Different kinds of Consciences – Acts 24:16

An offence less conscience by  carefulness – Acts 24:16
So I strive always to keep my conscience clear  before God and man.

A good conscience by godliness – Acts 23:1
Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin  and said, “My brothers,  I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience  to this day.”

A pure conscience by fidelity – 1 Tim. 1:3
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,  stay there in Ephesus  so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines  any longer

A testifying conscience by consecration – 2 Cor. 1:12
Now this is our boast: Our conscience  testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity  and godly sincerity.  We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom  but on God’s grace.

Our God

The God of Patience – Rom. 15:5
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind  toward each other that Christ Jesus had,

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

John 5:25

“I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”

Aren't you glad that not even death can stop us from hearing Jesus' promised words to us: "RISE!"? We will hear his voice and live with him forever. That sure puts a lift in my future plans; what about you?

All the universe is the LORD's, yet in his greatness, he chooses to know each one of us intimately. Ah, my friend, that is grace upon grace from the LORD who loves each one of us with an undying love as he sus! tains a universe too vast for us to imagine!

[Message No: 6923]

Confusion

John 20:1-10

Mary jumped to conclusions and soon had Peter and John on the run. They were busy, but they had nothing to say and were accomplishing little.
They saw the evidence for the Resurrection, but it did not change their lives.
They needed a meeting with the living Christ!

Thoughts

. We talk a great deal of religion in this country, but we need to stop long enough to let our feet catch up with our mouths. - Billy Graham

. I prayed to God that he would baptize my heart into the sense of all conditions, so that I might be able to enter into the needs and sorrows of all. - George Fox

. To be sure, we cannot make the wind blow.  But we do not need to do so, for it is already blowing.  Wherever the Son of God goes, the winds of God are blowing, the streams of living water are flowing, and the sun of God is smiling.  He is the bodily guarantee that the sun and streams and wind of God are round me.  I do not need to seek them.  I am already encircled by the rush of wind and water and the radiance of light when Jesus begins to speak. - Helmut Thielicke

Questions in 1st Chronicles

13:12
David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God to me?”

14:10
And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”

  The Lord said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.”

Degrees of Faith

Full Faith – Acts 6:5

And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

Great Faith – Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

[Message No: 6922]

Bible - Jesus believed Scripture.

[Reasons to Believe the Bible]
Our Savior affirmed the validity of the Old Testament by quoting passages as He taught. He used Isaiah’s prophecies and the Pentateuch to poke holes in the Pharisees’ false piety (Mark 7:6-13). And after His resurrection, He explained the things concerning Himself that had been written by Moses and the prophets (Luke 24:25-27). Finally, because Jesus had promised the Holy Spirit would teach the disciples and remind them of His words, He insured the accuracy of the New Testament as well (John 14:26).

Symbols of God’s Word

Seed – Luke 8:11
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

Sword – Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation  and the sword of the Spirit,  which is the word of God.

Dew – Deuteronomy 32:2
Let my teaching fall like rain
 and my words descend like dew,
 like showers  on new grass,
 like abundant rain on tender plants.

Mirror – James 1:23
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror

Luke 3:22

‘... the Holy Spirit descended on him [Jesus] in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

God spoke these wonderful words to his Son when Jesus was baptized. God feels the same about us when we follow our Savior's example and are baptized, too! Jesus pours out his Spirit on us (Titus 3:4-7) guaranteeing that we are God's children (cf. Ephesians 1:13-14).

No matter what Satan may do to make us doubt it (cf. Luke 4:3), we can confidently know that we are God's beloved children, with whom he is well pleased! Because of the Spirit, we can call God our Abba Father (Galatians 4:6) knowing that the Spirit intercedes for us making even our inexpressible thoughts known to our Father (Romans 8:26-27).

[Message No: 6921]

Who is Wise? - 1

Proverbs 1:5
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
 And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
 But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Proverbs 9:9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
 Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 10:14
Wise people store up knowledge,
 But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
 And he who wins souls is wise.

Proverbs 14:16
How much better to get wisdom than gold!
 And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
 But he who restrains his lips is wise.

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

Proverbs 3:35
The wise shall inherit glory,
 But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

[Message No: 6920]

The Beginning and the End

Isaiah 44:6
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,
 And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
 ‘I am the First and I am the Last;
 Besides Me there is no God.

Isaiah 48:12
“Listen to Me, O Jacob,
 And Israel, My called:
 I am He, I am the First,
 I am also the Last.

Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:17
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Revelation 22:13
am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Proverbs 10:7

“The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”

Sometimes the wisdom of God is short, succinct, and sweet for those who seek to do his will. I want my children and grandchildren to remember me with sweet thoughts because their dad, and granddad, sought to be righteous and love the Lord with all his heart.

I refuse to live the kind of life that poisons the lives of those I touch and leaves rot in the heritage of my descendants.

[Message No: 6919]

'Spirit-Written Letter'

Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

— 2 Corinthians 3:3

Imagine how differently we would live in God's family if we viewed our community of believers as a "letter" written by the Holy Spirit. This letter was written on human hearts to bless both the community in which we live and the gracious God who redeemed us. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we are a letter from Christ, and we are partners with the Holy Spirit in this divine letter.
How we live in community with our brothers and sisters in Christ directly reflects the sense of partnership we have with the Spirit of God. So let's each ask ourselves: Just how well are we reflecting the nature of God's Spirit among us?

