Our Life’s Compass

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5-6

What do you use for your life's compass? No matter how insightful, wise, experienced, or knowledgeable we may be, only God can guide our steps properly. God asks us to trust him and his wisdom even when we can't immediately see the rationale behind it. He wants us to recognize his presence, guidance, and grace in all we do. As we trust and as we acknowledge his presence, we suddenly realize that our paths are a lot straighter and our destinations are a lot a closer.

Ways We Can Choose Love

1. Encourage one another.
Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
 when it is in your power to act.

2. Support each other.
1 John 3:18
Dear children,  let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

3. Love each other.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.

Is your faith is real? 

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
— James 2:26

By this definition, a whole lot of people claiming to be believers are really spiritual corpses. For faith to be real, it must express itself in service. Faith not only moves mountains; it moves believers to act in ways that honor God and bless others, demonstrating their thankfulness for God's incredible grace.

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: 7662]

How will Jesus Return?

. unexpectedly
1 Thessalonians  5:1-3
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

1 Thessalonians  5:4-11
But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.  For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.  So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Thought 

. Frequently we pray that God would not forsake us in the hour of trial and temptation, but we too much forget that we have need to use this prayer at all times.  There is no moment of our life, however holy, in which we can do without His constant upholding.  Whether in light or in darkness, in communion or in temptation, we alike need the prayer, “Forsake me not, O Lord.”  Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe.” - C. H. Spurgeon

After God’s Silence – What?

John 11:6
So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

The Sphere of Exaltation

Mark 9:2
And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt?

[Message No: 7661

Gospel

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. — 2 Corinthians 13:14

I have a friend in Jesus who has taught me the power of sharing a spiritual blessing with others. I can't think of a better one than the short blessing in today's verse! Grace, love, and fellowship — all rooted in the eternal, sacrificial, and gracious nature of our God. We share these blessings with God's children all around the world.

Prophet Moses

Exodus 6:1-8
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand  he will let them go;  because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”

    God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord.    I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty,  but by my name  the Lord  I did not make myself fully known to them.   I also established my covenant  with them to give them the land  of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners.    Moreover, I have heard the groaning  of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.

    “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.  I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem  you with an outstretched arm  and with mighty acts of judgment.    I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.  Then you will know  that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.   And I will bring you to the land  I swore  with uplifted hand  to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob.  I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”

Questions in Job 

34:29
When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?
and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?
whether it be done against a nation,
or against a man only:

34:33
Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it,
whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I:
therefore speak what thou knowest.

[Message No: 7660]

You are not Alone

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, purifies us from all sin. — 1 John 1:7

As we draw near to the Lord and live for him, two amazing blessings come our way. First, we find that our sins are forgiven and we're cleansed of those sins thanks to the loving sacrifice of Jesus. Second, we find that we are not alone in this wonderful cleansing. True fellowship among believers is built when folks seeking the Lord find each other in his presence. This fellowship isn't forced or contrived, just heavenly.

God, Revelation Of …

Ezekiel 39:23
The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.

Micah 3:4
Then they will cry to the Lord,
 But He will not hear them;
 He will even hide His face from them at that time,
 Because they have been evil in their deeds.

Acts 17:23
for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

The Lord’s Servant

Leviticus 25:55
For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Nehemiah 1:10
For while tangled like thorns,
 And while drunken like drunkards,
 They shall be devoured like stubble fully dried.

Commands

. Sanctify God in heart
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

. Some with fear
Jude 23
but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

[Message No: 7659]

Time for Us

Do not worry about your life . . . Matthew 6:25

Some people ask, “Do you think God has time for me? You don’t know how mixed up my life is, how confused it is; the pressures, the tension at home, the business problems, so many things I couldn’t possibly tell you about, including the sins in my life that I somehow cannot seem to give up.” Yes, God has time for you. When Jesus was dying on the cross, He had time for a thief who turned to Him and said, “Lord, remember me.”

That’s all the record tells us that the thief said, “Lord, remember me.” But what he was really saying was, “I’m unworthy. I’ve broken all the laws. I deserve hell. Just remember me.” And Jesus turned to him in that moment and said, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

He is the Good Shepherd

[Jesus said,] "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep." — John 10:14-15

The goal of our walk with Jesus is to come to know him as our shepherd just as intimately as he knows the Father. A key thing for us to remember: In a world where so many people want to attract our attention and are willing to give us advice, we can refuse their voice. We listen to Jesus because he has shown his love for us by laying down his life for us. He is not a hireling, he is the Good Shepherd.

