How we speaks?

 “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” – Psalm 141:3
How important is our speech? Jesus said it revealed what was going on in our hearts. Proverbs repeatedly tells us that our words can wound or heal. The apostle Paul tells us to speak only what will benefit those who hear us. In light of these Scriptures, this prayer of David is very appropriate.
Only God can help us tame the tongue and use its power to bless. Let's invite him into our world of speech and ask him to take control of it as he does our hearts!

Baptism – Acts 8:6-8

[What  did the people do when the Preached Christ Unto Them?
And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

Did they believe  Philip’s Preaching?

Acts 8:12
 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

Prayers in the Father’s Hearing

John 11:41
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

Scripture for Anger

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
 And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
  For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
 And the Lord will reward you.

[Message No: 7103]

God’s love

A little fellow in a school where the standards were very high and conduct was  very appropriate, kept breaking the rules. And  the headmaster called him in and said, “Johnny, we like you, but we don’t like what you do. We love you, but we don’t  love what you do.”

And that is  something like God. God says, “I love you, but I don’t necessarily  approve of you. But I  love you still.” That meant that God  could love us even in the midst of His disapproval of us.

Scriptures for Anger

Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Ephesians 4:26
Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

John 16:33

[Jesus said,] "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

This world is a place of struggle. Yes, we can live above the struggle for a while. We can find a way to simply ignore or re-label the struggle for a time. But in the end, the struggle will find us. But in the midst of struggle, we can remind ourselves that our victory is secure. Jesus has won! We will share in his great triumph.

In case you didn't know, the final outcome is already determined and Christians "win big" through Jesus. And this victory is a forever win!

The account with persecution 

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Scripture for Charity

Proverbs 14:21
He who despises his neighbour sins;
 But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

[Message No: 7102

Effects of Wrong Messages

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. — Ephesians 4:25

Isn't it terrible when one part of a body sends the wrong message to other parts of the same body? This happens with diseases and physical ailments. The results can be disastrous. Paul reminds us that dishonesty in the Body of Christ is just as damaging. Our words must not only be kind, but they must be truthful and beneficial as well.

Scriptures for Contentment

Proverbs 23:17-18
Luke 3:14

Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”
  So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Psalm 146:5
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
 Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

Psalm 144:15
Happy are the people who are in such a state;
 Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!

The Gift of Welcome

Hebrews 13:1-2

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing

[Message No: 7101]

Do we need a Shepherd?

May the God of peace, ...that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will. — Hebrews 13:20-21

A good shepherd equips his sheep to face the trials of life. But as Psalm 23 reminds us, no shepherd equips his sheep quite like the ultimate Shepherd. Let's unleash his power in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ by specifically praying for God to equip them with everything they need to do his good work!

A Great Earthquake - Plagues of Revelation

Revelation 8:5
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

Concerning Individuals 

. Dumbness of Zacharias

Luke 1:20
But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

. Destiny of Penitent Thief

Luke 23:43
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

. Vision of Nathanael

John  1:50-51
Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Hail, Fire and Blood - Plagues of Revelation

Revelation 8:5
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thundering’s, lightnings, and an earthquake.

[Message No: 7100]

Christian Civility

Romans 12:14-20
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

   Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
  “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
 If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
 For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Spiritual Growth Parents

. Paul was a Spiritual Father

1 Corinthians 4:15
For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

. Paul was a spiritual mother

1 Thessalonians 2:7
But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

Concerning Individuals 

. John’s Spirit Filling

Luke 1:15
For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

[Message No: 7099]

Before the Fall

Genesis 3:16-24

To the woman He said:

  “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
 In pain you shall bring forth children;
 Your desire shall be for your husband,
 And he shall rule over you.”

   Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:

  “Cursed is the ground for your sake;
 In toil you shall eat of it
 All the days of your life.
  Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
 And you shall eat the herb of the field.
  In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
 Till you return to the ground,
 For out of it you were taken;
 For dust you are,
 And to dust you shall return.”

      And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

   Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

   Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

[Message No: 7098]

A Call to Godly Living

Romans 12:1-2
The key to living a godly life is full surrender. That means we must let God have complete control over our lives. The Lord is looking for faithful men and women who will stand up for truth in a world that is increasingly opposed to the gospel. Rather than base your standards on popular opinion, allow Scripture to set your values.

Answer the Lord's call to a godly life, and you will never be the same.