Praying for Others 

. Moses prayed for Israel – Exodus 32:11-14

But Moses sought the favor  of the Lord his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?    Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’?  Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster  on your people.   Remember  your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self:  ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars  in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land  I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’”   Then the Lord relented  and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

Question in Genesis

13:9
Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

Thoughts 

. Love someone not because he is a Christian, but because you are. - Unknown
. There are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in the will of God. - Frederick W. Faber

[Message No: 6918]

Renew and Restore

Lamentations 5:20-22
God’s  chastening  is proof that He loves you and has not forsaken you [Heb. 12:5-11]. One day, He will take you out of the furnace and give you a new start.
You will be a new and better person if you let Him have His way.

Romans 8:25

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

I'm not good at waiting. But, my hope in the Lord gives me patience that is beyond my human tendency. As much as the Lord has blessed me, I'm fully confident that I can't even imagine the good things he has in store for me. So while I wait, I try to stay busy; busy loving my Father in heaven and sharing his grace with others.

Guidelines to the Bible Study

Praise the Lord – Psalm 119:7
I will praise you with an upright heart
 as I learn your righteous laws.

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

Devote to Observe – Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching  its decrees and laws in Israel.

Share with Others – Acts 28:23
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,  and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets  he tried to persuade them about Jesus.

Thoughts

. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution

Consider committing to a biblical solution. - Mary Fairchild

. There is a communion with God that asks for nothing, yet asks for everything…He who seeks the Father more than anything He can give, is likely to have what he asks, for he is not likely to ask amiss. - George Macdonald

[Message No: 6917]

Questions in 2nd Corinthians -1

1:17
Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?

2:2
For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?

2:16
To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

3:1
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?

8:6
So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.

8:14
but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.

8:15
As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

8:16
But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.

10:7
Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's.

11: 7
Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?

11:11
Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

[Message No: 6916]

Perplexity

Jeremiah 12:1-4
“Why do the wicked  prosper?” is asked not only by Jeremiah, Job [21:7], and Asaph [Ps. 73], but also by many believers who suffer because of their faithfulness to God.
The wicked treated Jeremiah like a sacrificial lamb [11:19], but  he wanted God to slaughter them [v.3]!

Would that have solved the problem?

Questions in Genesis 

19:20
Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.”

20:4
Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?

20:5
Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister, ’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience  and clean hands. ”

20:9
Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done. ”

Questions in Amos

7:5
Then I cried out, “Sovereign Lord, I beg you, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is so small! ”

7:8
And the Lord asked me, “What do you see,  Amos? ”
 “A plumb line, ” I replied.
 Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.

[Message No: 6915]

Our God – Acts 7:2

The God of Glory – Acts 7:2
To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers,  listen to me! The God of glory  appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.

The God of our God – Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God for ever and ever;
 he will be our guide  even to the end.

Questions in Joshua 

17:14
The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.”

18:3
So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?

22:16
“The whole assembly of the Lord says: ‘How could you break faith  with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the Lord and build yourselves an altar in rebellion  against him now?

Thought 

. We were chaff, now we are wheat;
we were dross, now we are gold;
we were ravens, now we are doves;
we were goats, now we are sheep;
we were thorns, now we are grapes;
we were thistles, now we are lilies;
we were strangers, now we are citizens;
we were harlots, now we are virgins;
hell was our inheritance, now heaven is our possession;
we were children of wrath, now we are sons of mercy;
we were bondslaves to Satan, now we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ. - James Bisse

[Message No: 6914]

Love’s Character

Divine in its nature – 1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
 God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Divine in its giving – 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.

Decisive in its assurance – John 15:9
“As the Father has loved me,  so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

Lusts of the Flesh

Hurtful in their embrace – 1 Tim. 6:9
Those who want to get rich  fall into temptation and a trap  and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

1 Peter 2:11
Dear friends,  I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,  to abstain from sinful desires,  which wage war against your soul.

Personal in their origin 2 Tim 4:3
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Jude 16
These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Jude 18
They said to you, “In the last times  there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”

Captivating in their influence – James 1:14
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own  evil desire and enticed.

[Message No: 6913]

Handling Disputes

The time to stop a dispute is when it begins [Prov. 17:14; 30:32-22]. As much as possible, do not let arguments get started [Prov. 20:3]. Some people  contribute to peace [Prov. 20:20]; others contribute to war [Prov. 22:10; 26:21]; and  there are some people that nobody can get along with [Prov. 29:9].
God blesses the peacemakers [Matt. 5:9], so let God’s wisdom direct you and use you to make peace [James 3:13-18].

Questions in Genesis

18:24
What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?

18:25
Far be it from you to do such a thing —to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous  and the wicked alike.  Far be it from you! Will not the Judge  of all the earth do right?”

18:28
what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?”

 “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.”

Characteristics of God’s Promises

Great and Precious – Titus 1:2-3
in the hope of eternal life,  which God, who does not lie,  promised before the beginning of time,    and which now at his appointed season  he has brought to light  through the preaching entrusted to me  by the command of God  our Savior,

confirmed with an Oath – Hebrews 6:17
Because God wanted to make the unchanging  nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,  he confirmed it with an oath.

Assured in Christ – 2 Corinthians 1:20
For no matter how many promises  God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”  is spoken by us to the glory of God.

[Message No”6912]

God and Man

Thought

. "There is nothing that we can see on earth which does not either show the wretchedness of man or the mercy of God. One either sees the powerlessness of man without God, or the strength of man with God." - Blaise Pascal

Questions in Joshua

7:7
And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord God, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan!

7:9
For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”

7:10
So the Lord said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face?

7:25
And Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.” So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.

