Just and True

“Great and marvellous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:3-4

A lot of people talk about right and wrong these days, as if they were random or variable things. If no absolute truth exists, then the powerful determine what justice is.

Isaiah’s words — written thousands of years ago — sound eerily like our current society. “
So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey” (Isaiah 59:14-15).

Yet, it’s not merely today’s society at large that has a warped view of justice. Too often, Christians doubt God’s justice. Believers read the Old or New Testament passages about God’s wrath and think God acts unfairly.

So, John reminds us in today’s verses from Revelation that all God’s ways are just. God defines and exemplifies righteousness, justice, and truth. All God’s deeds are righteous. Indeed, all creation will worship God because of these attributes.

God can’t act in opposition to his nature. So, it’s impossible for God to do anything unjust. In fact, our internal sense of justice comes from being made in the image of the true and just God. We wouldn’t know what justice meant if God hadn’t revealed it to us.

Therefore, we must approach difficult passages with humility. Our limited knowledge and perspective make it absurd for us to judge God. Instead, by affirming the truth of God’s character and submitting to the Holy Spirit for guidance, we ask God to show us how to correctly view his justice.

Let's Pray:

Whisper a prayer in the morning.
Whisper a prayer at noon.
Whisper a prayer in the evening to keep your heart in tune.
God answers prayer in the morning.
God answers prayer at noon.
God answers prayer in the evening to keep your heart in tune.
Amen

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[Message No: 7732]

Jewel [Precious Stone]

Exodus 3:22
But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

Proverbs 11:22
As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,
 So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.

Malachi 3:17
“On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my  treasured possession.  I will spare  them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son  who serves him.

Prophet – Abraham

Genesis 1:7
Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.

Genesis 13:14-17
And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

Thought 

. Prayer is not merely expressing our present desires.  Its purpose is to exercise and train our desires, so that we want what he is getting ready to give us.  His gift is very great, and we are small vessels for receiving it.  So prayer involves widening our hearts to God. - Augustine of Hippo

Commands

. A kingdom will be set up that will never be destroyed

Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

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[Message No: 7731]

He is our ultimate Genesis

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

We are creatures of the earth. Yes, we are much more than that, but occasionally we need to be reminded of that! We can't truly understand existence before time, yet before the beginning of time as we know it, God existed — he has revealed himself as "I Am," the one who was and who is and who is to come. Before there was an ordered universe to provide the basis of our existence, God is "I Am."

He had existence before, beyond, and without our created universe. We can't even truly comprehend this in its entirety. That's why every new beginning — whether it is a day, a week, a year, or a millennium — should begin with God. He alone is the ultimate Genesis, our beginning.

God’s Word for God’s People

1 Thessalonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances;  for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Zechariah 13:8
In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
 “two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
 yet one-third will be left in it.

Zechariah 14:10
The whole land, from Geba  to Rimmon,  south of Jerusalem, will become like the Arabah. But Jerusalem will be raised up  high from the Benjamin Gate  to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate,  and from the Tower of Hananel  to the royal winepresses, and will remain in its place.

Questions in 2 Kings

5:7
As soon as the king of Israel read the letter,  he tore his robes and said, “Am I God?  Can I kill and bring back to life?  Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel  with me!”

5:8
When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet  in Israel.”

5:12
Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters  of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.

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[Message No: 7730]

Man’s Creation

... the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. — Genesis 2:7

We are God's creation. He fashioned and formed our original ancestors out of the dust of the ground. He molded each of us and created each of us in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13-16). Like Adam, God fills us with his breath and blesses us with life. We are his workmanship, his artistry, made to experience life in all its fullness (John 10:10) and created to do his work in our world (Ephesians 2:10).

In The Midst

. As the centre of Attraction
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

. As the Questioner
Luke 2:46
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

. As the Servant
Luke 22:27
For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

. As the Living One
Luke 24:36
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

. As the Unknown One
John 1:26
I baptize with water,”  John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.

. As the Suffered
John  19:18
There they crucified him, and with him two others —one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

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[Message No: 7729]

Jesus Arrested

Mark  14:43-50 — Mt 26:47-56; Lk 22:47-50; Jn 18:3-11

  Just as he was speaking, Judas,  one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

    Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.”   Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!”  and kissed him.   The men seized Jesus and arrested him.   Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

    “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?   Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts,  and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”    Then everyone deserted him and fled.

    A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,   he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Blessings of Hope

. You will be secure – John 11:18
Now Bethany  was less than two miles from Jerusalem,

. Inspires Endurance – 1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father  your work produced by faith,  your labor prompted by love,  and your endurance inspired by hope  in our Lord Jesus Christ.