Commands 

Come out from among them

2 Corinthians 6:17
Therefore
  “Come out from among them
 And be separate, says the Lord.
 Do not touch what is unclean,
 And I will receive you.”

Command and teach these things

1 Timothy 4:11
These things command and teach.
1 Timothy 6:2
And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

Have you even been alone with God?

Mark 4:34
But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

[Message No: 7097]

Yet God gives us His Grace

“A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.” – Proverbs 21:29
When we harbor wickedness in our hearts, there are all sorts of "fronts" we have to keep up so people won't know the truth about us. But if righteousness is our aim, we'll try to live up to that goal with honesty. When we blow it, we'll be honest and ask forgiveness, learning from our mistakes.
We won't put up a facade. We know that even though we're flawed, God is not through working on us yet!

Leadership

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. — Hebrews 13:7

What makes a great Christian leader? The Holy Spirit emphasizes 3 things in this passage:
1) they teach others the word of God;

2) they live as great examples for others; and

3) they have observable faith. God puts each of us in positions of influence with our children, our friends, our work acquaintances, and our neighbors.
What kind of spiritual leadership are we showing them?

Rewards 

"Let us remember, there is One who daily records all we do for Him, and sees more beauty in His servants' work than His servants do themselves... And then shall His faithful witnesses discover, to their wonder and surprise, that there never was a word spoken on their Master's behalf, which does not receive a reward." - J. C. Ryle

The baffling call of God

Luke 18:31
Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.

Luke 18:34
But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.

[Message No: 7096]

We are gone

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear but like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. — Isaiah 51:6

I don't know about you, but sometimes the Bible is so brutally honest it hurts! We consider our world, our earth, to have been here a long time and assume it will be here a long time more. But God reminds us that it is temporary! We are even more temporary: just like flies, we're here for a short while, and then we're gone.

But not gone, gone! Christians are just gone from the temporary existence of earth because our lives are caught up with Christ in God's salvation which lasts forever and God's righteousness that will never end or fail.

Scripture for Comfort

Psalm 22:24
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
 Nor has He hidden His face from Him;
 But when He cried to Him, He heard.

Psalm 37:24
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
 For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good,
 A stronghold in the day of trouble;
 And He knows those who trust in Him.
Don’t Get Lost in Your Troubles

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace,
 Whose mind is stayed on You,
 Because he trusts in You.

[Message No: 7095]

Taking a U Turn

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

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

Casting Down of Satan - Plagues of Revelation

Plague of eternal hell

Revelation 2:11
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’

Revelation 14:9-11
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

Revelation 20:10-15
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

      The Great White Throne Judgment

     Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

[Message No: 7094]

Scriptures for Anger

Nehemiah 9:17

They refused to obey,
 And they were not mindful of Your wonders
 That You did among them.
 But they hardened their necks,
 And in their rebellion
 They appointed a leader
 To return to their bondage.
 But You are God,
 Ready to pardon,
 Gracious and merciful,
 Slow to anger,
 Abundant in kindness,
 And did not forsake them.

Acquaintance with Grief

Isaiah 53:3
He is despised and rejected by men,
 A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
 And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
 He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Reconciling one’s self to the fact of Sin

Luke 22:53
When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Scripture for Charity

Luke 14:13-14
But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

[Message No: 7093]

Ring of Invisibility

John 3:16-21

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

   “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Scriptures for Charity

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 12:33
Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

Psalm 112:9
He has dispersed abroad,
 He has given to the poor;
 His righteousness endures forever;
 His horn will be exalted with honor.

Proverbs 28:27
Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
 But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

[Message No: 7092]

Questions in Romans – 4

8:24
For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us

8:32
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

8:33
Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

8:34
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Proverbs 11:20

“The LORD... delights in those whose ways are blameless.”

I am confident that the Lord will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Why? Not because I'm perfect, but Jesus has forgiven and cleansed me and the Holy Spirit is working to perfect my behavior to match my standing before God.

 I don't know about you, but I am thankful to know that we can bring the LORD delight. Just like our children can bring us delight. Just like a good desert can bring us delight. Just like a beautiful sunset enjoyed with someone we love brings us delight.