Romans 8:11
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”
If we belong to Christ, we know the Spirit of God lives in us (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19-20). Because of the Spirit's presence, we know that we are eternal! The Spirit is God's down payment guaranteeing that our future is with him (2 Cor. 1:21-22; 2 Cor. 5:5). What's more, even while we're living for Christ now, the Spirit gives us life in our physical bodies as we use them for God's glory (cf. Rom. 12:1).

Activities of Satan

Questioning God’s Command

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

[Message No: 6911]

Facts about God’s Promises – 2 Peter 1:4

It’s with Purpose – 2 Peter 1:4
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,  so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,  having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

It’s by Faith – Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus,  so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

It’s specific – Galatians 3:16
The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.  Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”  meaning one person, who is Christ.

It’s Giver – Galatians 3:18
For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise;  but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

Thoughts 

. No one gets into heaven without a reservation. - Church sign

. Very few people take the trouble to use their brains as long as their prejudices are in working condition. - Roy L. Smith

. While the Kingdom of God as the realm in which God’s will is perfectly done continues to be future, the Kingdom as the active saving power of God has come into the world in the person and activity of Christ to redeem men from the kingdom of Satan. - George E. Ladd

John 9:3

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."

Let's ask God to help us view people through the eyes of Jesus so that we will see them as people in whom the work of God needs to be done.

And just what is this work of God? Well, Jesus answered that question this way: To believe in the One he has sent! (John 6:28-29)

[Message No: 6910]

Desirable Things

2 Thessalonians 1 –
v. 3 – A growing faith
v. 3 – An abounding  Love
v. 5 – A Religious suffering
v. 10 -  An admired  glory
v. 11 – A wholly commendation
v. 11 – A powerful work

Our God – The God of all Grace

1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you  to his eternal glory  in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,  will himself restore you and make you strong,  firm and steadfast.

The God of Peace - Hebrew 13:20
Now may the God of peace,  who through the blood of the eternal covenant  brought back from the dead  our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

The God of Comfort – 2 Cor. 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

Questions in Genesis

17:17
Abraham fell facedown;  he laughed  and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old?  Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”

18:9
“Where is your wife Sarah?”  they asked him.
 “There, in the tent, ” he said.

Thoughts

. There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as praying for him. - William Law
. The music of the Gospel leads us home. - Frederick W. Faber
[Message No: 6909]

Characteristics of God’s Promises

Never Fails – 1 King 8:56

“Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest  to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises  he gave through his servant Moses.

It’s Eternal

Titus 1:2-3

in the hope of eternal life,  which God, who does not lie,  promised before the beginning of time,    and which now at his appointed season  he has brought to light  through the preaching entrusted to me  by the command of God  our Savior,

Methods of Bible Study

Person – Acts 3:22
For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.

Event – Leviticus 23:3
There are six days when you may work,  but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest,  a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work;  wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord.

  The Passover and
 the Festival of Unleavened Bread

Colossians 2:16-17
 Therefore do not let anyone judge you  by what you eat or drink,  or with regard to a religious festival,  a New Moon celebration  or a Sabbath day.    These are a shadow of the things that were to come;  the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Thoughts

.You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to. - Unknown

. He brought light out of darkness, not out of a lesser light; he can bring your summer out of winter, though you have no spring; though in the ways of fortune, or understanding, or conscience, you have been benighted until now, wintered and frozen, clouded and eclipsed, damped and benumbed, smothered and stupefied till now, now God comes to you, not as in the dawning of the day, not as in the bud of the spring, but as the sun at noon. - John Donne

[Message No: 6908]

Where is God?

It is important to recognize that God dwells in a different realm. He occupies another dimension. “My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).

Our thoughts are not like God’s thoughts. Our ways are not like his ways. He has a different agenda. He dwells in a different dimension. He lives on another plane.

What controls you doesn’t control him. What troubles you doesn’t trouble him. What fatigues you doesn’t fatigue him. Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, he rises above it. Is the whale perturbed by a hurricane? Of course not; he plunges beneath it. Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it.

How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of the earth! “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (see Matthew 19:26). Our questions betray our lack of understanding:

This knowledge gives us confidence as we face the uncertain future. We know that he is in control of the universe, and so we can rest secure. But important also is the knowledge that this God in heaven has chosen to bend near toward earth to see our sorrow and hear our prayers. He is not so far above us that he is not touched by our tears.

Though we may not be able to see his purpose or his plan, the Lord of heaven is on his throne and in firm control of the universe and our lives. So we entrust him with our future. We entrust him with our very lives.

Psalm 34:19-20

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. —

We know that the righteous can have troubles, but how do we understand that God delivers us from them all? How do we understand that he protects all our bones, especially in light of recent tragedies and the persecution of believers in many places in the world?

Paul demonstrates the answer: whatever happens to him will turn out for his deliverance — whether it is through his death to be with God or whether it is through his release from prison to continue ministry (Phil. 1:19-23). Our deliverance is secure. We are conquerors in Christ. Nothing Satan can do to us can steal us away from God's love, not even death (Romans 8:32-39).

[Message No: 6907]

The Answer

Mark 9:33
Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”

Luke 9:46
Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.

Luke 22:24
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.

John 13:3-17 Kindly Read

James 3:1
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

James 4:5-10
Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
   But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
  “God resists the proud,
 But gives grace to the humble.”
    Humility Cures Worldliness
    Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Thought 

"We need deliberately to call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day. We might begin; we could never end; there are not pens or paper enough in all the world." - George A. Buttrick

[Message No: 6906]

Sight: he saw the Lord

Isaiah 6:1-4
Isaiah had a life-changing vision of Jesus Christ [John 12:38-41]. The throne  of Judah  had changed occupants, but God was still on His throne and on perfect  control of everything.

