Deliver Yourself

Proverbs 6:1-5

Dangerous Promises
   My son, if you become surety for your friend,
  If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
  You are snared by the words of your mouth;
 You are taken by the words of your mouth.
  So do this, my son, and deliver yourself;
 For you have come into the hand of your friend:
 Go and humble yourself;
 Plead with your friend.
  Give no sleep to your eyes,
 Nor slumber to your eyelids.
  Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
 And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

What do you rejoice in?

Proverbs 17:5
He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
 He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

What do you talk about?

Proverbs 17:9
He who covers a transgression seeks love,
 But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

Jeremiah 10:24

“Correct me, LORD, but only with justice — not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.”
I love a request that a good friend regularly makes of the Lord: "Humble me gently, Father." Transformation is hard work and requires even more patience on God's part than it does on our part. We thank God for his grace which lets us admit our sin and yet still come into his holy and awesome presence.

Thankfully he doesn't treat us as we deserve, but as we need (cf. Psalm 103).

[Message No: 6865]

Comparisons of Israel – 5

A Monstrous Woman   

Lamentation 1:17
Zion spreads out her hands,
 But no one comforts her;
 The Lord has commanded concerning Jacob
 That those around him become his adversaries;
 Jerusalem has become an unclean thing among them.

The Lewd Woman

Ezekiel 16:44
Indeed everyone who quotes proverbs will use this proverb against you: ‘Like mother, like daughter!
The Woman Removed

The Lewd Woman

Ezekiel 36:17
Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity.

A Wife of Whoredoms

Hosea 1:2
When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea:
   “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry
 And children of harlotry,
 For the land has committed great harlotry
 By departing from the Lord.”

The Married Wife

Isaiah 54:1

Sing, O barren,
   You who have not borne!
 Break forth into singing, and cry aloud,
 You who have not labored with child!
 For more are the children of the desolate

[Message No: 6864]

Words ....

Words ....

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. — Proverbs 15:4

Words are powerful. Communicators know this. Negotiators know this. Deep down, you know this. Words have blessed you and words have devastated you. The healing that comes from a kind and tender word is precious. The destruction of a cruel taunt or a well-told deception is crushing. To have such power is amazing. To use this awesome power found in our speech is an awesome responsibility.
Words do have the power to give life, hope, and peace when offered in love to honor Jesus. Let's speak that word today!

A Prepared Heart

Proverbs 16:1-3

The preparations of the heart belong to man,
  But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
  All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
 But the Lord weighs the spirits.
  Commit your works to the Lord,
 And your thoughts will be established.

Others

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world precisely those who thought most of the *next* .

It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. .. C.S. Lewis

His Name

.. John 15:18-27

We enjoy the love of Christ and of the brethern, but we also must endure the hatred of the world of His name's sake. The more we are like Christ, the world system will oppose us.
Depend on the Spirit's power and you will be a fruitful Christian.

In our Life

Faith is the new order. Unbelief is the old order and dying order. Faith is the dividing line which runs right through mankind.
Having faith, or having no faith at all, are the alternatives for our approach to life.

[Message No: 6863]

What do you listen to?

Proverbs 17:4
An evildoer gives heed to false lips;
 A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

Law on Divorce and Remarriage

Matthew 5:31
Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’

Mark 10:1
Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.

Luke 16:18
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

Romans 7:1-3
Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.

Philippians 4:8

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. —

Our actions follow our thoughts like a heat seeking missile follows the exhaust of a jet fighter's engine. So in a day when so much around us trains us to find the negative in life, we must aggressively think and pursue the character, the qualities, and the things of God's goodness.

[Message No: 6862]

Questions in Luke - 8

13:20

And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

13:23

Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”

  And He said to them,

14:3

And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

14:5

Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?”

14:28

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—

14:31

Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?

14:34

“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?

15:4

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

15:8

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

16:2

So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’

16:3

“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 

[Message 6861]

We belong to the Lord

1 Corinthians 6:13-20

Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.

   Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

   Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Acts 11:24

“He [Barnabas] was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”

Barnabas was a good man! Why? For many reasons. But, the key reason was that he was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. This shouldn't surprise us. When the Holy Spirit lives in us, he is at work producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and conforming us to the character of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). No wonder Barnabas' influence was so great on the lives of those who lived in Antioch; his life was under the influence of God's Spirit!

Thoughts 

"It is in the ordinary duties and labors of life that the Christian can and should develop his spiritual union with God." - Thomas Merton

"Love begins when the needs of someone else become more important than your own." - Lao Wei
"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." - Ursula LeGuin

[Message No: 6860]

Come and Learn

Proverbs 9:7-9

“He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
 And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
  Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
 Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
 Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

A Prepared Heart

Proverbs 16:1-3
The preparations of the heart belong to man,
  But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
  All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
 But the Lord weighs the spirits.
  Commit your works to the Lord,
 And your thoughts will be established.

Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
 And adds learning to his lips.

Come and Live

Proverbs 9:10-12
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
 And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
  For by me your days will be multiplied,
 And years of life will be added to you.
  If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
 And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

[Message No:6859]

Bible Verses - Examinations

Here are some great scriptures for students facing any examinations.
For students, taking an exam, especially

In those scary moments, when you are tempted to worry and freak out, it is important to turn to the Bible for comfort and motivation.

Here are 10 Bible verses every student needs to read before their next exam.

Psalm 119:99–100 —

“I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 —

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Hebrews 13:6 —

“So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?”

Jeremiah 17:7–8 —

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

James 1:5 —

“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.”

ALSO READ: 3 things you need to live a Godly life

Proverbs 3:5 —

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Isaiah 41:10 —

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Philippians 4:6–7 —

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:13 —

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Colossians 3:23–24 —

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”


[Message No: 6858]

Glorifying God

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

 Avoid Worldly Wisdom

    Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” Therefore let no one boast in men.

For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

Zechariah 11:17

“[The LORD said] "Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!"

While we don't like to hear bad news and don't appreciate the pronouncement of judgment on others, there is a time when it is appropriate. Jesus was not only our sacrificial lamb, but he is also our Chief Shepherd. When the earthly shepherds of his sheep do not lead faithfully, he will demand harsh justice.

This is a strong reminder to all who lead that they must do so faithfully and tenderly. It is also a comfort to those who have been abused by ungodly leaders — God will bring about a righteous justice to those who have abused the stewardship of their pastoral calling. Ultimately, God will also wipe away our tears even if our earthly shepherds do not! (Revelation 7:15)

Do I despise the Church?

1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Conduct at the Lord's Supper

    Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What!

Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

[Message No: 6857]

We have a living dynamic

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Our Final Victory

    Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

  “O Death, where is your sting?
 O Hades, where is your victory?”

    The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
   Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Thought 

"The secret of Christian quietness is not indifference, but the knowledge that God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, and worry becomes an impossibility." - Oswald Chambers

The Steward

Galatians 2:6-10

But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.

[Message No: 6856]

Building

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

   Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Proverbs 2:1-5

The Value of Wisdom
   My son, if you receive my words,
  And treasure my commands within you,
  So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
 And apply your heart to understanding;
  Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
 And lift up your voice for understanding,
  If you seek her as silver,
 And search for her as for hidden treasures;
  Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
 And find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 3:13-15

Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
 And the man who gains understanding;
  For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
 And her gain than fine gold.
  She is more precious than rubies,
 And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

[Message No: 6855]

Your Neighbours

Proverbs 3:27-35

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
 When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
  Do not say to your neighbor,
 “Go, and come back,
 And tomorrow I will give it,”
 When you have it with you.
  Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
 For he dwells by you for safety's sake.
  Do not strive with a man without cause,
 If he has done you no harm.
  Do not envy the oppressor,
 And choose none of his ways;
  For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
 But His secret counsel is with the upright.
  The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
 But He blesses the home of the just.
  Surely He scorns the scornful,
 But gives grace to the humble.
  The wise shall inherit glory,
 But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Isaiah 41:4

“Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD — with the first of them and with the last — I am he.”

God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. This is great comfort for us. We don't have to choose another deity in the course of our lives. We don't have to worry about our Father leaving us as prey for other gods. We don't have to worry about his Word becoming obsolete or outdated. He will be with us always.

[Message No: 6854]

The Poor - 2

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor,
 And the borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 14:21
He who despises his neighbor sins;
 But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
 But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

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

Proverbs 21:13
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
 Will also cry himself and not be heard.

1 Corinthians 13:6-7

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. —

Always love — pretty tall order and pretty tough stuff. Only God is always. But then Christians are fueled to an always love through the Holy Spirit! Elsewhere, Paul tells us that "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Rom. 5:5) No wonder this love is always — it is God's love, demonstrated by Jesus' sacrifice, and delivered by the Holy Spirit!

Thoughts 

"I resolve to endeavor to my utmost to act and think as if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and the torments of hell." - Jonathan Edwards

"When God is about to do something great, he starts with a difficulty. When he is about to do something truly magnificent, he starts with an impossibility."

— Armin Gesswein

[Message No: 6853]

Comparisons of Israel – 4

8. Backsliding daughter

Jeremiah 31:32
not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord.

9. A Widow

Lamentations 1:1
How lonely sits the city
  That was full of people!
 How like a widow is she,
 Who was great among the nations!
 The princess among the provinces
 Has become a slave!