But it is hardly credible that one could so persecute Jesus!

Acts 26:14
And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
But it is hardly creditable that one could be so positively ignorant!

Acts 26:15
So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

The Dilemma of Obedience 

1 Samuel 3:15
So Samuel lay down until morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision.

[Message No: 7658]

When Fear Takes Over

“For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves… if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.” 1 Peter 3:5a ,6

What does it mean to “give way to fear?” I believe that it is a progression of thoughts that we buy into, little by little, to the point of being paralyzed emotionally.

What is the “right thing to do” in response to fear? I think that for the Christian, we have a choice, as indicated in this verse. Fear does not have to overwhelm us if we put on a submissive spirit, placing our hope in God.

It is choosing to “dress” ourselves with humility, acknowledging our vulnerability, but it is also God’s love for us and power to protect us. When I am fearful, I tell myself this truth: God is with me and I can trust Him to keep me safe.

Sarah, Abraham’s wife, sometimes felt unsafe, but she “did not give way to fear”. She put her hope in God, submitting herself to him to keep her safe. She was already a beautiful woman, but she “wore” submission to God like fine jewellery or a lovely scarf.

There is an inner beauty and peace that radiates from all those whose hope is in God, whether they are men or women. Submit yourself to God, and put on humility.

God’s Purpose

[The apostle Paul said] "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." — Acts 17:27

Our seeking God longs to be sought! God placed his fingerprints all over the universe and then gave us places to find life and meaning. He had a purpose in this plan: he wanted us to seek the One behind it all. He is never far away from us, but he longs to be sought and found. When we seek after God, we are not o

only blessing him, we're also living out our life's key task.

Thoughts 

. Satan is perfectly willing to have a person confess Christianity as long as he does not practice it. – Unknown

[Message No: 7657]

Creator using us

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." — Genesis 1:26

While we are creatures made by a loving Creator, we are so much more than animals. There is something distinctive and special about a human being compared with the rest of creation. God made us to rule over the animal world. But rule does not mean ruin! Since creation is part of God's testimony to himself (Psalm 19 & Romans 1:20), then we certainly don't want to ruin that testimony. In fact, being made in God's likeness, we want to rule with the grace, benevolence, and care that God himself uses.

What is Brokenness ?

` It is Christ’s Afflictions
Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

` It is the Lord’s Crushing

Isaiah 53:10
Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

Ways of a Fool: He:

Gives foolish answers.

Proverbs 26:4-5
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Destroys self.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 
Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.

[Message No: 7656]

Redemption

Psalm 22:22
I will declare your name to my people;
 in the assembly  I will praise you.

Galatians 1:4
who gave himself for our sins  to rescue us from the present evil age,  according to the will of our God and Father,

Ephesians 6:19
Pray also for me,  that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly  make known the mystery  of the gospel,

Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that appears to be right,
 but in the end it leads to death.

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

How to use the Word

. Search it

John 5:39
You study the Scriptures  diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life.  These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,

1 Peter 1:10-11
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke  of the grace that was to come to you,  searched intently and with the greatest care,    trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ  in them was pointing when he predicted  the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.

[Message No: 7654]

Human Desires

Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. — Ephesians 5:3

"Not even a hint!" Hmmmm! Don't you wish it were true? The church I attend and the person I see most often in the mirror don't quite measure up to this directive. If sexual temptation doesn't get us, greed often does. In a culture of conspicuous consumption, greed concerns me more than the immorality and impurity. Not because I am unconcerned with impurity, but because we have become so calloused to our own greed. In this season of giving, let's honestly examine our hearts about our "wanting," "getting," and "possessing."

How to escape the Judgment?

. Believing in Jesus
John 3:18
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

. Judging ourselves
1 Corinthians 11:31
For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

. Not judging others
Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Thoughts

. We should be completely clear about these two facts: God is not obligated to heal, and healing is not His greatest gift. – Unknown

. It is always the case that when the Christian looks back, he is looking at the forgiveness of sins. - Karl Barth

Questions in Job 

39:11
Will you trust him because his strength is great?
 Or will you leave your labor to him?

39:12
Will you trust him to bring home your grain,
And gather it to your threshing floor?