When you worship, focus on God’s holiness, sovereignty, and glory. When things on earth are discouraging,  start looking  at things  from heaven’s point of view.

Questions in 1 Chronicles

17:16
Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:
  “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

17:18
“What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? For you know your servant,

17:21
And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem  a people for himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?

Colossians 3:4

“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Today, my world is beautiful — great weather, wonderful church, loving spouse, great kids, and blessed with all I truly need. But this will change. Life is bound up with mortality. Love is connected with imperfect people. Separation by geographical distance, disagreement, and death are bound to happen to a certain extent. The incredible blessing I have in Christ, however, is that my true and lasting life is hidden with Christ in God. So while things may be good in my life now, they're always vulnerable to being touched by mortality. When Christ comes, they will be gloriously perfect and unstained by evil, death, or decay. Now that's good news!

[Message No: 6905]

Questions in 1st Corinthians - 3

7:18
Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.

7:21
Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.

7:27
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

8:11
And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

9:1
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

9:4
Do we have no right to eat and drink?

9:5
Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

9:6
Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?

9:7
Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

9:8
Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also?

9:9
For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?

9:10
Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.

[Message No: 6904]

Praying for Others – Samuel Prayed

. Samuel prayed for the children of Israel – 1 Samuel 7:5
Then Samuel  said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah,  and I will intercede  with the Lord for you.”

1 Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray  for you. And I will teach  you the way that is good and right.

. Solomon at the destruction of the temple, prayed for his people:

1 Kings 8:30-36
Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray  toward this place. Hear  from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

    “When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath  before your altar in this temple,   then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence.

    “When your people Israel have been defeated  by an enemy because they have sinned  against you, and when they turn back to you and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication to you in this temple,    then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to their ancestors.

    “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain  because your people have sinned  against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them,   then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach  them the right way  to live, and send rain  on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

Thoughts 

. Believe under a cloud, and wait for Him when there is no moonlight or starlight. - Samuel Rutherford

. If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: “God with us.”  We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ.  The greater truth of the holiday is His deity.  More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth! - John F. MacArthur, Jr.

[Message No: 6903]

On Seeking God’s Will

Acts 16:6-10
Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

In Ministering the Word

Acts 16:11-15

Lydia Baptized at Philippi
     Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God.

The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

Galatians 6:1

If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. —

In a day when intervening in someone's life is no longer politically and socially correct, these verses ring out like a gunshot on a still night. Sin is still real and is just as deadly as ever. Yet because we fear being branded judgmental and self-righteous, we let many who are trapped by sin go to their spiritual death. The call is for non-judgmental intervention — we recognize the gravity of the sin and the need of the sinner, without feeling arrogant in our righteousness. "There but for the grace of God go I."

[Message No: 6902]

Life is Painful

Job 20:20-29
He has no peace because everybody has declared war on him, including God.
Who rains judgment on him. Arrows [Job 6:4], terrors, darkness, and fire are his lot, and then – the end.

Think 

If you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep – talk to the Shepherd!

Questions in Nahum

3:7
All who see you will flee  from you and say,
 ‘Nineveh  is in ruins —who will mourn for her?’
 Where can I find anyone to comfort  you?”

3:8
Are you better than  Thebes,
 situated on the Nile,
 with water around her?
 The river was her defense,
 the waters her wall.

3:19
Nothing can heal you;
 your wound is fatal.
 All who hear the news about you
 clap their hands  at your fall,
 for who has not felt
 your endless cruelty?

Thoughts 

. Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in the closet. -E. M. Bounds

. It is impossible to have the feeling of peace and serenity without being at rest with God. - Dorothy H. Pentecost

. A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away;
While quite unselfish, it grows small. - Eva K. Logue

[Message No: 6901]

Knowing the truth but not practicing it

2 John 4-6

We must walk in truth and walk according to His commandments. The Word of God is meant for doing and not just knowing.
“If we say” [1 John 1,6,8,10] but do not obey, we are hypocrites.

Activities of Satan

Takes away the Word from the heart – Luke 8:12
Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Do miracles to deceive – 2 Thessalonians 2:9
 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan  works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders  that serve the lie,

Deuteronomy 11:19

“Teach them [God's commandments] to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Moses gives us three crucial messages about God's commandments. First, as parents, it is our responsibility to teach them to our children — not the responsibility of the government, or of the schools, nor even our churches.

Second, we are to teach them in the everyday course of life as we go about our routines as a family.
Third, we are to teach them continuously by both our words and our lives as we raise our children.
Now we can look at this as a job, a burden, a heavy responsibility, or we can see it as an opportunity to shape a life for the future and partner with God in raising a child to be a person that will make an eternal difference for the Kingdom of God. What a joy to be a part of such a partnership!

[Message No: 6900]

Is my faith proved by works?

Romans 2:5-11

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.

Psalm 3:8

“From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.”

God is The Great Deliverer! That's his chosen expertise. Whether it was delivering the Israelites through the Red Sea from Pharaoh's army ages ago, or it is rescuing a sinner from sin and death through Christ today, our God is The Great Deliverer! So let's use today to repeatedly pray for people who need God's deliverance from sin, death, disease, family conflict, addiction, financial concerns, legal matters, mental illness, abuse, and temptation.

Am I hiding behind?

Acts 2:12-16

So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
   Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

    Peter's Sermon

    But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the

Acts 2:25-26

For David says concerning Him:

  ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
 For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
  Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
 Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.

[Message No: 6899]

How to Serve

Serve Him in Sincerity ad Truth – Josh. 24:14
“Now fear the Lord  and serve him with all faithfulness.  Throw away the gods  your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt,  and serve the Lord.

