The Value of Seeking the Lord

Psalm 119:1-8

We all have ambitions and desires. And while these are not necessarily wrong, we should analyze our priorities by asking, Where do I invest my time and energy? What or who occupies my thoughts? As important as our earthly pursuits, responsibilities, and relationships may be, they cannot compare to the value of a life spent seeking the Lord.

The Christian life is meant to be a pursuit of God. To walk through the door of salvation and stand still, never drawing any closer to Him, is to miss the treasures that are available in Christ. Those who seek Him soon discover that knowing Him is the greatest reward of all.

The Process of Divine Discipline

Hebrews 12:1-13
Why would a loving heavenly Father allow pain and hardship in the lives of His children? Shouldn’t a good God rescue us from suffering? Not necessarily. Every parent knows that withholding the pain of discipline from children is not the best thing for them. And that’s also true of our relationship with our heavenly Father.

'I Will Tell Everyone'

I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. - Psalm 71:15

Questions in 1 Kings

8:27
“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!

8:28
Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today

9:8
And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and will hiss, and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’

[Message No: 7036]

Do you love God?

Psalm 63:3

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. —

Sounds like the words to some modern love song, doesn't it: "Your love is better than life." Well, it is a love song; it's just not modern. While in the desert, David spoke of his longing for the LORD. He recognized that life would be worthless if he had to live it without the love of God. When is the last time you've told God you loved him? When was the last time you sang a love song to Jesus?
No matter how long or short that time has been, today is THE perfect time to let God know how precious his mercy is to you, how liberating his grace is for you, and how his love is more important to you than life itself.

Christian must not practice evil

They are at war with the evils of the world – Ephesians 6:1-17

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

   Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.,

They must not speak evil:

Ephesians 4:2
with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:31
 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

1 Peter 3:10
For
  “He who would love life
 And see good days,
 Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
 And his lips from speaking deceit.

[Message No: 7035]

The way of the Cross

(Significance of Humility)

Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

It exalts – (Significance of Humility)

Luke 14:11
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Questions in 1 Kings

14:29
Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

15:7
Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.

15:23
The rest of all the acts of Asa, all his might, all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? But in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.

Careful Infidelity 

Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

The delight of Despair

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.

[Message No: 7034]

Becoming a Generous Giver

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Our heavenly Father has been generous to us in every way. He formed us in our mother’s womb with tender, loving care and gave us physical life (Psalm 139:13). He created the world in which we live and provided air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and all other essentials. He’s offered these gifts to every generation and has not withheld any because of unrighteousness (Matt. 5:45).
We’ve been given so much at no cost, yet we struggle to give liberally. Our selfish nature wants to keep what we have. The following truths can help us overcome selfishness and become generous givers: We are ...

• Imitating Jesus when we give sacrificially.

• Honoring our heavenly Father when we obey His commands to give.

• Providing God with opportunities to bless us as we share with others.

• Extending His work through our support of the local church.

Questions in 1 Kings

1:6
(And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.)

1:11
So Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Have you not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith has become king, and David our lord does not know it?

1:13
Go immediately to King David and say to him, “Did you not, my lord, O king, swear to your maidservant, saying, ‘Assuredly your son Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’

Thought

. Whoever, therefore, is a true believer has of necessity an indefeasible hope, an absolute certainty of salvation.  He shares the resurrection of Christ.  His sins are as absolutely buried out of God’s sight as the body of Christ was buried in the tomb from the light of day.  They can no more touch and spoil his hope than they can touch and condemn the risen Lord.  All true children of God are now, because of His resurrection, wholly and forever justified, assured absolutely that they are now heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, and waiting only for the day of full and final deliverance and glorification. - E. P. Goodwin

[Message No: 7033]

The Trustworthy Character of God

God can be trusted. So don’t give Him just the easy concerns; rely upon your Creator for everything. He desires a personal relationship with His beloved and is able to guide each believer through life victoriously.

In a changing, suspicious world, you have a Friend who is 100 percent reliable.

Where the Battle Is Won

Matthew 26:36-46
The garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives was one of the many places our Lord prayed throughout His earthly ministry (Luke 22:39). But believers remember it best as the site of a great spiritual battle. The story of Jesus pleading with His Father is extremely meaningful to Christians, in large part because His humanity is so evident.

From the description in today’s passage, we can see that Jesus, the God-man, experienced fear, anxiety, and dread as He prayed. In other words, He reacted to His imminent ordeal with feelings we can relate to and understand.

Qualification for Warfare

Pleasing his commanding Officer

2 Timothy 2:4
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Following personal Prophecies

1 Timothy 1:18
This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare

Holding on to Faith

1 Timothy 1:18-19
This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,

Thought 

. The purpose of all prayer is to find God’s will and to make that will our prayer. - Catherine Marshall

[Message No: 7032]

Out of the wreck I Rise

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

The realm of the Real

Luke 21:19
By your patience possess your souls.

Divine reasoning’s of Faith 

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Now this explain It

John 17:21
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

The Poor 

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.

Thought

. Easter allows us to affirm that although God seems very distant and although we remain preoccupied with many little things, our Lord walks with us on the road and keeps explaining the Scriptures to us.  Thus there are many rays of hope casting their light on our way through life. - Henri Nouwen

[Message No:7031]

The test of Self-Interest

Genesis 13:9
Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

Think as Jesus Taught

1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray without ceasing,

Teachings of Christ 

Lord’s supper
Matthew 26:26-29 

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom.”

The life that Values

Luke 24:49
L Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.

