Every Effort

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. — 2 Peter 1:5-7

Sometimes we get so frightened by the thought of "works-won" salvation that we forget that love and grace ultimately call us to action, and not just reflection. Action means effort. That's exactly what Peter is calling us to make — "every effort." Peter explains why this effort is important in the next few verses. "If we possess these qualities in increasing measure," they help us be productive in our knowledge of Jesus! Let's be productive! As we make "every effort," we can be assured that the Holy Spirit is the power at work producing the fruit that makes effectiveness possible! (cf. Galatians 5:22-25)

Supernatural Health

2 Chronicles 16:11-12
Note that the acts of Asa, first and last, are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.

Commands - Repent 

Mark 1:15
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

You were not an accident

Isaiah44:2
Thus says the Lord who made you
 And formed you from the womb, who will help you:
 ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant;
 And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

[Message No: 7561]

Don’t doubt about God

"Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. — Malachi 3:7

In times of horror and disaster, people routinely ask, "Where is God in all of this?" Yet we so often leave God at the periphery of our lives and look for him only when we are desperate and have no other options. When things are going well, we seldom say, "Where is God in all of this?
Why, he's right here blessing us!

 Let's praise him for his goodness!" God pleads with us to turn to him and seek after him, in good times and in bad. Not only will we find him; he will return to us and walk with us.

Jesus Christ – The example in all things:

Trust –

Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

God’s Word for God’s People

Zechariah 8:7-8
“Thus says the Lord of hosts:
   ‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the east
 And from the land of the west;
  I will bring them back,
 And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
 They shall be My people
 And I will be their God,
 In truth and righteousness.’

Zechariah 8:20
“Thus says the Lord of hosts:
   ‘Peoples shall yet come,
 Inhabitants of many cities;

Zechariah 8:21
The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying,
 “Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord,
 And seek the Lord of hosts.
 I myself will go also.”

[Message No: 7560]

'Checking Out Jesus'

Mark 3:7-8

So often the people who think they don't believe in Jesus have never been exposed to him. Jesus meets us in many ways, but there are at least two ways that are crucial for most unbelievers. One of the most important ways for folks to meet Jesus is by experiencing him through the gospel stories. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament contain these gospel stories.)

A second way for outsiders to experience Jesus is through his presence in the world today through the compassion, care, and character of Jesus' body, the people of his church. In both of these cases, the invitation is nearly always the same: "Come. See for yourself!" One of our biggest opportunities to bring people to Christ is to invite them to meet Jesus and not just to trust what they've heard about him.

Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

Mark 9:50
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?  Have salt among yourselves,  and be at peace with each other.”

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others,  that they may see your good deeds  and glorify  your Father in heaven.

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Thought 

Sin has remained unchanged, although man has done his best to alter it.  We’ve tried to dress it up with other names.  We’ve put new labels on the same old bottle of poison.  We’ve tried to whitewash the old barn and pretend it was another building.  We’ve tried calling sin “errors” or “mistakes” or “poor judgment” but sin itself has stayed the same.  No matter how we try to salve our conscience, we’ve known all along that men are still sinners and the results of sin are still disease, disappointment, disillusionment, despair and death. - Billy Graham

[Message No: 7559]

Be encouraged - 10

Thus  King Jehoshaphat without using any single ammunition or raising sword, more importantly not losing a single life – he won the war.

Halleluiah and Praise the Lord.

What a way to win the war. By now you all came to know that from the beginning problem came to  King Jehoshaphat and how he handled through his commitment, faith, humility, and totally depending on God. That resulted him not only to win the war that day but today one who is reading the  incident has been blessed mightily from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, after winning the war what winning Kings will do, they will go immediately for big celebrations, parties and pleasure.

But King Jehoshaphat did not do any of these things but he ordered to army and people to assemble in the Temple for Thanksgiving to Lord for this victory.

It’s a great demonstration of thanking Lord after getting something from Him or winning, gaining. We have seen in Psalms, David is thanking Lord for receiving His blessings.

It’s time for us because often times, we tend to forget our Master, Creator and Provider. One side we do sing – “He is my Everything and He is my All” but when that happens, we do forget to go back to Him.

Today, like King Jehoshaphat we too may be facing or have to face many problems in our lives. There is no need to worry anything but to surrender our lives into His hand. He does not want to give us good things but wants to give us the Best Things. He knows what’s the best for each one of us.
Let’s remember next time when you have to face the problem in your life – commit yourself into His hand. Tell him, Lord, this battle belongs to You. Like Paul, let’s learn to pray and thank Him in all the circumstances.

When God answers for our faithful and commitment approach to Him and grants us according to His will and in His time, let’s not forget to thank Him instantly like King Jehoshaphat.

As I close my message, I would like to encourage you quoting couple of Bible Verses – 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;  he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;  he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Be encouraged by this  message and God’s Holy Words.

[Message No: 7558]

Message on Be encouraged Ended. (Refer Message Nos: 7548 to 7558]

Be encouraged - 9

Once again, let’s come back to King Jehoshaphat – now, it’s time for war and next day morning he has to go to battle ground for war. Thus he gives first and final instructions to his army and people. We will find this portion from Verses 20 & 21. “Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith  in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful. ”   After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendour of his holiness  as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
  “Give thanks to the Lord,
 for his love endures forever.”

This two verses are very clear but one may wonder what the choir is doing in the battle field. One will be surprised to know the role they played in the battle field.

Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith  in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful. ”   After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness  as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

  “Give thanks to the Lord,
 for his love endures forever.”
This two verses are very clear to know that exactly what happened in the battle field. But one will wonder that what the choir people are doing in the battle field. They played an ultimate role in the battle field.

King Jehoshaphat finally gave his orders and also his army about his war strategy. He got all his army with fully loaded, along with them he called all the choir members to come.