Sincerity of Purpose – Col. 3:24
since you know that you will receive an inheritance  from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

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

Unblemished-ness  of Life – Acts 26:7
This is the promise our twelve tribes  are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night.  King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.

Thoughtfulness -Rom. 12:1
Therefore, I urge you,  brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,  holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

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.”

In the face of temptation, God has promised us two things: (1) a way out, and (2) the power to stand up under trial. Can we truly believe this? Yes, of course, because Jesus demonstrated this power, God promised us this power, and we can look at brothers and sisters in Christ who have triumphed by this power! However, we must not think that the way out means that we are not going to face challenges, hardships, or difficulties.

Character is produced by both refusing to give into the temptation and also refusing to give up during the challenges we face for remaining faithful. God will provide us a way out, but he is also interested in developing our holy character. Where the balance is between the two is God's work. Whether we choose to remain faithful is our work. (Romans 5:1-5; 1 Peter 1:7! )

[Message No: 6898]

Gentleness – Meekness

Moses was more meek than all people of his time – Num. 12:3
(Now Moses was a very humble man,  more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

Paul – 1 Thes. 2:7
Instead, we were like young children among you.

2 Cor. 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves  to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

Jesus is the Great example of meekness – Matt. 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.

Matthew 21:5
“Say to Daughter Zion,
 ‘See, your king comes to you,
 gentle and riding on a donkey,
 and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

2 Corinthians 10:1
By the humility and gentleness  of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul,  who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!

How to Serve

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

Undefiled Conduct – Luke 1:74
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
 and to enable us to serve him  without fear

Soundness of Motive – Rom. 7:6
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law  so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Wholeness of Being – Heb. 12:28
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,  let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

[Message No: 6897]

Finding Peace

  “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Above all else.” That’s a pretty significant directive!  And we are wise to check what is residing in that well-spring of our hearts. Among the many things we find in our hearts there will always be one of two very specific things in the lead. Faith or Fear. One will always be on the top of the heap. They cannot both occupy the same place.

If faith resides in your well-spring, peace will pour out with confidence in God’s care for you, even in the midst of uncertain times.

If fear resides there, anxiety and discouragement will be the natural outward flow.
Faith or Fear.  Every day we choose; many times a day.

This Advent season take some time to ponder what rises to the surface in your well spring. Faith over-rides Fear.  Fear over-rides Faith.

God tells us exactly what to do when fear grips our hearts and takes over our minds. Left unchecked it can scatter our faith like confetti in the wind and leave us anchorless in the storms of life. Above all else, guard that well spring.  God gives very specific instruction how:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 4:6-7.

Worry is a call to prayer. Your faith and trust in God will over-ride your fear. His peace will actually put a guard around your heart and mind so fear cannot over run you. It’s supernatural and it’s real.

Hungry People

John 15:32-33
The disciples had already forgotten the miracle of feeding the five thousand!
When you are faced with a crisis, take time to review His past mercies; remind yourself that He does not change.

Try to respond to people today the way Jesus responded.
Ask Him for discernment.

[Message No: 6896]

Depths

Ezekiel 47:1-12
This river speaks of the healing and life-giving power of the Holy Spirit of God [John 7:37-39; Zech. 14:8].

No matter how deep you want to go into the things of God, the opportunity is there.  It’s tragic  that too many linger in the shallows when they could be enjoying the depths.

 John 12:24

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Jesus announced this truth, recognizing that God was calling him to lay down his life so his followers could join him in glory. Sacrifice is never easy, but despite his disciples' lack of courage and faithfulness during his last hours, Jesus truly believed that his sacrifice would bring the best out in them, and then also lead them to share his grace and glory with many others. (It should do the same for us!) The very fact that we are thinking of Jesus today is proof that he was correct about his powerful impact on them and others that came after them.

Our Reaction to Satan

Overcoming  by the Word of God – 1 John 2:14

I write to you, dear children,
 because you know the Father.
 I write to you, fathers,
 because you know him who is from the beginning.
 I write to you, young men,
 because you are strong,
 and the word of God  lives in you,
 and you have overcome the evil one.

Thought 

. To live by the law of Christ and accept him in our hearts is to turn a giant floodlight of hope into our valleys of trouble. - Charles R. Hembree 

. Why should we wear black for the guests of God? - John Ruskin

[Message No: 6895]

Confession – 2 Samuel 12:13

The Law said  that both David and Bathsheba should die [Lev. 20:10]. In His grace, God forgave their sins [Ps. 51]; but in His government, He permitted them to reap what they sown. First John 1:9 is a great promise, but it is not an excuse  for sin.
Remember, there are sad consequences of forgiven sin.

Divines of the Gospel

Divine grace revealed – Titus 2:11
For the grace  of God has appeared  that offers salvation to all people.

Divine righteousness displayed – Romans 3:25
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,  through the shedding of his blood —to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished

Questions in Joshua 

9:22
Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long way  from you,’ while actually you live near  us?

10:23
So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon.

15:18
One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?”

Ephesians 4:24
“...and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
One of the biggest decisions we face at the beginning of each day is what we will wear.
Well, no matter what we choose in the way of clothing, let's make sure we choose to put on the new person God re-made us to be when we became Christians (Galatians 3:26-27). Those are the only clothes that will fit us eternally!

Amen.

[Message No: 6894]

What are you angry at?

Proverbs 17:10
Rebuke is more effective for a wise man
 Than a hundred blows on a fool.

Proverbs 17:13-14
Whoever rewards evil for good,
 Evil will not depart from his house.
  The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
 Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

A Proud Heart

Proverbs 16:5
Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
 Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction,
 And a haughty spirit before a fall.

