money stolen–but your place at God’s table is permanent. - Max Lucado

+ Spiritual maturity begins when we realize that we are God’s guests in this world.  We are not householders, but pilgrims; not landlords, but tenants; not owners, but guests. - C. Willard Fetter

[Message No: 6541]

Service

Exodus 12:26

And when your children  ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’

John 6:2

and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs  he had performed by healing the sick.

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you,  brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,  holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Ephesians 6:7

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,

Revelation 2:19

I know your deeds,  your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Luke 6:27

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you..."

Jesus was the perfect example of this command in his life and death. Love has such redemptive, life-changing power. While not everyone responds, many do. While being kind in our deeds and loving in our hearts to our enemies is not easy, God's Spirit can fill us with Jesus' love and help us live powerful lives of grace even in the presence of those who hate us.

Thoughts 

"Pardon comes not to the soul alone; or rather, Christ comes not to the soul with pardon only! It is that which He opens the door and enters by, but He comes

"God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a Book and lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years."

— A. W. Tozer

[Message No: 6539]

Besides Still Waters - 26

Numbered Hairs

Matthew 10:30
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

I will give you Rest

Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

My Barn

Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Beginning to Sink

Matthew 14:30
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

Walking on Water

Matthew 14:31
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Take up His Cross

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Nothing Impossible

Matthew 17:20
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you

All things are Possible

Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

[Message No: 6539]

Save a Soul

“[R]remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

When someone wanders from the path of God, let's not take that rebellion frivolously. God has given us the tremendous blessing of carrying on the work of our Savior, who came to seek and save the lost! – James 5:20

Amazing Works of God

“Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." – Luke 5:26

Jesus forgave a man who was lame, then showed he had authority to forgive by healing him. As exciting and important as this healing was, the most important thing was the reaction of those who witnessed it; they praised God out of a sense of amazed awe. They recognized that Jesus had come to minister as God's very presence. When we understand who Jesus is and what he has done for us and will continue to do for us, we do the same thing today — we offer our praises with a sense of amazement and awe.

He is our Savior

“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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call." – Acts 2:38
A promise for all those everywhere: those who turn their hearts to God and are baptized fully trusting in Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be filled with God's Spirit and will be forgiven of their sins because of the mighty name and gracious work of Jesus Christ.

So like the early disciples, let's share this grace so that the world can know that Jesus is not only Lord, he is also Savior and King for all who hear God's call and trust in him.

Thought 

"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand." - Madeleine L'Engle

[Message No: 6538]

Miracles of Elijah - 2

5] Soldiers were destroyed by fire –

2 Kings 2:9

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
 “Let me inherit a double  portion of your spirit,”  Elisha replied.

6] He caused rain to fall –

1 Kings 18:41-45

And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.”   So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.
    “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.
 “There is nothing there,” he said.
 Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”
    The seventh time  the servant reported, “A cloud  as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
 So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”
    Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain  started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.

James 5:18

Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

7] The waters were divided –

2 Kings 2:8

Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

8] He was taken a heaven in a whirlwind –

2 Kings 2:11-12

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire  and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven  in a whirlwind.    Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots  and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore  it in two.

[Message No: 6537]

Father God…You are Righteous!

Jeremiah 36:5-6

Then Jeremiah told Baruch, “I am restricted; I am not allowed to go to the Lord’s temple.   So you go to the house of the Lord on a day of fasting  and read to the people from the scroll the words of the Lord that you wrote as I dictated.  Read them to all the people of Judah  who come in from their towns.

Psalm 36:5-6

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
 your faithfulness  to the skies.
    Your righteousness  is like the highest mountains,
 your justice like the great deep.
 You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

Psalm 50:5-6

“Gather to me this consecrated people,
 who made a covenant  with me by sacrifice.”
    And the heavens proclaim  his righteousness,
 for he is a God of justice.,

Psalm 111:2-3

Great are the works  of the Lord;
 they are pondered by all  who delight in them.
    Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
 and his righteousness endures  forever.

Thoughts 

"Pray, and let God worry." - Martin Luther
"I only know this, that if He had not sought me out, I would never have come to
"Satan watches for those vessels that sail without convoy." - George Swinnock

[Message No: 6536]

Miracles of Elijah - 1

1] He prevented rain with his prayers –

1 Kings 17:1
Now Elijah  the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead,  said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain  in the next few years except at my word.”