The arrangement was thus: he told all the choir members in the front portion. Bigger and higher ammunition will be totally back. The time came for the war. Finally war began.

All the three armies i.e. Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites were came to attack. King Jehoshaphat ordered Choir members to start and march on from the front. As they started playing instruments and singing gloriously – the enemies thought that big bombs and ammunitions are pouring on them. God confused them totally. They thought they are finished and started fighting among themselves and killing each other to the last person in three armies.

[Message No: 7557] Contd.,

Be encouraged - 8

Verse 18 tells us about it: “Jehoshaphat bowed down  with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord”

What a way to coming to our Mighty Lord God. Being a King, he did not pray in standing or seating posture but he decided totally bow down on the ground along with all his people of Judah and Jerusalem. That’s is the way he showed his final commitment, humility, need and request from God.
Here, I would like to ask  my readers  few questions ….

Today, how do we pray in our personal lives? When was the last time did we prayed bowing down? When did we went on our knees for prayer? Did we get any answer to our prayers? Whether we got our answer or not, our Lord knows every detail about our prayer life.

Perhaps, our Lord wants us to know and learn that how should we pray. He had to use King Jehoshaphat’s life story for us.

Well, do we know that even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ also bow down or rather fell down on the ground for prayer!

We see this portion in Matthew 26:39 “Going a little further, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed…..” this happened in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion. Jesus was and is our Lord God, but why He has to pray in this posture? He was not praying for Himself because in few hours He has to climb the Cross to give His life for each one of us. He prayed for Salvation, for our eternal life. He had a burden for each one of us. Therefore, once again for the last time He prayed in this manner.

It reminds me, other day as I was watching witnesses in You Tube, suddenly it so happened Paul Youngi Chou, senior most Pastor of the biggest church in the world was giving his testimony. How all this has happened in Seoul, South Korea. Why and how God used him to achieve this success for our Lord and saving many souls those who never heard the name of Jesus.

He said, I am 75 years old now. You know, on every given day I go on my knees for FIVE HOURS and pray. I don’t ask single thing for myself but pray for all the Five Hours for only one thing i.e. Lord anoint me to save a soul.

Today we know the result, what’s happening in Pastor Paul Youngi Chou’s life and in his Church. Here one should say – Halleluiah and Praise the Lord.

[Message No: 7556] Contd.,

Be encouraged - 7

It did not happened to King Jehoshaphat because of his total faith in his God. With this great living example today we too can say that whenever we have to face uphill task, difficulties, challenges, sicknesses, failure, insults, defeat – we can remember just one thing i.e. our battle (our problems) is not belong to us but it’s God’s.

We have to just tell Lord God, we have to just tell Him, Lord this problem has come. We got to admit just like King Jehoshaphat that we are too weak to face this problem or battle. You know about it, without Your permission nothing happens on this earth. Therefore we are surrendering our life and giving back this problem (battle) to You. You solve it and be rest assured that, if you have that kind of faith, belief your battles will be solved.

Unfortunately many are failing in such kind of battles. But this did not happen with King Jehoshaphat. Ultimately here in this message, in this reality he has to still face the war. He is going to face the war.

Prophet Jahaziel, what else he told King Jehoshaphat ? let’s read the V. 17 we will find an answer for that. “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see  the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

Well, this seems to be very confusing to my readers. Because Jahaziel tells King Jehoshaphat you have to go for the battle tomorrow morning. You have to take the position. And also he tells him, there is no need for you fight. Oh, God what will you understand from this kind of statement.
It’s very simple to know that, this battle is not belong to King Jehoshaphat, it’s Lord’s, He is going to fight on his behalf. Jahaziel also tells him there is no need to worry because your deliverance is  from Lord God.

Can this way things can happen in our lives. No matter how you feel that my battle is belong to God.
In very supernatural way this exactly happened in King Jehoshaphat life.
Now, let’s see how this battle took place and the result of the war.
Now, the time has come for King Jehoshaphat to give an order to his army. But even now he does not give an order because he wanted to do something else. What is it?
He wanted to pray, his final prayer before marching into the war field. Yes, he prayed, how did he pray this prayer.

[Message No: 7555] Contd.,

Be encouraged - 6

At the same time, when someone calls Jesus, he never goes away. When he heard the voice from Bartimaeus, he told his disciples call him. Bartimaeus was now in the presence of Jesus. Jesus asked him tell me what do you want me to do for you. Immediately he asked him for His healing touch for eyes and healed.

Point, I want make here is after this visit to Jericho, Jesus never came back to Jericho again. It was His last walk on that road, when Bartimaeus used that opportunity to meet Him and got healed. If he would have missed that opportunity he would have been blind rest of his life.

Thus King Jehoshaphat knew Lord God is close to him, if he calls Him, He is going to hear and give whatever he asks Him. That’s the reason he did not give any attention to prepare his army but as V.12 tells, he said – we do not know what to do, we cannot face the vast army but our eyes are only looking up to You.

Like Bartimaeus call, God heard  King Jehoshaphat’s call and as an answer to him, He sends His prophet to talk to King Jehoshaphat.

V.14-15 tells us “Then the Spirit  of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah,  a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
    He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged  because of this vast army. For the battle  is not yours, but God’s.”

Here we see that, God is sending His prophet Jahaziel to talk to him on behalf of God. God sent him to encourage him. Thus Jahaziel tells, King Jehoshaphat – listen there is no need for you to get discouraged or alarmed. As you see this vast army cannot do anything to you. They cannot harm you. You know as you are seeing this vast army and battle, this is not belong to you.

Here we see one of the greatest encouraging word from the Bible. Jahaziel tells him, see this Battle is not belongs to you but it belongs to God.

What an encouraging word for King Jehoshaphat. One can imagine thus far King Jehoshaphat might have been bit stressed out, now suddenly he regains all the physical and spiritual strength.