True Friends – 1

Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright will guide them,
 But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

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

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times,
 And a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 25:19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
 Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

Proverbs 16:29
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
 Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

[Message No: 6893]

Tell it to Jesus

Matthew 14:12
The disciples of John the Baptist  were stunned, so they shared  their grief with Jesus.
Life will bring its disappointments, and you must learn how to handle them.
Jesus will help you. {Psalm 55:21; 1 Peter 5:7}

Dedication

Even in a godless society, here and there are dedicated people who have fellowship with God.
God longs to dwell with His people [John 14L21-24], and He will if they  are humble and contrite [Ps. 51:17, Isa. 66:2].
Does God “feel at home” in your heart [Eph. 3:14-21]

Neutrality 

Matthew 12:43-45
Beware an empty life it is a standing invitation for Satan to go to work.
In the spiritual war being waged today, you cannot be neutral.
You ae either for Him or against Him.

Romans 5:5

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Hope has become such a "wimpy" term in modern vocabulary. It hardly qualifies as an adequate translation of the meaning in most New Testament passages. Hope is the assurance that what we believe will happen. We could call it spiritual confidence. We have that spiritual confidence because more than just a wish, more than just an emotion, more than just a belief rests in our heart; God himself lives in us through his Holy Spirit. When we become Christians, Jesus pours out the Spirit upon us (Titus 3:3-7) as God's gift to us (Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32) to cleanse us (1 Corinthians 6:11), make us part of the same ! Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), and live inside us (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Paul adds one more thing to that list of blessings from God's presence within us — God's love. We don't just have it; God keeps refreshing it through the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised (John 7:37-39).

[Message No: 6892]

Spiritual Growth Putting On

Spirit’s Power – Luke 24:49
I am going to send you what my Father has promised;  but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Humility – 1 Peter 5:5
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves  to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility  toward one another, because,
  “God opposes the proud
 but shows favor to the humble.”

Righteousness – Revelation 19:8
Fine linen,  bright and clean,
 was given her to wear.”
 (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts  of God’s holy people.)

Man’s Problem

Shame – Isaiah 54:4
“Do not be afraid;  you will not be put to shame.
 Do not fear disgrace;  you will not be humiliated.
 You will forget the shame of your youth
 and remember no more the reproach  of your widowhood.

Thoughts 

. If you love only the people who are like you—who have the same values, the same economic and educational background—you’re not really doing much except loving yourself. - Rick Reynolds

. We do not have a personal Gospel and a social gospel.  There is one Gospel, and one Gospel only, and that Gospel is the Gospel of God—this indivisible message from God has its individual application and its social application.  It has the power to redeem the individual and also the power to redeem social order. - Jesse M. Bader

Activities of Satan

Giving false promises – Genesis 3:4-5
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.    “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,  knowing good and evil.”

[Message No: 6891]

Refreshing Spring Rains

He will come to us like the . . . spring rains that water the earth.—Hosea 6:3

How do we relate to God? Do we seek Him mainly in times of trouble, searching for answers in our distress but ignoring Him during our seasons of celebration? Are we like the Israelites, easily swayed by the idols of our age, including such things as busyness, success, and influence?
Today, may we recommit ourselves to the Lord, who loves us as surely as the flowers bud in the spring.

Lord Jesus, You gave Yourself that we might be free. Help us to love You wholeheartedly.
Though we may be unfaithful to God, He will never turn from us.

Isaiah 26:9

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. --

When a young couple in love is apart, they long to be with each other again.
When a parent is separated from his or her child, the parent misses the child intensely.
When a spouse can no longer be with a long time marriage partner because of disease, death, or divorce, that person's soul can ache to be reunited to the one they have loved.

 Do you recognize your spirit aching to be with God? Do you end each day and begin the next longing to be in the presence of God?

Let's recognize our God-hunger and not only satisfy it by spending time in his presence, but let's also communicate our desire, affection, and need for the presence of our heavenly Father in our lives.

Experience 

The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel. - Judges 2:7

Each generation must have its own first-hand faith. Transforming faith takes more than receiving a godly heritage and stories of the past deeds of God.

It requires a fresh experience of God's mighty presence!

[Message No: 6890]

Questions in 1st Corinthians - 2

5:12
For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?

6:1
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?

6:2
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

6:3
Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
6:5
I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?
6:7
Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

6:9
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

6:15
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!

6:16
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.”

6:19
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?

7:16
For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

[Message No: 6889]

Power

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Christ Crucified
   And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Zechariah 4:6

So he answered and said to me:
   “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
 ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
 Says the Lord of hosts.

Romans 1:6

among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

Maturing

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Sectarianism Is Carnal
   And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

Hebrews 5:12-14

Spiritual Immaturity
    For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Matthew 4:4

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

1 Timothy 4:6-8

A Good Servant of Jesus Christ
     If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

[Message No: 6888]

Obey the Word

Titus 1:5-9

Sometimes there are problems because unqualified people got into places of leadership or because places of leadership have not been filled.
The Greek word translated “Set in Order” in a medical term that means “To set a broken Bone”.
The Church body suffers when we avoid facing and solving serious problems.

Questions in Joshua

9:7
The Israelites said to the Hivites,  “But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty  with you?”

9:8
We are your servants, ” they said to Joshua.
 But Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?”

Thoughts 

. God Incarnate is the end of fear; and the heart that realizes that he is in the midst, that takes heed to the assurance of his loving presence, will be quiet in the midst of alarm.  “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.”  Only be patient and be quiet. - F. B. Meyer

. God not only orders our steps.  He orders our stops. - George Muller

Questions in Amos

3:3
Do two walk together
 unless they have agreed to do so?