Psalm 103:1-3

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. —

Praise must not just come from our lips. Praise must emanate from deep within our soul, recognizing all the great blessings God has given us. While God is worthy of praise because he is holy and majestic and mighty, we have even greater reasons to praise him. He has been so very gracious to us!

[Message No: 7030]

A Slave of Jesus Christ

Moses was the salve of God

Deuteronomy 34:5
And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said.

Psalms 105:26
He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.

Malachi 4:4
“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

Joshua was the slave of God

Joshua 24:29
After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten.

David was the slave of God

2 Samuel 3:18
Now do it! For the LORD promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’”

Psalms 78:70
He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;

Paul was the slave of Jesus Christ

Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

James was the slave of God

James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Peter was the slave of Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

[Message No: 7029]

The Spiritual Enemy – Satan

Satan is a defeated one

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

Satan is not omnipresent

Job 1:7
And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
  So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

Satan is not omniscient
Revelation 12:12
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Satan is not omnipotent

Revelation 20:2
He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;

Satan flees when we resist

James 4:7
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Hebrews 12:2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -

"He drives where he looks, he drives where he looks!" That statement made by a disgruntled wife about her husband really spoke the truth. He invariably would turn the steering wheel in the direction he was looking. This principle is also true of each of us and our life: "Lives where she or he looks!" That's why it's important to fix our eyes on Jesus! Our life will follow where we look! Let's make sure that our gaze is on Jesus.

[Message No: 7028]

What Is Separation?

Not to make treaty

Deuteronomy 7:2
and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them

Not to be yoked

2 Chronicles 6:14
and he said: “Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven or on earth like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

Sanctified

John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

To be Holy

Deuteronomy 7:6
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

Questions in 1 Kings

15:31
Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

16:5
Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

16:14
Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Thought 

. Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul.  For just as the wind carries thousands of winged seeds, so each moment brings with it germs of spiritual vitality that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds and wills of men. - Thomas Merton

[Message No: 7027]

The Source of Discernment

1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Spiritual discernment is a supernatural ability, which requires supernatural power. In our human strength, we can rely only on what we see, hear, feel, and know in order to make decisions and evaluate circumstances and relationships.

But when the Holy Spirit comes to live within us, He opens up an entirely new dimension of understanding. He shows us things we could never figure out by ourselves.

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare

Truth – Ephesians 6:14
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Readiness – Ephesians 6:15
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Faith – Ephesians 6:16
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Salvation – Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Ways to Repentance

Hearing God’s Word – 1 Kings 21:27
So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.

Despising Self – Job 42:6
Therefore I abhor myself,
 And repent in dust and ashes.”

God’s Word

For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.

— Proverbs 8:35-36
[Message No: 7026]

Unquestioned Revelation

John 16:23
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
Undisturbed Relationship

John 16:26-27
In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.

Palm Sunday

But not everyone in Jerusalem welcomed Him. Some people asked in Matthew 21:10 – Who is this?
Soon many turned against Jesus and demanded His death: “What shall I do then, with Jesus who is called Christ? Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!”

Where would you have been on that first Palm Sunday? Among the disciples who welcomed Him—or among the skeptical crowds? It’s easy to condemn those who condemned Jesus—but would we have acted any differently? We too are sinners, and we too have rebelled against God?

God Esteems – [Significance of Humility]

Isaiah 66:2
For all those things My hand has made,
 And all those things exist,”
 Says the Lord.
 “But on this one will I look:
 On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
 And who trembles at My word.

Thought 

. For forty centuries, in one unbroken column, the race of man had been marching into the shadows.  And of all the millions who had descended into the shadowed valley, not one had every returned.  No dead human form through all the centuries had risen up into a post-mortem life.  There was in all Earth’s area not one empty grave. 

[Message No: 7025]

The Poor - 4

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.

Ephesians 3:16-17

“For this reason I kneel before the Father... I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

What's the greatest thing we can do to bless those we love in Christ Jesus? What is the most helpful thing we can do when a brother or sister in Christ, or even a whole congregation of God's people is facing a major challenge from the Evil One? What is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children or our parents as they seek to live for Jesus today? The apostle Paul just showed us. We can ask God to strengthen his people with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their inner being. Then we can let them know that we have prayed this for them, and that we will continue to pray it until their storm is past.

[Message No: 7024]

Disaster is Postponed – [Significance of Humility]

1 Kings 21:29
“See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.”
Deliverance Provided – [Significance of Humility]

2 Chronicles 12:7
Now when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

Questions in Ezra

1:3
Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem

4:22
Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?

5:3
At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: “Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?”

Effectual Prayer

. Must be Earnest – James 5:17
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months

. In Christ’s name – John 14:13-14
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

. In the Holy Ghost – Jude 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

In faith – James 1:15
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

[Message No” 7023]

Things Men Can Do - 16

Become reprobate without Christ in them

1 Corinthians 9:27 
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

2 Corinthians 13:5 
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Backslide to the point of despising and abhorring God

Leviticus 26:15-16 
15 And if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant,

16 then I will do this to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.

Walk contrary to God

Leviticus 26:21 
“‘If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve.

Leviticus 26:23-24 
23 “‘If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me,
24  I myself will be hostile toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times over.

Thoughts 

. Too often we attempt to work for God to the limit of our incompetency, rather than to the limit of God’s omni potency. - J. Hudson Taylor

. Jesus is happy to come with us, as truth is happy to be spoken, as life to be lived, as light to be lit, as love is to be loved, as joy to be given, as peace to be spread. - Francis of Assisi

[Message No: 7022]

Effectual Prayer

. Must be Earnest – James 5:17
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months

. In Christ’s name – John 14:13-14
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

. In the Holy Ghost – Jude 20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

In faith – James 1:15
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Disaster is Postponed – [Significance of Humility]

1 Kings 21:29
“See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.”
Deliverance Provided – [Significance of Humility]

2 Chronicles 12:7
Now when the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

Questions in Ezra

1:3
Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem

4:22
Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?