Often times, we are all in the same page like King Jehoshaphat, we get worried and feel whole world is on our shoulder. Soon we get stressed out. Soon we try to leave the field where we are engaged for our particular assignment. It happens in the homes, at our work place and even in spiritual work. Because as we all know that Satan is still ruling the world and try to discourage all the God’s children at an appropriate time. At that time if we do not have faith and commitment and also dependency on God like  King Jehoshaphat, soon we will be get defeated.

[Message No: 7554] Contd.,

Be encouraged - 5

We see this prayer in V. 12 “Our God, will you not judge them?  For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. ”
It reminds us about Paul – though he knew everything but he told God, Lord I do not know nothing. What a great admission of humility.

Same thing King Jehoshaphat admitting in front of God. Having a mighty army, he is telling God, we do not know what to do.

In today’s world, around us we do experience either with outsides or insiders as they know drop of the subject but they mention the knowledge of subject is immense. There is no humility but bragging or you may call it boasting. They try depend on their strength and worldly wisdom. What happens to such people? Any time and anybody goes with their worldly strength apart from the Creator, always they will fail. It’s a spiritual truth and many have experienced it.

We are so touched with King Jehoshaphat’s approach to God with his circumstances and situation at that time he was having.

He says again V.12 besides telling we do not know what to do BUT our eyes on only YOU.

What a glorious statement or approach to God. What a humility we are witnessing through King Jehoshaphat today.

Do we think when someone calls Lord or ask Lord this way, is He not going to answer? He saw depth of King Jehoshaphat’s heart.

There are many incidents are there in the Bible, Jesus is dealing with such situations.

It reminds me about blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52.

He was seating in the Jericho road with his blindness. Day after day as he used to beg but waiting for Jesus. He knew only Jesus can heal him. He did not know the day of His arrival on that Jericho road. Soon day comes, as one day Jesus was walking on the Jericho road, being a blind he could not understand the commotion and noise why so much of noise is going on. He immediately asked his fellow friend another beggar  why there is so commotion is going on.

He tells him, hey, you don’t know that Jesus of Nazareth is going to pass from here now. Oh, Bartimaeus was waiting in his life time for this moment, started shouting Jesus, Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me. Finally, when Jesus was passing in front of him, in spite of many obstacles came to him that not to approach but he did not give up.

[Message No: 7553] Contd.,

Be encouraged - 4

Many times we personally might have been on the Cross Roads, what we have done. Did we depended on our own wisdom, often times majority will do the same way but few are there to depend on Father.

It’s a rightful question to analyse what this kind of grave problem had come to  King Jehoshaphat though he was a man of God.

In order to get an answer for that let’s go to V. 11 “See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession  you gave us as an inheritance.”

What do we understand by this verse. It’s a very simple to learn that - King Jehoshaphat not only King, God fearing but God had given to very vast wealth. He was a very rich King.
These three armies who were watching him and his wealth were became very upset. How one King can possess so much wealth a great army strength and also enjoying the God’s favour.

They felt very jealous!

Got to learn one more negative nature of human being. Most of the time people were not happy that others are doing well, flourishing, got good name and fame. They just cannot able to bear it. Immediately Satan enters in them and gives them his ideas. Thereby they start behaving like Satan.
Even today I am going to mention about families, not telling about non-Christians but Christian families – what we see? In families we see if one brother or sister’s child is doing well or gone to abroad or holding high post, other sibling lose their love, towards that brother or sister, but in fact becomes very jealous. Then the relation start becoming strange and ultimately that will lead them to become stranger.

It’s not the end of siblings, even we observe with so called God’s servants. If one God servant is doing well, preach well, sings will, prays well, got a big congregation then   other colleague will become very jealous.

It doesn’t end there but they will play ‘Kite Game’. How to pull him down.

This is exactly happened with King Jehoshaphat. The three armies those who came to attack him were not happy but become very jealous because of his wealth. They wanted to attack him and share the wealth among themselves.

As we learnt earlier the incoming war would take place any time now. King Jehoshaphat learnt that they are ready to attack him. Even at this stage King Jehoshaphat did not arrange or gave order to his armies to take the position.

But once again he prays to God. This prayer comes to us as one of the classic prayer ever we have heard in our lives.

[Message No: 7552]  Contd.,

Be encouraged - 3

What is it? What he did?

He prayed to God. V. 3 “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast  for all Judah.”

He did not seek the help of his security people for war or to fight the war, but remembered only Almighty God. He proclaimed fasting Prayer. He called all his kingdom’s people to assemble and start the fasting prayer. It’s difficult to believe what’s happening here, because other side three armies are all set to fight against him but here King Jehoshaphat instead of arranging his army and planning war strategy, instead going towards God with all of his people.

King  Jehoshaphat is praying now, what kind of prayer he did?

V. 5-6 tells us “Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard   and said:

  “Lord, the God of our ancestors,  are you not the God who is in heaven?  You rule over all the kingdoms  of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.”
What a great moment and spiritual truth that one can learn from this incident.

How we would have been behaved or dealt with such a situation in our lives? we would have gone in worldly way tapping all the sources for our immediate help. We would have cried in front of others for help or we would have gone to any extent to seek the help from others.

King Jehoshaphat said NO for all such help. He just and only remembered Almighty Lord God, who can help him, sustain him and solve his problems.

It’s time for us to as we going through this message to examine our personal lives, thus far what we have done in our lives – when problems, difficulties or even sickness are around us.

In King Jehoshaphat’s life everything was going on well, but all of a suddenly this calamity occurs and he faced the problem through the help of Heavenly Father.

Now, the question is, by now we all learnt that King Jehoshaphat was a good, righteous, God fearing King. Why he had to face this kind of situation?

