All the Days of My Life

“The LORD is my shepherd  I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake….” Psalm 23:1-3

Thank you, Lord, that you are my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. Thank you that you make me lie down in green pastures, you lead me beside quiet waters, you restore my soul. Guide me, Lord, in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. When I walk in dark valleys, please help me to not fear. Thank you that you are with me — you correct and comfort me. Thank you for dealing with my enemies and providing what I need in times of trouble. Thank you that your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Amen.

All Praises to Him

All praise to Him who built the hills;
All praise to Him the streams  who fills;
All praise to Him who lights each star
That sparkles in the blue afar.

God Uses Our Suffering

Joseph’s life involved much suffering. The young man was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, unjustly imprisoned, and forgotten. But when God’s plan was revealed, Joseph declared that it was good (Genesis. 45:7-8).

Life is full of trouble. But in the hands of a loving God, our suffering is being used for eternal purposes.

Satan’s Strategy

Read: Luke 22:31-62
When Satan sifts believers, his goal is to damage our faith so much that we’re useless to God. He wants us shelved far from the action of the Lord’s kingdom. Therefore, he goes for our strengths–the areas where we believe ourselves to be invincible, or at least very well protected.
And when the Devil succeeds, we are disappointed and demoralized. But we don’t have to stay that way.

God-Given Ability

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6

Since God has graciously granted us endurance, we do have the ability to complete our race on earth. We may struggle to get there, but we shouldn’t ever quit. As Paul states later in his letter to the church in Philippi, we have the strength to continue on in Christ: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

[Message No: 7341]

Better a Millstone

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.” Mark 9:42-43

What causes you to stumble? What takes you away from God rather than drawing you closer to him? What makes you want to stop believing rather than rest in peaceful trust?
Praise God that he provides his Spirit to convict us of wrongdoing. May we rely on his leading so that we can live righteously in him.

Where the battle’s lost and won?

Jeremiah 4:1
If you will return, O Israel,” says the Lord,
   “Return to Me;
 And if you will put away your abominations out of My sight,
 Then you shall not be moved.

Continuous Conversation

Matthew 18:3
and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Desire to Disciple?

John 6:66
From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

And every virtue we posses

psalm 87:7
Both the singers and the players on instruments say,
 “All my springs are in you.”

Thought 

. The world is full of discouragers.  We have a Christian duty to encourage one another.  Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet.  Blessed is the man who speaks such a word. - William Barclay

[Message No: 7340]

Embracing God’s Call

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, ‘Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.’ Jonah 3:1-2

What can we learn from Jonah’s initial response to God’s call? Primarily, when God asks us to embrace his call, we cannot emulate Jonah’s flight, fear, or foot-dragging reaction without consequence. As present-day Gospel custodians, individually and collectively, we cannot allow personal interests and priorities to influence our reluctant response. God calls every Christ-follower to be his hands, feet, and voice. May his enduring grace inspire us to influence our sphere of influence and especially those he calls to become his own.

Prophet Moses

Exodus 8:10-11
So he said, “Tomorrow.” And he said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.”

Exodus 8:16
So the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’ ”
Exodus 8:20-23
And the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land. I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.”

Thoughts 

. I am a creature of God, and he has an undoubted right to do with me as seemeth good in his sight.  I rejoice that I am in his hand—that he is everywhere present and can protect me in one place as well as in another. - Ann Hasseltine Judson

. Death is simply putting out a candle because morning has come. – Unknown

[Message No: 7339]

New Heaven and New Earth

Isaiah 66:22-24
For as the new heavens and the new earth
 Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord,
 “So shall your descendants and your name remain.
  And it shall come to pass
 That from one New Moon to another,
 And from one Sabbath to another,
 All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.
  “And they shall go forth and look
 Upon the corpses of the men
 Who have transgressed against Me.
 For their worm does not die,
 And their fire is not quenched.
 They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

2 Peter 3:13
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Read: Revelation 21 & 22

Prophet – Enoch

Genesis 5:21-24
Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
   Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, and begot Lamech.

Jude 1:14-15
Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

[Message No: 7338]

Be Calm. Be Strong. Be Thankful!

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

We all face times with we feel anxious, weak, frightened or confused. Life has a way of throwing unexpected curve balls. Reactions can overtake us. These words, “Be calm. Be strong. Be thankful!” have a way of pointing us in the direction of choosing our responses rather than being swept away. The way we choose to respond will characterize our lives. We can move toward Jesus and His peace, or we can continue in turmoil in the midst of the unexpected.

What to concentrate on

Matthew 10:3-4

Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

The right lines of work

John 12:32
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

Experience of Revelation

1 Corinthians 2:12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

The drawing of the Father

John 6:44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Thoughts 

. Life can be counted on to provide all the pain that any of us might need.
-Sheldon Kopp

. All men desire peace, but few desire the things that make for peace. - Thomas a Kempis

. Unless you can read the story of Adam and Eve, of Abraham and Sarah, of David and Bathsheba, as your own story, you have not really understood it.  The Bible is a book finally about ourselves, our own apostasies, our own battles and blessings. - Frederick Buechner

[Message No: 7337]

The results of the Repentance

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. — Luke 3:8

Grace is given to us as a free gift. It cannot be earned or merited. But salvation that does not move us out of our self-destructive and rebellious ways is counterfeit. Repentance is a life change. It is a realization that we have been going the wrong way on a one-way street. It is an acknowledgement that trying to guide our own lives is always going to end in disappointment, disaster, and death without Jesus being Lord of both our lips and our lives. We know that God's grace is marvelous, but let's also learn that his will is gracious. As we do, we will change our behavior to reflect the character of the Father who sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins!