10. A Princess

How lonely sits the city
  That was full of people!
 How like a widow is she,
 Who was great among the nations!
 The princess among the provinces
 Has become a slave!

11. A Travelling Woman

Jeremiah 4:31
“For I have heard a voice as of a woman in labor,
 The anguish as of her who brings forth her first child,
 The voice of the daughter of Zion bewailing herself;
 She spreads her hands, saying,
 ‘Woe is me now, for my soul is weary
 Because of murderers!’

Jeremiah 6:24
We have heard the report of it;
 Our hands grow feeble.
 Anguish has taken hold of us,
 Pain as of a woman in labor.

[Message No: 6852]

Marks of a Pharisee

Mark 12:38
But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”

Luke 18:9
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Luke 20:20:45
So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

Matthew 23:1-33 [Read]

Joshua Realization

. Joshua passed over Jorden
. Joshua led Israel into blessing
. Joshua led them into a life of faith
. Joshua led them into possession
We see realization in Joshua.

Revival 

Revival comes  from God, yet but when? When we  repent our plain disobedience and return to the basic task – Evangelism

Every single church activity  should relate to turning the world back to God. Why are we waiting?
“Rescue the Perishing”, or we’ll need rescuing ourselves.

Thoughts 

"Forgiveness is the well from which we draw the water to wash others' feet."
— D. Siler

"The winds of God are always blowing, but you must set the sails." - François Fénelon

"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking only to learn that it is God shaking them." - Charles West

[Message No: 6851]

The Instruction of Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7:19

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
 But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
    Shun Evil Counsel
   My son, hear the instruction of your father,
 And do not forsake the law of your mother;
  For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
 And chains about your neck.
  My son, if sinners entice you,
 Do not consent.
  If they say, “Come with us,
 Let us lie in wait to shed blood;
 Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
  Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
 And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
  We shall find all kinds of precious possessions,
 We shall fill our houses with spoil;
  Cast in your lot among us,
 Let us all have one purse”—
  My son, do not walk in the way with them,
 Keep your foot from their path;
  For their feet run to evil,
 And they make haste to shed blood.
  Surely, in vain the net is spread
 In the sight of any bird;
  But they lie in wait for their own blood,
 They lurk secretly for their own lives.
  So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
 It takes away the life of its owners.

[Message No: 6850]

On Almsgiving

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

Matthew 6:1
Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Matthew 19:21
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Luke 11:41
But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.

Luke 12:33
Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

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. —

Did you know the Bible doesn't just say, "God loves you." Now don't let me confuse you. Scripture does tell us many times that God loves us. However, don't miss the important truth here. Each time Scripture tell us that God loves us, it also demonstrates that love as well.

God's love is more than emotion and intention. God's love is demonstrated. God loved us so much he didn't just say, "I love you." God showed his by sending and sacrificing his Son to give us his incomparable love! We never have to doubt that God means what he says. He has backed up his promises of love with his actions.

Thought 

"By means of art we are sometimes sent - dimly, briefly - revelations unattainable by reason. Like that little mirror in the fairy tales - look into it, and you will see not yourself but, for a moment, that which passeth understanding, a realm to which no man can ride or fly. And for which the soul begins to ache..."

— Alexander Solzhenitsyn

[Message No: 6849]

The Invitation of Wisdom

Proverbs 1:20-33

The Call of Wisdom
   Wisdom calls aloud outside;
 She raises her voice in the open squares.
  She cries out in the chief concourses,
 At the openings of the gates in the city
 She speaks her words:
  “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
 For scorners delight in their scorning,
 And fools hate knowledge.
  Turn at my rebuke;
 Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
 I will make my words known to you.
  Because I have called and you refused,
 I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
  Because you disdained all my counsel,
 And would have none of my rebuke,
  I also will laugh at your calamity;
 I will mock when your terror comes,
  When your terror comes like a storm,
 And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
 When distress and anguish come upon you.
  “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
 They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
  Because they hated knowledge
 And did not choose the fear of the Lord,
  They would have none of my counsel
 And despised my every rebuke.
  Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
 And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
  For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
 And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
  But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
 And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

[Message No: 6848]

Jesus foretells His Death and Resurrection

Matthew 17:22
Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men,

Matthew 20:17
Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them,

Matthew 26:1
Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples

Mark 8:31
And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Mark 10:32
Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him:

Luke 9:22
saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

Luke 9:44
Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”

2 Peter 1:16
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

Thought

"I have lived, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?" - Benjamin Franklin

[Message No: 6847]

Questions in Romans – 2

3:8
And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

3:9
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

3:27
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.

3:29
Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,

3:31
Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

4:1
What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?