5:3
At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them and spoke thus to them: “Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?”

[Message No: 7021]

Things to Think On

Things about true self –

Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

1 Corinthians 3:8
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Things of Virtue

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Questions in Genesis 

3:13
And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
  The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

4:6
So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Questions in Joshua

5:13-14
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”

   So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”
  And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”

Thought 

. "Heaven is not here, it's There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for." - Elisabeth Elliot

[Message No: 7020]

Grasp Without Reach

Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
 But happy is he who keeps the law.

Take The Initiative

2 Peter 1:5
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

You Wont Reach It On Tiptoe

2 Peter 1:7
to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Make a Habit of having no Habits

2 Peter 1:8
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Habit of a good Conscience

Acts 24:16
This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

The Habit of enjoying the Disagreeable 

2 Corinthians 4:10
always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

The Habit of rising to the Occasion

Ephesians 1:18
the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

The Habit of Wealth

2 Peter 1:4
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

[Message No: 7019]

The Secret of the Lord

Ps. 25:14 = The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.

What is the sign of a friend? That he tells you secret sorrows?  No, he tells you secret joys. Many will confide to you their secret  sorrows, but  the last mark of intimacy is to confide secret joys. Have  we ever let God tell us any of His joys, or are we telling God our secrets  so continually that we have no room for Him to talk to us?

Are we wedded to Jesus Christ’s idea of prayer – “Thy will be done”- that we catch the secrets of God?

Results of not Submitting

Korah was swallowed by earth – Numbers 16:27-33

So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.  Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children  and little ones at the entrances to their tents.

    Then Moses said, “This is how you will know  that the Lord has sent me  to do all these things and that it was not my idea:   If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me.    But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth  and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead,  then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt. ”

    As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart    and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them  and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions.   They went down alive into the realm of the dead,  with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community.

It is rebellion against God – Romans 13:2-3

Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted,  and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.   For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.

[Message No: 7018]

An Awareness of God

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The three commands in today’s passage may look simple because they’re short, but many people find them challenging to obey. Our lives are so full of responsibilities and activities that it’s all we can do to keep up our schedules, let alone live as these verses command. There’s only one way to succeed—not by trying harder but by focusing on Christ. When He becomes the center of our attention, our attitude and behavior will change.

Rejoice Always
Pray without ceasing
Give thanks in everything
These three admonitions are a call to become preoccupied with Christ. If we are consumed with other thoughts, it’s easy to feel irritated, worry unceasingly, and complain about everything. But when we begin each day in God’s Word, we are reminded of His instructions and His care.

Questions in 2 Chronicles 

16:8
Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand.

18:3
So Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?”

  And he answered him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war.”

18:5
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
  So they said, “Go up, for God will deliver it into the king's hand.”

Thoughts 

. I want to adorn myself, not out of a worldly pride, but for the love of God alone. - Elizabeth of Hungary

. It is certain because it is impossible. - Tertullian

. If you have no share in the living Lord may God have mercy upon you!  If you have no share in Christ’s rising from the dead then you will not be raised up in the likeness of His glorified body.  If you do not attain to that resurrection from among the dead then you must abide in death. - Charles Spurgeon

[Message No: 7017]

Favor in Trials

1 Peter 2:18-25

Every believer wants God’s favor. We usually have expectations of what that looks like since the word favor brings to mind blessings, and no one would include things like mistreatment in that category. But while unfairness and other harsh conditions aren’t good in themselves, the way we respond can bring divine favor.

No one was treated more unfairly than Jesus. He never did wrong, yet He was reviled, mocked, tortured, and killed by men. However, He didn’t revile in return or utter threats but instead entrusted Himself to His Father.

Praise the Lord

Your Name is Holy!
Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy! Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established fairness. You have acted with justice and righteousness. - Psalm 99:3-4

Wisdom

Proverbs 17:27
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

The Poor 

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.

Thought 

No human heart believed, no human voice declared that there was such a grave—a grave robbed by the power of a victor stronger than man’s great enemy, death.  It was therefore a new and wonderful message which the Apostle communicated, when unto the dying race of man he lifted up his voice in the words: “One human form has risen from the dead; one grave of earth is empty; the man Christ Jesus who was dead, is alive again.” - S. S. Mitchell

[Message No: 7016]

The Roadblock of Fear.

Hebrews 13:6
Then turn immediately to the matter of your faith. Faith is the opposite of fear. It is the solution for fear. Do things that build up your faith.

The first and best move you can make to build up your faith is to get your eyes off your problem and off yourself and onto Jesus. He is the Source of all your supply. He is utterly reliable and possesses all knowledge and all authority. Speak aloud the words of Hebrews 13:6 until they sink deep within your spirit: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me

Teachings of Christ 

Light

Luke 11:33 
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

John 8:12 
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Living water

John 4:10 
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Questions in 1 Kings

2:42
Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lord, and warn you, saying, “Know for certain that on the day you go out and travel anywhere, you shall surely die’? And you said to me, ‘The word I have heard is good.’

2:43
Why then have you not kept the oath of the Lord and the commandment that I gave you?