Questions in Job

1:7
And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
  So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

1:8
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

1:9
So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

1:10
Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

2:2
And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
  Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

After Surrender – What?

John 17:4
I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

[Message No: 7336]

The reason for Jesus coming to this world?

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” – Luke 19:10
Jesus came so that the last could be first, the sick could be healed, the sinners could be saved, and the lost could be found. That was his purpose: to fix that which was broken — not just us, but our world, our humanity, and all that goes with it. So how can we wear the name of Jesus and not live with his passion and purpose toward what we see lost in our world?

Scripture for Contentment

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine,
 But a broken spirit dries the bones.

The Regenerating  Power of God’s Word

1 Peter 1:23
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

The authority of God’s Word over our lives

Psalm 119:89-91
Forever, O Lord,
 Your word is settled in heaven.
  Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
 You established the earth, and it abides.
  They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
 For all are Your servants.

Thought 

. Why do you worry?  What possible use does your worrying serve?  You are aboard such a large ship that you would be unable to steer even if your Captain placed you at the helm.  You would not even be able to adjust the sails, yet you worry as if you were the captain or the helmsman of the vessel.  Be quiet, dear soul—God is the Master! - Charles H. Spurgeon

.To see God in everything makes life the greatest adventure there is. - Unknown

[Message No: 7335]

Prophet – Balaam

Numbers 23:7-10

Then Balaam  spoke his message:
  “Balak brought me from Aram,
 the king of Moab from the eastern mountains.
 ‘Come,’ he said, ‘curse Jacob for me;
 come, denounce Israel.’
    How can I curse
 those whom God has not cursed?
 How can I denounce
 those whom the Lord has not denounced?
    From the rocky peaks I see them,
 from the heights I view them.
 I see a people who live apart
 and do not consider themselves one of the nations.
    Who can count the dust of Jacob
 or number even a fourth of Israel?
 Let me die the death of the righteous,
 and may my final end be like theirs! ”

Are we ready for the future Challenges?

Mark 9:30-31
We often seek to attract large crowds to our churches, crusades, and rallies. Jesus also ministered to large crowds. But his strongest teaching on discipleship occurs away from the crowds, when he is alone with his disciples. What the crowds are able to accept is not enough to call mature disciples to that next level in their walk with the Savior.

So Jesus withdrew for intensive teaching with a small group of committed disciples so he could mature them and make them ready for future challenges.

Thoughts 

. God may say “wait,” but He never says “worry.” - Unknown
. Don't go to God to ask what He gives you, but go to him to know that what He is?

[Message No: 7334]

Moulding of our children

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. — Psalm 34:11

Is there any greater definition of what a parent's role is than this? Let's make sure that in the swirling demands and involvements of our lives we do not forget the MAIN thing that God has given us as parents, teachers, and friends to do in the lives of children.

Teachings of Christ 

Lunatic

Matthew 17:14-15  

14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 

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

Lust

Mark 4:18-19  

18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 

19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Questions in 1st Corinthians  

9:18

What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

9:24

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

10:16

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

[Message No: 7333]

In His Hands

For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing”. Psalm 92:4

The best decision you ever made was to place your life into the hands of the One who made you—

hands that worked with SKILL;

hands that guided with WISDOM;

hands that shaped with PURPOSE;

hands that formed with LOVE.

God’s hands are more capable than a great surgeon;

More compassionate than a caring nurse;

More precise than a fine diamond cutter;

More creative than a master craftsman;

More powerful than a mighty warrior;

More dependable than a honest man’s handshake;

More reassuring than a mother’s embrace.

Your life is in His hands

Teachings of Christ 

Love

Matthew 22:37-40 
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Mammon
Matthew 6:24 
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

[Message No: 7332]

Eight Touches By Christ

1. Touch of Cleansing –
Matthew 8:3
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

2. Touch of Cooling
Matthew 8:15
He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

3. Touch of Opening
Matthew 9:29-30
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”;    and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”

4. Touch of Assuring
Matthew 17:7
But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

5. Touch of Loosing
Mark 7:33
After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit  and touched the man’s tongue.

6. Touch of Blessing
Mark 10:13
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.

7. Touch of Quickening
Luke 7:14
Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”

8. Touch of Healing
Luke 22:51
But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

[Message No: 7331]

Are we supporting 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 use this week to 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!

Prototype “kingdom” person

Genesis 12:1-3
Now the Lord had said to Abram:

  “Get out of your country,
 From your family
 And from your father's house,
 To a land that I will show you.
  I will make you a great nation;
 I will bless you
 And make your name great;
 And you shall be a blessing.
  I will bless those who bless you,
 And I will curse him who curses you;
 And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

The first blood sacrifice covenant 

Genesis 15:10
Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.

[Message No: 7330]

Importance of Freedom

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” - Galatians 5:1

We have been set free! We are delivered from law, sin, and death. We have been set free to serve God and share in his grace eternally. So how will we use that freedom?

Prophet – Abraham

Genesis 22:17-18
God heard the boy crying,  and the angel of God  called to Hagar from heaven  and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid;  God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.   Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.

Genesis 24:7
The Lord, the God of heaven,  who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land  and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring  I will give this land’ —he will send his angel before you  so that you can get a wife for my son from there.