3:4
Does a lion roar  in the thicket
 when it has no prey?
 Does it growl in its den
 when it has caught nothing?

[Message No: 6887]

Man’s Problem – Sin

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
 Says the Lord,
 “Though your sins are like scarlet,
 They shall be as white as snow;
 Though they are red like crimson,
 They shall be as wool.

Proverbs 29:25

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe”

Jesus told us not to fear other human opponents (Lk. 12:4-5). When we try to please others, when we fear what others may say or do to us, we place ourselves in a position of great vulnerability. Our lives no longer remain our own. We become captive to what others think, want, or threaten. We are only to trust the LORD and reverence him. In God is our safety, both now, and forevermore.

Questions in Nahum

1:6

Who can stand before His indignation?
 And who can endure the fierceness of His anger?
 His fury is poured out like fire,
 And the rocks are thrown down by Him.

1:9

What do you conspire against the Lord?
 He will make an utter end of it.
 Affliction will not rise up a second time.

[Message No: 6886]

Love for the Church

1 Corinthians 16:13-18

Final Exhortations

    Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.
   I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

   I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

Hebrews 11:13

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.”

I'm not good at waiting for much of anything. I'm like the kids who have seen the catalogues for Christmas toys and are anxious for the big gift day. God does have a great Gift Day ahead for us. On that wonderful day, all our waiting will be over and our faith will become sight. Let's follow the example of these great heroes of faith, and welcome that day from afar, by anticipation, praising God for his victory through Jesus Christ in our lives.

The Watchman

Galatians 2:11-14

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
   But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

[Message No: 6885]

John the Baptist and Elijah

Mark 9:11-13

And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
   Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”

Matthew 11:14

And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Luke 1:17

He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

John 1:17-21

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

    A Voice in the Wilderness

    Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

   He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
   And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”

  He said, “I am not.”
  “Are you the Prophet?”
  And he answered, “No.”

Malachi 4:5-6

[Message No: 6884]

In Enduring Suffering

Acts 16:19-25

But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

   And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

      The Philippian Jailer Saved

     But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

In Bearing Annoyance

Acts 16:16-18

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days.

  But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour

Am I grateful for God’s Goodness?

Romans 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?

Thought

"Should we feel at times disheartened and discouraged, a simple movement of heart toward God will renew our powers. Whatever he may demand of us, he will give us at the moment the strength and courage that we need." - François Fénelon

[Message No: 6883]

Geography

Joshua 24:1

Joshua choose a meaningful place for his final message, for Shechem held many memories for Israel. There God appeared  to Abraham  [Genesis 12:6-7], and there Jacob  had a “family revival” as he went to Bethel [Gen. 35:1-4]/

Shechem was near Mount Ebal where the people had rededicated themselves to the Lord after entering the land [Josh. 8:30-35].

Being in a special place can sometimes make it easier for us to meet with God.

Man’s Problem

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

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

Rejection – Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money  and be content with what you have,  because God has said,
  “Never will I leave you;
 never will I forsake you.”

Sickness – Exodus 15:26
He said, “If you listen carefully to 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.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

As humans, we are often quick to quibble over things we feel are important to us when others don't share our enthusiasm — especially food, holidays, and special events. This problem is often more a sign of insecurity than it is a mark of sincerity.

We are to do what we do based on our commitment to honor the Lord, not because others do it or approve of it. At the same time, we want to be careful about judging others for what they do or do not celebrate, eat, or drink. The bottom line when judging such things: Can we do it to honor the Lord?

[Message No: 6882]

Feelings

2 Corinthians 2:1-5

But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?

    Forgive the Offender

    And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

   But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe

The Runner

Galatians 2:1-5

Defending the Gospel

   Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Proverbs 11:12

“A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.”
Wise folks don't have to prove their wisdom by disrespecting others and putting them down. Instead, they hold their tongues and let their lives speak what is good, honorable, righteous, and true.
In a world of sarcasm and in a culture that is attracted to the person who can put down others with quick and razor-sharp "put downs," we are called to bring a blessing with our words (Ephesians 4:29).

[Message No: 6881]

Demons were cast out

Mark 1:23-27

Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

   But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

Matthew 8:28-32

Two Demon-Possessed Men Healed

     When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

   Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”

   And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.

Matthew 9:32-33

A Mute Man Speaks

     As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!”

Peter’s mother-n-law Healed

Matthew 8:14-15
Peter's Mother-in-Law Healed
     Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.

[Message No: 6880]
    

Comparisons of Israel – 6

A Treacherous Wife

Jeremiah 3:20
Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her husband,
 So have you dealt treacherously with Me,
 O house of Israel,” says the Lord.

An Adulterous Wife

Ezekiel 16:32
You are an adulterous wife, who takes strangers instead of her husband.

The Virgin of Israel 

Jeremiah 18:13
Therefore thus says the Lord:
   “Ask now among the Gentiles,
 Who has heard such things?
 The virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing.

Message and Power

Mark 3:13
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him

Mark 6:7
And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits

Luke 6:12
Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Luke 9:1
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

[Message No: 6879]

Bring it to Jesus

Matthew 14:15-21
The twelve said, “Send them away!” But Jesus said, “Bring what you have to Me!”
Give Him your all, and He will use it to meet the need. He can do the impossible with whatever is wholly given to Him.
You can even bring to Him people who need His touch. [v. 35].