Thought 

"To holy people the very name of Jesus is a name to feed upon, a name to transport. His name can raise the dead and transfigure and beautify the living."
— John Henry Newman

[Message No: 7091]

Perfect Grace

Matthew 5:43-48

Love Your Enemies

     “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Classes Mentioned in the Bible

False Prophets

Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind,
 They are all ignorant;
 They are all dumb dogs,
 They cannot bark;
 Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

Deceived People

Matthew 7:6
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Revelation 22:15
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

[Message No: 7090]

Old Yet New

Revelation 21:1-5

All Things Made New

   Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

   Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

Degrees of Faith

. Full assurance of faith of consecration

Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

. Prayer of faith of intercession
James 5:15
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

. So great faith of excellence
Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

The Lord is Near

Philippians 4:4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
   Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

[Message No: 7089]

Not a bad Deal

“Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." - John 14:23

At many Christian funerals, the preacher emphasizes how Jesus has left to make a place ready for us to join him in heaven. Then he is going to come back for us. But just a few verses later, Jesus adds this promise. He's telling us that until we can come be with him at his place, he will come live with us here in our hearts. It all hinges on one thing, our willingness to obey him. Not a bad deal, is it? So let's not let obedience be a forgotten word in our lifestyle!

What do you see in your clouds?

Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Questions in Genesis

27:18
So he went to his father and said, “My father.”
  And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”

27:20
But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?”
  And he said, “Because the Lord your God brought it to me.”

Scriptures for Anger

Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Thought 

. I believe in God as I believe in my friends, because I feel the breath of his affection, feel his invisible and intangible hand, drawing me, leading me, grasping me, because I possess an inner consciousness of a particular providence and of a universal mind that marks out for me the course of my destiny. - Miguel de Unamuno

[Message No: 7088]

Man’s delegated “dominion”

Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Genesis 2:16-17
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Plagues of Revelation 

Being fought by Christ

Revelation 2:16
Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.
Being cast into Tribulation

Revelation 2:22
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

Right relationship with God through blood

Romans 3:25
whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

[Message No: 7087]

Lack Nothing

Mark 6:7-12

Sending Out the Twelve

     And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
   Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

   So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Scriptures for Contentment

Hebrew  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.

Proverbs 15:15
All the days of the afflicted are evil,
 But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 14:30
A sound heart is life to the body,
 But envy is rottenness to the bones.

1 timothy 6:6
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

Recall What God Remembers

Jeremiah 2:2

Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord:
   “I remember you,
 The kindness of your youth,
 The love of your betrothal,
 When you went after Me in the wilderness,
 In a land not sown.

[Message No:7086]

Kingdom of God’s Work

Those who know  the scriptures are the ones that have the power today. But we need men and women who walk with God. And if you do that you too can finish the work that God gave you to do (John 9:4).

And help us to realize the brevity and the urgency of time, and may we invest what little time we have in the Kingdom of God.

Pervert 

. you shall not pervert – Deuteronomy 16:19
You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.

. and pervert all equity – Micah 3:9
Now hear this,
 You heads of the house of Jacob
 And rulers of the house of Israel,
 Who abhor justice
 And pervert all equity,

. pervert the gospel of Christ – Galatians 1:7
which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

My Joy … You Joy 

John 15:11
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

His!

John 17:6
“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.

Unashamed to Live for God

2 Samuel 7:14
I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.

[Message No: 7085]

Jesus – Marvellous Name

We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. — Psalm 75:1

"What a wonderful God we serve!" More than just the words of a song, these words are true beyond our understanding. To be so powerful, vast, and marvellous and yet still know us and bless us with his personal attention and care is beyond understanding. Yet God sent Jesus to remind us that he is not only God Almighty; he is also Immanuel, God with us!

Circumcision 

. him the covenant of Circumcision – Acts 7:8

Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

. Circumcision that which is outward – Romans 2:28

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;

. Circumcision is that  of the heart – Romans 2:29

but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Family 

. Shall mourn every family – Zechariah 12:12
And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves;

. family were baptized – Acts 16:13
And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

. from whom the whole family – Ephesians 3:15
 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

[Message No: 7084]

Imagination v. Inspiration

2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Concerning Individuals 

. Ministry of John

Luke 1:16-17
And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Luke 1:76-79
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
 For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
  To give knowledge of salvation to His people
 By the remission of their sins,
  Through the tender mercy of our God,
 With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
  To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
 To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

John 1:30-33
This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”

   And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit

[Message No: 7083]

How do we honor our Father

Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. — Romans 13:7

Wouldn't it be nice for God to let us off the hook at tax time? But he is calling us to his character, to be good, honest, and holy. In a world that is fallen and needs redemption, we must learn to live in it as God's children, but not possessed by it. So we honour our responsibilities and commitments to others because in doing so, we honour our Father.