The Glory That Excels

Acts 9:17
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on  Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Thoughts 

. . Jesus Christ and Saint Paul have much oftener used this method of the heart, which is that of love, than that of the understanding.  Because their principle purpose was not so much to inform as to inflame. - Blaise Pascal

. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back. - Unknown

. The first question that the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?”  But the Good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Message No: 7329]

Are we ready for the future Challenges?

Mark 9:30-31
We often seek to attract large crowds to our churches, crusades, and rallies. Jesus also ministered to large crowds. But his strongest teaching on discipleship occurs away from the crowds, when he is alone with his disciples. What the crowds are able to accept is not enough to call mature disciples to that next level in their walk with the Savior.

So Jesus withdrew for intensive teaching with a small group of committed disciples so he could mature them and make them ready for future challenges.

Prophet – Aaron

Exodus 4:15
You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth;  I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.

Inflame 

Isaiah 5:11
Woe  to those who rise early in the morning
 to run after their drinks,
 who stay up late at night
 till they are inflamed with wine.

Zealous [filled with zeal]

Acts 21:20
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;

Revelation 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent

Questions in Job 

27:9
Will God hear his cry
 When trouble comes upon him?

27:10
Will they find delight in the Almighty?
 Will they call on God at all times?

27:12
You have all seen this yourselves.
 Why then this meaningless talk?

[Message No: 7328]

Meetness

. A qualified believer

Colossians 1:12
giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

. The Penitent

Matthew 3:8
Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

Acts 26:20
but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

. A Sanctified  Worker

2 Timothy 2:21
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work

. A Diligent Teacher

2 Peter 1:13
Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,

. A Humble Apostle

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Justification by Faith 

Romans 5:10
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Faith

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

[Message No: 7327]

The Power of Sin

 “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness” - Hebrews 3:13

How serious are we about sin? The Bible reminds us how seriously God views it. The power of sin to entice us, entrap us, and ultimately engulf us in its power can be offset by loving Christian friends who encourage each other daily.

The will to loyalty 

Joshua 24:15
 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites,

 in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Lord, Speak with Power, Comfort & Clarity

 John 7:46
The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

Kidnapping

Genesis 37:27-28
27 Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.

28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

1 Timothy 1:10
For adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine

The Exclusiveness of Christ

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

Thought 

. A wise man does not wish to change his situation, because he knows that  it is possible to fulfil the law of God, the law of love, in every situation. - Leo Tolstoy

[Message No: 7326]

What we know about our Tomorrow?

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. — Proverbs 27:1
Humility about the future! We don't control tomorrow. At other times in our lives we may have taken tomorrow for granted; not so anymore. Tomorrow may not come. Tomorrow something horrible could happen. Tomorrow everything we possess could be gone. In the face of these discouraging possibilities, is there anytning positive we can hold onto? Absolutely! We know that God holds tomorrow in his hands.

We know that because our life is hidden with Christ in God (cf. Col. 3:1-4) our tomorrow is secure. It might not be what we expect. It might not go as we planned. But, it will go as God determines and it will end up with us sharing in his comfort, victory, and glory.

Approved unto God

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.

Redemption creates the need it satisfies

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The test of loyalty

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Questions in 2 Kings

3:13
Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.”
  But the king of Israel said to him, “No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.”

4:2
So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”

[Message No: 7325]

Cost of Grace

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace – Acts 20:24
How important is grace? Paul said that God's grace and telling others about that grace were more important than his own life! In fact, sharing God's grace with others no matter the cost was Paul's life!

Facts about Prayer

. By Humility

2 Chronicles 7:14-15
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.

. By Spirit

Jude 1:20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

. According to His Will

1 John 5:14
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Questions in Job

10:20
Are not my days few?
 Cease! Leave me alone, that I may take a little comfort,

11:2
“Should not the multitude of words be answered?
 And should a man full of talk be vindicated?

11:3
Should your empty talk make men hold their peace?
 And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?

[Message No: 7324]

What reminds about our God?

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." — Psalm 91:2
"In God we trust." That's the phrase written on much of the money in the United States. It's a great reminder. The financial climate ebbs and flows, always vulnerable to instability in the world. Only God is our refuge and fortress during the storms of life. He is eternal. He desires to bless us. He has earned our trust.

Prophet Moses

Exodus 7:15-19
Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes out to the river.  Confront him on the bank of the Nile,  and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake.   Then say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship  me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened.    This is what the Lord says: By this you will know that I am the Lord:  With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood.    The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink;  the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water.’”

    The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff  and stretch out your hand  over the waters of Egypt—over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs—and they will turn to blood.’ Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in vessels of wood and stone.”

Exodus 8:2-4
And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:   And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs:   And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.

Commands

. Look diligently  lest any be a fornicator

Hews 12:16-17
lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

. Make tree good or corrupt

Matthew 12:33
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.

[Message No: 7323]

The Plot to Kill Jesus

 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,  “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.  But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

 Jesus Anointed at Bethany

 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,  a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.  And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?  For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.”  But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman?

For she has done a beautiful thing to me.  For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.  In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.  Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Commands

. Know how to control body

1 Timothy 4:4
For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;

. Lay not up treasures 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;

. Layup treasures  in heaven

Matthew 6:20
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

[Message No: 7322]

Why Angels Praised Him So Much?

[An angel of the Lord said,] "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." — Luke 2:11-14
The sign to the shepherds was a baby in a feed trough. Pretty potent sign isn't it! The Almighty Creator of the universe sleeping where the sheep and goats have eaten their grain and hay. That God would love us so much as to reduce himself to such an inauspicious beginning reminds us why the angels praise him so. He is glorious and yet he chose not to hide or protect that glory, but instead he shared it so we could find it, too!