. Purification – 1 John 3:3
All who have this hope in him purify themselves,  just as he is pure.

. Drawing near to God – Hebrews 7:19
(for the law made nothing perfect),  and a better hope  is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

. All joy and peace – 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.

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[Message No: 7728]

Trusting in human power?

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

God will humble the arrogant. He has a day designated to do this. But, until that day dawns, God's Kingdom people must live knowing that even the apparently powerful but ungodly will be brought to ruin. We shouldn't trust in human power; it can evaporate like dew in the morning sunshine. Human power is limited by death. When the breath of a tyrant is gone, so is his power. Once the life of an evil person is over, all that is left is the evil. Our trust must be in Yahweh Sabbath, the Lord God of heaven's armies. Anything else is a dim, small, and distorted reflection of the real thing.

His wings shelter you

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers,
 and under his wings you will find refuge;
 his faithfulness will be your shield  and rampart.

How to find God’s Will?

. By being teachable
Psalm 143:10
Teach me  to do your will,
 for you are my God;
 may your good Spirit
 lead  me on level ground.

. By renewing our mind

Romans 12:2
Do not conform  to the pattern of this world,  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing  and perfect will.

. By denying self-will

Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup  be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

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[Message No: 7727]

Waiting on God

Psalm 37:7-9

Your Creator knows what is best for your life. His plan for you, which is motivated by wisdom and love, is executed with perfect timing. This last part can be hard for us to accept, especially when it involves waiting. But patience is often part of the plan.

Embrace whatever season God has you in right now. If it’s a time of waiting, choose patience, trusting that His plan for you is beautiful. Walking in His will requires us to remain sensitive to His voice. When we readily listen to our loving Father, He protects us from making mistakes.

Facts about the Mysteries (God’s Word)

. Entrusted with the secrets – 1 Corinthians 4:1
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants  of Christ and as those entrusted  with the mysteries  God has revealed

. God commands to be known – Romans 16:25-26
Now to him who is able  to establish you in accordance with my gospel,  the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery  hidden for long ages past,   but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings  by the command of the eternal God,
 so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith —

. Love greater than Revelation – 1 Corinthians -13:2
If I have the gift of prophecy  and can fathom all mysteries  and all knowledge,  and if I have a faith  that can move mountains,  but do not have love, I am nothing.

. Suffering for the mystery – Colossians 4:3
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

. To be declared fearlessly – Ephesians 6:19-20
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,   for which I am an ambassador  in chains.  Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

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[Message No: 7726]

God is my Abba Father

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. — 1 John 4:18

While I approach God with reverence and awe because he is the holy and majestic God, I don't have to fear his presence. Because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I know God is my Abba Father. He longs for me to draw near him. He has shown me his heart by sending Jesus. He has shown me his love by having Jesus die for me.

If he loves me that much, then I can trust that his desire is to save and bless me. I don't have to fear his presence or his judgment. As his child, his love has driven fear from my heart and replaced it with love from his abiding presence, the Holy Spirit.

The Cloud

“Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.” Numbers 9:17

I put a lot of thought into figuring out God’s will for my life. I don’t know about you, but I fret over where I need to work or live. I pray and ask God if I’m headed in the right direction. I want to make sure I am following where he leads.

Thoughts 

. Life has many choices.  Eternity only two. -
What’s yours? - Church sign

. Be generous in your surrender!  Meet His measureless devotion for you with a measureless devotion to Him.  Be glad and eager to hand over the control of your life to Him.  Whatever there is of you, let Him have it all.

Give up forever everything that separates you from Him. - Hannah Whitall Smith

Lord Jesus, I Love Thee

Lord Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
For thee all follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
If ever I loved thee, Lord Jesus, 'it's now.

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[Message No: 7725]

One who hear and cares for us

In him [Jesus our Lord] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. — Ephesians 3:12

In Christ we are given so many freedoms — freedom from law, sin, death, etc. But one of the greatest freedoms we have is to boldly come before the Creator of the universe, the God of all time and creation, and speak openly and confidently with him. Incredibly, we mortals can enter God's world with our problems and be confident that he hears us and cares about our concerns.

Conversion

. The Need

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.

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,  that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

1 Thessalonians 2:9
 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked  night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone  while we preached the gospel of God to you.

. The Act

1 Thessalonians 1:9
for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned  to God from idols  to serve the living and true God,

1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins”  in his body on the cross,  so that we might die to sins  and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes  and turn them from darkness to light,  and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins  and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

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[Message No: 7724]

Billy Graham

The Hymn That Invited Millions to Christ

“Just As I Am” was an integral part of nearly every Billy Graham Crusade from 1949 to 2005. It’s about coming to God with all your flaws, failings and fears—something millions of people did at Crusades around the world as God prompted their hearts.

