Prayer of Trust

Lord, I trust in You. I believe in You. I hope in You. You are my confidence, my assurance. I lean upon You, for You are my Rock; I depend upon You, for You are my Provider; I delight in You, for You are the joy of my life. My heart rests in You; my faith responds to You, my soul rejoices in You.

I trust You in life – for the wisdom of Your ways, for the blessings of Your favor, for the sufficiency of Your grace, for the power of Your Spirit, and for the endurance that comes from Your strength.

I trust You for all things.

I trust You with all things.

I trust You in all things.

I trust You through all things.

I trust You above all things.

AMEN

From Financial Prison to Palace Prosperity

It’s not getting that makes prosperity worth having … it’s  giving that makes prosperity worth getting. Did God prosper Joseph so he could drive the Mercedes of his day – a golden chariot?

God took Joseph from prison to palace to preserve the lives of his family – the bloodline through which man’s salvation – the Messiah – would come.

Prosperity fulfills God’s first priority  - to win souls.

Questions in Genesis 

31:14

Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?

31:15

Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?

31:26

And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword?

31:14

Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?

[Message No: 7925]

The Prayers of the Bible

[Kindly read the Scriptures mentioned – in Genesis]

‘ Prayer – language of a cry

Genesis 16

‘ Prayer and Revelation

Genesis 17

‘ Prayer for a wicked city

Genesis 18-19

‘ Prayer after a lapse

Genesis 20

‘ Prayer of Obedience

Genesis 22

‘ Prayer for a Bride

Genesis 24

‘ Prayer for a Barren Wife

Genesis 25:19-23

‘ Prayer changes Things 

Genesis 26

‘ Prayer as a Vow

Genesis 28

‘ Prayer about a wronged brother

Genesis 32

‘ Prayer – the motion of a hidden fire

Genesis 39-41

‘ Prayer for blessing upon the Tribes

Genesis 48 & 49

[Message No: 7924]

Our Own Sin

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her [the woman caught in adultery]." — John 8:7

When we find it easy to identify the sin of others, God wants us to be reminded of how important it is for us to take a rigorously honest inventory of our own faithfulness. He wants us to deal with our own sin before we evaluate anyone else.

Questions in Genesis 

31:27

Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me,  so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels  and harps?

31:28

You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye.  You have done a foolish thing.

31:30

Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s household.  But why did you steal  my gods? ”

31:36

Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. “What is my crime?” he asked Laban. “How have I wronged  you that you hunt me down?

Why to Love?

. We are born of God - 1 John 4:7

Dear friends, let us love one another,  for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God  and knows God.    Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

. Because He loved – 1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us

. God lives in us – 1 John 4:12

No one has ever seen God;  but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

. Jesus commanded us – John 13:35

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

[Message No: 7923]

We want to thank Jesus

[Jesus said,] "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." — Matthew 7:13-14

Over three decades ago, Juan Carlos Ortiz criticized European and American evangelists for offering a carrot stick gospel that focused on the pay off and not lordship of Jesus. Jesus, especially in Matthew 7, reminds us that grace does not dismiss discipleship, and mercy does not release us from our need to repent genuinely. We joyously accept the grace God gives to us in Jesus and truly let Jesus be Lord of our lives. 

It's not an either-or proposition, but a both-and call from God. We receive grace and obediently follow Jesus as Lord. We obey and serve God because he has adopted us and brought us into his family. Our motivation to do good things is not to earn our salvation but to thank and honor God who has been so good to us and saved us by his mercy and grace.

Returning Home

Our sense of exile may come because of our bad decisions or because of hardships beyond our control. Either way, God hasn’t forgotten us. He knows our desire and will call to us. And if we’ll answer, we’ll find ourselves returning to Him—returning home.

People Forget

God’s faithfulness “continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5). Whenever we find ourselves forgetting, we can think about the ways He’s answered our prayers, and that reminds us of His goodness and faithful promises.

The Triumph of Forgiveness

What a great place for us to start—at the place of God’s mercy—when we say or do things that cause hurt and harm to ourselves and others. The guilt of our sin need not be permanent. There’s One whose arms are open wide to receive us when we acknowledge our wrongs and seek His forgiveness. We can join the chorus of those who sing, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Ps. 32: 1).

He Won’t Let Us Go

When we were distraught and feeling hopeless, Jesus rescued us; now we can feel safe and secure in our relationship with Him. He loves us, pursues us, finds us, saves us, and promises to never let us go.

[Message No: 7922]

Names of God - 4

. Everlasting Father – Isiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, 

 to us a son is given, 

 and the government  will be on his shoulders. 