One can immediately to answer this question, well this is nothing new, many good people are also facing problems. Agreeing with you, my next question is, how they have dealt with such situation and how King Jehoshaphat faced!

It’s a difference.

[Message No: 7551]  Contd.,

About: Be encouraged! Message

Dear brothers and sisters

Greetings to you all in Jesus’ name.

This morning I have posted two messages on: Be encouraged!
There are Ten(10) messages are going to be posted. They are all continued one after another. Kindly read all the message together.

All these messages makes one message – Be encouraged!

God be with you and Bless you.

Yours in Christ
Edwin James

[Message No: 7550]

Be encouraged - 2

Point I want to make here that I and you, rather everyone is facing the problems in our lives every day. Is there any one has come and told you beforehand about your problems? What you are going to face in short time or you are going to face some serious problems with you, family or even in work place. We have not heard such kind of witnesses from anyone.

This happened to King Jehoshaphat, because he was not only a King but he was a man of God. Though he was a King but he was very close to God. He was a true worshiper, follower and a righteous person.

Now, as the message had come about the war and he could not avoid it but to face it soon.
Here the question is, normally what would be the reaction of any king or kings. For that matter in today’s context if any country comes to know that they are going to be attacked, what they will do??
They will call, immediately emergency meeting, worst comes to worst declare the emergency in the country. First this they will call Defence Minister and take the stock of military positions and strength. They will become very panicky and stressful. They will try to strengthen their army at any cost. Things will go disturbed in the country.

Even when some calamities comes in our families: like sickness to any member in the family – what they will do, they will be going to Doctor, then to a specialist, then to a second and third opinion. Some people will go for different colours of threads to tie in the hands. They will be going all over the world for cure or healing but for GOD. I am writing about majority of people, don’t forget that includes so called Christians and even Believers! I am sorry, but that is what is happening in majority of the times.

Coming to King Jehoshaphat, he may be King but he was a human being. He too could have gone through the stress and arranging his armies in such a position to attack the enemies.

Bible tells us, nothing that sort of kind things happened to King Jehoshaphat . Many of you might have got surprised. Yes, it’s naturally to do so.

The answer is King Jehoshaphat was calm as ever because he was a man of God. He knew where to go for help. Being a King he could have just given Orders to his army and seen through the war. But he did not do.

You may be wondering then what were his plans? He did not had any plans. But he knew only One Way.

[Message No: 7549]

Be encouraged - 1

Dear friends I would like to draw your attention towards 2 Chronicles 20. I have been blessed immensely from this message.

God is going to guide us and teach us wonderfully and spirit filled way to apply this message in our personal lives.

Let’s us study this portion with His grace, blessings, His presence and  through the Holy Spirit. As we do so, our Lord is going to help each one of His readers with His divine wisdom to understand and apply this message in our lives.

Well, in this chapter, King Jehoshaphat had to face war not only with one country but three countries at one time. Before we go into the details of my message this time, I would like to ask if not all, but some of our senior citizens may be remembering some of the wars which our country India has fought in the past years.

As an introduction to this message, I would like to write few lines about the wars took place in our country -

I very clearly remember the wars particularly fought during 1962 & 1963 between Pakistan, China, & Portuguese. (Goa).

Most of the these war time, our prominent leader late Jawaharlal Nehru was our Prime Minister. During India and China war we had to make cease fire to stop the war. Pakistan and Goa wars were won easily.

Coming to Jehoshaphat also had to face the war. Point I want to make here is, whether poor or poorest, rich or richest one has to face some problems at some time, and many are facing all the time in their lives.

If you are a King you cannot be without problems. Thus king Jehoshaphat  had to face the problem of war between three armies. Who were they?

2 Chronicles 20:1 tells us that, they are: Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites.
In this we realize that – king Jehoshaphat    was told about this war or about this problem. Who told him?

V. 2 : “Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar [that is, En Gedi].

In English Bibles we read as – some people came and told king Jehoshaphat about this war. In Kannada Bible we read: some Angels came and told him.
Why so special treatment King Jehoshaphat received by way of informed about the war from others.

[Message No: 7548]

How God is using His servant today

The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. — 1 Samuel 3:19

Samuel began his ministry at such a young age and was so important in bridging the generations between the period of the Judges and the period of the Kings. During that whole time, God was with him and empowered his ministry, making his words true and effective. Let's pray that God does the same with his spokespeople today. May God use his servants effectively all their lives and not let any of their words fall to the ground.

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

Luke 2:36-38
    Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

My Surprise!

“No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. Isaiah 64:4”

Friends

How do you feel when someone arranges for you the surprise party on your birthday!
Surprise!

Jesus does the same for us.  He knows about the party.  Jesus is happiest when the lost are found.  For him, no moment is greater than the moment of salvation!

Circumcision of Jesus

Luke 2:21
    And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

[Message No: 7547]

God’s laws are given for our protection

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. — Psalm 119:93

Much like the rules parents have for young children — don't drink what's under the cabinet, don't play in the street, don't walk out from behind parked cars... — God's guidance is not to restrict us, but to protect us. His commands, both positive and prohibitive, are for our protection and perfection. By them we find life and have it preserved.

(The Old Testament Law had all sorts of cleanliness laws that did not make any sense at all until thousands of years after they were written when we began to understand bacteria and viruses. All through these years, the Israelites were preserved by God's command when they had no real understanding why God had given the laws in the first place.)

An Eye for An Eye

Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Exodus 21:24
eye for eye, tooth for tooth,  hand for hand, foot for foot,   burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Luke 6:29-30
If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.   Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

The Burial of Jesus


 Mark 15:42-47 — Mt 27:57-61; Lk 23:50-56; Jn 19:38-42
  It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath).  So as evening approached,   Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council,  who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God,  went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.   Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.   When he learned from the centurion  that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 

So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.    Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph  saw where he was laid.