Comfort: God’s Holy Exchange

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
 Because He has anointed Me
 To preach the gospel to the poor;
 He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
 To proclaim liberty to the captives
 And recovery of sight to the blind,
 To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
  To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Spiritual Growth – Putting Off

. Get rid of all malice
1 Peter 2:1
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

. Put off the old self
Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

. Put off falsehood
Ephesians 4:25
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

[Message No: 7082]

God’s grace is for all people

 “Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” – Luke 2:28-32

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

Questions in 1 Kings

16:20
Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and the treason he committed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

16:27
Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and the might that he showed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

17:8
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

Something more about His ways

Matthew 11:1
Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

The discipline of difficulty

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Thoughts

. Faith is an inner conviction of being overwhelmed by God. - Gustaf Aulen
. God is everywhere so pray anywhere. – Unknown

[Message No: 7081]

Faith V/s Church

The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia — your faith in God has become known everywhere - 1 Thessalonians 1:8

What kind of reputation does your church have? What is your dream for the congregation you attend? So many of us have such short-sighted goals for our churches. The church at Thessalonica was only a few months old and its reputation for sharing their faith had become known all over the Roman Empire. Now that's the kind of reputation I want the congregation I work with to have! How about you?

Facts about Repentance

It is God’s Command – Acts 17:30

Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

God waits in for repentance – 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Circumcision’s Significance 

Genesis 7:10
And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth.

Zeal 

The zeal of the Lord – 2 Kings 19:31

For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant,
 And those who escape from Mount Zion.
 The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.’

Zeal has consumed me – Psalm 119:139

My zeal has consumed me,
 Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.

He shall stir up His zeal – Isaiah 42:13

The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man;
 He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war.
 He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud;
 He shall prevail against His enemies.

[Message No: 7080]

Eternal Life

1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

John 6:47
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Luke 2:25
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Scriptures for Anger

Proverbs 22:24-25
Make no friendship with an angry man,
 And with a furious man do not go,
  Lest you learn his ways
 And set a snare for your soul.

Psalm 37:8
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
 Do not fret—it only causes harm.

Questions in Nehemiah

6:3
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work
cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

6:11
And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!”

[Message No: 7079]

Divine Wisdom

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. — Ecclesiastes 7:12

We can try to insure our future through many things. Wisdom, however, is always a better investment than finances because it not only shelters us from our uncertain future, but Godly wisdom can also keep us out of the unnecessary consequences for dumb and ungodly behaviors. Most of all, God's wisdom teaches us that there's no solid future without our lives centered on God.

God’s Wrath - Plagues of Revelation

Revelation 6:12-17

Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances

     I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

By Spiritual Confusion

Matthew 20:22
But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
  They said to Him, “We are able.”

His!

John 17:6
“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.

[Message No: 7078]

Caring for God’s Servants

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. —

Galatians 6:6

Yes, there are those who take advantage of God's flock and misuse God's money. This is tragic because many of God's servants of the Word all over the world minister with few economic resources or financial support. While God never promised ministers of the Word economic wealth, he does remind us of the importance of caring for them.

Let's us support those who share God's word with us. Let's also remember that sharing "all good things" means much more than money! Let's keep our missionaries, our ministers, and our teachers in our prayers. Let's commit to sending them regular notes of specific encouragement so their ministry will be a blessing not only to us and the Lord but also to them!

Glorified 

. The people I must be glorified – Leviticus 10:3

And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying:
   ‘By those who come near Me
 I must be regarded as holy;
 And before all the people
 I must be glorified.’ ” So Aaron held his peace.

. and they glorified the God of – Matthew 15:31

So the multitude marvelled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

. Jesus was not yet glorified -John 7:39

But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Destiny of Holiness 

1 Peter 1:16
because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

[Message No: 7077]

2 Timothy 3:15

From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. —

From infancy! If you had a godly mom that brought you into the world surrounded by faith in Jesus, stories from the Bible, and lullabies of faith, then praise God and thank her. If you didn't, then make a commitment that your children and your grandchildren will be given this head start in life.
 Yes, personal faith will be won in adolescence or adulthood, but beginning in infancy is such a blessing. To fill a child's world with love and hope and promise because of Jesus is the greatest gift a parent can give!