For the final part in our summer hymn series, read why Billy Graham handpicked this particular one—and what happened when a Crusade choir stopped singing it for a month straight.
Maybe you, too, can be assured of God’s promises by opening your heart to the lyrics of “Just As I Am.”

O Lamb of God, I Come

Throughout the Bible, we see people who had an open invitation to follow God. Some of their journeys look different than ours: Moses kicked off his sandals as he encountered God through a burning bush, and Isaiah cried out from his uncleanliness during a vision of God’s throne. In both cases, we see the humility of sinful man before a holy God.

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” - Isaiah 1:18

As Elliott penned “Just As I Am,” she recognized her flaws: illness, conflicts, doubts and fears. Even so, God loved and accepted her just as she was.

According to How Sweet the Sound, a book by Billy Graham’s longtime Crusade soloist George Beverly Shea, Mr. Graham once explained that “we have ‘no plea’—no claim on God’s love or forgiveness—except that Jesus shed His innocent blood to reconcile us to His Father.” There’s nothing we can do to earn salvation or freedom from sin; we simply must receive it through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

Ironically, we live in a world that screams for acceptance through careers, social media and peers, but we often have difficulty receiving acceptance from a Savior.

Like trying to stubbornly wipe a dirty stain off a favorite shirt, we attempt to fix our own problems, wanting to appear better than we actually are. We forget that God created us in His own image and doesn’t desire our good intentions, but the very hearts that He designed.

Indeed, as the song “Just As I Am” says, He let us be “poor, wretched, blind,” that He may become all we need, giving us “sight, riches, healing of the mind.”

Behind the Music

Ninety-nine years after Elliott wrote “Just As I Am,” a teenage farm boy heard the hymn while attending a revival. He then stepped forward in surrender to God while another hymn, “Almost Persuaded, Now to Believe,” was sung.

That man was Billy Graham, who would eventually select “Just As I Am” to play during his Gospel invitations. Chosen for its lyrics of response, “O Lamb of God, I come,” and strong Biblical basis, Graham believed the Crusade hymn reflected the choice to follow God. His autobiography would later be named Just As I Am.

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[Message No: 7723]

Is The End Really Near?

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

1.   False Prophets:
Matthew 24:5
For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

2.   Wars and Rumors of Wars:
Mark 13:7
When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

3.   Strife, Famine, and Natural Disasters Everywhere: 

2 Chronicles 7:13
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain,  or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,

4.   Gospel Preached Throughout the World:
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom  will be preached in the whole world  as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

5.   Godlessness:

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.    People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,  boastful, proud,  abusive,  disobedient to their parents,  ungrateful, unholy,   without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,   treacherous,  rash, conceited,  lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—   having a form of godliness  but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Thoughts 

. George Muller had run and orphanage in England in the early 1800s that cared for 5,000 children.  He had made a vow never to ask people directly for anything, but to ask God instead to inspire them to provide food, clothing, money, or whatever else was needed.  He eventually received more than 50 million British pounds in donations, all without ever asking anybody for anything. – Unknown

. Believe in the Lord, and He will do half the work–the last half. - Cyrus Curtis

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[Message No: 7722]

Time to Trust

What is time to trust?
Is it when hopes beat high,
When sunshine gilds the sky,
And joy and ecstasy
Fill all the heart?
Nay! But the time to trust
Is when our joy is fled,
When sorrow bows the head,
And all is cold and dead,
All else but God.

Prayer

I pray to God this day to make me an extraordinary Christian.

. Whitefield

Ways of Repentance 

Admitting Sin – Luke 15:8
I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,

Realizing Unworthiness – Luke 15:18-20
I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
   “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Thoughts 

. Be constant in practicing every virtue, and especially in imitating the patience of our dear Jesus, for this is the summit of pure love. - Paul of the Cross

. To be with God, there is no need to be continually in church.  We may make an oratory of our heart wherein to retire from time to time to converse with him in meekness, humility and love.  There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. - Brother Lawrence

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[Message No: 7721]

Christ’s Character

The fruit of the Spirit.
What is the character of Christ really like? What is the nature of His life?

2 Corinthians 3:8
will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit  of the Spirit is love,  joy, peace,  forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

The Fruit of the Spirit is a beautiful  word-picture of Christ’s Character. Each fruit is a specific  quality of His life – an aspect of His being. The same is seen in nature. White light is broken  up into all of the colours of the rainbow when it passes through a glass prism. The Fruit of the Spirit is the rainbow colors of Christ’s life.