James 5:17
Elijah was a human being, even as we are.  He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

2] He increased the widow’s mean and oil –

1 Kings 17:14-16
For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain  on the land.’”
    She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.   For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

3] He raised a child from the death –

1 Kings 17:19-23
“Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed.   Then he cried  out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?”   Then he stretched  himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”

    The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.   Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother  and said, “Look, your son is alive!”

4] A burnt offering was consumed by fire –

1 Kings 18:30-39
Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar  of the Lord, which had been torn down.   Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.”    With the stones he built an altar in the name  of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed.   He arranged  the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”
    “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

 “Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time.   The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

    At the time  of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham,  Isaac and Israel, let it be known  today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.    Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know  that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
    Then the fire  of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

    When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate  and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

[Message No: 6535]

Christ’s I “Have’s” in John 17

1] I have glorified Thee – Verse 4

I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

2] I have finished the work – Verse 4

I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

3] I have manifested Thy Name – Verse 6

I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

4] I have kept – Verse 12

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled

5] I have given them Thy Word and Words:

Verse 8

For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

Verse 14

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

6] I have given them Thy Name – Verse 26

And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

7] I have known Thee – Verse 25

O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.

8] I have sent – Verse 18

You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

9] I have given them Thy glory – Verse 22

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:

[Message No: 6534]

The Spirit of Antichrist

1] The spirit of lawlessness – 2 Thessalonians – 2:3

Don’t let anyone deceive you  in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion  occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed,  the man doomed to destruction.

2] The spirit of rebellion – 2 Thessalonians – 2:4

 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God  or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

3] The spirit of exaltation – 2 Thessalonians 2:4

He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God  or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

His Presence

 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” – John 17:3

Eternal life begins, now! That is one of Jesus' messages in the Gospel of John. For sure, we don't get to enjoy all of the blessings that await us when we go home to the Father. But, Jesus wants us to know and to experience his love and the Father's presence in our lives, now! He even prayed it for us! So let's seek the Father — not to just know about him, but to know him!

He longs to draw near to us and will do so as we draw near to him! He is at work in us, so the real issue isn't his nearness, but our awareness of his presence and work. Let's open our eyes and our hearts to our Father, and ask him to reveal his presence to us!

What God Has Joined Together 

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Matthew 19:6

1 .Character and conduct

2. Sowing and reaping

3. Death and judgement

4. The cross and the crown

[Message No: 6533]

Galatians 4:19

“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you...”

What was Paul's goal for the new Christians he worked with? He wanted them to come to full maturity in Christ (see Colossians 1:28-29). He knew the Holy Spirit would help them in this process if they would focus their hearts on Jesus and seek to reflect Jesus' character in their lives (2 Corinthians 3:18). So as we go through our daily activities, let's honor his goal — let's let Jesus come to life in us.

A Seed Until the Resurrection!'

Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: "Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey's colt." His disciples didn't understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.

— John 12:14-16

Jesus must be regarded differently because of his resurrection. If Jesus hadn't been raised from the dead, then our Christian walk has been a sad investment of faith, time, and hope (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). Since Jesus was raised, our lives are full of hope and promise, no matter how we might be threatened physically (1 Corinthians 15:20-26). We have the blessing of knowing how Jesus' story on earth ends — not with a cross and a tomb, but with a resurrected Savior! Once we truly grasp that crucial reality of the resurrection, everything is different; and we are more than conquerors through our peaceful Savior.

Thoughts 

"I don't see the big picture. I don't have a clue. But I know God does. I'm going to declare that, even if I don't feel it right now." - Steven Curtis Chapman

"We cannot live with bitterness because it will first manifest itself in our spirit, then in our emotions, and finally in our bodies." - Tom Drout

"Reputation is character minus what you've been caught doing." - Author Unknown

Laid aside for a Time

Exodus 3:1

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro  his father-in-law, the priest of Midian,  and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb,  the mountain  of God.

[Message No: 6532]

For the Name

1] Forsaking  for the Name

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

2] Going forth for the Name

3 John 7
because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

3] Laboring for the Name

Revelation 2:3
and you have persevered and have patience, and have laboured for My name's sake and have not become weary.