 And he will be called

 Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God, 

 Everlasting  Father,  Prince of Peace.

. Faithful and True Witness – Revelation 3:14

To the angel of the church in Laodicea  write:

  These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness,  the ruler of God’s creation.

. First Fruits – 1 Corinthians 15:23

But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits;  then, when he comes,  those who belong to him.

. Foundation – Isaiah 28:16

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

  “See, I lay a stone in Zion,  a tested stone, 

 a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; 

 the one who relies on it

 will never be stricken with panic.

. Fountain – Zechariah 13:1

On that day a fountain  will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse  them from sin and impurity.

. Friend of Sinners – Matthew 11:19

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’  But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

. Gate for the Sheep – John 10:7

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am  the gate  for the sheep.

[Message No: 7921]

Ministering Spirits

. Hebrews 1:14

Are not all angels ministering spirits  sent to serve those who will inherit  salvation?

. Revelation 12:7

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael  and his angels fought against the dragon,  and the dragon and his angels  fought back.

. Isaiah 6:2

Above him were seraphim,  each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet,  and with two they were flying

 Against 

Leviticus 20:3

I myself will set my face against him and will cut him off from his people;  for by sacrificing his children to Molek, he has defiled  my sanctuary  and profaned my holy name.

Matthew 12:35

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

Luke 15:18

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

Acts 21:28

shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”

Galatians 3:21

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not!  For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

Bible Promises 

. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24

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

[Message No: 7920]

Love embraces those who have wronged us

Genesis 45:4

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.”  When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!

Genesis 4:9

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” 

 “I don’t know, ” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Leviticus 19:34

The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born.  Love them as yourself,  for you were foreigners  in Egypt.  I am the Lord your God.

Questions in 2 Kings 

18:35

Who of all the gods of these countries has been able to save his land from me? How then can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”

19:11

Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered?

19:12

Did the gods of the nations that were destroyed by my predecessors deliver  them—the gods of Gozan,  Harran,  Rezeph and the people of Eden who were in Tel Assar?

19:13

Where is the king of Hamath or the king of Arpad? Where are the kings of Lair, Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah?”

19:22

Who is it you have ridiculed and blasphemed? 

 Against whom have you raised your voice

 and lifted your eyes in pride?

 Against the Holy One  of Israel!

19:25

“‘Have you not heard? 

 Long ago I ordained it.

 In days of old I planned  it;

 now I have brought it to pass,

 that you have turned fortified cities

 into piles of stone.

[Message No: 7919]

Jealousy

. Deuteronomy 32:16

They made him jealous  with their foreign gods

 and angered  him with their detestable idols.

. Psalm 79:5

How long,  Lord? Will you be angry  forever?

 How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

. Proverbs 6:34

For jealousy  arouses a husband’s fury, 

 and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

. Song of Solomon 8:6

Place me like a seal over your heart,

 like a seal on your arm;

 for love  is as strong as death,

 its jealousy  unyielding as the grave.

 It burns like blazing fire,

 like a mighty flame.

. Romans 10:19

   Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

  “I will make you envious  by those who are not a nation;

 I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”

. 2 Cor. 11:2

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband,  to Christ, so that I might present you  as a pure virgin to him.

Thoughts 

. God has, quite literally, all the time in the world for each of us. - Philip Yancey

. Not I, but God in me. - Dag Hammarskjold

. Your health can be taken and your money stolen–but your place at God’s table is permanent. - Max Lucado

[Message No: 7918]

Importance of Repentance

Matthew 3:1-2

In those days John the Baptist  came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea   and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven  has come near.”

Mark 6:12

And forgive us our debts,

 as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Acts 2:38

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

Acts 20:21

I have declared to both Jews  and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance  and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,  as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient  with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Luke 13:3

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

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Mark  11:27-33 — Mt 21:23-27; Lk 20:1-8

  They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him.   “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

      Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.   John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”

    They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’   But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 

    So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

 Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

[Message No: 7917]

He is my everything

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" — Matthew 6:25

God gives beauty to the flowers and life to grass. In the grand scheme of things, these are transitory and insignificant. He sent his Son from Heaven to save us. So, he most definitely is going to give us what we need until we go home to live with him!

Reminders

. Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

. 2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.

.  Isaiah 29:14 Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.

.  Proverbs 18:15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

.  1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Forgiveness

. You will be able to mend or strengthen relationships. Any time we experience an event that causes negative emotions, we’re not the only ones affected. Others we interact with or are a part of our lives will be affected as well. By choosing to forgive, we’ll improve our emotional state, which means we’ll be more present when we interact with others.