Scriptures for Belief 

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Acts 10:43
To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

Romans 9:33
As it is written:
  “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
 And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Apprehended by God

Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Direction of Discipline

Matthew 5:30
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Thought 

. Truly we have learned a great lesson when we have learned that “saying prayers” is not praying! - J. C. Ryle

[Message No: 7076]

Be loyal to the Lord

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. — John 19:38-39
The power of the Cross is demonstrated in the lives of these two men, neither of whom showed himself fully to be a disciple of Jesus in his ministry. Now in his death, they make sure he is given a proper burial making themselves unclean for the Passover and proving themselves loyal to the Lord at the worst time for them to do so. The Cross touched them when nothing else could, just like it has touched us!

Baptism 

. Did they believe Philip’s Preaching? – Acts 8:12
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

. Did Simeon believe? – Acts 8:13
Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

. Did Jesus  say that he that beliveth and is baptized shall be saved? – Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Glorified

. Glorified His servant Jesus – Acts 3:13
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.

. These He also glorified – Romans 8:30
Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

. Things God may be glorified – 1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

[Message No: 7075]

After Obedience

(Ways to Repentance)

Mark 6:45-52

Jesus Walks on the Sea
     Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 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.” Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

Questions in Nehemiah

13:11
So I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?”

13:17
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day?

13:18
Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”

13:21
Then I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath.

[Message No: 7074]

Circumcision

For we are the circumcision -Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Circumcised with circumcision -Colossians 2:11
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

Those of the circumcision – Titus 1:10
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision

Zeal

Have spoken it in My zeal – Ezekiel 5:13
Thus shall My anger be spent, and I will cause My fury to rest upon them, and I will be avenged; and they shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it in My zeal, when I have spent My fury upon them.

For Zion with great zeal – Zechariah 8:2

“Thus says the Lord of hosts:
   ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal;
 With great fervor I am zealous for her.’

God’s Word, Evangelism, and Expansion

Isaiah 55:10-11

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
 And do not return there,
 But water the earth,
 And make it bring forth and bud,
 That it may give seed to the sower
 And bread to the eater,
  So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
 It shall not return to Me void,
 But it shall accomplish what I please,
 And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

[Message No: 7073]

What are we seeking today?

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. — Amos 5:14

 What do you seek out of today? Do you seek good? Or will you pursue evil by nursing a grudge, spreading some gossip, or feeding a lust? God longs to be with us, and he has promised to never leave us. But where God goes, his character, his righteousness, and his goodness are sure to follow!

God’s Word: Read it! Study it! Memorize it!

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Significance of Repentance

Glorifies God – Revelation 16:9
And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

Leads to Forgiveness of Sins

Mark 1:4
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Luke 17:3
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Theology Alive – John 12:35

Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.

Sublime Intimacy – John 11:40
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”

[Message No: 7072]

Set Free

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. — Romans 8:1-2
We are set free in Jesus from the most important bondage of all, our fear of God's judgment. We are liberated from law, which convicts and leads to death. We are set free by the Spirit to not only fulfil what the Law intended, but also to be delivered from the penalty of death that the Law required. In Jesus, and by the power of his Spirit, we are set free to be God's children... for forever!

Plagues of Revelation 

The rise of ruthless Dictator

Revelation 6:1-2
Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Wars

Revelation 6:3-4
Second Seal: Conflict on Earth
     When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

Famine 

Revelation 6:5-6

Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth

     When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

[Message No: 7071]

Good advice to neighbours

Proverbs 25:8-10
Do not go hastily to court;
 For what will you do in the end,
 When your neighbor has put you to shame?
  Debate your case with your neighbor,
 And do not disclose the secret to another;
  Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
 And your reputation be ruined.

The blessing reproof

Proverbs 25:12
Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
 Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

The Spiritual Index 

Matthew 7:9
Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

The Fruitfulness of Friendship

John 15:15
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Rest in God’s Presence

Exodus 33:14
The Lord replied, “My Presence  will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

[Message No: 7070]

Patrichal examples

Genesis 26:1-5

Isaac and Abimelech

   There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar.

   Then the Lord appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Plagues of Revelation 

Being Killed

Revelation 2:23
I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

Having name blotted out of the book of life

Revelation 3:5
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Exodus 32:32-33
Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”

   And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.

God’s sovereignty

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

[Message No: 7069]

Demon Horsemen to Slay Men - Plagues of Revelation

Revelation 9:13-21
Sixth Trumpet: The Angels from the Euphrates

     Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.