The Winding Road of Life

As you follow Him, He will take you on a journey you never would have imagined and it probably won’t look like the journey you envisioned for yourself. We will never fully understand His mysterious ways and all the twists and turns in the paths we travel in relationship with the Lord. But I would rather travel the roads of life with Him than any other way.

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me Your ways, O LORD; 
Teach me Your paths
  Lead me in Your truth and teach me, 
  For You are the God of my salvation:  
 On You I wait all the day.

Thoughts 

"The reason that most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first." - Robert J. McKain

"Today we are overboard on belief but bankrupt on obedience." -  Author Unknown

"It is the highest and holiest of the paradoxes that the man who really knows he cannot pay his debt will be forever paying it." - G. K. Chesterton

[Message No: 6531]

Besides Still Waters - 25

My Jewels

Malachi 3:17
“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts,
 “On the day that I make them My jewels.
 And I will spare them
 As a man spares his own son who serves him.”

God with Us

Matthew 1:23
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Not by bread alone

Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

The things you Need

Matthew 6:8
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him

Treasurers on Earth

Matthew 6:19
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

Be of good Cheer

Matthew 9:2
Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

Let it be to you

Matthew 9:29
Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

When a sparrow Falls

Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.

[Message No: 6530]

What we wait for?

1] The coming of the Lord – 1 Corinthians 1:7

so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

2] The Redemption of the Body – Romans 8:23

Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

3] The Manifestation of the Sons of God – Romans 8:19

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God

Wisdom for Good Health

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”

Discipline is the other component of a health-conscious attitude. Many of us approach exercise and weight loss in a “fits and starts” manner. While that may offer some value at the time, a more lasting method is of greater benefit. We need to develop new routines, within the structure of our family and work, for our bodies to thrive. Consistency over the long term is necessary if we are to stay in good condition.

A desire to eat right and exercise regularly does not guarantee we’ll avoid disease or live a long life. But it does mean we will have done our part to keep God’s temple in good shape for Him. Our calling as God’s children is best fulfilled when we seek physical as well as spiritual vitality.

Prayer

. Holy and Most High God, please breathe your Holy Spirit out upon us and bring true revival today to our churches and salvation for thousands who are lost. I pray this, in Jesus' name. Amen.

[Message No: 6529]

Christ in Hebrews

The Sin-Purger-To Clear

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory  and the exact representation of his being,  sustaining all things  by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins,  he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven

The Victor-To Deliver

Hebrews 2:15
and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear  of death.

The Apostle-To Speak

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.

The High Priest-To Succour
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.

The Forerunner-To Represent

Hebrews 6:20
where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.  He has become a high priest  forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

The Coming One-To Welcome

Hebrews 10:37
For,
  “In just a little while,
 he who is coming  will come
 and will not delay.”

His peace will Come
 
Numbers 6:26
the Lord turn his face  toward you and give you peace.

[Message No: 6528]

Effects of Sin

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” – Proverbs 3:7

Let's keep this simple. First, we need to admit that with the complexities and perplexities of life, even the smartest of us is not all that brilliant. Second, the LORD our God is awesome in holiness, majesty, power, wisdom, and grace; he is far beyond us and all we can truly grasp of him is the smallest of glimpses of glory.

Finally, let's stay away from anything that smacks of evil knowing that evil infects and confuses us, as well as separates us from God. – Proverbs 3:7

James 3:13

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Wisdom isn't shown by our "book learning," smart comments, or arrogance. No, true wisdom is shown by the godly character of our life lived with humility and kind deeds.

Proverbs 10:17

“He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”

– Proverbs 10:17

Discipline is not only important to us, but also to those who are influenced by our actions. So often we undervalue the impact of our personal decisions on others. But God has placed each of us in a circle of influence to be a blessing and a redemptive influence on those around us.

To choose what is foolish, to ignore godly correction, not only jeopardizes our own future, but also the future of others.

Thoughts 

"Jesus, like any good fisherman, first catches the fish; then He cleans them."