3:9
Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

[Message No: 7015]

How to Seek the Lord

Psalm 105:1-7
Although Scripture tells us to seek the Lord, many Christians struggle with this command. Some are so distracted by other interests and responsibilities that God is only a miniscule part of their goals and desires in life. When confronted with their responsibility to pursue Him, they often feel guilty but don’t know how to begin.

Seeking anything requires time and effort. Will you invest your life in the pursuit of the Eternal One—the source of all contentment, joy, and hope? Or will you go after that which is fleeting? By neglecting the Lord, you cheat yourself of all the benefits He promises to those who diligently seek Him.

Teachings of Christ 

Loneliness
John 16:32 
“But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

Loss of soul
Matthew 16:25-26 
25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Questions in 1 Kings

12:6
Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, “How do you advise me to answer these people?”

12:9
And he said to them, “What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

13:12
And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” For his sons had seen which way the man of God went who came from Judah.
[Message No: 7014]

Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 3:16-17

“For this reason I kneel before the Father... I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

What's the greatest thing we can do to bless those we love in Christ Jesus? What is the most helpful thing we can do when a brother or sister in Christ, or even a whole congregation of God's people is facing a major challenge from the Evil One? What is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children or our parents as they seek to live for Jesus today? The apostle Paul just showed us. We can ask God to strengthen his people with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their inner being. Then we can let them know that we have prayed this for them, and that we will continue to pray it until their storm is past.

Questions in 1 Kings

9:13
So he said, “What kind of cities are these which you have given me, my brother?” And he called them the land of Cabul, as they are to this day.

11:22
Then Pharaoh said to him, “But what have you lacked with me, that suddenly you seek to go to your own country?”

11:42
And the period that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

Doubts and Questions

Luke 7:18-19
The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?"

God's Word

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

— Proverbs 18:21

[Message  No: 7013]

The Principle of Generosity

[Jesus said,] "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full — pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." – Luke 6:38

Two areas where many of us can be the stingiest are money and forgiveness. So after all that Jesus taught us in the previous statements about graciousness and generosity, he now sums it up with these two principles: 1) Our blessings will be based on our willingness to bless others, and 2) our measure of treating and judging others will be the basis used for how we are treated and judged by others and by God. In other words, God has been gracious with us; we can either share that graciousness or abuse it.

 Grace is wonderful and free until we take it off the market and out of circulation in our relationships. If we stymie, hold, or remove God's grace from circulation, it becomes damaged and lost with us. This stern warning reminds us again how seriously God takes our generosity with others.

The Poor 

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.

Ways of a Fool: He:

Is not dependable.
Proverbs 26:6 
Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

Proverbs 26:12 
Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

[Message No: 7012]

Good Things That Does not Save a Soul – Acts 10:1-2

Being Devoted – Acts 10:1-2
At Caesarea  there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.   He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;  he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

God -Fearing – Acts 10:2
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;  he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Giving Generously – Acts 10:2
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;  he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Praying Regularly – Acts 10:2
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;  he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Genesis 9:16

"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
I don't know about you, but I'm a very visual person. I truly appreciate the way God made the world with all its variety, color, and rich diversity. I am thankful for the way our Father in heaven used certain key images in our world to remind us of his daily provision and eternal grace.
The beauty of a rainbow is not just in its wonderful colors or in the aroma of fresh rain, but in the promise that our God has made to us. The eternal and living God has chosen to link himself to our destiny and to involve himself in our world because of his love and grace! The rainbow is a reminder that we are God-blessed.

Questions in Genesis

19:5
They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

19:12
The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you?  Get them out of here,

[Message No: 7011]

The Roadblock of Doubt

A success to roadblock is very closely related to fear is doubt. Doubt  is a lack of assurance. When we doubt, we become unsteady, tentative, and wavering in our pursuit of a goal. We may not become paralyzed or be put into  “flight” mode as with fear, but we may  become bogged down and miss important opportunities for advancement.

As with fears, you must face doubts head-on. You must ask, Why am I doubting? There are several reasons for doubt. One is  a lack of understanding that God  is with you always. Anytime you are concerned about whether God is with you, I encourage you to read aloud one of these passages of the Bible as often as you need to read until you truly believe it.

{Phil. 4:13;  Phil. 4:19;  Heb. 13:5;  John 16:24;  & Matt. 7:7}

Thoughts 

. There is no circumstance, no trouble, no testing, that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me.  If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment.  But I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart. - Alan Redpath

. Imagine being in this glorious world with grateful hearts—and no one to thank. - Christina Georgina Rossetti

True Worthiness 

Revelation 5:9

And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. –

Worthy! What a beautiful word! For those of us who are disciples of Jesus, we know of only one who is truly worthy. He is worthy to open the scroll and reveal the future. He is worthy of praise and adoration. Why? Because even though he was holy, perfect and heavenly, his death on the cross to purchase our pardon, forgiveness, and salvation made him worthy. And he did it not just for us, but also for people of all races and languages and cultures. Jesus, you are worthy!

[Message No: 7010]

Questions in Luke - 10

18:8
I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

18:18
Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

18:19
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

18:26
And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”

18:41
saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
  He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

19:23
Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’

19:31
And if anyone asks you, “Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ”

19:33
But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”

20:2
and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?”

20:4
The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”

20:5
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’

20:13
Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.

[Message No: 7009]

Paul wanted to be judged by Jesus

Paul wanted to be judged by Jesus; not because he thought he had been good enough to be saved, but because he knew Jesus would vindicate him that he truly was a faithful servant of Christ.