[Message No: 7653]

Sermon on Mark 5

Christian standard is High and Hard

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. — Philippians 2:3

Humility is recognizing who God has made us to be and using that recognition to serve and redeem others. Living in humility as Jesus did, we don't just practice the golden rule, but we go one step better — we treat others better than we would treat ourselves.

Are we instructed to do this because we're unworthy or unfit? No! Jesus was worthy and glorious, but he chose to treat others better than himself when he sacrificially gave himself to redeem them.
It's a high standard. It's a hard standard. It is not for wimps. But it is ultimately glorious.

Time and manner of resurrection

John 14:1-3
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Commands - Repent

Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Luke 10:4
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

Hebrew 13:24
Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

[Message No: 7652]

Overloaded people fail.

Like an airplane, we can only carry a certain amount of weight. How else can we soar like the eagle? We all make mistakes in life; we all have regrets, but we must move beyond them. We must trim excess, get rid of things and habits that hinder us. For many, their bags are too heavy, but are unwilling to let them go.

Too often our actions are dictated not by our own sense of true purpose in life, but by a misguided need to please people. We want to make others happy and do almost anything to win their approval. We care too much about what others think. Although it’s good to be concerned about others it distracts us in not watching where we’re going. You might be going in the wrong direction.
Acts 5:29: “We ought to obey God rather than men“

Therefore learn to let go so you can fly. Release yourself from the past, trim off the excess load. Know your calling, goal and purpose in life.

Out with the Old, In With the New

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,  the new creation  has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Learning to Fully Know Jesus

Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing  Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

Slow Down: Work in Progress

Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you  to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Life is a Stewardship

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples  of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;    you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your bodies.

[Message No: 7651]

Father’s Love

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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. — John 3:16-17

Jesus came to save the world. Jesus came to save you. Jesus came to save me. Why? Because of the Father's love!

Prayer...

Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for your love. I know I didn't earn it or deserve it, but thank you. Until the day I see you face to face and express my appreciation and my praise, please know my heartfelt gratitude and my deep and abiding joy because of your plan, your Son, and your salvation. I thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

Ways of Hope

. Christ in Us – Colossians 1:27
To them God has chosen to make known  among the Gentiles the glorious riches  of this mystery, which is Christ in you,  the hope of glory.

. Power  of God’s Spirit – Romans 25:13
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.

. Word of God – Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,  so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

. His Grace- 2 Thessalonians 2:16
 Avoid godless chatter,  because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

. Perseverance and Character – Romans 5:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,  so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

[Message No: 7650]

Living in God’s Will

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. — Joshua 1:8

We need to be reminded, just like Joshua and the Israelites, that God gave us his Law to be a blessing to his people. The Law was given to help Israel live the will of God in their daily lives. If they would live God's way, he promised they would be blessed. In addition, God is the Creator. He knows the best way for humans to live in harmony with the principles of his universe. His Law was not intended to hinder or interfere with the happiness and experience of his people. Instead, it was to help them prosper and find success in life.

As Paul repeatedly reminds us in Galatians, we are no longer under Law. But, as we live by the Spirit, the character that is produced reflects the character of Jesus, the one who fulfilled the Law and brings us the blessings God has intended all along. Bottom line: Following God's will and living his character is a blessing to us!

Questions of Jesus

. On Trouble

Matthew 26:10
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.

Mark 14:6
Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.

Luke 24:38
He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

Thoughts 

..  “In truth, there was only one Christian and he died on the cross.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

..  “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now...Come further up, come further in!” - C.S. Lewis

[Message No: 7649]

True grace change us

If you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers. — 1 Samuel 12:15

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said more than 50 years ago that grace had become cheapened. I wonder what he would say today? I'm all for grace, but I'm horrified at the cost by which it came. I can't for the life of me understand how we can so often claim to have received it and yet bear no resemblance in character to the one who gave it. God's Word through Samuel is a harsh one.

Yet it is one that I believe we must include in our triumphant song of grace. You see, true grace changes us. It will make us gracious and more like the Grace-giver himself. If not, what we call grace is impotent, powerless, and false. Paul called this a form of religion that denied God's true power in us (2 Timothy 3:5). Let's return obedience back to the pantheon of virtues and rescue it from the attic of our religious past.

Hair

Isaiah 3:24
Instead of fragrance  there will be a stench;
 instead of a sash,  a rope;
 instead of well-dressed hair, baldness;
 instead of fine clothing, sackcloth;
 instead of beauty,  branding.

Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs
 I am he,  I am he who will sustain you.
 I have made you and I will carry you;
 I will sustain  you and I will rescue you.

Do Not Lose Heart

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly  we are being renewed  day by day.   For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.    So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,  since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

[Message No: 7648]

Why we should trust Jesus?

Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? — Isaiah 2:22

How many times have you been disappointed by someone for whom you voted, betrayed by a friend, been abandoned by a loved one, or let down by a church leader? While we love others and care about them, every other person in our world is just like us — a flawed human being who breathes the same air and walks the same ground as we do.

Only One is worthy of our ultimate trust. He showed us by sacrificing what was most precious to him so we could know his love. Let's not put our hope in other mere mortals; only God can safeguard our trust. Let's put our hope in him!

Scriptures for Correction

Hebrew 12:10-11
For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrew 12:6-7
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
 And scourges every son whom He receives.”
      If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Questions in Job

3:12
Why did the knees receive me?
 Or why the breasts, that I should nurse?

3:20-22
“Why is light given to him who is in misery,
 And life to the bitter of soul,
  Who long for death, but it does not come,
 And search for it more than hidden treasures;
  Who rejoice exceedingly,
 And are glad when they can find the grave?

[Message No: 7647]

Truthful Words

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. — Ephesians 4:15

Truthful words are accurate. Words spoken in love can be a blessing. But truth spoken in love is redemptive: this kind of speech blesses those who hear it and matures those who speak it. While speaking the truth in love is often not easy, it's worth it! Look at God and see how painful it was to speak his Word in love by sending Jesus. But in the process of that one sacrificial Word, he has saved us and revealed his heart of grace, mercy, and love.

Questions in Job

6:5
Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass,
 Or does the ox low over its fodder?

6:6
Can flavourless food be eaten without salt?
 Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

6:11
“What strength do I have, that I should hope?
 And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
Tried and Purified

Job 23:10
But He knows the way that I take;
 When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Thoughts 

. "Once in seven years I burn all my sermons; for it is a shame, if I cannot write better sermons now than I did seven years ago." - John Wesley

. "It is a poor thing to strike our colours to God when the ship is going down under us; a poor thing to come to Him as a last resort, to offer up "our own" when it is no longer worth keeping. If God were proud, He would hardly have us on such terms." - C. S. Lewis

[Message No: 7646]

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Matthew 3:3
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
   “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
 ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
 Make His paths straight.’ ”

Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Matthew 3:4
Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 3:12
His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 13:30
Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
Matthew 3:13
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

Matthew 3:1
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea

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

Thoughts 

. Christ is not only a remedy for your weariness and trouble, but he will give you an abundance of the contrary: joy and delight. - Jonathan Edwards

. Thou hast no life to lose, because thou hast given it already to Christ, nor can man take away that without God’s leave. - William Gurnall

[Message No: 7645]

Witnessing

Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." — Acts 4:19-20

We can't contain what we've experienced in Jesus. We can't help but tell about what we've heard. No ruler, no threat, has been able to completely stop the voice of God from being heard through his people's witness. Sharing our faith happens out of the overflow of our experiences in Christ and our relationship with Christ. When we share our faith in this way, the authenticity of our witness can be rejected or ridiculed, but it can't be erased. We have experienced God's work in our lives. How dare we keep silent? We can't!

Scripture for Charity

. Acts 20:35
I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

. Proverbs 19:17
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
 And He will pay back what he has given.

Questions in Job

7:19
How long?
 Will You not look away from me,
 And let me alone till I swallow my saliva?

7:20
Have I sinned?
 What have I done to You, O watcher of men?
 Why have You set me as Your target,
 So that I am a burden to myself?

Living Loved

Ephesians 3:17
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

[Message No: 7644]

He holds our future

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." — Genesis 3:15

This is God's curse upon the serpent who tempted Eve and Adam to sin. Satan is the personality behind the serpent. Even in this curse, even in the recognition of a struggle between the woman's offspring and Satan, God embeds his promise for our better future.

In Jesus, that future comes! Satan appears to win the battle at the Cross, but the passage of three days changes everything. Jesus' triumph over death leaves him with only a "bruised heel," but leaves Satan powerless to make death the final word. The Evil One's best plans and greatest power lie crushed at the doorway of Jesus' empty tomb!