"The church exists by mission, as fire exists by burning." - Emil Brunner

"The long dull monotonous years of middle-aged prosperity or middle-aged adversity are excellent campaigning weather for the Devil." - C. S. Lewis

[Message No: 6527]

Things in which to abound

.. Abound in Faith

2 Corinthians 8:7

But since you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge,  in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

.. Abound in 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
.
.. Abound in Love

Philippians 1:9
And this is my prayer: that your love  may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight
.. Abound in Good Works

2 Corinthians 9:8 
And God is able  to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,  you will abound in every good work

God’s Purpose

The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. — Psalm 138:8

God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives. The greatest thing we can do is to find that purpose and live it out. We can trust his purpose for us because it is based on his wisdom and love. As long as we seek his will, we're not going to do anything that can ultimately mess up his purpose for us.
Yes, we may at times stray from the perfect channel he wants us to travel, but we never get totally out of the main channel. As long as we do not abandon him, and remember he will never forsake us, he will use us for his purposes.

Thought

"If we would talk less and pray more about them, things would be better than they are in the world: at least, we should be better enabled to bear them." - John Owen

[Message No: 6526]

In Praise of God

“O come, let us  sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation” – Psalm 95:1

We can praise God because:

1] He is our shelter

2] He is our refuge

3] He is our Défense

4] He is our salvation

The Christian Soldier

What is Satan’s purpose?

1 Peter 1:7

that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

What is to take place in the last days?

2 Timothy 3:1-9

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Thought 

"You must not lose confidence in God because you lost confidence in your pastor. If our confidence in God had to depend upon our confidence in any human person, we would be on shifting sand." - Francis Schaeffer

[Message No: 6525]

Besides Still Waters - 24

I will bless you

Haggai 2:19
Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.’ ”

A wall of Fire

Zechariah 2:5

For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst
I will answer them

Zechariah 13:9

I will bring the one-third through the fire,
 Will refine them as silver is refined,
 And test them as gold is tested.
 They will call on My name,
 And I will answer them.
 I will say, “This is My people’;
 And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”

It will be light

Zechariah 14:7

It shall be one day
 Which is known to the Lord—
 Neither day nor night.
 But at evening time it shall happen

 That it will be light.

A Refiner

Malachi 3:3

He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
 He will purify the sons of Levi,
 And purge them as gold and silver,
 That they may offer to the Lord
 An offering in righteousness.

[Message No: 6524]

Prayer of Heart Searching

Psalm 26:2-3

Test me,  Lord, and try me,
 examine my heart and my mind;
    for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
 and have lived  in reliance on your faithfulness.

Psalm 139:1-10

You have searched me,  Lord,
 and you know  me.
    You know when I sit and when I rise;
 you perceive my thoughts  from afar.
    You discern my going out  and my lying down;
 you are familiar with all my ways.
    Before a word is on my tongue
 you, Lord, know it completely.
    You hem me in  behind and before,
 and you lay your hand upon me.
    Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
 too lofty  for me to attain.
    Where can I go from your Spirit?
 Where can I flee  from your presence?
    If I go up to the heavens,  you are there;
 if I make my bed  in the depths, you are there.
    If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
 if I settle on the far side of the sea,
    even there your hand will guide me,
 your right hand  will hold me fast.

[Message No: 6523]

Christ ship of Jesus

There  is a progressiveness of Revelation regarding Jesus as the Christ.

1] Personally, as the Anointed of God, He does work for us which we could not do for ourselves –

John 20:31
but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

2] Positionally, as the Anointer with the Holy Spirit, He is made Lord and Christ. – Acts 2:36

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

3] Mystically. “Christ” as the Head and Members make up the mystical body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12
 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

4] Representatively. Christ is the One “in” whom believers are found –

2 Corinthians 12:2
  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

5] Provisionally. Christ is the Reservoir where all blessing is treasured.

Ephesians 1:3
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

6] Potentially. Christ is the In dweller to reproduce His life in ours.

Galatians 2:20
 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

7] Prospectively. The Church will be “with Christ” whether at death.

Philippians 1:23
For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better

Or His return

Colossians 3:4
When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

[Message No: 6522]

The Last Testimony on Calvary

Matthew 27:54

So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
The last testimony on Calvary shows us:
1] That God will always have someone to testify for him.
2] That Christ was faithful until the end.
3] That our hope in Christ is not in vain.

371 Kinds of Sins committed and recorded in Scriptures.

1] Eating of three of knowledge: Genesis 3
2] General wickedness: Gen. 6:5-7
3] Drunkenness:  Genesis 9:21; 19:33-38, 1 Cor. 6:9, Gal. 5:19-21
4] Defiance of God: Gen. 11:9
5] Deceit – Gen 12:12-13; 20:2; 26:7-8; 27::14-27

Psalm 37:28

“For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever... “
God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has promised elsewhere, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you!"