   But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or
 their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Concerning Individuals 

. Peter’s Death

John 21:18
Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”

. Suffering and Spirit Baptism of Jesus and John

Matthew 20:23
So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

Mark 10:39
They said to Him, “We are able.”
  So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;

[Message No: 7068]

Need God’s Presence

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. — Psalm 28:9
While most of us are familiar with the very personal declaration about God as shepherd in Psalm 23. This Psalm is a plea for God to actively shepherd all of his people today and into the far distant future. It is also a great reminder of how important it is for us to pray for God's presence in the lives of his children wherever, and "whenever" they are!

Plagues of Revelation 

Loosing of death and hell
Revelation 6:7-8
When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

Martyrdom of Christians
Revelation 6:9-11
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

This experience must come

2 Kings 2:12
And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.

[Message No: 7067]

The Spiritual Saint

Philippians 3:10
 That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

The Spiritual Society

Ephesians 4:13
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

2 Thessalonians 3:1

“Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”

What can you do to help the spread of the Gospel and help increase the number of those who are saved each day? Well, there are many things: put in a good word for Jesus, share your faith with a friend, go on a mission trip, send financial support to a missionary, and many others.

But one of the most important things you can do is to pray! Pray for missionaries and preachers and those who minister and share the Word of God and the grace of Jesus through the Internet, radio, television, and print. Pray for the message to spread rapidly and pray for it to grow in power and influence.

Scriptures for Anger

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
 And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath,
  But a harsh word stirs up anger.

The Price of Vision

Isaiah 6:1
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

[Message No: 7066]

Prayers

Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Matthew 21:22
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Isaiah 30:19
For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem;
 You shall weep no more.
 He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
 When He hears it, He will answer you.

Jeremiah 29:12
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

1 John 5:14-15
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

John 14:13-14
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Isaiah 65:24
“It shall come to pass
 That before they call, I will answer;
 And while they are still speaking, I will hear.

John 16:23-24
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

[Message No: 7065]

The Absent Householder

(The Parables of Jesus Christ)

Mark 13:33-37
Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
The Barren Fig Tree (The Parables of Jesus Christ)
Luke 13:6-9

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

    He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”

John 13:34

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

Wow, that's a tall order to fill, isn't it! Jesus has just washed the feet of his disciples. Over the next few hours, Judas will betray him with a kiss, Peter will deny him three times, and the other 10 disciples will forsake and leave him to die alone. Yet he still washed their feet knowing they would do this. He still goes to the cross for them while knowing they will abandon him.

I'm not sure that I can love like that... yet. However, with the Holy Spirit's help, I will make a renewed commitment to love others who have hurt and disappointed me. I will also seek to mend relationships where I have hurt and disappointed others.

The Undeviating Test 

Matthew 7:2
 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

[Message No: 7064]

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. —

While there are many talented and successful Christians in the world today, they are merely vessels for God's message of grace, hope, and power. Our focus should never be on the container for the message. Instead, what is most important is the integrity of the messenger no matter the situation, so that the message can be seen without distraction. God's power is what sustains us, not our own, we are simply a vessel, a tool, in the hands of the Lord.

Serving Him

Faithful to my Lord’s commands. I still would choose the bitter part; Serve with careful Martha’s hands And loving Mary’s heart.
.. Charles Wesley

 “There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord; but few of us are willing to do little things.”
. D.L. Moody

Scriptures for Anger

James 1:19-20
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,
 For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Proverbs 14:17
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
 And a man of wicked intentions is hated.

Thoughts 

. Never believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know it to be true; never tell even that unless you feel that it is absolutely necessary—and that God is listening while you tell it. - Henry van Dyke

.That God is more near, more real and mighty, more full of love, and more ready to help every one of us than any one of us realizes, is the undying message of the Gospels. David S. Cairns

[Message No: 7063]

Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 4:13
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

Isaiah 51:5

“My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.”

God's promises stand through the ages. He has fulfilled them in many different ways. He has punished evil nations, he has redeemed Israel according to his promises, and he has sent Jesus as Savior and redeemer. But most importantly of all, Jesus stands at the edge of history waiting to return and bring full redemption for God's people and salvation for those everywhere who long for his return.