The Fruit  of the Spirit speaks of the  beautiful  aspects of Christ’s life. We might therefore outline the Fruit of the Spirit as follows:

1. Inward Blessings

a. Love – being lovely within
b. Joy – being joyful within
c. Peace – being peaceful within

2. Outward Blessings

a. Patience – patient with others
b. Kindness – kind to others
c. Goodness – good to others

3. Upward Blessings

a. Faithfulness – Faithful to God
b. Meekness – humble before God
c. Self-control – controlled by God

 Thoughts

. Doing little things with a strong desire to please God makes them really great.
-Francis de Sales

. You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him. - A. W. Tozer
. It’s difficult to imagine anything more nourishing to the soul than family life. -Thomas Moore

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[Message No: 7720]

With greater power and glory

[How will Jesus Return?]

Luke 21:27
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

In full view of all

[How will Jesus Return?]

Revelation 1:7
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

We have our source of life there

[Our link with Heaven]

Colossians 3:1-4

Put On the New Self
 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Heaven is the Future of Home of All Believers

2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Questions in Job

12:11
Does not the ear test words
as the palate tastes food?

13:7
Will you speak falsely for God
and speak deceitfully for him?

13:8
Will you show partiality toward him?
Will you plead the case for God?

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[Message No: 7119]

Opened – Things in Luke

. An opened Heaven
Luke 3:21
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying,  heaven was opened

. An opened Book
Luke 4:17
and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

. An opened Door
Luke 11:9-10
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you;  seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.   For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

. Opened eyes to faith

Luke 14:31
.  Opened Scriptures in teaching

Luke 24:32
. Opened understanding to ignorance

Luke 24:45
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

show me Your Ways

Psalm 25:4-5
Show me your ways, Lord,
 teach me your paths.
    Guide me in your truth  and teach me,
 for you are God my Savior,
 and my hope is in you  all day long.

Which path should we take?

proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord  with all your heart
 and lean not on your own understanding;
    in all your ways submit to him,
 and he will make your paths  straight.

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[Message No: 7118]

Generous grace of God

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. — Romans 3:27-28

God's salvation leaves us no room for boasting. We couldn't live up to the righteous demands of the Law. When we are broken and sinful, God buys our salvation by sending Jesus and having him pay the debt of our sin. We have nothing to boast about except the overwhelmingly generous grace of God and the incredible sacrificial love of our Savior, Jesus.

Questions in Job 

41:10
No one is fierce enough to rouse it.
 Who then is able to stand against me?

41:11
Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
 Everything under heaven belongs to me.

41:13
Who can strip off its outer coat?
 Who can penetrate its double coat of armor?

Ways to read the God’s Word

. Meditatively – Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love your law!
 I meditate  on it all day long.

. Lovingly – Psalm 119:48
I reach out for your commands, which I love,
 that I may meditate  on your decrees.

. Understandably – Ephesians 3:4
 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight  into the mystery of Christ,

. Attentively – Nehemiah 8:3
He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate  in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

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[Message No: 7717]

Loving Perfectly

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
   Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

Significance of Repentance

. Preserves from Perishing
Luke 13:3
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

. Leads to New life
Ezekiel 18:30-31
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?

Misunderstandings of Spirituality 

. Being Active – Luke 10:40
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

. Having Knowledge – Acts 18:24
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.

. Being Glorified – 1 Corinthians 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

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[Message No: 7716]

Why should Praise God?

. God’s people
Psalm 79:13
So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,
 Will give You thanks forever;
 We will show forth Your praise to all generations.

. The Righteous
Psalm 140:13
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name;
 The upright shall dwell in Your presence.

. God Fearing
Psalm 22:23
You who fear the Lord, praise Him!
 All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
 And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!

. God’s Servants
Psalm 113:1
Praise the Lord!
 Praise, O servants of the Lord,
 Praise the name of the Lord!

. God’s Angels
Psalm 148:3-4
Praise Him, sun and moon;
 Praise Him, all you stars of light!
  Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
 And you waters above the heavens!

. Children and Infants
Psalm 8:2
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
 You have ordained strength,
 Because of Your enemies,
 That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

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[Message No: 7715]

Growing in the Wind

Mark 4:36-41

Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

   Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Drinking waters poisoned - Plagues of Revelation

Revelation 8:10-11
Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck
     Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

Planets Darkened
Revelation 8:12
Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

Spiritual Growth Parents

. Need of spiritual leaders

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

Have you even been alone with God?

Mark 4:10
But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable

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[Message No: 7714]

Depth of our God’s Richness

Oh, the depth and riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out. — Romans 11:33

God's plan to save us is incredible. His blueprints for the creation of our universe are beyond our imagining. He is so rich in wisdom and knowledge. What else can we do but go to him and ask him to open our minds to his work and his will in our lives.