4:3
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

4:9
Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

4:10
How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.

6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

[Message No: 6846]

Faith -Secret of Answered Prayer

Mark 11:20
Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

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

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Matthew 17:20
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Question of the Resurrection

Mark 12:18
Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying:

Luke 20:27
Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,

John 11:21

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

If you have ever stood at the grave side of a loved one, this thought probably crossed your mind, too — if you had only been here, Lord! Where is Jesus when we hurt? Why couldn't he be here to help us? There are a couple of crucial answers to remember. First, Jesus is with us in our moments of loss and grief. The Church is Jesus' Body and every act of kindness, support, comfort, and help is Jesus working to alleviate our grief.

Second, while he may not have kept our loved one from passing from this life to the next, he has been the abiding and unbroken presence for each Christian who has died physically. Paul reminds us that when a Christian dies, he or she goes to be with Christ (2 Cor. 5:6-7; Phil. 1:21-23) and God's loving presence is never lost to him or her (Rom. 8:35-39)!

[Message No: 6845]

Hastening

Acts 5:33-39

When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

God’s Judgment 

1 Corinthians 10:6-12

 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

   Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Obeying

Acts 5:12-16

And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

[Message No: 6844]

Peter’s Confession

Mark 8:27
Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

Luke 9:18
And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

John 6:67
Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

Consequences of Divorce

Matthew 5:31
Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’

Mark 10:10
In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter.

Luke 10:18
And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Question of the great commandment

Mark 12:28
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

Luke 20:27
Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,

Thoughts 

.. "Whatever tries us in any way, speak to the Lord about it." - George Mueller

.. "The Church is a society of sinners - the only society in the world in which membership is based upon the single qualification that the candidate shall be unworthy of membership." - Charles C. Morrison

[Message No: 6843]

Questions in Romans - 1

2:3
And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

2:4
Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

2:21
You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?

2:22
You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

2:26
Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?

2:27
And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?

3:1
What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

3:3
For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

3:5
But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)

3:6
Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

3:7
For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

[Message No: 6842]

Harvesting

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Watering, Working, Warning
    Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

   For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.

Hebrews 11:16

“Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11 is full of reminders of the great heroes of faith from long ago. Many of them risked everything — some even paid the ultimate price — for their faith. How did they live out such a strong faith in the face of such difficulty and persecution? They were looking for a better place, a better home, a better country, a better city — a heavenly one. God prepared this better place for them.
He is proud to be called their God and welcome them to that better place. And this better place, this better country, is also promised to us as people of faith! Jesus promised us that he is preparing for our arrival at our heavenly home and he will come back and take us to be where he is (John 14:1-4). If the Lord is longing for us to join him, then surely we can have a deep longing t! o be with him. Let's desire our heavenly country!

We cannot save ourselves

Romans 3:30
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Listen 

Proverbs 8:6
Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
 And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

[Message No: 6841]

Your Blessings

Proverbs 3:9-18

Honor the Lord with your possessions,
 And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
  So your barns will be filled with plenty,
 And your vats will overflow with new wine.
  My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
 Nor detest His correction;
  For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
 Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
  Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
 And the man who gains understanding;
  For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
 And her gain than fine gold.
  She is more precious than rubies,
 And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
  Length of days is in her right hand,
 In her left hand riches and honor.
  Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
 And all her paths are peace.
  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
 And happy are all who retain her.

Thoughts 

"A firm faith in the universal providence of God is the solution of all earthly troubles." - B. B. Warfield

"Repentance is a change of willing, of feeling and of living, in respect to God."
— Charles Finney

[Message No: 6440]

Come and Dine

Proverbs 9:1-6
The Way of Wisdom
   Wisdom has built her house,
  She has hewn out her seven pillars;
  She has slaughtered her meat,
 She has mixed her wine,
 She has also furnished her table.
  She has sent out her maidens,
 She cries out from the highest places of the city,
  “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
 As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
  “Come, eat of my bread
 And drink of the wine I have mixed.
  Forsake foolishness and live,
 And go in the way of understanding.

Matthew 7:2

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Jesus is concerned that we not have a critical spirit toward others, especially about their motives as to why they did something. We can't assume to know another person's heart; only God can. When we are unfairly critical, overly harsh, or unduly judgmental, we need to remember that God will use that same standard on us.

 I don't know about you, but I need grace. So do those I love. I'm going to try very hard to be as gracious toward others as I'm trusting that God is going to be gracious with me.

Thought
"I believe in God like I believe in the sun rise. Not because I can see it, but because I can see all that it touches." - C. S. Lewis

[Message No: 6839]

Warning to Believers – Trust in Riches

Matthew 13:22
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Matthew 19:16
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

Luke 12:15
And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

1 Timothy 6:17
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Warning to Believers – Against Double Mindedness

Luke 16:9
And I say to you, make friends for yourse

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Hebrew 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith;
 But if anyone draws back,
 My soul has no pleasure in him.”