Thoughts 

. It is in the view of the glory of Christ that we are made partakers of evangelical peace, consolation, joy and assurance. - John Owen

.Life is the childhood of immortality. Daniel A. Poling

. God is within all things but not included; outside all things, but not excluded; above all things, but not beyond their reach. - Gregory the Great

Questions in Genesis

26:9-10
Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, ‘She is my sister’?”
  Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.’”
   And Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might soon have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us.”

26:27
And Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?”

The big compelling of God

Luke 18:31
Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.

[Message No: 7062]

Obstacles as Opportunities

Psalm 27:14
Learning to see obstacles as opportunities takes time. Recalling certain truths can help our perspective:

God is at work. As barriers remain in place and our situation seems unchanged, God is orchestrating people and events to move His plan forward. He works silently, invisibly, and effectively.

Elders

The tradition of the elders – Matthew 15:2
“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

Be rejected  by the elders – Luke 9:22
saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

They had appointed elders – Acts 14:23
So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Do it Yourself – 2 Corinthians 10:5

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Patience: Our Gift of Service – Colossians 3:12-13

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Signs of the new Birth – John 3:7

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

[Message No: 7061]

Have you come to “when” yet?

Job 42:10
And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

The ministry of the interior 

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;

Questions in Genesis

25:22
But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

25:32
And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”

27:24
Then he said, “Are you really my son Esau?”
  He said, “I am.”

1 Peter 2:19

For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. —

Unjust suffering! Ouch, even the sound of those words sends a chill up and down my spine. Such a thing doesn't seem fair or appropriate — and it probably isn't. Yet we have many brothers and sisters bearing up under pain and unjust suffering because of their commitment and loyalty to the only True God and to his Son, Jesus Christ. Wouldn't it be incredible if those of us who are not touched by terrible persecution or hardship would begin each day praying for those in our spiritual family who do face hardship, persecution, suffering, and mistreatment?

As they display the grace of Christ in the face of such difficulty to honor God, let's pray that our Father will not only give them strength to endure, but that he will also deliver them soon!

[Message No: 7060]

God solves our Problems

Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?" – Isaiah 29:15

Aren't we so very silly sometimes! We try to hide what we've done and what we're planning from the Lord. Of course we're only fooling ourselves. At first glance, God knows our plans and seeing our actions is threatening. But after a little time to think it through, isn't it nice that God does see everything, including our motives and thoughts?

This insures justice will be done and our mess-ups will be evaluated in terms of our intentions, not just our failures! On top of that, it also means that those who plot to do us harm will have to answer to God, and we don't have to worry about "settling the score" or "getting even."

Get on move on

2 Peter 1:5
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

Questions in 2 Kings

2:14
Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” And when he also had struc
 the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.

2:18
And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”

3:7
Then he went and sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?”
  And he said, “I will go up; I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

Service of Passion Devotion

John 21:6
And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

[Message No: 7059]

Angels who sinned – Example

2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

Jude 1:6
And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

Cain – Example

Genesis 4:13-15
And Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

   And the Lord said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

1 John 3:13
not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.

Jude 1:6
And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

Questions in Nehemiah

5:9
Then I said, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?

6:3
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

[Message No: 7058]

People of Sodom

People of Sodom – Example

Genesis 13:13
But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

Genesis 19:13
For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”

2 Peter 2:6
and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;

Luke 17:26-27
And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Questions in Nehemiah

2:2
Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”
  So I became dreadfully afraid,

4:2
And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?”

5:8
And I said to them, “According to our ability we have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?”

  Then they were silenced and found nothing to say.

[Message No: 7057]

Twelve Ordained

Mark 3:13
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.

Luke 6:12
Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Luke 9:1
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

Mark 6:7
And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

Warning to Believers – Against Worry and Anxiety

Luke 12:22
 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

1 Peter 5:7
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. —

Love does not focus on myself, but on others. Each of these qualities of love is based upon an affectionate, compassionate, and forgiving attitude that regards others as being valuable and not just placing value on myself and my desires. No wonder the old saying goes "The middle of sIn is a big I!" When "I" become more important than others and what "I" want and that "I" win is more significant than what someone else truly needs, then "I" have lost my way and do not display the love of Christ.

[Message No: 7056]

Prayers Answered

[Significance of Humility]

2 Chronicles 33:12-13
Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.
God’s anger averted

2 Chronicles 12:7
Now when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

Questions in 2 Kings

1:18
Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

2:3
Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?”
  And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”

2:5
Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?”
  So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”

Getting There 

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

John 1:39
He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

Mark 1:17
Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.