[Message No: 7546]

Future is in His Hands

Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions. — Ecclesiastes 7:10

The only thing we get by spending our time looking in the rear view mirror is a big disaster in our front windshield! Our best days as Christians are always ahead. Jesus has promised to return and take us home to God — what better future could there be. So let's not get distracted with nostalgic cynicism. We can thank God for his past blessings, but let's not waste the present with pessimism. Let's make a commitment to redeem our time and trust that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead also holds our future in his hands.

Events after the Millennium 

Mt 25:46
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Mk 12:40
They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely

Questions in 2 Chronicles 

32:4
Thus many people gathered together who stopped all the springs and the brook that ran through the land, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?

32:10
Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria: ‘In what do you trust, that you remain under siege in Jerusalem?

32:11
Does not Hezekiah persuade you to give yourselves over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, “The Lord our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria”?

Thought 

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  To these I commit my day.  If I succeed, I will give thanks.  If I fail, I will seek his grace.  And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest. - Max Lucado

[Message No: 7545]

Books Bible - 3

Pauline Epistles Ch. Verses

45. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans 16 433
46. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians 16 437
47. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians 13 257
48. The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians 6 149
49. The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians 6 155
50. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians 4 104
51. The Epistle of Paul to the Colossians 4 95
52. The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians 5 89
53. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians 3 47
54. The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy 6 113
55. The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy 4 83
56. The Epistle of Paul to Titus 3 46
57. The Epistle of Paul to Philemon 1 25

General Epistles Ch. Verses

58. The Epistle to the Hebrews 13 303
59. The General Epistle of James 5 108
60. The First Epistle of Peter 5 105
61. The Second Epistle of Peter 3 61
62. The First Epistle of John 5 105
63. The Second Epistle of John 1 13
64. The Third Epistle of John 1 14
65. The Epistle of Jude 1 25

Apocalyptic Epistle

66. The Book of Revelation (or The Apocalypse of John) Ch. 22 Verses 404
In Bible -
Total Number of Chapters and Verses
Chapters - 1,189
Verses - 31,102

[Message No: 7544]

Books Bible - 2

Major Prophets Ch. Verses

23. The Book of Isaiah 66 1,292
24. The Book of Jeremiah 52 1,364
25. The Book of Lamentations 5 154
26. The Book of Ezekiel 48 1,273
27. The Book of Daniel 12 357

Minor Prophets Ch. Verses

28. The Book of Hosea 14 197
29. The Book of Joel 3 73
30. The Book of Amos 9 146
31. The Book of Obadiah 1 21
32. The Book of Jonah 4 48
33. The Book of Micah 7 105
34. The Book of Nahum 3 47
35. The Book of Habakkuk 3 56
36. The Book of Zephaniah 3 53
37. The Book of Haggai 2 38
38. The Book of Zechariah 14 211
39. The Book of Malachi 4 55

New Testament Narrative Ch. Verses

40. The Gospel According to Matthew 28 1,071
41. The Gospel According to Mark 16 678
42. The Gospel According to Luke 24 1,151
43. The Gospel According to John 21 879
44. The Acts of the Apostles 28 1007

[Message No: 7543]

Books of Bible - 1

Order Book Title(s)                                     Chapters Verses

Law

1. The First Book of Moses Called Genesis 50 1,533
2. The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus 40 1,213
3. The Third Book of Moses Called -
           Leviticus                                                           27 859
4. The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers 36 1,288
5. The Fifth Book of Moses Called -
            Deuteronomy                                                            34 95

Old Testament Narrative Ch. Verses

6. The Book of Joshua 24 658
7. The Book of Judges 21 618
8. The Book of Ruth 4 85
9. The First Book of Samuel 31 810
10. The Second Book of Samuel 24695
11. The First Book of Kings 22 816
12. The Second Book of Kings 25 719
13. The First Book of Chronicles 29 942
14. The Second Book of Chronicles 36 822
15. The Book of Ezra 10 280
16. The Book of Nehemiah 13 406
17. The Book of Esther 10 167

Wisdom Literature           Ch. Verses

18. The Book of Job    42 1,070
19. The Book of Psalms 150 2,461
20. The Book of Proverbs 31 915
21. The Book of Ecclesiastes 12 222
22. The Song of Songs 8 117

[Message No: 7542]

Encouraging words by Paul

You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. — 1 Thessalonians 1:6

We find it so easy to let our circumstances determine our moods. Paul reminds this group of new Christians under attack that their new life in Christ had brought them joy despite the outwardly harsh circumstances they were facing. Their joy was not the fleeting, circumstance-determined veneer. Instead, they had welcomed the powerful message of salvation with joy! This joy was not dependent upon their circumstances. It was rooted in their Savior's example, in his abiding presence through the Holy Spirit, and the salvation available through Jesus.

What drives your life?

Ecclesiastes 4:4
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand),

Made to last forever

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

. Diligence

Mark 9:50
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

. Apathy

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Dissent

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: 7541]

Do Not Rob God

Malachi 3:8-11

Will a man rob God?
 Yet you have robbed Me!
 But you say,
 ‘In what way have we robbed You?’

 In tithes and offerings.
  You are cursed with a curse,
 For you have robbed Me,
 Even this whole nation.

  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
 That there may be food in My house,
 And try Me now in this,”
 Says the Lord of hosts,
 “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
 And pour out for you such blessing
 That there will not be room enough to receive it.

  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
 So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
 Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
 Says the Lord of hosts;
  “And all nations will call you blessed,
 For you will be a delightful land,”
 Says the Lord of hosts.