Jesus 

Sermon on the Mount
When Jesus spoke about Sermon on the Mount: What people said –
Up to that time
God Removes Obstacles

Zechariah 4:7
Unbelief makes mountains out of molehills, but faith in  God makes mountain into plains!
The leaders faced all kinds of obstacles, but God would open the way for them.
[Isa. 41:15; Matt. 17:20]

Psalm 37:16-17

“Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.”

What do we want to be the basis of our security? Will it be what we can do, accomplish, achieve, earn, and hoard? Or will it be our God, who has shown himself faithful throughout generations upon generations? We get to choose! So what will be your choice? In what will you find your security?

Results of Eternity

I live for souls and for eternity, I want to win some soul to Christ. If you want this and work for it, eternity alone can tell the result.

.. D. L. Moody

[Message No: 6878]

Your Heart

Proverbs 3:1-8

My son, do not forget my law,
  But let your heart keep my commands;
  For length of days and long life
 And peace they will add to you.
  Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
 Bind them around your neck,
 Write them on the tablet of your heart,
  And so find favor and high esteem
 In the sight of God and man.
  Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
 And lean not on your own understanding;
  In all your ways acknowledge Him,
 And He shall direct your paths.
  Do not be wise in your own eyes;
 Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
  It will be health to your flesh,
 And strength to your bones.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence,
 For out of it spring the issues of life.

2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

[Message No: 6877]

We have a living Lord

1 Corinthians 15:1-8

The Risen Christ, Faith's Reality
   Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

   For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

Thought 

"Don't ask what the world wants, be what the world needs." - Ryan Lister

Acts 11:18

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

Breaking through racial and cultural barriers is never easy. Thankfully, God's Spirit doesn't let us settle comfortably into our prejudices. Instead, we are challenged, led, and pushed to break through racial hatred and cultural ignorance. Let's be the kind of people who rejoice and praise God as every barrier dividing people falls.

Let's press on until the triumphant promise of the Gospel is fulfilled: "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians — you are one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). In doing this, we anticipate the incredible chorus of heaven that praises God with folks from every language, tribe, people, and nation (Revelation 7:9-11).

Thoughts

"Keep one thing in view forever- the truth; and if you do this, though it may seem to lead you away from the opinion of men, it will assuredly conduct you to the throne of God." - Horace Mann
"We are called to stand on the Promises, not to merely sit on the premises."

— Author Unknown

[Message No: 6876]

Teach Yourself

Proverbs 6:6-11

The Folly of Indolence
   Go to the ant, you sluggard!
 Consider her ways and be wise,
  Which, having no captain,
 Overseer or ruler,
  Provides her supplies in the summer,
 And gathers her food in the harvest.
  How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
 When will you rise from your sleep?
  A little sleep, a little slumber,
 A little folding of the hands to sleep—
  So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
 And your need like an armed man.

A Prudent Heart

Proverbs 16:20-24

He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
 And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
  The wise in heart will be called prudent,
 And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
  Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
 But the correction of fools is folly.
  The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
 And adds learning to his lips.
  Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
 Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

[Message No: 6875]

The Anointing

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. - 1 John 2:20-21 NIV

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit, whom he called the Comforter (or Counselor or Advocate, depending on the translation), would come and lead us into all truth (John 16:13). The Spirit, who inspired the writing of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17), is alive in us and helps us know, understand, discern, and live God's truth (1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Romans 8:13-14). The Spirit of the living God lives in us and is at work in us — in me and in you! So each of us needs to ask oneself if we are inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives to help us know, understand, discern, and live God's truth.

Am I yielding to the Spirit and am I in the word of God seeking to be informed and transformed by the Holy Spirit? Am I asking the Holy Spirit to filter, correct, challenge, and redeem what I think, read, hear, see, and do? Rather than succumbing to the lie that all truth is subjective, let's subject what we think, read, hear, see, and do to the Spirit of truth!

Psalm 95:1

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Having a loving God who is Eternal, a Rock of stability in a "topsy turvy" world, is really something to shout about. So much of what we get excited about in our world today is just a fleeting victory, a vicarious sporting thrill, or personality worship. But in God, we have something to truly sing about with joy.

He has known us since our conception, he has loved us from before the foundation of the world, he has sent his Son to save us, and he will bring us home to himself! No quiet song will do today. Let's sing with joy and shout out loud to the LORD!

Quote 

"Worship lifts us up to see the problems and troubles we face from God's perspective instead of being trapped in an earthly, time-bound viewpoint. The higher we go, the smaller our problems seem." – Tenny

'The God of Daniel'

Tremble with fear before the God of Daniel] For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. - Daniel 6:26-27

[Message No: 6874]

Questions in 1st Corinthians - 1

1:13
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1:20
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

2:11
For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

2:16
For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

3:3
for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

3:4
For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

3:5
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?

3:16
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

4:7
And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

4:21
What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

5:6
Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

[Message No: 6873]

On Divorce and Marriage

Matthew 19:3-9
The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
   And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
   They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”
   He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

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

1 John 4:18

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

What is there to fear since God sent his Son to die to redeem us? What is there to fear since we cannot be separated from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus? What is there to fear except ourselves, and God has poured his Spirit into our hearts to reassure us and strengthen us in our weakness! As we love God and his children, we are reminded of his love for us which is far better than our meager love for others. Rather than run from him in fear, we bow before him in thanks knowing that he who hears our prayers is also he who loves us and yearns to calm our fears.

Thoughts

"Passion will move men beyond themselves, beyond their shortcomings, beyond their failures." -Joe Campbell

We don’t have to make any more sacrifices because one drop of Christ’s sinless blood was enough to atone for all the sins in the world. – Marilyn Hickey

[Message No: 6872]