Thoughts 

"Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer." - Ed Cole
"Pride is what we have. Vanity is what others have." - Author Unknown
"Somebody is waiting on the other side of your obedience." - Tim Storey
"Christ is with those of humble mind, not with those who exalt themselves over his flock." - Clement of Rome

[Message No: 6521]

Besides Still Waters - 23

Good Timing

Jonah 4:6
And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

Is not the Lord among us?

Micah 3:11
Her heads judge for a bribe,
 Her priests teach for pay,
 And her prophets divine for money.
 Yet they lean on the Lord, and say,
 “Is not the Lord among us?
 No harm can come upon us.”

God will Hear Me

Micah 7:7
Therefore I will look to the Lord;
 I will wait for the God of my salvation;
 My God will hear me.

God is Jealous

Nahum 1:2
God is jealous, and the Lord avenges;
 The Lord avenges and is furious.
 The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries,
 And He reserves wrath for His enemies;

Yes, I will Rejoice

Habakkuk 3:18
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
 I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Do not Fear

Zephaniah 3:16
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
 “Do not fear;
 Zion, let not your hands be weak.

[Message No: 6520]

Love’s Superlativeness

1] Love is seen in it’s highest form
1 John 3:16
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

2] Love is revealed in it’s lowest stoop.
1 John 4:9
this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

3] Love is made known in, it’s purest grace.
1 John 4:10
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

4] Love is manifest in greatest sacrifice.
1 John 3:16
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren

5] Love is unveiled in it’s sublimest essence.
1 John 4:8
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

6] Love is bestowed in it’s mightiest power.
1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

7] Love is communicated in it’s interest blessing.
1 John 4:17-21

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

    Obedience by Faith

    If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

[Message No: 6519]

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the works Thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;

How Great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee;

How great thou art, how great Thou art!

Take the name of Jesus with you

Take the name of Jesus with you,

Child of sorrow and of woe,

It will joy and comfort give you;

Take it, then, wher-e’er you go,

Precious name, precious name

O how sweet! O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven,

Precious name, precious name,

O how sweet! O how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Shine, Jesus Shine

Lord, the light of your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness, shining

Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us

Set us free by the truth you now bring us

Shine on me(2)

Shine Jesus Shine

Fill this land with the Father’s glory

Blaze, Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire

Flow, river, flow, flood the nations

With grace and mercy

Send forth your word, Lord and let

There be light.

[Message No: 6518]

Father God…You are Merciful!

Psalm 119:63-64

I am a friend to all who fear you,
 to all who follow your precepts.
    The earth is filled with your love,  Lord;
 teach me your decrees.

 Psalm 62:11-12

One thing God has spoken,
 two things I have heard:
 “Power belongs to you, God,
    and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
 and, “You reward everyone
 according to what they have done

Psalm 119:156

our compassion, Lord, is great;
 preserve my life  according to your laws.

Deuteronomy 4:29-31

But if from there you seek  the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart  and with all your soul.    When you are in distress  and all these things have happened to you, then in later days  you will return  to the Lord your God and obey him.   For the Lord your God is a merciful  God; he will not abandon  or destroy  you or forget  the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.

Thoughts 

"An idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand." - A. W. Tozer

"If I didn't have spiritual faith, I would be a pessimist. But I'm an optimist. I've
"God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfil all His promises . . . leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

[Message No: 6517]

Besides Still Waters - 22

Every one Marches
Joel 2:8

They do not jostle each other;
 each marches straight ahead.
 They plunge through defenses
 without breaking ranks.

God’s Restoration
Joel 2:25
“I will repay you for the years the locusts  have eaten —
 the great locust and the young locust,
 the other locusts and the locust swarm—
 my great army  that I sent among you.

Prepare to meet your God
Amos 4:12
Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel,
 and because I will do this to you, Israel,
 prepare to meet your God.”

Sifted in a Sieve
Amos 9:9
“For I will give the command,
 and I will shake the people of Israel
 among all the nations
 as grain  is shaken in a sieve,
 and not a pebble will reach the ground.