[Message No: 7055]

Trusting God in Prayer

Matthew 7:7-11
Prayer is one area of our Christian life in which most of us recognize the need for improvement. Not only do we battle with distractions, but we’re also tempted to give up if we don’t see immediate results.

Yet the Lord wants us to keep coming to Him with our concerns because in the process, we develop an intimate relationship with Him.

Questions in 2 Chronicles 

19:2
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you.

20:6
and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?

20:7
Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. —
What motivates you to do what you do? What drives you to accomplish, to achieve, and to pursue even more? Paul said that love was his compelling force. What would happen in our lives if love was truly THE compelling factor in our motivation and behavior? What if our desire to love those who do not know Jesus' saving grace became our all-consuming concern out of love? He died so that it would be! Let's not disappoint him.

Thought 

. Prayer—the best wireless connection. – Unknown

[Message No: 7054]

John Wesley

Thirteen years before his conversion, John Wesley had a conversation one night with a porter of his college that impressed Wesley that there was more to Christianity than he had found. The porter had only one coat. He had eaten no food that day and yet his heart was full of gratitude to God. Wesley said to him, “You thank God when you have nothing to wear, nothing to eat, and no bed to lie upon? What else do you thank him for?”

“I thank him,” answered the porter, “that He has given me my life and being, and a heart to love Him, and a desire to serve Him.”

Teachings of Christ 

Lost opportunity

Matthew 25:7-12 

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don't know you.’

Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -

What's the basis of our happiness? If it's our outward circumstances, we're all in trouble because sooner or later, these aren't going to be too good. Paul said he had learned the secret to living above life's circumstances. That secret was Jesus Christ. Jesus was his assurance that no matter how difficult our problems might be, they were not permanent.

No matter how hard life was, Jesus would give him the strength to persevere. Paul is just as sure that Jesus will do this for you and me!

[Message No: 7053]

Truths about the resurrection

We are forgiven and eternally secure in Christ. “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:13-14).

Because Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave, all who believe in Him can know that they are eternally secure, not based on their performance, but on Christ’s payment for their sins. The Holy Spirit who indwells every believer is the guarantee of a heavenly inheritance.

Teachings of Christ 

Life

Matthew 6:25 
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

John 5:40 
Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Questions in 1 Kings

1:41
Now Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the horn, he said, “Why is the city in such a noisy uproar?”

2:13
Now Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. So she said, “Do you come peaceably?”
  And he said, “Peaceably

2:22
And King Solomon answered and said to his mother, “Now why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Ask for him the kingdom also—for he is my older brother—for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.”

[Message No: 7052]

What Next?

John 13:17
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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.

The Poor 

Proverbs 14:21
He who despises his neighbor sins;
 But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
 But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

Questions in Ezra

7:23
Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it diligently be done for the house of the God of heaven. For why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

9:10
And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments,

9:14
should we again break Your commandments, and join in marriage with the people committing these abominations? Would You not be angry with us until You had consumed us, so that there would be no remnant or survivor?

The next best thing to do.

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.

[Message No: 7051]

True Friends – 2

Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
 But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron,
 So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 28:7
Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
 But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

Proverbs 23: 20-21
Do not mix with winebibbers,
 Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
  For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
 And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

Proverbs 20:19
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;
 Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

Proverbs 22:24-25
Make no friendship with an angry man,
 And with a furious man do not go,
  Lest you learn his ways
 And set a snare for your soul.

Proverbs 27:14
 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,
 It will be counted a curse to him.

Proverbs 15:12-15
A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
 Nor will he go to the wise.

  A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
 But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
  The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
 But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
  All the days of the afflicted are evil,
 But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

[Message No: 7050]

How do we receive His Blessings?

Matthew 11:28-30 

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I guess we could call it the irony of discipleship. To follow Christ means that we give up everything and follow him. To follow Christ means that we receive untold blessings in this life and eternal life with God in the life to come. So is it hard? Yes, sometimes it is. But life is hard. Is the burden light as Jesus promised? Yes, because we know our lives are not lived in vain, that we are living life as God intended it, and when life is over, it isn't really over! We get to go home and be with our Lord!

God never says “No” to anyone who comes to Him in Faith

Matthew 21:22
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Mark 9:23
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Mark 11:22-24

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

The staggering  question 

Ezekiel 37:3
And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
  So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

[Message No: 7049]