Thoughts 

. The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become—because He made us.  He invented us.  He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be…It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own. - C. S. Lewis

. I don’t think there is any better worship than wonder. - Donald Miller

. Peace may be translated “harmony.”  Harmony with one’s self is integrity; harmony with life itself is gratitude; harmony with people is brotherhood; harmony with God is faith.  All this adds up to the meaning of peace.  It is the gift of Christ. - Oscar F. Blackwelder

Sing with Joy

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. — Psalm 95:1
Having a loving God who is Eternal, a Rock of stability in a "topsy turvy" world, is really something to shout about. So much of what we get excited about in our world today is just a fleeting victory, a vicarious sporting thrill, or personality worship. But in God, we have something to truly sing about with joy. He has known us since our conception, he has loved us from before the foundation of the world, he has sent his Son to save us, and he will bring us home to himself! No quiet song will do today. Let's sing with joy and shout out loud to the LORD!

Commands 

Heal the Sick

Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Luke 10:9
And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

[Message No: 7321]

Why all should Work?

Sufficient help to offered to enable them to work:

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work

 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Ephesians 6:11-18
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

   Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Risen with Christ

Colossians 3:1
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Thought 

. Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful. – Unknown

[Message No: 7320]

God Lifts Our Burdens

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

But when I let it go and committed to trusting God to take care of this trial, my heart grew lighter, and then my steps grew lighter. That heavy weight was not sitting on my shoulders any longer. What a difference I experienced when I stopped allowing the worry to consume me by choosing to let it go. I gave this burden to the Lord, and He lifted it from my shoulders. Oh how freeing was that!
Are you casting your cares on the Lord? Are you letting Him lift your burden?

The Midnight Hour

“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3
Prayer: Dear Lord, in the midst of suffering, help me find the boldness to praise you anyway knowing that you are in control, are always there, and care about me. Thank you for your love and mercy for me. Amen.

Commands

. Look diligently lest any root of bitterness defile

Hebrews 12:15
looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

  . Lift up hands that hang down

Hebrews 12:12
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

. Look not everyone on own things only

Philippians 2:4
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

. Look diligently not to fail of grace

Hebrews 12:15
looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

[Message No: 7319]

He is our everything

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. — Psalm 34:10
While even the most fierce hunters cannot ensure their security and nourishment, those whose hunger is for God will find themselves nourished, blessed, and sustained.

Teachings of Christ 

Marriage

Matthew 19:4-6 
4 “Haven't you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’
5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?
6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
Martyrdom

John 16:1-3
1 “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray.
2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.

Mary’s choice

Luke 10:41-42 
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke warmness

Matthew 26:40 
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.
41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

[Message No: 7318]

What We Do Know?

Romans 8:28
What do you know for certain in your journey of life? You can plan and prepare as much as possible but remember that, no matter what, it is all in God’s hands.
Father, help me to trust you with the difficulties I face today, and to believe that your goodness is at work, even when it does not feel good to me. Amen.

The Eternal Crush of Things

 1 Corinthians 9:22
to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

The Method of Missions

Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Commands

Luke 12:33-34
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. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

. Lay hold on eternal life

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place.

Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

[Message No: 7317]

The Eternal Goal

Genesis 22:15-19
Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

The Consecration of Spiritual Energy

Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Teachings of Christ 

Magistrates
Luke 12:11 
“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,

Luke 12:58 
As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

He is always Near

The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. — Psalm 34:18
The LORD is... ...near! ...present! ...close! How do I know? He came close in the manger. He walked among us in ministry. He suffered with us and for us at Calvary. We know that in tragedy, trial, heartbreak, and brokenness he is near to us to save us. So, will our hearts be open to him and will we be seeking him to come near? Don't let troubles or heartache lead you to pull away from God or doubt his nearness. Let him draw close to you.
[Message No: 7316]

Seeking God's Guidance

Psalm 16:1-11
A correct perspective of God is vital because it determines how we interact with Him. For instance, if we think He is concerned only about the big events in world history, we won’t bother to pray about our daily concerns.

However, if our view of Him is grounded in the Scriptures, we’ll readily seek His guidance, knowing that He cares about every aspect of our life.

Bible Verses about Evangelism 

Matthew 10:7-14
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. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
      The Narrow Way

     “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Questions in Job 

38:6
To what were its foundations fastened?
 Or who laid its cornerstone,

38:6-7
To what were its foundations fastened?
 Or who laid its cornerstone,
  When the morning stars sang together,
 And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

38:8
Or who shut in the sea with doors,
 When it burst forth and issued from the womb;

[Message No: 7315]

Questions in Job - 4

18:3
Why are we counted as beasts,
 And regarded as stupid in your sight?

18:4
You who tear yourself in anger,
 Shall the earth be forsaken for you?

19:2
“How long will you torment my soul,
 And break me in pieces with words?

19:22
Why do you persecute me as God does,
 And are not satisfied with my flesh?

19:28
If you should say, ‘How shall we persecute him?’—
 Since the root of the matter is found in me,

20:4-5
“Do you not know this of old,
 Since man was placed on earth,
  That the triumphing of the wicked is short,
 And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?

20:7
Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse;
 Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’

21:4
“As for me, is my complaint against man?
 And if it were, why should I not be impatient?

