Blessings of Faith - 1

Bodily healing 

Matthew 8:26 

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Acts 3:16 

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Protection

Matthew 8:26 

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

Matthew 14:31 

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Daily food

Matthew 16:8-10

8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 

9 Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 

10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?

Forgiveness

Luke 7:50 

Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Romans 3:25 

God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

Blessed

Count your blessings—name them one by one;

Count your blessings—see what God hath done;

Count your blessings—name them one by one;

Count your many blessings—see what God hath done.

Beautiful People

1 Peter 3:3 -5

3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 

4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 

5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands,

Thoughts

Looking for Christ’s return makes a difference in your life.

To feel good about yourself, do what pleases God.

A bite of sin leaves a bitter aftertaste.

The highest motive for serving God is the desire to please Him.

Quotes

“Whether God calls you to full-time, vocational ministry or calls you to be His ambassador in the world of business, science, government, entertainment, or wherever, the principles are the same, the keys to discovering God’s will are the same, the challenges and pitfalls are the same and, in the end, the reward will be the same. Contrary to what many people believe, God does not reward us based on how many people we lead to Jesus. He rewards us based on our obedience and faithfulness to His call and will.” ~ Evangelist Daniel 
Kolenda

“Creation cost Him nothing; salvation cost Him everything.” – Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke

Sensitivity

 “Lord, give me sensitivity to people in their grief and pain, To weep with them and show Your love In ways mere words cannot attain.” 

Change

 “When God works a change in us He can change others through us.” 

Foolish people in the Bible - 3

Proverbs 1:32 

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

Proverbs 10:1 

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.

Proverbs 10:18 

He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 10:23 

A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.

Proverbs 14:27 

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:20 

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Proverbs 17:10 

A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

Proverbs 18:7 

A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Proverbs 26:1 

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.

Proverbs 26:11 

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Proverbs 29:11 

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Proverbs 29:20 

Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 30:32 

“If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth!

Ecclesiastes 7:6 

Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 10:3 

Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.

Conditions of Gospel Benefits - 2

Love God

Matthew 22:37 

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Ecclesiastes 12:13 

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Work Uprightly

Psalms 84:11 

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Abide in Christ and have His Word abiding in us.

John 15:7 

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

John 15:16 

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.


Romans 10:17 

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Have Faith

Matthew 21:22 

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 11:22-24 

22  “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 

23 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Hebrews 11:6 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

James 1:5-8 

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 

6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 

7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Gifts of God

The Holy Spirit:

Acts 2:38 

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:32 

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

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!”

Grace:

James 4:6 

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5 

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Repentance:

Acts 11:18 

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

Romans 2:4 

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

Numbers 27:16-17  

16 “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community 

17  to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Wow! For any city, county, or country electing new leadership, or church selecting elders or ministers, what greater prayer could there be?

Sins mentioned in the Bible

Causing men to err

Jeremiah 23:13 

“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.

Prophesying lies

Jeremiah 23:25 

“I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

Tolerating false prophets

Jeremiah 29:8 

Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
Propagating lies

Jeremiah 29:25-29 

25 “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You sent letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem, to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the other priests. You said to Zephaniah, 

26 ‘The LORD has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada to be in charge of the house of the LORD; you should put any madman who acts like a prophet into the stocks and neck-irons. 

27 So why have you not reprimanded Jeremiah from Anathoth, who poses as a prophet among you? 

28 He has sent this message to us in Babylon: It will be a long time. Therefore build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.’”

29 Zephaniah the priest, however, read the letter to Jeremiah the prophet.
Instigating rebellion

Jeremiah 29:32 

This is what the LORD says: I will surely punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good things I will do for my people, declares the LORD, because he has preached rebellion against me.’”
Trusting own beauty

Ezekiel 16:15 

“‘But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his.

Conditions of Gospel Benefits

Repent - Confess Sins

2 Chronicles 7:14 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Luke 13:1-5 

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 

2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 

3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 

4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 

5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

1 John 1:5 

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

Obey - Keep the Commandments

Exodus 15:26 

He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”

Proverbs 3:1-4 

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,

2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

1 John 3:21-23 

21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 

22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 

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.