Satan Tempts Jesus

Mark 1:12-13
Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

[Message No: 7540]

Cost of God’s Sacrifice

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. — 1 Peter 3:18

It sounds so simple and straightforward, doesn't it? Like the newspaper headline about someone dying we don't know. Just cold, hard facts! But we know differently. Underneath this statement of grace lies the broken heart of God, the sacrifice of heaven, the brutality of supposedly religious men, and the searching love of our God who would not abandon us to the cruel "Death master."
For those who knew animal sacrifice, with its high personal cost and animal sacrifices, this verse is more than a headline: it is a "grace line." Once for all — no more sacrifices needed. Bring you to God — no more distance, no intermediaries between God and us. Jesus is heaven's open door and God's open heart saying, "Come home; we've been waiting for you."

Prayer 

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion  until the day of Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace  as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid,  but gives us power,  love and self-discipline.

Psalm 29:11
The Lord gives strength to his people;
 the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Hair

1 Peter 3:3
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewellery or fine clothes.

Revelation 1:14
The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

[Message No: 7539]

Blessings of coming to Jesus

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28

Where do you go when you are exhausted and in need of rest? No bed, no vacation, no retreat can give us a truly refreshing rest if that rest doesn't involve coming to Jesus. So what are you waiting for? Come to Jesus and  enjoy the blessings of his presence, his love, his forgiveness, his grace, and his rest!

Examples of Wholeheartedness

` Caleb
Numbers 14:24
But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

` David
1 Kings 14:8
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes,

What is God’s Will?

. To have eternal life
John 6:40
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

. To be sanctified
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality

When the Spirit Prompts, Forgive

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

[Message No: 7538]

A Great Multitude Follows Jesus

Mark 3:7-1
     But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him.
And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him know

The Twelve Apostles

Mark 3:13-19

     And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.

A House Divided Cannot Stand

Mark 3:20-27
     Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”

   And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”

   So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

[Message No: 7537]

Dogs

Isaiah 56:11
Yes, they are greedy dogs
 Which never have enough.
 And they are shepherds
 Who cannot understand;
 They all look to their own way,
 Every one for his own gain,
 From his own territory.

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.

Matthew 15:27
And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

Luke 16:21
desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

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

Jonah Preaches at Nineveh

Jonah 3:1-4
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.
And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

[Message No: 7536]

Let’s be Honest

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. — Proverbs 14:34

Wow, what an indictment. When we vote our pocketbook more than character and when we excuse the indiscretions, infidelities, and illegalities in the leaders of both political parties, we have reached a very sad state indeed! But before we rant and rave about the sad state of morality in our public officials, let's make sure we're honest in our own daily lives — that we don't say cruel things about others, that we remain faithful to our marriages and our purity vows, and let's make sure that we expect of ourselves higher standards than we do of others.

Commands - Repent 

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

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

Questions in 2 Kings

4:26
Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’ ”
  And she answered, “It is well.”

4:28
So she said, “Did I ask a son of my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”

4:43
But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?”
  He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the Lord: ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’ ”

Thought 

. Thank God that those times which strain faith so hard come only occasionally in life.  For the most part we travel a sunlit road, and when we are unaware of the love of God it is often because we have not looked for it.  To see the evidence of God’s mercies you have only to look. - W. E. Sangster

[Message No: 7535]

Our busyness / Father’s business

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. — 1 Timothy 4:14

Life seems so busy, so full of distractions and "to do" lists. Let's not let our "busyness" keep us from our Father's "business." Let's find the ways God has gifted us to serve him and his people; then let's dedicate ourselves to that with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

What is Brokenness ? 

` It is yielding self-will to God’s will

Matthew 26:39
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

` It is entrusting to God

1 Peter 2:23
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

` It is a Godly sorrow

2 Corinthians 7:10
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Examples of Wholeheartedness

` Caleb

Numbers 14:24
But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

` David

1 Kings 14:8
and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes,

[Message No: 7534]

Losing to Find

Matthew 10:37-42

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
      A Cup of Cold Water

     “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

Casting Down of Satan - Plagues of Revelation

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.”

What Am I Looking At?

Isaiah 45:22
“Look to Me, and be saved,
 All you ends of the earth!
 For I am God, and there is no other.

[Message No: 7533]

God’s provision is Grace

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. — Romans 5:1-2

Peace is more than the mercurial, vaporous, whimsical wish of folks who just want everyone to get along and things to be calm. The peace the apostle Paul is describing her, peace with God, goes much deeper than simply a desire for calm and for a lack of conflict. Jesus, through his sacrificial obedience to God, has made peace with God real for us. Yes, God provided it by grace. Yes, God is the one who insures it because of that grace. But, because this peace is tied to him and his character, we can rejoice and anticipate being caught up in the glory of our glorious God.

Forgiveness

Psalm 103:12
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Godly Families

. Believer’s Family
Acts 16:1
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.

. Baptized Family
1 Corinthians 1:16
(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

Children’s Responsibility 

. Honor your father …
Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

. Keep … commands
Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father's commandment,
and forsake not your mother's teaching.

[Message No: 7532]

Teachings of Christ - 1

Neutrality

Matthew 12:30 
“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.

New birth

John 3:3 
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

John 5:8 
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

Noah

Luke 17:26-27 
26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.
27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

Oath

Matthew 5:33-37 
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’
34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37  Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

[Message No: 7531]

We are not god-like!

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21

When was the last time you thought of yourself as "the righteousness of God"? What does that mean anyway? It means that we have the best of qualities, found in the best of beings! But we know we are not god-like! We know our fallibility and flaws! We know our imperfections and our inconsistencies! How can we be "the righteousness of God"? Jesus, the perfect and sinless Righteous One of God, became our sin for us so we could be his righteousness. More than grace, that's a miracle! And a miracle, dear friend of Jesus, is exactly what you are!!

Facts about Obedience

. We are slaves when we obey

Romans 6:16
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

. We are chosen for obedience

1 Peter 1:2
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:     
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Examples  of Faithfulness

. Moses

Numbers 12:7
Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house.

. Daniel

Daniel 6:4
Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.