Thoughts 

"When you are ready to stop bargaining, He will lead you to a place of peace and blessings." - Author Unknown

"One is a Christian 7/24/365 or he is but a tinkling cymbal." - Richard H. Jett

[Message No: 6838]

God Gave Them

He gave them food

Numbers 11:6-9
but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”
   Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its color like the color of bdellium. The people went about and gathered it, ground it on millstones or beat it in the mortar, cooked it in pans, and made cakes of it; and its taste was like the taste of pastry prepared with oil. And when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.

He gave them meat

Numbers 11:31-33
The Lord Sends Quail
    Now a wind went out from the Lord, and it brought quail from the sea and left them fluttering near the camp, about a day's journey on this side and about a day's journey on the other side, all around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the ground. And the people stayed up all that day, all night, and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers); and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp.

But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very great plague.

He gave them water

Numbers 20:8
Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.”

He gave them a promised land

Numbers 14:7-8
and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’

[Message No: 6837]

Warning to Believers – Against Mote Hunting

Luke 6:41
And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?

John 7:24
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

John 8:7
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.

Psalm 121:3

“He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber...”

I still remember when my children were little. I would sneak in and watch them sleep. Sometimes it was to check on them when they were sick. Sometimes it was to just sit and pray for them, joining the Lord as he watched over them while they slept. Sometimes it was to bathe myself in the grace and wonder of God's love for giving me such blessings.

Even now that they are much older, I still love to look in on them and pray, marveling at the wonder of these precious gifts from the Father. To know that my Abba Father looks at me in the same way, but with even greater delight and joy, fills me with unspeakable wonder.

Warning to Rich Men

Matthew 6:19
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

Mark 10:23
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”

Luke 18:24
And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!

[Message No: 6836]

The Importance of Wisdom

Proverbs 1:2-6
To know wisdom and instruction,
 To perceive the words of understanding,
  To receive the instruction of wisdom,
 Justice, judgment, and equity;
  To give prudence to the simple,
 To the young man knowledge and discretion—
  A wise man will hear and increase learning,
 And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
  To understand a proverb and an enigma,
 The words of the wise and their riddles.

Thought 

"Even when we cannot see the why and wherefore of God's dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, and so we can rejoice always." - J. I. Packer

Your Conduct

Proverbs 3:21-26
My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
 Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
  So they will be life to your soul
 And grace to your neck.
  Then you will walk safely in your way,
 And your foot will not stumble.
  When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
 Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
  Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
 Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
  For the Lord will be your confidence,
 And will keep your foot from being caught.

[Message No: 6835]

The Poor - 1

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to get wisdom than gold!
 And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 10:4
He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
 But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 14:23
In all labor there is profit,
 But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron,
 So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
 And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
 But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
 But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Proverbs 22:22-23
Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
 Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
  For the Lord will plead their cause,
 And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

[Message No: 6834]

On Fasting

Matthew 9:15
And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Matthew 17:21
However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Luke 5:33
Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?”

First Reason for Speaking Parables

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

Luke 8:9
Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?”

Thoughts 

"He that returns good for evil obtains the victory." - Thomas Fuller
"Christ is a substitute for everything, but nothing is a substitute for Christ."
— H.A. Ironside

Second Reason for Speaking Parables

Matthew 13:10
And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”

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

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

[Message No: 6833]

Spirit Baptism – 2

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
 The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
 The Spirit of counsel and might,
 The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Isaiah 42:1
Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
   My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
 I have put My Spirit upon Him;
 He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Revelation 1:4
John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
  Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

Revelation 3:1
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
  “These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Revelation 5:6
And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. —

God does know us. We cannot pretend we are something we are not with him. He knows us — inside and out, through and through. This should liberate us to share a remarkable degree of intimacy with him, but most of us run from such a close relationship with our Father. If our desire, however, is to become more like him, the only way to be transformed is by inviting him in to look at our hearts, our motivations, and our desires.

[Message No: 6832]

Spirit Baptism - 1

Matthew 20:22
But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

Mark 1:10
  And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.

Luke 3:22
And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
 Because He has anointed Me
 To preach the gospel to the poor;
 He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
 To proclaim liberty to the captives
 And recovery of sight to the blind,
 To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

John 1:32
And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.

John 3:34
For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure

Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him

[Message No: 6831]

Questions in Luke - 7

12:42
And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

12:49
I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

12:51
Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.

12:56
Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

12:57
Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?

13:2
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?