Possess their Possessions
Obadiah 17

But on Mount Zion will be deliverance;
 it will be holy,
 and Jacob will possess his inheritance.

[Message No: 6516]

Father God…You are Joyful!

Isiah 55:12

You will go out in joy
 and be led forth in peace;
 the mountains and hills
 will burst into song  before you,
 and all the trees  of the field
 will clap their hands.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites  who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.”  For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

    Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing  prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy  of the Lord is your strength.” Jeremiah  8:9-10

John 15:11

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Psalm 30:4-5

Sing  the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
 praise his holy name.

    For his anger  lasts only a moment,
 but his favor lasts a lifetime;
 weeping  may stay for the night,
 but rejoicing comes in the morning.

[Message No: 6515]

To have in Christian Virtues

Galatians 5:22-23

the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

2 Peter 1:5-11

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For whoever lacks these qualities is so near-sighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.  Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.  For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Psalm 34:17

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Deliverance! A great theme of the Bible is that God is a God of deliverance who keeps his promises and faithfully shares his grace, mercy, and justice. Let this promise stir you to righteous living and then to cry out to God in all your troubles. One way to do this is to read through the Psalms regularly, letting these inspired words from so long ago offer a rich topography of prayer from which you can call to God.

Whether you use the Psalms or not, however, cry out to God with the praises, questions, and wounds that life brings. Let his presence be real to you and your heart open to him.

Thoughts

+ Christians are to “labor,” which refers to hard, manual work.  Hard work is honourable.  As Christians we should work hard so that we will have enough to give to those in need, not so that we will have more of what we don’t need. - John MacArthur

+ If you want to know God as he speaks to you through the Bible, you should study the Bible daily, systematically, comprehensively, devotionally, and prayerfully. - James Montgomery Boice

[Message No: 6514]

God’s Angels are Important to You

1] God’s angels are always with you

2] God’s angels can go anywhere at any time. They are where you need them when need them.

3] God’s angels are instantly available at God’s command.

4] God’s angels have superhuman strength.

5] God’s angels are probably God’s chief agents for answering your prayers.

6] God’s angels delight to do God’s will.

7] God’s angels have a permanent assignment to help you.

8] God’s angels love you because you are loved by God.

9] You can ask God for  the help of His angels at any time.

10] God’s angels are only God’s servants, assigned to you. You do not pray to them; you pray only to God and ask Him for their help.

11] God’s angels will rejoice with you in heaven and will probably explain to you how your prayers were answered on various occasions.

Listen to Jesus

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." – Joshua 1:9

While these words were spoken to Joshua when he took over for Moses, they are also applicable to us. Take a moment and read Psalm 139 out loud and see that God's promise to be with us is for all who truly call upon him. Listen to Jesus' words in Matthew 28:18-20, as he promises his disciples to "be with them always, even to the close of the age."

Remember God's promise, reiterated from an Old Testament blessing in Hebrews 13:5, "Never will I leave you, never will I desert you!" Let's be strong; our God, our Father, our Shepherd is always near, even if it doesn't seem so. We cannot go anywhere without his presence being near us and in us. We are not alone. We don't have to be afraid. In fact, no! t even death can separate us from his love (see Romans 8:35-39).

[Message No: 6513]

Besides Still Waters - 21

The appointed Time

Daniel 8:19
He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath,  because the vision concerns the appointed time  of the end

Left Alone
Daniel 10:13
But the prince  of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael,  one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

A door of Hope

Hosea 2:15
There I will give her back her vineyards,
 and will make the Valley of Achor  a door of hope.
 There she will respond  as in the days of her youth,
 as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

He will Heal

Hosea 6:1
“Come, let us return  to the Lord.
 He has torn us to pieces
 but he will heal us;
 he has injured us
 but he will bind up our wounds.

I will chasten Them

Hosea 10:10
When I please, I will punish  them;
 nations will be gathered against them
 to put them in bonds for their double sin.

Ransomed from Death

Hosea 13:14
I deliver this people from the power of the grave;
 I will redeem them from death.
 Where, O death, are your plagues?
 Where, O grave, is your destruction?
 “I will have no compassion,

[Message No: 6512]

Three Baptisms

1] The Baptism of Suffering  - Luke 12:40

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

The Baptiser,  .. The Father

The Baptised,  .. Christ

The Baptism,  .. Christ’s Death.