The New Birth

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

1 John 2:29

If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

1 John 3:5-10

5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.

6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.

8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

1 John 5:1-4

1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:18

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.

Conditions of answered Prayer.

Matthew 7:7 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 17:20 

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 18:18 

“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 21:22 

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 9:23 

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Mark 11:22 

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.

John 15:7 

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

Proverbs 9:10  

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

We look for wisdom in so many worthless and futile places. But ultimate wisdom is found only when we intentionally humble ourselves before our incredible God, giving him the reverence and worship he deserves.

Penitent Spirit

Isaiah 61:2 

To proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

James 4:9 

Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 

9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 

11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

Matthew 5:4 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Committing Adultery

Matthew 15:19 

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

Matthew 19:18 

“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,

Galatians 5:19 

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

Mild tempered, gentle Spirit

Matthew 5:5 

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 11:29 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Psalms 37:11 

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

1 Peter 3:4 

Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Small Prayers

Repeat these Prayers

O Savior, my Great Redeemer, thank you for triumphing over all that I fear through Jesus. You have not only given me a hero I can trust, but a hope by which I can live victoriously. In the name of my Conquering King, Jesus, the Rider on the white horse, I thank you. Amen.

Great Deliverer, we have many who call on your name with faith in Jesus who face persecution and hardship every day. I pray that they will not lose heart and give up their confidence. I pray that you will bring deliverance from this time of persecution. I pray that their sufferings will be the source of powerful witness so others will come to see the great value of Jesus and our allegiance to him. This I pray in Jesus' precious and holy name. Amen.

Gracious and Almighty God, teach me your ways and give me your heart as I strive to not only love you, but to know your will and have insight into your ways. Help me to know the best things to do today and use my time in the best way possible to live out your will in my work, with my family, among my friends, and especially before those who do not know Christ as their Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord I pray. Amen.

Holy and Righteous God, my Heavenly Father, I am both uncomfortable and comforted to know that you will bring justice on those who have violently abused the innocent, weak, helpless, underprivileged, and infirm. I hate to see anyone lost. I hate even worse when evil people harm those who are good and kind and godly. Give me the courage to stand in between the evil of my world and those on whom it preys. Because of his grace and victory over sin and death, I pray in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

The Nature of God’s Goodness

God is good

Psalms 100:5 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

God’s Spirit is good

Nehemiah 9:20 

You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.

God’s Word is good

Isaiah 39:8 

“The word of the LORD you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”

The Revelation of God’s Goodness

In creating us

Genesis 1:26-27 

26 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.”

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

Genesis 1:31 

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

In giving us his commandments

Deuteronomy 6:2 

so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.

In disciplining us

Proverbs 3:12 

Because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Father God…You are Invincible!

1 Timothy 1:17 

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalms 24:7-8 

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Isaiah 42:10 

Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.

Isaiah 42:12-13 

12 Let them give glory to the LORD and proclaim his praise in the islands.

13 The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.

Jeremiah 32:17-18 

17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. 

18 You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the fathers’ sins into the laps of their children after them. O great and powerful God, whose name is the LORD Almighty,

Proverbs 3:11-12 

11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Discipline, even when it is not falsely confused with punishment, is considered onerous, irritating, and unnecessary. The lazy and sinful part of us wants no boundaries, even if they are good, and no direction because it might conflict with what we want to do. But the Lord disciplines out of love to bless us. It is a sign of his delight. Why? Because he is not content to leave us unchanged, unmotivated, and disinterested. He wants to move us closer to our goal: Jesus!

Lord may knock.

By the Word

Hebrews 4:12 

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

By the Spirit

1 Corinthians 14:22-25 

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 

23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 

24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, 

25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

By a sense of need

John 7:37 

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

By his drawing

John 6:44 

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

By conviction

Acts 7:51 

“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

By supernatural phenomena

Exodus 3:2-4 

2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 

3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

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.”

What drives your life?