13:4
Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

13:7
Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’

13:15
The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?

13:16
So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”

13:18
Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

[Message No: 6830]

What Is Spiritual Warfare?

It’s a war with our enemy

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

It’s war with evil forces

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

It involves spiritual weapons 

2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

It’s a war against our soul

1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

It involves binding and loosing

Matthew 18:18
Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

It involves like-minded believers

Matthew 18:19
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

It involves Jesus our Intercessor

Luke 22:31-32

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

[Message No:6829]

Ministry and Teaching of Jesus

Mark 1:14
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Luke 4:14
Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.

John 1:35
Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples
Mark 4:12-26:35 kindly read

Matthew 20:17-19

Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!" —

One thing the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) make clear, Jesus' death on the cross was no accident. Jesus knew the challenge that awaited him in Jerusalem and he walked into it to deliver us from the same fate. If only we will face our challenges with a faith that God will lead us to triumph beyond our pain!

Begins Ministry in Galilee

Mark 1:14
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Luke 4:14
Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.

Thoughts

The proper purpose of  Pentecost is to  get the wheels rolling for God  in every church, thereby transporting the Gospel  across  the face of the whole earth.

- Reinhard Bonnke
"Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay." - Author Unknown

[Message No: 6828]

Comparisons of Israel – 3

6. A comely, delicate woman:

“And when you are plundered,
 What will you do?
 Though you clothe yourself with crimson,
 Though you adorn yourself with ornaments of gold,
 Though you enlarge your eyes with paint,
 In vain you will make yourself fair;
 Your lovers will despise you;
 They will seek your life.
  “For I have heard a voice as of a woman in labor,
 The anguish as of her who brings forth her first child,
 The voice of the daughter of Zion bewailing herself;
 She spreads her hands, saying,
 ‘Woe is me now, for my soul is weary
 Because of murderers!’

Jeremiah 31:32
not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord.

7. The daughter  of my people

Jeremiah 8:11
For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly,
 Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’
 When there is no peace.

Thoughts

"If you get busy serving God, you're too busy to sin." - Chuck Baker
"Absolutely nothing will revitalize a discouraged church faster than rediscovering its purpose." - Rick Warren

[Message No: 6827]

Questions in Luke - 6

11:19
And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

11:40
Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

12:6
“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

12:14
But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?

12:17
And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’

12:20
But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

12:24
Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?

12:25
And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

12:26
If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?

12:28
If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

12:41
Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

[Message No: 6826]

Two Kingdoms - 5

9] Begins at Second Advent –

2 Timothy 4:1
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

Is Now –

Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth,
 Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
 Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

10] Under Heaven –

Daniel 7:27
Then the kingdom and dominion,
 And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
 Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.
 His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
 And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

Revelation 11:15

Over All – Psalm 103:19

11] Jewish Earthly –

Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace
 There will be no end,
 Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
 To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
 From that time forward, even forever.
 The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Luke 1:33
And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Angelic-Heavenly –

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

[Message No: 6825]

Entering the New Covenant

God will Initiate:

Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

God will Write:

Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

God will be Personal:

Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

God will be Known:

Hebrews 8:11
None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

God will Forgive:

Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

God will not Remember:

Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

God will Give:

Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

[Message No: 6824]

Temptation

Mark 1:12
Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.

Luke 4:1
Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness

Hebrew 2:0-18
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

    Bringing Many Sons to Glory

    For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying:
  “I will declare Your name to My brethren;
 In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
  And again:
  “I will put My trust in Him.” And again:
 “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”

      Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Hebrew 4:14

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Hebrew 5:9
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

[Message No: 6823]

Questions in Luke - 5

9:54
And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

10:25
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

10:26
He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

10:29
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

10:36
So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

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.”

11:5
And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves

11:11
If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?

11:12
Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

11:13
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
”
11:18
If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub.

[Message No: 6822]

Comparisons of Israel – 2

3. The wife of Jehovah:

Isaiah 54:5
For your Maker is your husband,
 The Lord of hosts is His name;
 And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
 He is called the God of the whole earth.
Hosea 2:16
“And it shall be, in that day,”
 Says the Lord,
 “That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’
 And no longer call Me ‘My Master,’

4. A woman forsaken:

Isaiah 54:6
For the Lord has called you
 Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
 Like a youthful wife when you were refused,”
 Says your God.

5. Sister Harlots:

Jeremiah 3:6-10
The Lord said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the Lord.

[Message No: 6821]

Begins to Preach the Kingdom

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

Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

Matthew 10:7
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Our Creator

The fool says in his heart there is no God. —

At one time or another, most of us raised an angry fist to fate and cursed the darkness. Each of these actions is about as equally effective. But to deny there is a God is something else altogether.
To rob heaven of God is to rob ourselves of grace, hope, and future. How foolish indeed to forget that behind a Creation of wonder, order, variety, beauty, power, and pattern is the Creator. He is far greater than his handiwork and we dare not ignore, deny, or dismiss him.