Objects of Our Hope

. Hope in the Lord
Psalm 31:24
Be strong and take heart,
 all you who hope in the Lord.

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

. Hope in the resurrection
Acts 26:6
And now it is because of my hope  in what God has promised our ancestors  that I am on trial today.

. Hope in his promise
Acts 26:6
And now it is because of my hope  in what God has promised our ancestors  that I am on trial today.

. Hope in his grace
1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,  set your hope  on the grace to be brought to you  when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

[Message No: 7643]

Choosing Faith over Fear

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

These days, there are plenty of reasons to fear.
Our world seems to be in a continuous state of war and crisis. The jobs market is dismal, natural disasters wreak havoc, and stories of crime dominate the headlines. As Christians, we know that fear should have no place in our lives, but how can we ignore what’s going on around us?

Basically, there are two paths you can walk: faith or fear. It’s impossible to simultaneously trust God and not trust God. Another way of saying this is that you cannot both obey and disobey Him–partial obedience is disobedience. So, which road are you travelling?

Some people who read the Bible and believe in God nevertheless choose to live with fear. Seeing others experience hardship, they start wondering if it could happen to them: Someone at my office lost his job; will I be next? Someone died in an accident–I could die too. But this kind of “logic” places your circumstances above your relationship to God.

If Satan can get you to think like this, he has won the battle for your mind. But when you focus on God rather than your circumstances, whatever the situation is, you win.  The Bible tells us,
“God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Don’t Waste Your Breath

Psalm 150:6
Let everything  that has breath praise the Lord.
 Praise the Lord.

Eating As Worship

Proverbs 25:16
If you find honey, eat just enough—
 too much of it, and you will vomit.

[Message No: 7642]

Love Fellow-Believers

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be like-minded,  be sympathetic, love one another,  be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply,  because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 John 2:10
Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light,  and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.

1 John 3:11
For this is the message you heard  from the beginning:  We should love one another.

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life,  because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

1 John 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.    If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them,  how can the love of God be in that person?    Dear children,  let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:23
And this is his command: to believe  in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,  and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 4:7-12

God’s Love and Ours

  Dear friends, let us love one another,  for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God  and knows God.    Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.    This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son  into the world that we might live through him.    This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us  and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.    Dear friends,  since God so loved us,  we also ought to love one another.    No one has ever seen God;  but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

[Message No: 7641]

Walking with Jesus

This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. — 1 John 2:5-6

Do you want to know who walks with Jesus each day? Look for folks whose lives look like his! Do you want to walk with Jesus? Look at his life in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). See how he treated people; then do the same! Notice how he defeated Satan and overcame temptation. Trust that you can do the same! As you do these things, you will find that Jesus is not only walking with you, he is also working through you!

Cheerleaders 

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might. — Psalm 21:13

What is our role in the grand scheme of things? In Psalm 21, the Spirit emphasizes our importance as God's "cheerleaders." We ask God to reveal himself in glory. We urge God to make his strength known to all people. We marvel in amazement at his great deeds. We praise God for all the incredible things he has done for us.

Behaviour Pattern

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. — 1 Peter 2:12

How do we win over to the Gospel of Christ those who are hostile toward us? While we need skilled defenders and expositors of biblical truth, the way most of us will win others is by the way we live and by the way we treat them. No matter how much criticism and harsh treatment we may receive, our deeds must remain Christ-like. To do less is to rob others of a chance to see the living Christ in action.

A Lot to Remember

Proverbs 10:19
Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
 but the prudent hold their tongues.

Faith of a Child

Matthew 18:3
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,  you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

[Message No: 7640]

Essentials of Effective Meditation

Matthew 6:5-15
You and I are blessed—and cursed—with constant communication through our phones, tablets, and computers. But true communion with the Lord demands some seclusion. So let’s turn off the TV, music, and phone notifications, and listen for God’s voice.
Claim a block of time for the heavenly Father today, even if you start with only five minutes.

Let The Beasts Their Breath Resign,

1 LET the beasts their breath resign,

Strangers to the life divine;
Who their God can never know,
Let their spirit downward go.
You for higher ends were born,
You may all to God return,
Dwell with him above the sky;
Why will you for ever die?

2 You, on whom he favours showers,

You, possest of nobler powers,
You, of reason's powers possest,
You, with will and memory blest,
You, with finer sense endued,
Creatures capable of God;
Noblest of his creatures, why,
Why will you for ever die?