21:7
Why do the wicked live and become old,
 Yes, become mighty in power

[Message No: 7314]

Facts About Peace - 2

. God proclaims peace

Zechariah 9:10
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
 And the horse from Jerusalem;
 The battle bow shall be cut off.
 He shall speak peace to the nations;
 His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea,
 And from the River to the ends of the earth.’

. There is peace for the wicked

Isaiah 48:22
“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

. It is related to God’s favour

Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest,
 And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

. Unity  is through  the peace

Ephesians 4:3
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

. Jesus gives us the peace

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Commands

. Look to yourselves not to lose reward

2 John 1:8
Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

. Look for mercy unto eternal life

Jude 1:21
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

. Look not after evil things

1 Corinthians 10:6
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

[Message No: 7313]

Facts About Peace - 1

. God’s people live in peace

Isaiah 32:18
My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,
 In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,

. It’s the fruit of the spirit

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

. We have peace with God

Romans 5:1
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

. We make effort for peace

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

. We do what leads to it

Romans 14:19
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Questions in 2 Kings

3:8
Then he said, “Which way shall we go up?”
  And he answered, “By way of the Wilderness of Edom.”

3:11
But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?”
  So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.”

[Message No: 7312]

We must use Spiritual Weapons

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

In our battle against evil, we use the spiritual weapons of God that enable us to know the truth and the freedom that the truth brings. The devil's greatest tools are deception and death.

God's grace allow us to see through the deception and demolish its falsifying grip on the minds of men and women. God's power has broken through the barrier of death and given us victory in Jesus Christ. Our task in this victory march? To obey our Lord and help others to do the same, finding his grace and power sufficient to help us overcome all that we face that could defeat us.

The temple of the Holy Ghost

Genesis 41:40
You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Repentance

2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

The offence of the Natural

Galatians 5:24
And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

The Individuality

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.

What to pray for

Luke 18:1
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

[Message No: 7311]

Requirements Regarding the Sabbath

Isaiah 59:13

In transgressing and lying against the Lord,
 And departing from our God,
 Speaking oppression and revolt,
 Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

1. Do  not violate

2. Do not do your own pleasure on that day.

3. Call it a delight

4. Call it the holy day of the Lord

5. Call it honourable

Rebels Purged from Israel 

Zechariah 13:8-9

And it shall come to pass in all the land,”
 Says the Lord,

 “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die,
 But one-third shall be left in it:
  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.’ ”

Prophet – Eber

Genesis 10:25

To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother's name was Joktan. Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

[Message No: 7310]

Self-sufficiency in Lord

Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. — Psalm 34:9

"Fear of the LORD" is one of the great themes of the Old Testament. The phrase is particularly hard to translate, especially in light of the repeated message of the Bible to "fear not" and John's reminder that "perfect love casts out all fear." It means more than "hold God in reverence." Generally, "fear of the LORD" means that we remember our place in the order of things.

 We know we are deeply loved by our holy Father in heaven. We recognize that we are weak and sinful in comparison and are saved by God's mercy and grace. We acknowledge that his majesty and holiness are far beyond us and that we pale in significance before God. We come to God

acknowledging our need for him and our unworthiness to demand anything from him. The incredible reality is that when we approach God with this sense of awe and profound respect, he in turn welcomes us with open arms and brings us close. (See Isaiah 57:15)

Questions in Job 

37:18
With Him, have you spread out the skies,
 Strong as a cast metal mirror?

37:20
Should He be told that I wish to speak?
 If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up.

38:2“Who is this who darkens counsel
 By words without knowledge?

38:4
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
 Tell Me, if you have understanding.

38:5
Who determined its measurements?
 Surely you know!
 Or who stretched the line upon it?

[Message No: 7309]

He Hears Our Cries

“Lord, You know the hopes of humble people. Surely, You will hear their cries and comfort their hearts by helping them”  Psalm 10:17

God always knows what is best.
He knows the hopes of humble people, and He will hear our cries and comfort our hearts. Sometimes He withholds the rain; other times He sends the rain and with it the outpouring of His blessings.

Ye are not your own

1 Corinthians 6:19
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?

A Bond Slave of Jesus

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.

Partakers of His Sufferings

1 Peter 4:13
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

The Undetected Sacredness of Circumstances

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Sacramental Service

Colossians 1:24
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

The Supreme Climb

Genesis 22:2
Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

[Message No: 7308]

The Personal Cost

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. — 2 Corinthians 12:9

When I pray, I often catch myself simply wanting God to do what I want, not necessarily what is best or most expedient for those around me or for the good of the Kingdom. I don't like to hear that God told Paul that he had asked enough about deliverance from his problem. Instead, Paul needed to learn that God's gracious strength and mercy were enough to sustain him even in trial. While I know I need to learn this same lesson, it is daunting.

I want God to keep things nice and tidy for me. But then I remember I am a follower of Christ. If I am to become like my Savior, then I have to let go of my requirements on God's answers and open up to God's work to redeem others through me, no matter the personal cost. Only then can I truly know that his grace is sufficient for me!

Thoughts 

. "When you face the perils of weariness, carelessness, and confusion, don't pray for an easier life. Pray instead to be a stronger man or woman of God." - Luis Palau

. "It is quite possible to perform very ordinary actions with so high an intention as to serve God therein better than in far more important things done with a less pure intention." - Jean N. Grou

'The Spirit Calls Out'

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." - Galatians 4:6

We have been adopted by God — we are children of the One who paints every sunset! To help us celebrate this incredible blessing, God has sent the Holy Spirit to live within us and to cry out with us, "Abba, Father." Abba — this simple, two syllable Aramaic word for father — was used by babies to call out to their fathers. Jesus, and Paul after him, used this same simple term — Abba — to indicate our tender, close, and dependent relationship with God as our Father.