Bible Tells Us  – 

. The Advocate -1 John 2:1 

My dear children,  I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate  with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

. Seeing to Tomorrow – 2 Corinthians 5:7

For we live by faith, not by sight.

. The viral Gospel – 1 Thessalonians 1:8

The Lord’s message  rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.  Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,

. Press On – Philippians – 3:14

I press on  toward the goal to win the prize  for which God has called  me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

[Message No: 7916]

God and His People - 2

.. God in His people – Dwelling

2 Corinthians 6:16

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?  For we are the temple  of the living God.  As God has said:

  “I will live with them

 and walk among them,

 and I will be their God,

 and they will be my people.”

John 17:21-26

that all of them may be one,  Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.    I have given them the glory that you gave me,  that they may be one as we are one —   I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me  and have loved them  even as you have loved me.

    “Father, I want those you have given me  to be with me where I am,  and to see my glory,  the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 

    “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you,  I know you, and they know that you have sent me.    I have made you known to them,  and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them  and that I myself may be in them.”

     Jesus Arrested

 .. God for His people – Saving

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation  for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Thought

. King James I once became annoyed with the irrelevant ramblings of his court preacher and shouted up to the pulpit: “Either make sense or come down out of that pulpit!”  The preacher replied, “I will do neither.” - Unknown

. No, I do not become discouraged.  You see, God has not called me to a ministry of success.  He has called me to a ministry of mercy. - Mother Teresa

[Message No: 7915]

Faithful God

But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever. — Daniel 7:18

Forever! The Kingdom will belong to God's saints, his children, the people of the Most High (see Daniel 7:27), us! And it will be ours, forever... and ever... and ever. Praise God for his promises, his grace, and his faithfulness.

Sweet Again

One day, we’ll be together with Jesus at the wedding supper of the Lamb. When He welcomes His bride (the church) home, the promise of Isaiah 25 will be fulfilled. The life once bitter will be made sweet again.

Singing with violent

Lord, when times are rough, help me to find joy. Help us to live in the tough times of the world with happiness while looking ahead to something “better by far”.

Camping Psalms

O Lord, our majestic Maker, our hearts turn toward praise when we see snapshots of Yours beautiful world. Thank You for creating us! Help us to rule Your world with wisdom.

Living with Lions

Dear God, give me the strength to continue to trust in You when I am discouraged. Help me to experience Your never-ending love and stay close to Your side. 

Thoughts 

. Submerge as much of your day as you can, to make it your invisible keel, by eliminating less important things.  You need time to look into the face of God, time to read and study his Word systematically, time to think and plan for your life, time to praise, time to intercede, time to get wisdom for handling people and for making decisions. - Anne Ortlund

. Spiritual maturity begins when we realize that we are God’s guests in this world.  We are not householders, but pilgrims; not landlords, but tenants; not owners, but guests. - C. Willard Fetter

[Message No: 7914]

Emblems of the Holy Spirit - 3

. Fire purifies

Malachi 3:2-3

“But who can endure the day of His coming?

 And who can stand when He appears?

 For He is like a refiner's fire

 And like launderers’ soap.

  He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;

 He will purify the sons of Levi,

 And purge them as gold and silver,

 That they may offer to the Lord

 An offering in righteousness.

Isaiah 4:4

When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning,

. Fire searches

1 Corinthians 2:10

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Wind

John 3:8

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

. Wind is powerful

1 Kings 19:11

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

 Acts 2:2

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

[Message No: 7913]

Declare

. Psalm 66:16

Come and hear,  all you who fear God;

 let me tell  you what he has done for me.

. Isaiah 53:8

By oppression and judgment  he was taken away.

 Yet who of his generation protested?

 For he was cut off from the land of the living; 

 for the transgression  of my people he was punished.

. Hebrews 2:12

He says,

  “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;

 in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

. 1 John 1:3

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard,  so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

If we get paid what we deserve, we're not going to like our wages. On the other hand, God, who is rich in mercy and grace, gives us his gift because of the sacrifice of Jesus and not what we deserve. I don't know about you, but that surely does make me want to serve him more passionately and faithfully!

Bible Promises 

. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - 

Psalm 51:10

. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. - Psalm 37:5

. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. - Romans 14:19

[Message No: 7912]

Captivity

Psalm 68:18

When you ascended  on high, 

 you took many captives; 

 you received gifts from people, 

 even from the rebellious —

 that you, Lord God, might dwell there.

Lamentations 1:3

After affliction and harsh labor,

 Judah has gone into exile. 

 She dwells among the nations;

 she finds no resting place. 

 All who pursue her have overtaken her 

 in the midst of her distress.

Romans 7:23

but I see another law at work in me, waging war  against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin  at work within me.