Divine Riches

. Riches of Mercy – Ephesians 2:4
But because of his great love for us,  God, who is rich in mercy,

. Riches of Grace
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption  through his blood,  the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches  of God’s grace

. Riches of Goodness – Romans 2:4
Or do you show contempt for the riches  of his kindness,  forbearance  and patience,  not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

. Riches of Glory – Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs  according to the riches of his glory  in Christ Jesus.

. Riches of God – Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches  of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
 How unsearchable his judgments,
 and his paths beyond tracing out!

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

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[Message No: 7713]

Choosing

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. — John 15:16

Were you ever chosen last? Were you ever the one no one wanted on your team? Isn't it remarkable that God chose us in Jesus Christ! Isn't it amazing that we are loved and wanted by the King of the Ages and his Son, Jesus Christ! Not only that, we weren't chosen out of pity, but to make a difference. We're chosen to bear fruit that will endure! To help insure that productivity, Jesus has promised we can ask for God's blessing on our work for his Kingdom and he will bless us. Incredible!

Testing our Faith 

Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. — Psalm 31:16

Can your faith hold during trying times? I hope mine can! This is a Psalm written during trying times. However, no matter how difficult the situation, the Psalmist still knows who God is and what he can do when he decides to do it. Even in trial he doesn't lose sight of the blessing that comes from the LORD being present.

It's just God’s Love

We love because [God] first loved us. — 1 John 4:19

It's all very simple. God is love. He is love's origin, example, and architect. I love because he loved me first. I know how to love because he has demonstrated it. I can love because he made me in his likeness and to share his character. He is the fountain, the motivation, and the pinnacle of love. I love because he does, first, last, and always.

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?

12:16
Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you.  Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!

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[Message No: 7712]

Because He Lives in Me

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. — Romans 12:10

We are to be devoted to one another. We are to honor one another. And the basis of this loving devotion and honor is found in one central truth: Because God is our Father, we are one family.
We are siblings in God's Kingdom. Our relationship is eternal and built on God's grace to us and our grace expressed to each other.

Salvation

Is God  will to give Salvation?

1 Timothy 2:4
who wants  all people  to be saved  and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Was Jesus Christ the Agent?

Isaiah 63:9
In all their distress he too was distressed,
 and the angel  of his presence  saved them.
 In his love and mercy he redeemed  them;
 he lifted them up and carried  them
 all the days of old.

Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,  his body, of which he is the Savior.

Question of Jesus 

On what to say

John 12:27
Now my soul is troubled,  and what shall I say? ‘Father,  save me from this hour’?  No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

On Calling

Luke 5:23
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

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[Message No: 7711]

Our Response to His Call

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. — Galatians 3:26-27

What are you wearing today? I hope you are clothed with Christ. Anything else is simply out of style by heaven's standards, no matter what designer fashions you may be wearing. You can be clothed with Christ by surrendering your life to Jesus as your Savior through faith; believe that he is God's Son who died for you, trust that he rose from the dead to give you life, confess Christ as your Lord and Savior trusting him for your salvation, and share with him in his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism.

He promises to send his Spirit to live inside you and to forgive you all of your sins. You will be God's child and have a home waiting for you in heaven. For those of us who are Christians, these thoughts are a reminder of what God has done for us and what he expects of us. If you are not a Christian, the world doesn't have to be a cold and lonely place; the Lord Jesus can be with you everywhere you go if you will respond to him.

Questions of Jesus

. On Ownership
Luke 12:20
But God said to him, ‘You fool!  This very night your life will be demanded from you.  Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

. On Escape
Matthew 23:33
You snakes! You brood of vipers!  How will you escape being condemned to hell?

Questions in Job 

41:6
Will traders barter for it?
 Will they divide it up among the merchants?

41:7
Can you fill its hide with harpoons
 or its head with fishing spears?
41:9
Any hope of subduing it is false;
 the mere sight of it is overpowering.

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Message No: 7710

The truth of the risen Savior is ever so precious.

The resurrection is the cornerstone which supports the entire building of Christianity. It is the keystone in the arch of our salvation. It would take a volume to set forth all the streams of living water which flow from this one sacred source, the resurrection of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But to know that He has risen, and to have fellowship with Him by possessing a risen life, this is even still more precious.

Because He left his tomb, we are able to leave the tomb of worldliness ourselves. The truth of the resurrection is the basis of the experience, but as the flower is more lovely than the root, so is the experience of fellowship with the risen Savior more lovely than the bare fact itself.