Paul knew that in his previous life of persecuting the church, he had become the “foremost” sinner (1 Timothy 1:15). He knew he did not deserve to be justified in God’s sight. He knew it was a gift of God that he had been saved and that his right standing before God had nothing to do with his good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

But he also knew that he was telling the truth about being an apostle. He knew he was hiding nothing. He knew he was deceiving no one. He knew he was being faithful to his calling. And he knew that on the Day of Judgement, Jesus would make all of that clear.

He also knew his wicked and deceitful critics would be judged. He knew that all of their scheming and manipulation would be brought to light by Christ.

Questions in 2 Kings

1:3
But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’

1:5
And when the messengers returned to him, he said to them, “Why have you come back?”


Psalm 3:3

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. —
My dad would never let me walk slouched over with my head down. "Remember son, you are a Ware. That's nothing to be ashamed of. Even on your worst day you are still my son and a child of God!" God is our protector and our proud Father. He gives us glory because he loves us. Because he is our Father who gives us such gracious gifts, we don't walk with our head bowed low and our spirits slumped over.

He gives us ultimate victory! Even on those dark days when victory is hard to find, we are still God's children. Our Father paints the sunsets and holds the stars in their orbits. He guarantees our future. How can we walk dejectedly when we remember this?

[Message No: 7008]

Our Reaction to Sin – Proverbs 28:13

Should renounce it – Proverbs 28:13
Whoever conceals their sins  does not prosper,
 but the one who confesses  and renounces them finds mercy.

Should master it – Gen. 4:7
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;  it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. ”

Mourn over it – James 4:8-9
Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands,  you sinners, and purify your hearts,  you double-minded.    Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Questions in Amos

6:12
Do horses run on the rocky crags?
 Does one plow the sea with oxen?
 But you have turned justice into poison
 and the fruit of righteousness  into bitterness —

6:13
you who rejoice in the conquest of Lo Debar
 and say, “Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength? ”

7:2
When they had stripped the land clean,  I cried out, “Sovereign Lord, forgive! How can Jacob survive?  He is so small! ”

Psalm 5:11

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

Our hope is in the LORD! He is the basis of our security and the reason for our joyful songs! He is our protection and hope! He is the reason we rejoice!

[Message No: 7007]

LED

[After his baptism,] Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
— Matthew 4:1

We sometimes miss part of the significance of this verse because some of the wording is different from Mark and Luke. Notice carefully that Jesus was LED INTO the wilderness TO BE TEMPTED by the devil. Jesus' temptations were no accident. Clearly, the evil one wanted to derail Jesus' ministry before it began. But Jesus defeating the devil in his temptations was part of God's plan just as Jesus' crucifixion was part of God's plan (Acts 2:23). In both situations — Jesus' temptations and his crucifixion — the evil one was involved, and in both, even the devil was beaten.

Jesus was tempted like we are so that we can be assured that God knows what it is like to be tempted. Yes, God knows all things. Nevertheless, for our sake, he chose to experience things in Jesus so that we can be sure he knows what it is like to be hungry, alone, abandoned, betrayed, tempted, belittled, mocked, ridiculed, denied, treated unfairly, and even murdered. We know that God not only knows, but that he also felt, what it was like to be in our world and face these horrors. Thus, we can go to him knowing we will receive grace, help, and a sympathetic ear in our times of trouble (Hebrews 2:14-18; Hebrews 4:14-16).

Questions in 1 Kings

1:16
And Bathsheba bowed and did homage to the king. Then the king said, “What is your wish?”

1:24
And Nathan said, “My lord, O king, have you said, ‘Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne’?

1:27
Has this thing been done by my lord the king, and you have not told your servant who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?”

Teachings of Christ 

Liberty

Luke 4:18 
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

[Message No: 7006]

His Ascension and our Union

Luke 24:51
Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

Careful Unreasonableness

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:28
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

Questions in 1 Kings

13:14
and went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak. Then he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?”
  And he said, “I am.”
14:6
And so it was, when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps as she came through the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another person? For I have been sent to you with bad news
14:14
“Moreover the Lord will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam; this is the day. What? Even now!

Out of the wreck I Rise

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

The realm of the Real

Luke 21:19
By your patience possess your souls.

[Message No: 7005]

God's Power for Our Battles

So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. -1 Thessalonians 3:7-8

Lord, I have lived so selfishly and self-centred, and when I live like that, it's easy to end up in my own pity-party, sad and depressed. Thank You for reminding me through this verse that I should be focused on serving and helping and praying for others, and that when I do this, Lord, it gives me the strength I need to endure my own problems and pains. Help me to set the right example in this area in the future. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

What Is Separation?

Distinguish

Exodus 33:16
For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

Not Associating

Joshua 23:7
and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,

Response to His Love

Psalm 98:1

“Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”

Songs can stir us up or they can bring us comfort. Songs can take us back to a special time, or songs can give us hope for things to come. Unfortunately, we usually leave the words and the music of our songs only for someone else to write, never taking time to write our own "new song."
But today, why not make up your own new song of praise and thanks to God. It doesn't have to be great, just heartfelt and offered to the Father from whom all joyful songs come.

[Message No: 7004]

The Journey of Salvation - 3

An Absolute Cure for Boredom

Philippians 3:8-14

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

      Pressing Toward the Goal

     Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

A Solemn yet Joyous Feast

2 Corinthians 11:23-26

Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

 If the Stones Cried Out

Luke 19:28-40 – Kindly Read.

Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

What is your biggest dream? God longs to do more than that through you! The real question is whether or not you will believe it, receive it, share it and then give him the glory for it!

[Message No: 7003]

Questions in 2 Chronicles – 18:6

18:6
But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?”

18:14
Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
 And he said, “Go and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand!”