Isaiah 25:1

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvellous things, things planned long ago. —

God's actions are not reactions to current situations, but part of his long term plan to bring redemption. Yes, he has done marvellous things: he took the evil intent of a mob who cried "Crucify him" and turned it into an opportunity to fulfil the prophets and redeem us. He is perfect in faithfulness and has done marvellous things.

[Message No: 6820]

Cup of hastening on Israel by the Gentiles

Lamentations 4:21

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom,
 You who dwell in the land of Uz!
 The cup shall also pass over to you
 And you shall become drunk and make yourself naked.

Ezekiel 23:31-33

You have walked in the way of your sister; therefore I will put her cup in your hand.’
   “Thus says the Lord God:
  ‘You shall drink of your sister's cup,
 The deep and wide one;
 You shall be laughed to scorn
 And held in derision;
 It contains much.
  You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow,
 The cup of horror and desolation,
 The cup of your sister Samaria.

Habakkuk 2:16

You are filled with shame instead of glory.
 You also—drink!
 And be exposed as uncircumcised!
 The cup of the Lord's right hand will be turned against you,
 And utter shame will be on your glory.

Zechariah 12:2

 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.

[Message No: 6819]

Two Kingdoms - 4

7] Under Christ –

Psalm 2:6
“Yet I have set My King
 On My holy hill of Zion.”

Luke 1:32-33
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

   Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

God our All –

Psalm 103:19
The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
 And His kingdom rules over all.

8] Given to Christ –

Daniel 7:13-14
“I was watching in the night visions,
 And behold, One like the Son of Man,
 Coming with the clouds of heaven!
 He came to the Ancient of Days,
 And they brought Him near before Him.
  Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
 That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
 His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
 Which shall not pass away,
 And His kingdom the one
 Which shall not be destroyed.

Luke 1:32
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

Not Given –

Psalm 10:16
The Lord is King forever and ever;
 The nations have perished out of His land.

[6818]

Offenses to believers from the world

Mark 9:42
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

Luke  17:1
Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It

John 15:18
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Christ has indeed been raised, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. —

Being eternal is nothing new. Being like Jesus completely, eternally, will be new. But when the moment of glory hung in the balance as Jesus was revived from his death sleep, we too were given the assurance that death no longer claims us.

The only death that really matters is our death to sin in baptism with Jesus. If we have shared in that death, we will most certainly share in his resurrection (see Romans 6:1-14).

Cup of Salvation and Blessing

Psalm 16:5
O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
 You maintain my lot.

Psalm 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
 You anoint my head with oil;

 My cup runs over.

Psalm 116:13
I will take up the cup of salvation,
 And call upon the name of the Lord.

[Message No: 6817]

Cup of chastening on the nations by Babylon

Jeremiah 51:7
Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord's hand,
 That made all the earth drunk.
 The nations drank her wine;
 Therefore the nations are deranged.

Revelation 18:6
Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.

Isaiah 53:5-6

He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. —

I don't know how Jesus could stand up under its weight. He had my sin, your sin, our sin. He allowed it to be placed upon him so that we would not have to bear the consequences of it all. But in that sacrifice, as horrible as it was, we find ourselves healed — cured of the most awful disease a person can have, a sin-sick soul. He was pierced, crushed, and punished for our sins. In their place, he has left us his transforming peace and a place to belong.

Cup of Consolation 

Jeremiah 16:7
Nor shall men break bread in mourning for them, to comfort them for the dead; nor shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or their mother.

Thoughts 

"Jesus gives us real eyes, so we can realize, where the real lies." - Michael McInerney

"If you want to see God's power at work, you must get out of the church and into the world. Watch the extravagant lengths which God will go to reveal Himself to people who don't know Him. Then you will learn how truly awesome our God is." - Author Unknown

[Message No: 6816]

Three-Fold Glory Of God

His Creation Glory – In Heaven
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God;
 And the firmament shows His handiwork.

His Redemption Glory – In Christ Risen

2 Corinthians 4:4
The heavens declare the glory of God;
 And the firmament shows His handiwork.

His Eternal Glory – In His Saints

1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Isaiah 30:18

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

God is slow to exercise his justice when that justice demands his people's punishment. "Gracious and slow to anger" is a phrase repeatedly used to describe God in the Old Testament. God longs to be gracious and bless his people.

He extends time for us to repent and turn to him. In Jesus, God even gives us his own Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Let's hear the heart of God, and respond by turning our lives and our hearts to the God who longs for us.