3 You, whom he ordained to be

Transcripts of the Deity;
You, whom he in life doth hold;
You, for whom himself was sold;
You, on whom he still doth wait,
Whom he would again create;
Made by him, and purchased, why,
Why will you for ever die?

[Message No: 7639]

Sinners, Turn, Why Will Ye Die?

1 SINNERS, turn, why will ye die?
God, your Maker, asks you why?
God, who did your being give,
Made you with himself to live -
He the fatal cause demands,
Asks the work of his own hands,
Why, ye thankless creatures, why
Will ye cross his love, and die?

2 Sinners, turn, why will ye die?

God, your Saviour, asks you why?
God, who did your souls retrieve,
Died himself, that ye might live;
Will you let him die in vain?
Crucify your Lord again?
Why, ye ransomed sinners, why
Will you slight his grace, and die?

3 Sinners, turn, why will ye die?

God, the Spirit, asks you why?
He who all your lives hath strove,
Wooed you to embrace his love:
Will you not his grace receive?
Will you still refuse to live?
Why, ye long-sought sinners, why
Will you grieve your God, and die?

4 Dead, already dead within,

Spiritually dead in sin,
Dead to God while here you breathe,
Pant ye after second death?
Will you still in sin remain,
Greedy of eternal pain?
O ye dying sinners, why,
Why will you for ever die?

[Message No: 7638]

Good legacy will last forever

The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. — Proverbs 10:7

Each of us is creating a legacy. The influence of our lives will leave an imprint on all those the Lord has brought into our lives for us to touch. This proverb reminds us that our legacy will live far beyond us. If our lives are righteous, that legacy will be an ongoing blessing as stories of our lives are passed on to future generations. On the other hand, if our lives have been given over to wickedness, we will leave behind the lingering stench of something useful gone sour and something lasting given over to rot.

Neck or Nothing

John 21:7
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved  said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

Evangelism – Reinhard Bonnke

John the Baptist stood in the cold waters of the Jordan, baptizing, but Jesus the Baptizer stands in a river of liquid fire.

Readiness

Exodus 3:4
When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called  to him from within the bush,  “Moses! Moses!”
 And Moses said, “Here I am.”
Is it not in the last least likely?

1 Kings 2:28
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah though not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the Lord and took hold of the horns  of the altar.

What to do under the conditions?

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord
 and he will sustain you;
 he will never let

The supreme climb

Genesis 22:2
Then God said, “Take your son , your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering  on a mountain I will show you.

[Message No: 7637]

Treating Others

May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. — 2 Timothy 1:16

A friend in Christ that will faithfully serve others is a wonderful gift of refreshment. Yet as humans, we are tempted to be fickle friends — there for a bit of time while they need us, but often tiring over the long haul of extended recovery from illness, grief, or the consequences of previous sin or addiction.

 Is there someone you know who is still chained in some way to the past? Is the Lord calling upon you to bless this person today? What about blessing them as Onesiphorus blessed Paul — often and without being ashamed!

Often times, it’s human nature one helps to others to receive something in return. The above message shows us, our commitment towards our friends, loved ones and even our relations.

Today, how many of our known people that one who are old, sick, bed ridden and lonely. How many times we have visited them? Besides visiting even did we call once to ask about their welfare. You know how it means to a lonely person, when someone calls, asks about the welfare, need. Besides did we pray anytime by visiting them in their homes? Or even did we made any attempt to call them on our phones to pray and console them, ask their needs?

Not to forget that, one day we will be passing the same way. Today our children are watching how we are treating such people, how we are treating our old parents.
If we do not act now, we too have to face the same days or even worst days than that.
Friends, today is the time, let’s think and realize that what we can our little bit do for such people. When we do something, we will be getting much more than we needed from our Lord, besides we will be blessed immensely. Not only that even our children will be blessed.

Questions in Job 

40:2
Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?
he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

40:4
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee?
I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

40:8
Wilt thou also disannul my judgment?
wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

[Message No: 7636]

Fight Back

“Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.” Psalm 144:1

Every day you will face challenges that try to move you away from God’s plan and purpose for your lives. You will be tempted to act out of character. You will be tempted to give in to the pride of your own hearts; relying on yourselves rather than fully relying on God.  Unfortunately, all of these decisions will put you in a position to lose the battle.