18:15 So the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”

18:17
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

Joel 2:32

“And it shall come to pass that whosever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered.”
I need not ask whether I may call on Him or not, for that word “Whosoever” is a very wide  and comprehensive one. Whosoever means me, for it means anybody and everybody who calls upon God. I will therefore follow the leading of the text, and at once call upon the glorious Lord who has made so large a promise.

Gentleness and Respect

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...
Having Jesus as our Lord does not mean that we bulldoze over others with this important eternal reality. Gentleness and respect are the character traits of those who have Jesus as their Lord. After all, Jesus loved others enough to die for them.

Jesus even asked for those who crucified him and those who mocked him as he died to be forgiven. Having such a Lord means we have prepared a response when we are given and opportunity to share the basis of our hope in him. Those around us may not appear interested, but many are seeking for something

Let's be ready when their time is right to meet Jesus!

[Message No: 7002]

'Power to Overcome!'

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. - Romans 8:12-13

We have been given the power to overcome temptation and sin. Those of us with a past entrapment to sinful addictions, with current struggles, with sinfully rebellious co-workers and friends surrounding us, and with dysfunctional backgrounds don't have to repeat the destructive patterns in which we've been entrapped. Jesus' sacrifice for our sin makes us right with God.

Jesus' resurrection from the dead unleashes a new source of incomparably great power for us. The Holy Spirit who lives in us makes this power available to us. Escaping sin's patterns, addictions, and influences is never easy. It is a daily battle to put to death these powers and influences (Colossians 3:5). Jesus described this battle as denying ourselves daily, following him, and losing our lives for his sake (Luke 9:23-24). We cannot live Jesus' way on our own! But, when we surrender our wills to the leading of Jesus as Lord and follow the way of the Holy Spirit, we can find a new source of fresh power, the Holy Spirit. Let's ask the Spirit to help us in our daily battle, and let's open ourselves to the Spirit's work in our lives. Ephesians 1:17-20, Ephesians 3:14-21, Ephesians 5:17-21, and Ephesians 6:17-18 give ways to invite the Spirit into our lives with power!

Why was Psalms written?

Many of the Bible’s main ideas are echoed in PSALMS: Praise, thankfulness, faith, hope sorrow for sin, and God’s loyalty and help. The individual psalms in the book were written and collected for use in worship. Psalms in the hymnbook or prayer book that was used first in the temple in Jerusalem, then in Jewish meeting places (synagogues), and later in Christian churches.

In addition to being used in private devotion and public worship, Psalms has been read and studied by people who wanted to learn more about living as faithful believers in one true God who created and cares for the whole world and who is interested in every part of human life. 

Teachings of Christ 

Log

Luke 6:41-42

41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

[Message No: 7001]

Insight not Emotion

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

The Passion of Patience 

Hebrew 2:3
how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

Vital Intercession

Ephesians 6:18
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Victorious Intercession

Hebrew 10:19
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Judgement on the abyss of Love

1 Peter 4:17
For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Liberty on the Abyss of the Gospel

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Building for Eternity 

Luke 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—

The Patience of Faith

Revelation 3:10
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

[Message No: 7000]

Greatest Gift

Isaiah 9:6
While Jesus is God's Son and Mary's son, according to Isaiah's prophecy, he is also shared with us.
Jesus is the child given to the world so you and I can become God's child.
What greater gift can we have than Jesus, and through Jesus, God as our Father.

You and the Bible

The Bible is a revelation of God. The  philophers of centuries have struggled with the problem of a Supreme Being.

Who is He? What is He? Where is He? If there is such a Person, is He interested in me?
If so, how can I know Him?

These and a thousand other questions about God are revealed in this Holy Book we call the Bible. -- Billy Graham.

Jesus' invitation:

Come to me by way of surrendering your lives to me -
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence  daily live.
I surrender all (💯) ...
I surrender all, all to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

E. Stanley Jones said, "If you don't surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos".

Hope

Hope is the word which God has written on the brow of every man."
— Victor Hugo

[Message No: 6999]

Selection of Sides

Amos 5:14

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. —

Isn't it amazing how many people claim God is on their side. God has been "claimed" by those seeking to enforce slavery, practice prejudice, lie, bribe officials, practice hypocrisy, force injustice on the powerless, and practice "ethnic cleansing." But God makes the test pretty simple: do what is good, seek after the good, or you're not related to me!

In the words of the prophet Amos, that meant equity for all peoples in court, in the marketplace, and in the place of worship. If we're claiming God is on our side, then we'd better draw close to the side of God, the side of good, justice, and mercy as God defines them!

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare

Word of God – Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Light – Romans 13;12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

The blood of the Lamb – Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Thoughts 

. The home atmosphere is far different when a family stops trying to walk alone, when it sees its place in the bigger scheme of things.  It works together for the things it can control, and trusts its God for guidance in problems beyond its control.  Such a family can’t help feeling closer together, more sure of itself, happier. - Reformed Church Bulletin

. If God awarded us medals, as they do in the Olympics, love would win the gold, joy the silver, and peace the bronze. - Charles R. Swindoll

[Message No: 6998]

Questions in Luke - 9

Questions in Luke  - 9

16:5
“So he called every one of his master's debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

16:7
Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.

16:11
Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

16:12
And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own?

17:7
And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, “Come at once and sit down to eat’?

17:8
But will he not rather say to him, “Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’

17:17
So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?

17:37
And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?”
  So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

18:7
And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?