I encourage you to trust wholeheartedly that Christ rose from the dead, so much so as to be moved to sing about it and to derive all consolation from it. But I urge you, don’t merely rest contented there. Although you can’t see Him visibly like the disciples did, you should seek to see Jesus through spiritual eyes. And though like Mary Magdalene you may not “touch” Him, you are still privileged to converse with Him, and to know that because He is risen, you too both are and will be risen to new life in Him.

While it’s truly wonderful to know crucified Savior who died for my sins, but to know a risen Savior who has given me new life is incomparable. Short of this knowledge of the head and heart there can be no ultimate satisfaction of our deepest longings. May you today know Him and the power of His resurrection. Rise, for the Lord is risen!

Question: Where do you see head knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection overlapping with your daily heart life

Being  with Jesus

He appointed twelve — designating them apostles — that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. — Mark 3:14

While there are many intriguing and fascinating thoughts in this short sentence, the one phrase that touches my heart is this one: "... that they might be with him ...." This reminds me of that great passage in Acts 4:13: "[T]hey recognized that they had been with Jesus." Now I know that we can't "be with" Jesus in the same way the twelve apostles were.

But, we do have the four Gospels that tell his story. When was the last time you sat down and read one straight through? When was the last time you read a Gospel and asked Jesus to make himself and his will known to you? Why not spend some time being with Jesus during this lockdown time?

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[Message No: 7709]

Let Him Lead

From him [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. — Ephesians 4:16

Ephesians and Colossians emphasize that no human being, or even group of human beings, is head of the Church. Jesus is head of the Church. He sets our direction. He is our example. He is our goal for ministry. In addition, Jesus also arranges us in his Body as he chooses, gives us gifts to use to bless each other and God, and holds us together so that we can effectively serve as his presence in the world.

So let's set our hearts on Jesus. Let's use his life and love to inspire us and show us how to serve. Let's give him our allegiance and loyalty. He alone is head of his Body, the Church. Let's let him lead!

God’s care is for everyone

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. — Psalm 71:9
We live in an age where those who are older are often shoved aside. This is true in the professional world with employees. This is also true in churches which often find themselves pandering to those who are younger or more financially powerful, while forgetting the aging and powerless.
Let's remember that God cares what happens to each one of us, no matter status or stature or age.

He is the source for all things

"Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror," declares the LORD. "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." — Jeremiah 2:12-13

Where do you turn to have the thirst of your soul slaked? I firmly believe that many addictive habits and sins are the result of pursuing things to satisfy this thirst in our soul by some means other than seeking God.

He is the only source of true and lasting refreshment, satisfaction, and fulfilment. Let's pursue God, knowing that only he can satisfy the desire of our souls.

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[Message No: 7708]

Gospel demonstrate blessings

Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. — Proverbs 25:13

I'm not sure where you are located, but it's been blistering hot where I am. Anything cool and refreshing sounds wonderful. If you've ever worked a harvest and gotten the dust, plant fragments, and sweat up under your shirt, you know how refreshing a cool glass of water is to your parched throat and a shower is for your sticky body.

But God says that when we are trustworthy messengers for each other and for him, it is even better refreshment than a cool drink on a hot tiring day. So how have you been doing with the Master's message lately? Shared his love? Told of his grace? Demonstrated his kindness? Let's get busy refreshing our Lord by blessing others with his Gospel!

God’s Word for God’s People

Zechariah 10:6
“I will strengthen the house of Judah,
 And I will save the house of Joseph.
 I will bring them back,
 Because I have mercy on them.
 They shall be as though I had not cast them aside;
 For I am the Lord their God,
 And I will hear them.

Hair

1 Corinthians 11:15
but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.

1 Timothy 2:9
I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

God’s Will

Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace…If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace.  In that stillness you will know what His will is. – Amy Carmichael

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[Message No: 7707]

What’s this One Question?

[Jesus said,] "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" — John 11:25
This is the most important question you will ever answer. Do you really believe this? Do you believe that when you died with Christ in baptism through faith, that you died the most significant death and that your physical death will not separate you from Jesus? All of life, even all of eternity for you, hangs on this one question.

Question of Jesus

On Faith 

Luke 8:25
Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
 In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Luke 18:8
I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man  comes,  will he find faith on the earth?”

On How

John 3:12
I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

On how much more?

Luke 11:13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

On Business

Luke 2:49
Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

On Weeping

John 20:15
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?  Who is it you are looking for?”
 Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

[Message No: 7706]

Jonah’s Disobedience

Jonah 1:1-3

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

On Forgiving Others 

. forgive in the sight of Christ

2 Corinthians 2:10
Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

. Forgive whatever grievances

Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

. If we do not forgive others our Father will not forgive our sins

Matthew 6:15
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Questions in Genesis 

27:27
And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him and said:
  “Surely, the smell of my son
 Is like the smell of a field
 Which the Lord has blessed.