The Holy Spirit within us guarantees our access to the Father and reminds us by this simple word that we are God's beloved children.

[Message No: 7307]

Facing Life’s Obstacle

Joshua 1:1-9

As Joshua stepped into Moses’ giant-sized sandals, he faced a tremendous challenge: bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land. The responsibility was huge, and we can surmise from the Lord’s repeated commands to “be strong and courageous” that Joshua was probably not feeling up to the task (Josh. 1:6-7; Josh. 1:9).

At one time or another, we all face obstacles that seem insurmountable. The question is, How will we respond? Some people try to push through or manipulate their way around the barriers, while others wallow in hopelessness and give up. But the Lord wants us to trust Him to remove each impediment. Believe Him—He always keeps His promises.

Prophet Moses

Exodus 7:3-5
But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart,  and though I multiply my signs and wonders  in Egypt,   he will not listen  to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment  I will bring out my divisions,  my people the Israelites.   And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord  when I stretch out my hand  against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”

Exodus 7:9

When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle, ’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.”

Prophet – Joseph

Genesis 37:7-10

We were binding sheaves  of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

    His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?”  And they hated him all the more  because of his dream and what he had said.

    Then he had another dream,  and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars  were bowing down to me.”

    When he told his father as well as his brothers,  his father rebuked  him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”

[Message No: 7306]

Nehemiah’s Prayer

1. The empty hand of need

James 5:15-16
And the prayer offered in faith  will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.   Therefore confess your sins  to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

2. The call for aid

Luke 6:12
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

3. The expression of faith

Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer,  along with the women  and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

4. The reliance of Trust

Philippians 4:6
 Do not be anxious about anything,  but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

5. The desire of love

Acts 12:5
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

6. The work of Grace

Colossians 4:12
Epaphras,  who is one of you  and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,  that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature  and fully assured.

7. The bloom of Holiness

1 Timothy 4:5
because it is consecrated by the word of God  and prayer.

8. The Commission of Saints

Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit  on all occasions  with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying  for all the Lord’s people.

[Message No: 7305]

What Does the Cross Mean to a Saved Person?

 1. The Cross Reveals the Wisdom and Power of God.

2. The Cross Means I Can Enjoy Life.

3. The Cross Means That I Can Enjoy Forgiveness.

4. The Cross Makes It Possible for God to Accept Me in Christ Jesus and to Make Me Acceptable (Ephesians 1:6).

5. The Cross Means that I Can Stop Working and Start Resting.

6. The Cross Can Teach Me How to Love.

7. The Cross Should Teach Me to Hate Sin.

8. The Cross is the Good News I Can Share with Others.

9. The Cross Teaches Me About God’s Concern for All Men.

10.  The Cross is the Basis For My Daily Cleansing.

11. The Cross is the Basis for Daily Victory.

12. The Cross Means I am Dead to the World.

13. The Cross Makes Prayer Possible.

14. The Cross Should Motivate the Believer.

15. The Cross Teaches Me to Give.

16. The Cross Humbles Me.

17. The Cross Means That I Should Trust Christ to Take Care of Every Problem.

18. The Cross Can Comfort Me in Every Trial.

19. The Cross Can Teach Me How to React When Wronged by Others.

20. The Cross Means That I Do Not Need to Fear Death.

21. The Cross Means the Devil is a Defeated Foe.

22. The Cross Means That I Can Enjoy Freedom!

The Viewpoint

2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

What is a Missionary?

John 20:21
Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

[Message No: 7304]

The Mercy of God

. Mercy of God brings comfort -

Psalm 119:76
May your unfailing love  be my comfort,
 according to your promise  to your servant.

. Mercy allows  God and man  to meet -

Exodus 25:17-22
“Make an atonement cover  of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.   And make two cherubim  out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.   Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.   The cherubim  are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing  the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 

Place the cover on top of the ark  and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law  that I will give you.   There, above the cover between the two cherubim  that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet  with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.

. Christians are saved by God’s Mercy –

Titus 3:5
he saved us,  not because of righteous things we had done,  but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing  of rebirth and renewal  by the Holy Spirit,

. Christians trust  in God’s Mercy –

Psalm 13:5
But I trust in your unfailing love;
 my heart rejoices in your salvation.

. Mercy gives hope –

Psalm 33:18
But the eyes  of the Lord are on those who fear him,
 on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

Psalm 147:11
the Lord delights  in those who fear him,
 who put their hope  in his unfailing love.

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy  he has given us new birth  into a living hope  through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

. Mercy of God is never fails –

Psalm 100:5
For the Lord is good  and his love endures forever;
 his faithfulness  continues through all generations.

[Message No: 7303]

God’s Church

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. — Psalm 138:2

For Christians, God's temple is one of two related things: either the Christian's body (1 Cor. 6:19-20) or the group of people who make up his Church (1 Cor. 3:16). Because of the flaws in people who make up our churches, many are hypercritical of their hypocrisy. But God's Church is precious to him, and should be to us. Anyone who destroys his Church through division will be utterly destroyed. God's faithfulness to his people is seen in his preservation of the Church through all the ravages and persecutions of history and his patience with the flawed people who are in his Church. But, God is still the center of the Church and he alone is to be exalted. The Church is still to be governed by his Word and not just their own will.