Thought 

"The knowledge of Christ's love for us should cause us to love Him in such a way that it is demonstrated in our attitude, conduct, and commitment to serve God. Spiritual maturity is marked by spiritual knowledge being put into action." - Edward Bedore

[Message No” 6997]

Besides Still Waters - 47

As Many As I Love

Revelation 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

I Rebuke And Chasten

Revelation 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

An End To Tears

Revelation 7:17
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

No More Pain

Revelation 21:4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

The Book Of Life

Revelation 21:27
But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Until The Day Breaks

Song of Solomon 4:6
Until the day breaks
 And the shadows flee away,
 I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh
 And to the hill of frankincense.

[Message No: 6996]

The Put Offs – Put Off – The Old Man

Ephesians 4:22
that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Anger – Wrath – Malice – Blasphemy – Filthy Conversation

Colossians 3:8
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Questions in Genesis 

4: 7
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

4: 9
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”
  He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?”

4: 10
And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Questions in Amos

2:11
I raised up some of your sons as prophets,
 And some of your young men as Nazirites.
 Is it not so, O you children of Israel?”
 Says the Lord.

Thought

. "Our life is full of brokenness - broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God's faithful presence in our lives." - Henri Nouwen

[Message No: 6995]

Knowing God

James 1:1-8

• To know the Lord as Comforter means we must be in need of consolation, due to suffering or discouragement.

• To discover that God is our strength, we must experience weakness and come to the end of our ability to persevere.

• Our Father’s faithfulness becomes evident when others prove unfaithful.

• God’s wisdom is recognized when the world’s wisdom lets us down and all our own maneuvering fails.

• Divine trustworthiness shines brighter when those around us are unreliable.

Questions in 1st Corinthians  

9:11
If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?

9:12
If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?
  Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

9:13
Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

John 2:5-6

This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Do you want to know who walks with Jesus each day? Look for folks whose lives look like his! Do you want to walk with Jesus? Look at his life in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). See how he treated people; then do the same!

Notice how he defeated Satan and overcame temptation. Trust that you can do the same! As you do these things, you will find that Jesus is not only walking with you, he is also working through you!

[Message No: 6994]

Jesus - Our Substitute ?

Many believe behaviour determines one’s eternal destination, and by being “good enough” they can earn their heavenly home. But they have not grasped the crucial nature of Christ’s death on the cross. Jesus came to end our frustrated and inadequate self-efforts, and offer us not only a better way, but the best.

Let’s examine the full meaning of Christ’s sacrifice and all that it makes possible for those who believe. As we understand more about His substitutionary death on our behalf, our hearts will be filled with gratitude and the recognition of His abundant blessings.

•    Our journey is away to Calvary just a day away … Are we Ready?

Ways of a Fool: He:

Cannot appreciate luxury and honor.

Proverbs 19:10 
It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

Proverbs 26:8 
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
Is incapable of wisdom.

 Proverbs 24:7 
Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.

Psalm 121:7-8

The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. —

One of my hardest challenges as a parent is knowing that I can't ultimately protect my children from some hurts and heartbreaks. Some of that pain is necessary to help them mature and grow. Some of it is just the agonizing result of living in a fallen world. But, we can be fully confident that if we share the Lord with them, if they give their lives to his will, nothing can steal them from his ultimate victory, care, and reunion with us and with him.

Knowing how we love them, imagine how much the Father loves us and longs to bring us to that place of safety in his house! Until we get home, isn't it comforting to know that he is watching over us and those we love, now and forevermore?

[Message No: 6993]

How to Be Saved? – Romans 10:9

By Believing – Romans 10:9
If you declare  with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”  and believe  in your heart that God raised him from the dead,  you will be saved.

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

By God’s Grace – Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace  you have been saved,  through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

By Repentance – 2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation  and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Matthew 9:21

[A desperate and lonely woman who had been ill for years came to Jesus for healing.] She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."

The woman who said this to herself knew ostracism and loneliness because of her 12 year bout with an illness that made her unclean under Jewish law. She was imprisoned in isolation because of this condition. Just as Jesus freed her from her prison (vs. 22), he longs to free you from yours as well. What holds you captive?

 Jesus longs to give you freedom through five gifts: 1) the Scripture to help you know God's will,  2) your surrender to his lordship, 3) cleansing from your sin and guilt, 4) the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower you, and 5) a family of brothers and sisters in Christ to support you and hold you accountable. These are God's five precious keys to freedom.

Thought

. There is no need to plead that the love of God shall fill our heart as though he were unwilling to fill us.  He is willing as light is willing to flood a room that is opened to its brightness; willing as water is willing to flow into an emptied channel.  Love is pressing round us on all sides like air.  Cease to resist, and instantly love takes possession. - Amy Carmichael

[Message No: 6992]

God's Faithfulness

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Because God is faithful, we can have peace of mind in any circumstance—even in the face of death. Although we will change with time and the seasons of life will come and go, our faithful God is always the same.
Since we belong to Him through Christ, He will never forget, neglect, or abandon us. He has promised to preserve us “complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23), and He will do it.

Bible Verses about Evangelism 

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 John 8:24
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

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

Teachings of Christ - 62

Angels

Matthew 13:39 
And the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

Matthew 13:41 
The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.

[Message No: 6991]

Events after the Millennium - 8

Luke 10:12-15
But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.
    Woe to the Impenitent Cities
    “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.

Luke 11:31-32
The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

Luke 20:47
who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

Revelation 2:23
I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

Wicked punished eternally in hell

Matthew 8:12
But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

[Message No: 6990]

Do not be discouraged

Matthew 24:6-8
Political  and natural  disturbances have always been a part of world history, so  do not allow them to discourage you. They are “the beginning of sorrows” [v.8].
The Word  translated  “sorrows” means “birth-pangs”.
The world’s troubles  are pregnant with possibilities! God is still on the throne!