27:38
And Esau said to his father, “Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me—me also, O my father!” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

27:45
until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?”

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[Message No: 7705]

God’s Words

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

We talk about Mother Nature, but did you know that Scripture identifies Jesus as the power behind the order of our universe? He sustains our world by his powerful word. Not only did he save us by the sacrifice of his life, but he also sustains us by his word. He sustains us spiritually by his word of teaching and sustains our world by his word of power and grace.

Peace and Harmony

1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among  you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Philippians 2:2
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Completion

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

Colossians 2:10
and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

James 1:4
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

God Revelation Of …

Exodus 5:2
And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.”

Judges 2:10
When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.

John 4:22
You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

[Message No: 7704]

Righteousness and Unrighteousness

(Two certain things in the Bible)

Romans 6:18-22

Every man is the servant of the master to whose commands he yields himself; whether it be the sinful dispositions of his heart, in actions which lead to death, or the new and spiritual obedience implanted by regeneration. The apostle rejoiced now they obeyed from the heart the gospel, into which they were delivered as into a mould. As the same metal becomes a new vessel, when melted and recast in another mould, so the believer has become a new creature.

And there is great difference in the liberty of mind and spirit, so opposite to the state of slavery, which the true Christian has in the service of his rightful Lord, whom he is enabled to consider as his Father, and himself as his son and heir, by the adoption of grace.

The dominion of sin consists in being willingly slaves thereto, not in being harassed by it as a hated power, struggling for victory. Those who now are the servants of God, once were the slaves of sin.

Ways to Peace

. In Christ
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome  the world.”

. Christ’s Blood
Colossians 1:20
and through him to reconcile  to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,  by making peace  through his blood,  shed on the cross.

. By Pursuing
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love  and peace, along with those who call on the Lord  out of a pure heart.

Thought 

. The more you obey your conscience, the more your conscience will demand of you. -  C. S. Lewis
. The heart has its reasons which reason does not know. - Blaise Pascal

[Message No: 7703]

Is our God is a consuming fire?

For our God is a consuming fire. — Hebrews 12:29

We should worship God with reverence because he is a consuming fire! What does that mean? Is the focus on his holiness? Does this warn of judgment? Is this an expression of his purity? Yes, YES, YES! You see, God is holy and pure and righteous. Our imperfections, flaws, failures, and sins stand out glaringly in comparison to his perfection. Yet rather than destroying us with his holy fire.

He can make us new and clean and more than what we once were. So not only can we draw near to him because of Jesus, we can stay near him as we live Jesus' life in our world (see Hebrews 13). That, dear friend, is reverential worship at its finest!

Thoughts 

. Jesus Christ didn’t come into my heart to sit down; he started moving around.
- Andy Hamilton

. To solve the human equation, we need to add love, subtract hate, multiply good, and divide between truth and error. - Janet T. Coleman

Finding Life

John 14:19
Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.  Because I live, you also will live.

O Lord, who is like You?

Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you — majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? — Exodus 15:11

With whom do you compare the incomparable? How do you grasp the infinite with a finite mind? When the quintessence of majesty is the God you contemplate, how can you ever speak of majesty about anything else? God exhausts our superlatives. God's glory bewilders our imaginations. God's greatness exceeds our wildest dreams.

He is beyond what we can know or believe. Yet the Wonder of all his wonders is simply this: he limited himself to a baby, swaddled by loving parents in strips of cloth, and placed in a feed trough because there was no room for them in the inn. Sometimes the greatest of all wonders are not the ones that require our biggest and best words. Sometimes the greatest of all wonders wrap their tiny fingers around our own and capture our hearts.

[Message No: 7702]

Be diligent

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. — 1 Timothy 4:15-16

"Be diligent!" That's not a phrase you hear much about these days. We want things to come easily. Sweat in the world of pseudo-faith is frowned upon. But, Paul wanted Timothy (and us) to know that maturity in Christ requires genuine effort. Having a redemptive influence on others is hard work. While it is God's power that transforms, our effort is also required. God gives us the assurance that this effort will not only bear fruit in our own lives, but it will also lead others to salvation as well.

Jehovah – Jireh

. Assisted by His  Strength – Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear,  for I am with you;
 do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
 I will strengthen  you and help  you;
 I will uphold you  with my righteous right hand.