You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. - Isa. 26:3 (Tev).

Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.

We were made to have meaning. This is why people try dubious methods, like astrology or psychics, to discover it. When life has meaning, you can bear almost anything; without it, nothing is bearable. 

Thoughts:

– How does your perspective about your own possessions need to change so that you can rejoice with others over their possessions?

– What do you think God wants you to fill your life with instead of possessions?

– Christians talk a lot about God giving them the desires of their heart. What kind of desires do you think God wants to give you?

JESUS

+ Ps. 39:30 “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.”

+ According to the scriptures, the Devil is small enough to fit under our feet and God is big enough to fill both heaven and earth.

Lord, help me to be a forgiving person

Matthew 5:44-45  

44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 

45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

John 14:21  

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Quotes. 

- Make failure your teacher, not your undertaker.

- You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great

- Making the family a top priority will invariably bring success.

- The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.

Health was natural and eternal before the fall

Genesis 1:26-31 

26 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.

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

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Genesis 2:17 

But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

Jeremiah 10:23  

Know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

While we may have goals and a sense of mission about our lives, our lives are not really ours to plan. Every day must be greeted as a gift from God. Every goal must ultimately be pursued to his glory. Every true sense of direction is a gift to us from our Father's Word or his Spirit.

Thoughts 

. God is the great reality.  His resources are available and endless.  His promises are real and glorious, beyond our wildest dreams.

. Do you sometimes feel that you just can’t take one more thing?  Even in your misery, be mindful that the very weight of your burdens and the intensity of the pressure may be exactly what God is going to use in your life to trigger an experience of personal revival.

. God hath in Himself all power to defend you, all wisdom to direct you, all mercy to pardon you, all grace to enrich you, all righteousness to clothe you, all goodness to supply you, and all happiness to crown you.

Believer’s Daily Duties

Take up your cross and follow Jesus daily – 

Luke 9:23  

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Wait at the Lord’s doorway daily – 

Proverbs 8:34  

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
Counseling Helps

Assurance:

Promise of eternal

John 3:16 

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

You can be sure

1 John 5:11-13  

11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Gather enough manna every day – 

Exodus 16:4-5  

4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 

5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

Fellowship with Wrong

The Bible speaks of many with whom we are not to have fellowship:

The ungodly

Psalms 1:1  

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

Workers of inequity

Psalms 6:8  

Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.

True Religion

True religion is to have Christ when you are losing money, when checks bounce, and when banks fail. It is sweet to be able to rejoice in Christ even when you are out of work, to have Christ even when your wife is sick, to have Christ even when your precious child has to buried, to have Christ when your head is aching, to have Christ when your poor body is half starved.

You will never know the sweetness of Christ until you know the bitterness of trials. You cannot know His fullness until you see your emptiness.

Old Age, Attainment Of

Psalms 90:10 

The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

2 Samuel 5:4-5 

4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 

5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

2 Samuel 19:34-35 

34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 

35 I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of men and women singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 

Deuteronomy 5:33 

Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Exodus 20:12 

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:16 

“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 4:40 

Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.

Psalms 3:1-2 

1 O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

2 Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” 

Psalms 3:1 

O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

Jesus

My dear brothers and sisters

God loves you the way you are, but He refuses to leave you  that way,

He wants you to be just like Jesus.

Father God…You are Faithful!

Lamentations 3:21-24

21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Daniel 7:9 

“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

Psalms 119:89-90

89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

Psalms 89:7-8

7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.

8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

2 Corinthians 1:6-9 

6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 

7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 

9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

1 Corinthians 10:13 

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Psalms 89:1-2

1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

Works of the Devil

To kill and destroy:

John 10:10 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Sowing tares, tempting and sifting saints:

Matthew 4:3 

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Matthew 13:25 

But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

Luke 23:31 

For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Promoting counterfeit worship and miracles:

2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 

9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 

10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 

11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 

12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

1 Corinthians 10:20 

No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

Causing storms:

Job 1:18-19 

18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, 

19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

Ephesians 2:2 

in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.