Isaiah 2:22

“Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?”

"If only I had a friend." "If only my father hadn't left." "If only she was more supportive." "If only..." People can fail us, but we still pin so many of our hopes on them. They are fallible and mortal just like we are. So while we are involved in the lives of other people, let's also remember to keep our hopes connected to the Son of God, who "defeated death and brought immortality and life to light" and who will "never leave or forsake" us.

Questions in Luke

20:22
Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
20:23
He saw through their duplicity and said to them
20:24
“Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”
 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Thoughts

. God never burglarizes the human will.  He may long to come in and help, but he will never cross the picket line of our unwillingness. - James Jauncey   [W]

. If there is joy in the world, surely the man of pure heart possesses it. - Thomas Kempis

. We must move from asking God to take care of the things that are breaking our hearts, to praying about the things that are breaking His heart. - M. Gibb

. God is always moving about His work to shape and arrange events in His wise government of our lives. - John of the Cross

[Message No: 6989]

Blessings of God’s Word

Keeps from Sin – Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart
 that I might not sin  against you.

   Gives Birth – James 1:18
He chose to give us birth  through the word of truth,  that we might be a kind of firstfruits  of all he created.

Sets Free – John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Characteristics of God’s Word

Active – Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God  is alive  and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword,  it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Trustworthy – Psalm 19:7
The law of the Lord  is perfect,
 refreshing the soul.
 The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
 making wise the simple.

Sweet – Psalm 19:10
They are more precious than gold,
 than much pure gold;
 they are sweeter than honey,
 than honey from the honeycomb.

Thoughts 

. "I can contribute nothing to my own salvation, except the sin from which I need to be redeemed." - William Temple

. "There is always time enough in a day to do God's will." - Roy Lessin

[Message No: 6988]

The Wisdom of God

James 1:2-8
You need wisdom in trials so you will not waste your suffering and miss the spiritual growth that should result.

When you trust God, trials work for you and not against you; but be sure your heart is wholly  yielded to Him.
If your heart and mind are divided, trials will tear you apart.

Man’s Problem

Dismay – Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord God:
   “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
 A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
 Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Sorrow – Isaiah 60:20
Your sun  will never set again,
 and your moon will wane no more;
 the Lord will be your everlasting light,
 and your days of sorrow  will end.

Thoughts 

. When you listen to God, He hears you. - Church sign

. The life of faith is not a life of mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting.  Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading. - Oswald
Chambers

2 Corinthians 11:14

 “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

While we wait for God's great victory for us to be fully realized, we also need to know that we are in a battle. God will win this battle through Jesus Christ. The final outcome is certain. Christ has already won the decisive battle.

However, let's not be fooled; the evil one will do everything he can to deceive all people and confuse the lost. Let's stick with God's plan — living his truth, listening for his voice in Scripture, and following the lead of his Spirit.

[Message No: 6987]

Our Reaction to Sin – Hebrews 12:4

Resist to Bloodshed – Hebrews 12:4
You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Put to Death – Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Repent and Pray – Acts 8:22
Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Should purify From – 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.

The Bread of Life

John 6: 35-40
The Bible records several statements made by Jesus referring to Himself as the I Am. This was actually one word spoken in the Greek language – eimi, which is simply I AM. It was also translated “it is I” in some passages. John 4:26 – Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. John 6:20 – But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. John 8:24 – I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 8:28 – Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. John 8:58 – Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Jesus referred to Himself in these passages by using the Old Testament name for God. Exodus 3:14 – And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. John’s gospel records the majority of the I Am statements of Jesus.

Thoughts 

. Jesus was crucified not in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves. - George F. MacLeod

. The return of Easter should be to the Christian life the call of a trumpet.  It is the news of a great victory.  It is the solution of a great perplexity.  It is the assurance of a great triumph. - Frederick Temple

[Message No: 6986]

The Landmine of Compromise

1 Kings 11:1-13
Carefully camouflaged landmines are deadly weapons of war—if a soldier unwittingly steps on one, he or she will suffer serious injury or death. What is true in a physical battle is also true in the spiritual battles we face. Treacherous spiritual landmines are scattered in the path of every believer; they can cause major damage if we’re unsuspecting and tread on them.

Romans 12:3

By the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. —

Pride does go before a fall! Try balancing these two truths: "I must not be prideful, but I must understand just how much God values me." It's not easy. Satan can use our self denigration, what I call the worthless worm syndrome, to discourage us and keep us from using our gifts and knowing our value to God for Kingdom work. On the other hand, pride takes God out of the picture and attributes any contribution to God's Kingdom to us and not to God.

To be both bearer of the image of God and part of fallen humanity is more than a theological issue; it is the daily struggle of being a disciples. But we maintain the proper balance by praising the One who made us his child and adopted us into his family.

Separation – In Clothing

Leviticus 19:19
Keep my decrees.
 “‘Do not mate different kinds of animals.
 “‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.
 “‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.

In Exodus – Exodus 12:42
Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come.

[Message No: 6985]

Questions in 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’?”

3:9
Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

3:11
And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

Questions in Joshua

1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

4:6
that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’

4:21
Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then

Questions in Luke  

20:15
So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

20:17
Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written:
  ‘The stone which the builders rejected
 Has become the chief cornerstone’?

Thought 

"You must not lose confidence in God because you lost confidence in your pastor. If our confidence in God had to depend upon our confidence in any human person, we would be on shifting sand." - Francis Schaeffer

[Message No: 6984]