. Honoured by His name – 1 John 3:1
See what great love  the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

. Joined to Himself by His Spirit -1 Corinthians 12:13
For we were all baptized  by one Spirit  so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Thoughts 

. Knowledge is love and light and vision. - Helen Keller

. Trust in the Redeemer’s strength…exercise what faith you have, and by and by He shall rise upon you with healing beneath His wings.  Go from faith to faith and you shall receive blessing upon blessing. - Charles H. Spurgeon

[Message No: 7701]

The Gospel is the more than Words

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. And so you became a model to all the believers... — 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

The cycle of faithfulness is illustrated in this passage. The Lord is our great example. People of faith model the Lord's character and passion to us. We then live that life of faith as an example to others. In other words, the Gospel is more than words! The Gospel is the good news of Jesus taking root in the life of a person until the fruit it bears is enough of an example of the Lord that someone else sees it and begins to live it, too! The Gospel is both caught and taught!

Questions of Jesus

On knowledge
John 3:10
You are Israel’s teacher,”  said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?

On Finding
Luke 15:4
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

Luke 15:8
Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

By Reinhard Bonnke

. Our job is not “coddle” Christians who already  may feel too sorry for themselves. Our aim is to wake them up, not give them a sedative! People need to come out of themselves and to see again the needs of a dying world.

. The arrows of God are self-targeting, and they will never miss!  They are like preprogramed cruise  missiles. They will strike, and no heart can evade them. 

Thought 

. Abe, I’m going to leave you now and I shall not return.  I want you to be kind to your mother and live as I have taught you.  Love your heavenly Father and keep his commandments. - Thomas Lincoln’s last words to nine-year-old son Abraham Lincoln

[Message No: 7700]

Good Word Not Coming?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. — Philemon 1:25

Have you noticed how words of blessing are in such short supply? There is something about our fallen state that makes sarcasm and ridicule easier to use than blessing. But, in God's family, words are always to be used for the benefit and blessing of others. What simpler or kinder words do we need to use to bless others than these words Paul sent to Philemon? Let's find a way to say them ... and say them again ... and again ...

Questions of Jesus

. On Right
Luke 6:9
And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?”

. On Neighbour
Luke 10:36
Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”

Ways to Peace

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

. Trusting God
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Thoughts 

. To love another person is to help them love God. - Soren Kierkegaard
. You should accept yourself, not as a master, but as a servant, and then all your bad feelings, your anxiety, alarm, uncertainty, and dissatisfaction will be changed into calmness and peace.  You will be filled inside with a clear vision of your purpose, and with a great joy. - Leo Tolstoy

[Message No: 7699]

Listen to Him to get solve your problems

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. — Jeremiah 33:3

God wants us to seek him and call out to him. He wants to answer us and tell us about things beyond our human comprehension. He longs to draw us close so that we can know him. Like a scared child calls out to a loving father in the next room, we too can call on him knowing that our Father will answer, protect, and comfort us. Even more than that, our Father will reveal to us things that would be impossible for us to know without his grace.

Christians are Perfect     

Ephesians 5:27
and to present her to himself  as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Jude 1:24
To him who is able  to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence  without fault  and with great joy—   to the only God  our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!  Amen.

Hebrews 10:10
And by that will, we have been made holy  through the sacrifice of the body  of Jesus Christ once for all.

Titus 2:14
who gave himself for us  to redeem us from all wickedness  and to purify  for himself a people that are his very own,  eager to do what is good.

Romans 7:4
So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law  through the body of Christ,  that you might belong to another,  to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

Thoughts

. God will, very likely, give you more than you can handle.  He will not, however, give you more than He can handle. - Unknown

. I see not a step before me as I tread on another year;
But I’ve left the past in God’s keeping—the future his mercy shall clear;
And what looks dark in the distance may brighten as I draw near. - Mary Gardiner Brainard

[Message No: 7698]

What’s our Aim?

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation ..." — Luke 2:29-30

Old Simeon uttered these words when he saw the Christ child. This is our goal as well. While we cannot physically see Jesus who is our salvation and hold him in our arms as Simeon did, we can see him through Scripture, worship, ministry, evangelism, and the work of the Holy Spirit. Let's make it our aim to honor God as the only true God and to following Jesus as our Lord.

Realization of Promise 

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. — Habakkuk 2:14

What a glorious day when this promise is fully realized! Let's make every effort and commit ourselves to the task of making our glorious God known to every nation, tribe, language, and people.

Bereavement 

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,  who loved us  and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,   encourage  your hearts and strengthen  you in every good deed and word.

Affliction

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good  of those who love him, who have been called  according to his purpose.

Christian Home

1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,  they will cease; where there are tongues,  they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Church

Hebrews 10:25
not giving up meeting together,  as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

[Message No: 7697]