[Message No: 7530]

Standing in the Storm

 Psalm 62:1-8

   Truly my soul silently waits for God;
 From Him comes my salvation.
  He only is my rock and my salvation;
 He is my defense;
 I shall not be greatly moved.
  How long will you attack a man?

 You shall be slain, all of you,
 Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.
  They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
 They delight in lies;
 They bless with their mouth,
 But they curse inwardly.

   My soul, wait silently for God alone,
 For my expectation is from Him.
  He only is my rock and my salvation;
 He is my defense;
 I shall not be moved.
  In God is my salvation and my glory;
 The rock of my strength,
 And my refuge, is in God.

  Trust in Him at all times, you people;
 Pour out your heart before Him;
 God is a refuge for us.

What To Renounce?

2 Corinthians 4:2
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

[Message No: 7529]

Pull yourself Together

Romans 6:13-22

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
 Slaves to Righteousness

 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!  Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?  But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,  and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.  I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

Questions in Mark

3:4
Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent.

3:23
So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?

3:33
But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?”

Thought 

. We are mirrors whose brightness is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us. - C. S. Lewis

[Message No: 7528]

He is Faithful

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. — 2 Thessalonians 3:3

The Bible repeatedly reminds us that we are in a spiritual war with forces that are strong, malicious, and evil (Ephesians 6:10-12). We should steer clear of every appearance of evil. We shouldn't involve ourselves in anything related to Satan and his work. But we also need to remember that our Lord is greater than Satan and all of his evil angels. He is faithful. He will not abandon us to our enemy. He will strengthen us and protect us from attack if we will let him!

Completion

Galatians 4:4
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Daniel 9:24
“Seventy weeks are determined
 For your people and for your holy city,
 To finish the transgression,
 To make an end of sins,
 To make reconciliation for iniquity,
 To bring in everlasting righteousness,
 To seal up vision and prophecy,
 And to anoint the Most Holy.

Mark 1:15
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Persecution

Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when men hate you,
  And when they exclude you,
 And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
 For the Son of Man's sake.

Romans 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?

Matthew 5:44
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,

[Message No: 7527]

Difficulties in your Discipleship?

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. — John 6:66

This verse haunts me. Not just because of the three numbers in the reference, but because it is a great reminder that many folks simply gave up following Jesus when things became hard to understand. When he shattered their preconceived notions of religious things, when he confronted them about their motives, they went away. What will I do when things get difficult in my discipleship and I can't figure out all the answers to what is going on? I hope, I pray, I trust that I will follow until the way and the will of the Lord become more clear!

When you call, Lord will answer

Hosea 14:8
Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
 I will answer him and care for him.
 I am like a flourishing juniper;
 your fruitfulness comes from me.”

Psalm 20:1
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
 may the name of the God of Jacob  protect you.

Completion

John 1:3
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Genesis 2:1-2
the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
    By the seventh day  God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.    Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,  because on it he rested  from all the work of creating  that he had done.

The Lord’s Servant

2 Timothy 2:24
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

2 Corinthians 6:4
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

[Message No: 7526]

God’s Creation

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. — Genesis 1:27

We are made in God's image. Not just the man. Not just the woman. Both male and female are made in God's image! Incredibly, this is not just true before the Fall. When God made us in the womb of our mothers (Psalm 139:13-16), he made us in his image (Genesis 9:6). Because people are precious to God, because we reflect something of the character of our Creator, each person is to be valued. None is to be den

Thoughts 

. To be almost saved is to be totally lost. - Unknown

. Choose a suitable time for reflection and frequently consider the loving-kindness of God. - Thomas Kempis

. Lord, make me according to your heart. - Brother Lawrence

God’s kind of Love

Love was when Jesus hung on the cross [Romans 5:8]. Love is self-sacrificing, not self-indulging. If you’re going to abuse, hurt, and take advantage of another person, it’s not love; it’s lust.
God’s kind of loves does not behave unseemly.

 Divine Love in many Aspects 

. Unmerited – not that we loved God

1 John 4:10
So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

. Unlimited – for God so loved the world

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Beautiful, Broken Jar of Clay

2 Corinthians 4:7-9
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

[Message No: 7525]

This was God’s Plan

[As the prophet has written:] "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel." — Matthew 2:6

The birth of Jesus at Bethlehem is no accident. The Almighty God had foretold this many years earlier through his prophets. Even Herod's religious lackeys could determine that the Messiah was to be born in the quaint old city of David. The human birth of the promised Messiah would occur in the city of Israel's great King, poet, and shepherd. This was God's plan. It is also a reminder that God keeps his word and fulfils his promises.

Your Secrets

Ecclesiastics 12:14
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
 including every hidden thing,
 whether it is good or evil.

Romans 2:16
This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets  through Jesus Christ,  as my gospel  declares.

Disappointment

Acts 16:7-8
When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus  would not allow them to.   So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.

Hair

Judges 20:16
Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed,  each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

1 kings 1:52
Solomon replied, “If he shows himself to be worthy, not a hair  of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die.”

Your Whole Life

1 Peter 4:5
But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

[Message No: 7524]

Same the Same

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9

God is faithful! Scripture declares it. We've experienced it. In fact, we cherish this promise from God, especially when things don't turn out as they "should." So when Satan does trip us with temptation, or when we are weak or rebellious, isn't it comforting that we can be forgiven and made clean again? God wants us to call our sin what he calls it. (To "confess" literally means to "say the same" thing about it as God does!) Incredibly, God does more than forgive us. He also cleanses us. We're made new, fresh, pure, and holy once again! That is more than being faithful and just; that's being downright gracious.

The Lord’s Servant

Romans 6:22
But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
Joel 2:29
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
 I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
Hebrews 1:7
And of the angels He says:
  “Who makes His angels spirits
 And His ministers a flame of fire.”