Experiencing Life Together

Galatians 6:2
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

[Message No: 6815]

Comparisons of Israel – 1

1. A harlot

Jeremiah 3:1
They say, ‘If a man divorces his wife,
   And she goes from him
 And becomes another man's,
 May he return to her again?’
 Would not that land be greatly polluted?
 But you have played the harlot with many lovers;
 Yet return to Me,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 1:21
How the faithful city has become a harlot!
 It was full of justice;
 Righteousness lodged in it,
 But now murderers.

2. The Daughter of Zion

Jeremiah 6:2
I have likened the daughter of Zion
 To a lovely and delicate woman.

Isaiah 16:1
Send the lamb to the ruler of the land,
   From Sela to the wilderness,
 To the mount of the daughter of Zion.

Thoughts

Just being happy and clappy does not satisfy God’s design. The Holy Spirit works for eternal purposes. - Reinhard Bonnke

"Love is an action, not a feeling. Love is a choice. In fact, love is a commandment." - Mack Timberlake

[Message No: 6814]

Two Kingdoms - 3

5] Political –

Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace
 There will be no end,
 Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
 To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
 From that time forward, even forever.
 The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Daniel 7:14
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
 That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
 His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
 Which shall not pass away,
 And His kingdom the one
 Which shall not be destroyed.
Moral and Spiritual –

Romans 14:17
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

6] Future –

Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come.
 Your will be done
 On earth as it is in heaven.

2 Timothy 4:1
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom
Past, Present, and Future –

Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth,
 Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
 Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

[Message No: 6813]

Cups of the judgements on the wicked

Psalm 11:6

Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
 Fire and brimstone and a burning wind
 Shall be the portion of their cup.

Psalm 73:10

Therefore his people return here,
 And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

Psalm 75:8

For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup,
 And the wine is red;
 It is fully mixed, and He pours it out;
 Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth
 Drain and drink down.

Jeremiah 49:12

For thus says the Lord: “Behold, those whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunk. And are you the one who will altogether go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, but you shall surely drink of it.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. —

Power! We love power. We love the sound and fury of power. We love the ability that power brings to change things. But, the greatest power ever unleashed on this earth was the power displayed when the Almighty God held back his might and fury while his Son was persecuted and murdered.
He did it so he could save us. Now that's an awesome display of power, and it was displayed specifically for us!

Thoughts

John the Baptist  stood in the cold waters of the Jordan, baptizing, but Jesus the Baptizer stands in a river of liquid fire. – Reinhard Bonnke
Faith – chilling items have nothing to do with the Christ of Pentecost. Whatever He touches catches fire. - Reinhard Bonnke
[Message No: 6812]

Offending Bodily Members

Mark 9:43-48

Jesus Warns of Offenses
     “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where
   ‘Their worm does not die
 And the fire is not quenched.’
     And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where
   ‘Their worm does not die
 And the fire is not quenched.’
     And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— where
   ‘Their worm does not die
 And the fire is not quenched.’

Matthew 5:29

If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Romans 10:9-10

If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. —

Imagine Jesus being proud of you! He said if we confess him before others here on earth, he will speak up for us in heaven. Confessing Jesus as our Lord is simply acknowledging the truth. But for believers, it is more than that, since at the close of time every knee will bow and every tongue confess his name. For us, confessing Jesus is anticipating his triumph in which we will share.

[Message No: 6811]

Lord, teach me to walk in Obedience to Your Ways

John 14:21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

1 John 3:24
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Developing your friendship with God

James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded

Matthew 5:14

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Darkness dominates our world. Despite appearances, darkness controls so much of what is said and how it is viewed by the world. When someone lives for Christ, they will be noticed. Their allegiance to Jesus and his righteousness cannot be ignored. So what are we going to do with that light?

Are others going to see and be drawn to our Father in Heaven who sent his Son as Savior? Or, are they going to reject the way of Christ because our walk is all talk and not much service? Let's let them see God's grace through our lives so they will come to know the Savior!

Thoughts 

"Experience makes us see an enormous difference between piety and goodness." - Blaise Pascal
"Whence comes this idea that if what we are doing is fun, it can't be God's will? The God who made giraffes, a baby's fingernails, a puppy's tail, a crooknecked squash, the bobwhite's call, and a young girl's giggle, has a sense of humor. Make no mistake about that." - Catherine Marshall
[Message No: 6810]

Questions in Luke - 4

7:44
Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.

7:49
And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

8:9
Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?”

8:25
But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
  And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

8:30
Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”
  And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.

8:45
And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”
  When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

9:9
Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

9:18
And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

9:20
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
  Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

9:41
Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here

[Message No: 6809]