Commands 

. Lend, hoping for nothing again

Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them,  and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children  of the Most High,  because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

. Lie Not

Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to each other,  since you have taken off your old self  with its practices

The time of relapse 

John 6:67
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

Vision

Acts 26:19
“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient  to the vision from heaven.

Thought 

. We pray because we are orchestras and always need to tune up.  Just as a battery sometimes runs down and needs to be charged, so we have to be renewed in spiritual vigor.  Our blessed Lord said, “Without me you can do nothing.” - Fulton J. Sheen

[Message No: 7302]

Dramatic events to take place

. The mystery of the ages will be completed –

Revelation 10:6-7

and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay,  but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.

Romans 16:25-26

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages  but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—

. God’s people will enter their full glory

Philippians 3:20-21
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

1 Corinthians 15:35-53 [kindly read]

Thought 

. All our history proves that God may be understood, not by reasoning, but by submission to Him and abeyance to His laws.  Only by doing this can we understand His will on earth. - John Ruskin

Prayer Life of Jesus

. At the Baptism 

Luke 3:21
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,

. In Private

Luke 9:18
Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

[Message No: 7301]

Jesus Makes Us Over Comers

John 16:33

“Don’t be afraid. I am here and I can handle it. Trust me.”

Now looking back, I can honestly say it was good for me to experience suffering and loss. It provided an opportunity to experience God in a very real and practical way. I’m a much richer person. Life has a quality it didn’t have before. I can testify that when you have Christ, no matter what you’re going through, you won’t have to do it alone.

Jesus did not come to make us escapists, but over comers.

His Masterpiece

‘For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.’ Ephesians 2.10

Patience Toward My Enemies

“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.” -  Nahum 1:3

Not My Will but Yours

“And they said to her, ‘No, we will return with you to your people.’” Ruth 1:10

Imagine never leaving your hometown. The only people you know are the ones who live there. It’s your whole life and contains all of your memories. You can’t imagine ever moving.

Now imagine unforeseeable circumstances render you unable to stay. You’re now moving to a completely foreign city filled with new people. Technology isn’t available to communicate with anyone you know. That’s exactly what Ruth did, not because she was forced to, but because she loved her mother-in-law and God more than her home.

The Christian life is full of dying to self for our God. Ruth is a prime example of that. Instead of doing her own thing, Ruth decided to care for her mother-in-law and bear the burden of loneliness and of widowhood, even if it lasted until her own demise. She chose to step out of her comfort zone, trusting that God would provide.

Has there been a time in your life where you didn’t want to do what God commanded you to do? What if the best is yet to come, just like Ruth’s journey? Don’t settle for the familiar. Take up your cross and follow God’s leading. No matter what comes, you won’t regret it.

[Message No: 7300]

The Light

1.Walking in the Light
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

2. Worshipping in the Light
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

3. Warring in the Light
Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

4. Working in the Light
John 3:21
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

5. Watching in the Light
John 11:9
Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

6. Witnessing in the Light
Philippians 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

7. Waiting for Christ in the Light
2 Peter 1:9
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Thought 

. We have heard of many people who have trusted God too little, but have you ever heard of anyone who trusted Him too much? - J. Hudson Taylor

[Message No: 7299]

Steps to Abundant Living - 2

8. We must practice  the Presence of God.
Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen

9. We must learn to exercise  of prayer.
Matthew 6:6
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

10. We should love everybody.
Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

11. We must remember  we are immortal and will live forever
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We Should Respond with Grace

“A fool expresses all his emotions, but a wise person controls them” Proverbs 29:11

Talk About It:

– What strategies can you use when you’re hurt so you don’t react without thinking?

– Why is learning to control your reactions an issue of faith?

– How can other people in your life hold you accountable as you learn to more responsibly control your reactions?

Choosing Your Direction Today

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

The Ugly Truth about Self-reflection

“Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.“ Psalm 51:6

[Message No: 7298]

Steps to Abundant Living - 1

1.We must  recognize  our spiritual poverty.

Revelation 3:17
Because you say, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

2. We must make sure  we have received Christ.

John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

3. We must maintain a contrite spirit.

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
 A broken and a contrite heart—
 These, O God, You will not despise.

4. We must be sensitive to the needs of others.

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

5. We must live surrendered lives.

Romans 6:16
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

6. We should seek to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

7. We must witness for Christ

Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

[Message No: 7297]

How are we getting our Word Daily?

All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever. —

1 Peter 1:24-25

As the seasons change, the leaves fall, and the grass dies, we are reminded once again of how short our lives are. Despite the rapid advancements of technology, our deepest needs are addressed only by the eternal and proven will of God in Scripture. Whether you get your Scripture from the Bible on your mobile device or from an old family Bible, access it today. Don't you need a dose of the eternal today?

Questions in Job 

35:2
Thinkest thou this to be right,
that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?

35:3
For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee?
and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?

35:6
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him?
or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

35:7
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him?
or what receiveth he of thine hand?

35:10-11
But none saith, Where is God my maker,
who giveth songs in the night;
  Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth,
and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

Impoverished Ministry of Jesus

John 4:11
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

[Message No: 7296]

Questions in Job - 3

15:14

What is man, that he can be pure?
Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?

15:15-16

Behold, God puts no trust in his holy ones,
and the heavens are not pure in his sight;
  how much less one who is abominable and corrupt,
a man who drinks injustice like water!