Two Kingdoms 

. Local Planetary –

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

. Universal Interplanetary –

Revelation 5:11
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands

[Message No: 7523]

Christians Boasting

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. — 1 Chronicles 16:10
What is your glory? Do you glory in your accomplishments, your wealth, your status, your looks, your piety, your humility ...? In the old hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus," we confess, "My glory, all the Cross." That's what Christians mean when we "glory in God's holy name." Our full understanding of God's holy name has been greatly expanded by Jesus. He taught us to not only reverence the name of God, but also to call him Father.

Any other cause of joy, any other basis for boasting, is a passing illusion. For those whose hearts seek the LORD, glory is found in reverencing the holy name of the Father who gave up his precious Son so we could be his children. He loves us that much. Incredible!

Divine Love in many Aspects 

. Unmerited – not that we loved God

1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us  and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

. Unlimited – for God so loved the world

John 3:16
For God so loved  the world that he gave  his one and only Son,  that whoever believes  in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Questions in 1st Corinthians  

10:22
Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?  Are we stronger than he?

10:29
I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom  being judged by another’s conscience?

God’s Word for God’s People

Zechariah 10:7
Those of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man,
 And their heart shall rejoice as if with wine.
 Yes, their children shall see it and be glad;
 Their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.

[Message No: 7522]

Hang in There

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. — James 1:12

This beatitude comes from Jesus' brother. He had experienced it and not just taught it! James knew it was worth "hanging in" and "hanging on" when his faith was under attack. He affirmed that God loves us and that he has made incredible promises about what lies ahead for us. He knew that eventually our period of testing would be transformed into a time of great blessing. James wants us to know that God longs to bless us with life! After all, that's why he sent Jesus. (cf. John 10:10)

Pressing Undo

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

Walk in the Light

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

Hope

Psalm 62:5
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.

Comforted in Trials

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

When We Are Fearful

Isaiah 41:10
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

[Message No: 7521]

God is still God

See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. — Deuteronomy 1:21

A word of encouragement is indispensable at the start of a new journey, especially when the journey demands your leadership. Joshua is no longer second chair. He is no longer the backup to all-pro Moses. Now it is his turn to lead. The people he leads have only known the leadership of the incomparable Moses. How will he lead?

He will lead trusting the promises of God and without fear or discouragement! How is this possible? Because the real leader of God's people hasn't really changed! God is still God. His word is still true. His promises are still trustworthy. His might is still all-powerful.

God’s Timetable

Based on Daniel 2:

. Ten Nations Empire. Iron-clay toes

2:41
And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay.

. Antichrist’s Empire. Stern faced

2:23-25
To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
for you have made known to us the king's matter.”

  Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.”

  Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.”

. Christ’s Empire. Rock.

2:44-45

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,  just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

[Message No: 7520]

Fiery

Numbers 21:6
Then the Lord sent venomous snakes  among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died

Deuteronomy 33:2
He said:
  “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth  from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones  from the south, from his mountain slopes.

Psalm 21:9
When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace.
 The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,  and his fire will consume them.

Isaiah 14:29
Do not rejoice, all you Philistines,  that the rod that struck you is broken;  from the root of that snake will spring up a viper,  its fruit will be a darting, venomous serpent.

Daniel 3:6
Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,  with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Hebrews 10:27
but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire  that will consume the enemies of God.

1 Peter 4:12
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you  to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Right Us Again

Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,  because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

[Message No: 7519]

Are we using our gifts?

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. — Mark 10:25

It is so easy to think of ourselves as average people who are not rich. But bottom line, if we have access to a computer to read e-mail, we're richer than most of the world. Let's not let our "stuff" get in the way of our faith and compassion. God wants to help our camels get through the eye of the needle. He will, if we remember that what we have is a gift from him, and that he intends for us to use it to bless others and honor him.

God, Revelation Of …

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have separated
 you from your God;
 your sins have hidden his face from you,
 so that he will not hear.

Deuteronomy 31:18
And I will certainly hide my face in that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.

Commands - Repent 

Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven  has come near.”
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven  has come near.”

Questions in 1st Corinthians  

10:18
Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices  participate in the altar?

10:19
Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?

Teachings of Christ

Neglect

Luke 12:47 
“That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.

Neighbor

Matthew 19:19 
Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

[Message No: 7518]

Effective in Ministry

1. Accept the gifts and calling that God has given you, do not envy or criticize what others have or try to imitate them.

2. Pray daily to know the will of God for you and your ministry.

3. Be content with where God has called you, and with what He is asking you to do.

4. Continually ask for God’s help and power to do His will.

5. Remind yourself every day that you are in ministry to serve God and others and not to serve yourself or your own gain.

Finally,
Be reminded that God has called you just as you are. He has given you specific gifts for a reason. He desires to use you as the person you are along with the gifts you have – in combination with His Spirit’s anointing and transforming work – to minster to others.

He Suffered

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. — Hebrews 2:18

Jesus was tempted like we are! He suffered like we do! God in his grace made sure that we have someone in heaven who knows what it is like to face suffering and mortality. This knowledge is not only omniscient wisdom. Jesus also guarantees that heaven's knowledge includes human experience. Aren't you thankful that Jesus knew suffering and mortality and that he now lives to redeem, to bless, and to ultimately help us mortals?

In the Lord’s Hands

. The Place of Disposal

Proverbs 20:1
Wine  is a mocker  and beer a brawler;
 whoever is led astray  by them is not wise.

. The Place of Hiding and Usefulness

Isaiah 49:2
He made my mouth  like a sharpened sword,
 in the shadow of his hand  he hid me;
 he made me into a polished arrow
 and concealed me in his quiver.

. The Place of Security

John 10:28-29
I give them eternal life,  and they shall never perish;  no one will snatch them out of my hand.    My Father, who has given them to me,  is greater than all;  no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

[Message No: 7517]