2] The Baptism of Union – 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

The Baptiser,  .. The Spirit

The Baptised,  .. All Believers.

The Baptism,  ..  Union with Christ.

3] The Baptism of Power -Acts 1:5-8

for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Baptiser,  .. Christ

The Baptised,  .. Waiting Believers.

The Baptism,  .. Power.

Thoughts 

"We do not cease to be children because we are disobedient children." - Frederick Denison Maurice
"Time is too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love — time is eternity." - Henry van Dyke

[Message No: 6511]

Learning to say No

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...” Titus 2:11-12

Grace is not about excuses for our sins, but about a deep-seated thanksgiving for pardon and a life-changing commitment to say "No!" to all that is evil, corrupt, and wicked no matter how alluring or how pervasive they may be in our culture.

In the name of Jesus

“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. — Matthew 18:20

When are friends more than friends? When they gather in the name of Jesus and he meets with them there.”

How God Uses Your Praise

A.B. Simpson called praise  both a physical tonic and a wholesome stimulant. Praise  will change the atmosphere of your life, your home, and your church. A  word of praise  of a chorus or hymn of praise can make a home devotional time come to life.
You will be daily growing in spiritual strength if you plan and practice praise  constantly. Spurgeon said, “When we bless God for mercies, we prolong them; and when  we bless Him for miseries, we usually end them.”

Prayer

. Lord, I know You care about the poor. Jesus ministry was especially focused on the poor, and it also seemed like the poor were often more receptive to His message. Forgive me for my past lack of concern for the poor, Lord, and help me to see them from now on through Your eyes. I pray for justice for the poor. Help the poor to be treated fairly in our land and give the poor a heart that lovingly receives that justice. Let the golden rule become the order of the day; the normal procedure; the rule of thumb. Let love rule the land in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Thoughts
 
"We never become truly spiritual by sitting down and wishing to become so. You must undertake something so great that you cannot accomplish it unaided." - Phillips Brooks

"Above all, desire to please Christ; dread his disapproval above everything else." - Rowland Croucher

[Message No: 6510]

Hearing - 3

12]  How Does Faith Come?
Romans 10:17

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,  and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

13] How to Hear without a Preacher?
Romans 10:14

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

14] Should we be Swift  to Hear?
James 1:19

My dear brothers and sisters,  take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak  and slow to become angry,

15] Should we Hear His Voice?
Revelation 3:20

To the one who is victorious,  I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,  just as I was victorious  and sat down with my Father on his throne.   Whoever has ears, let them hear  what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Luke 9:35

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen;  listen to him.”

Psalm 139:23-24

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Most of us don't like being scrutinized and tested. But God knows us through and through. He has been with us from our conception and will work with us through the grave and beyond. So let's invite him into our interior world to search us, test us, and even scrutinize our anxious thoughts.
He is not there to condemn or punish, but to cleanse and redeem so that we can be led to his eternal grace.

[Message No: 6509]

Hearing - 2

6] What about the one who does Hear?

Proverbs 22:17-18
Pay attention  and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
 apply your heart to what I teach,
    for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
 and have all of them ready on your lips.

7] Will God Hear those who will not Obey Him?

John 9:31
We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.

8] Should  we Take Heed How we Hear?

Luke 8:18
Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

9] Should we Take Heed what we Hear?

Mark 4:24
Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.

10] Did they Hear on the Day of Pentecost?

Acts 2:37
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

11] Did Cornelius Hear?

Acts 10:33
So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

[Message No: 6508]

Hearing - 1

1] What is God’s First Command?

Mark 12:28-30
One of the teachers of the law  came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
    “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.   Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength

2] What is God’s Last Command?

Matthew 17:5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!”

3] Who are to Hear?

Isaiah 1:2
Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
 For the Lord has spoken:
 “I reared children  and brought them up,
 but they have rebelled  against me.
Acts 9:4
He fell to the ground and heard a voice  say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

4] Whose Soul Shall Live?

Isaiah 55:3
Give ear and come to me;
 listen,  that you may live.
 I will make an everlasting covenant  with you,
 my faithful love  promised to David.

5] What is Better than Sacrifice?

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied:
  “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
 as much as in obeying the Lord?
 To obey is better than sacrifice,
 and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

[Message No: 6507]