If you are to see victory over the obstacles you are currently facing, it will take you learning the battle strategy from the one who knows best. God has strategic weapons to dismantle every attack of the enemy. We find this true throughout the Old Testament readings.

Joshua won the battle of Jericho by marching around the city 7 times, then releasing a loud shout. Gideon was told he had too many men for the battle. He was then instructed to take 300 men with him. As they went blowing their trumpets, the Lord confused the opposing army and they began to fight themselves.  Jehoshaphat was told by the Prophet of the Lord, you will not have to fight in this battle, the Lord will fight for you. They proceeded to battle worshipping their God and the other army began to destroy themselves.

Today, instead of cowering down to the enemy of doubt, fear and insecurity. Instead of giving into the temptation to quit. Instead of allowing the whispers of the naysayers stop you in your tracks, I encourage you to fight back! You must stand and gird yourself with the full armour of God. Endure hardness as a good soldier and see those very obstacles demolished in your path.

After all, He has already equipped you with the weapons that work; prayer, worship, and the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. Do your battle on your knees today. Do your battle in worship. God will fight for you.

Troubled – Trouble

John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe  in God;  believe also in me

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled  and do not be afraid.

[Message No: 7635]

Words of Blessings

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. — Ephesians 4:29

We can use our words to be cute. We can use our words to appear impressive. We can use our words to win arguments. We can use our words to defend ourselves. We can use our words to lie and distort. We can use our words to do many things, but God wants us to use our words to bless. So when we speak, if our words do not bless and benefit those to whom we direct them, then we are to simply not say anything. Grandma was right. "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all."

What the Good of Temptation?

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

His Temptation and Ours

Hebrew 4:15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Do You Continue to Go with Jesus?

Luke 22:28
“But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.

The Lighthouse

Isaiah 61:3
To console those who mourn in Zion,
 To give them beauty for ashes,
 The oil of joy for mourning,
 The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
 That they may be called trees of righteousness,
 The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

[Message No: 7634]

To be rich in good deeds

Command them [the rich] to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. — 1 Timothy 6:18

Generosity is such a wonderful thing — not just to those on the receiving end, but also to those who are on the giving end. Those of us who can read this devotional on a computer via e-mail are rich by the world's standards, so this passage on being generous with our blessings is especially applicable. Let this giving-time of the year be God's opportunity to reawaken in us the need to be generous with our time, energy, and monetary blessings year round.

The work of the Spirit

In the World:

John 16:8-11
When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:   about sin,  because people do not believe in me;   about righteousness,  because I am going to the Father,  where you can see me no longer;   and about judgment, because the prince of this world  now stands condemned.

1 Peter 1:12
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,  when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you  by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.  Even angels long to look into these things.

1 Thessalonians1:5
because our gospel  came to you not simply with words but also with power,  with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know  how we lived among you for your sake.

The life of Faith

. Praying in Faith  - Brings Blessing – James 5:15
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.

. Fighting in Faith – Gives Victory – Matthew 25:10
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut.

[Message No: 7633]

How do we lose our spiritual vitality?

[Jesus said] "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." — Matthew 13:22

All sorts of things can distract us from Kingdom matters. The wear and tear of everyday life can make it hard to keep our spiritual focus. But in an affluent society, our desire for riches, our pursuit of material things, and our selfishness with wealth can entangle us in worry. Worry can stifle our faith. Eventually the fruitfulness of the Gospel is choked out and we lose our spiritual vitality. Our greatest riches are found in Jesus. If he is our priceless treasure and the Kingdom is our highest priority, then we can handle the other things that come our way.

Thy Faithfulness, Lord, Each Moment We Find,

1 THY faithfulness, Lord, Each moment we find,
So true to thy word, So loving and kind!
Thy mercy so tender To all the lost race,
The vilest offender May turn and find grace.
2 The mercy I feel To others I show,
I set to my seal That Jesus is true:
Ye all may find favour Who come at his call,
O come to my Saviour, His grace is for all!
3 To save what was lost, from heaven he came;
Come, sinners, and trust In Jesus's name.
He offers you pardon; He bids you be free;
"If sin be your burden, O come unto me!"
4 O let me commend My Saviour to you,
The publican's friend And Advocate too,
For you he is pleading His merits and death,
With God interceding for sinners beneath.

Living Deceptively

2 Timothy 3:15
and how from infancy  you have known the Holy Scriptures,  which are able to make you wise  for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus

[Message No: 7632]