15:23

He wanders abroad for bread, saying, ‘Where is it?’
He knows that a day of darkness is ready at his hand;

16:3

Shall windy words have an end?
Or what provokes you that you answer?

16:6

“Though I speak, my grief is not relieved;
 And if I remain silent, how am I eased?

17:2

Are not mockers with me?
 And does not my eye dwell on their provocation?

17:3

“Now put down a pledge for me with Yourself.
 Who is he who will shake hands with me?

17:15

Where then is my hope?
 As for my hope, who can see it?

18:2

“How long till you put an end to words?
 Gain understanding, and afterward we will speak.

[Message No: 7295]

Significance of Submission

1. It is Fitting

Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

2. It please the Lord

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

3. It leads Further

Acts 22:10
So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’

4. It heals the Sick

James 5:14-15
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 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.

5. It leads to great Faith

Matthew 8:9-10
For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
   When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

6. Unbelievers may be Won

1 Peter 3:1-2
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

7. Kept under Watch

Hebrews 13:17
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

[Message No: 7294]

Prophet – Balaam

Numbers 23:18-24

Then he spoke his message:
  “Arise, Balak, and listen;
 hear me, son of Zippor.

    God is not human,  that he should lie,
 not a human being, that he should change his mind.

 Does he speak and then not act?
 Does he promise  and not fulfill?
    I have received a command to bless;
 he has blessed,  and I cannot change it.

    “No misfortune is seen in Jacob,
 no misery observed in Israel.

 The Lord their God is with them;
 the shout of the King  is among them.
    God brought them out of Egypt;
 they have the strength of a wild ox.
    There is no divination against Jacob,
 no evil omens  against Israel.

 It will now be said of Jacob
 and of Israel, ‘See what God has done!’
    The people rise like a lioness;
 they rouse themselves like a lion
 that does not rest till it devours its prey
 and drinks the blood  of its victims.”

Thoughts

. Beware of anxiety.  Next to sin, there is nothing that so troubles the mind, strains the heart, distresses the soul, and confuses the judgment. - William Ullathorne

. Lust is a poor, weak, whimpering, whispering thing compared with that richness and energy of desire which will arise when lust has been killed. - C. S. Lewis

[Message No: 7293]

Preventing ..

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. — Proverbs 26:20

Ol' Smokey The Bear said: "Only you can prevent forest fires!" Basically, that's what the Wiseman says about gossip. We can turn down the heat, douse the fire, and let the quarrel die. How?
By not supplying juicy morsels of gossip, by ditching the urge to spread destructive innuendo, and by refusing to keep alive an ugly rumour.

Without gossip, the bitterness of a rivalry can dissolve and relationships can m
end.

Are you ready to be offered?

2 Timothy 4:6
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Instantaneous and Insistent Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

The Discipline of Dejection

Luke 24:21
But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.

Knowing God

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. — proverbs 9:10

We pursue so many things, but only one pursuit brings wisdom. Paul reminded the Athenians that God made us to seek after him and find him (Acts 17). The wisdom of Proverbs keeps leading us back to "knowing God" and having a deep and reverential awe toward him as the source of wisdom. Understanding of priorities, needs, purposes, goals, problems, and issues can only occur when we first recognize who the Lord is and know him in our day to day lives.
[Message No: 7292]

Don’t stop reading Bible

All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever. — 1 Peter 1:24-25

As the seasons change, the leaves fall, and the grass dies, we are reminded once again of how short our lives are. Despite the rapid advancements of technology, our deepest needs are addressed only by the eternal and proven will of God in Scripture. Whether you get your Scripture from the Bible on your mobile device or from an old family Bible, access it today. Don't you need a dose of the eternal today?

Prophet Moses

Exodus 4:14-17

Then the Lord’s anger burned  against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet  you, and he will be glad to see you.   You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth;  I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.   He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth  and as if you were God to him.    But take this staff  in your hand  so you can perform the signs  with it.”

Exodus 4:21-23

The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders  I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart  so that he will not let the people go.    Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son,    and I told you, “Let my son go,  so he may worship  me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’”

Undaunted Radiance

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors  through him who loved us.

Mercy and the Christian Life

. Christian Living  and Mercy –

Romans 12:1-2

A Living Sacrifice

  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.   Do not conform  to the pattern of this world,  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing  and perfect will.

[Message No: 7291]

Jesus: What a Name!

Luke 1:26-33
There has never been a birth announcement equal to that of the Lord Jesus. Who else’s birth has been proclaimed by angels—not just once, but three times?

First, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, informing her that she would be the mother of the Son of God, who would sit on the throne of David and rule forever.

. Next, an angel came to tell Joseph that the child Mary carried was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18-21).

And finally, a host of angels appeared to shepherds, announcing that the Savior had been born (Luke 2:8-14).

Mercy and the Christian Life

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves  with compassion, kindness, humility,  gentleness and patience.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful,
 for they will be shown mercy.

The discipline of dismay

Mark 10:32
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve  aside and told them what was going to happen to him.

Thoughts 

. In Happy moments, praise God.  Difficult moments, seek God.  Quiet moments, worship God.  Painful moments, trust God.  Every moment, thank God! - Unknown

. The better a person knows himself, the smaller and less significant he seems to himself, and the higher he elevates himself toward God. - Thomas Kempis

. Just as one candle lights another and can light thousands of other candles, so one heart illuminates another heart and can illuminate thousands of other hearts. - Leo Tolstoy

[Message No: 7290]