Ephesians 4:8

This is why it says:

  “When he ascended on high,

 he took many captives 

 and gave gifts to his people.”

Revelation 13:10

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you  from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world  to test  the inhabitants of the earth.

Transformed by the Word

Galatians 1:11-17

Like Paul, you are the Holy Spirit’s student, and the knowledge you reap from Scripture can change your life. If you let yourself be transformed by the Word of God, you will share it with others and make disciples.

[Message No: 7911]

Babes

Psalm 8:2

Through the praise of children and infants

 you have established a stronghold  against your enemies,

 to silence the foe  and the avenger.

Isaiah 3:4

“I will make mere youths their officials;

 children will rule over them.”

Matthew 11:25

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,  Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children

Romans 2;20

an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—

1 Corinthians 3:1

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit  but as people who are still worldly —mere infants  in Christ.

Prayer the Hidden Road

In a certain desert, where there was no sign of water, there was a tree with green leaves bearing fruit. The reason was that the long roots of the tree found a secret spring of water deep under the ground and thus were nourished by it. Prayer is the hidden root which goes to the hidden spring which is God. through prayer we receive  life from God and strength to bear fruit.

God’s Word for Tod’s People

. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. - John 16:24

. Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. - 

John 14:1

. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24

[Message No: 7910]

Ways

. Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the Rock,  his works are perfect, 

 and all his ways are just.

 A faithful God  who does no wrong,

 upright  and just is he.

. Psalm 51:13

I will teach transgressors your ways, 

 so that sinners  will turn back to you.

. Proverbs 5:21

For your ways are in full view  of the Lord,

 and he examines  all your paths.

. Lamentation 3:40

Let us examine our ways and test them, 

 and let us return to the Lord.

. Revelation 15:3

and sang the song of God’s servant  Moses  and of the Lamb: 

  “Great and marvellous are your deeds, 

 Lord God Almighty. 

 Just and true are your ways, 

 King of the nations.

    God’s Word for Tod’s People

. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. - Isaiah 26:3

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. - Psalm 34:4

. 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. - Romans 15:13

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

[Message No: 7908]

Temptation

. Do not lead us into temptation

Matthew 6:13

And lead us not into temptation, 

 but deliver us from the evil one.’

. Lest you enter into it

Matthew 25:41

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me,  you who are cursed, into the eternal fire  prepared for the devil and his angels.

. In time of temptation fall away

Luke 8:13

Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

. Temptation has overtaken you

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.

. To be rich fall into temptation

1 Timothy 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.

.The man who endures temptation

James 1:12

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial  because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life  that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Thoughts   

. The idea that everything would happen exactly as it does regardless of whether we pray or not haunts the minds of many who sincerely profess belief in God. It makes prayer psychologically impossible, replacing it with dead ritual at best.

-Dallas Willard

[Message No: 7907]

Speak Life

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. — Colossians 4:5-6

Half the world's population is at home today. Worship with us from home! — Worship Online

Jesus warned us that we would have to answer to God for every idle word we share with others (Matthew 12:36-37). In our time when social media echoes with mean-spirited, ugly, and divisive words, we must hear the Lord's warning about choosing our words carefully. Paul challenged us to be even more vigilant about what we say and how we say it. The apostle emphasized how significant our influence is on those who don't know Christ. We want to seize every opportunity to open the hearts of unbelievers to Jesus. 

When we are around those who are not Christians, we must show kindness, demonstrate care, and exercise control in the way we use our speech. The eternal destiny of those around may be resting on our conversations with them. Let's season our speech with care. Let's take advantage of every opportunity we have to open the hearts of others to grace of Jesus!

Inn 

. Exodus 4:24

At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill  him.

. Luke 2:7

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

. Luke 10:34

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Journey 

. 1Kings 18:27

At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”

. 1Kings 19:7

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”

[Message No: 7906]

Relentless Love

God often uses His children to fulfill needs and to answer prayers. And as we serve others, our own hearts are encouraged as we encourage those we serve. As a result, our own faith will grow as God equips us for service in new ways - 

(1 Tim. 3: 18).

Being There

In their humanness, Job’s friends later offered Job insensitive advice. But for the first seven days, they gave him the wordless and tender gift of presence. We may not understand someone’s grief, but we don’t need to understand in order to love them well by simply being with them. 

The Yard-Sale Christmas

God has given us our very breath and life—besides providing for our needs. How refreshing it might be to enjoy and be content with His gifts and to say, You’ve given us so much! We don’t need more. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6).

Christmas Presence

God drew near to us through Jesus so we could know Him personally and be with Him forever. His loving presence with us is the greatest gift of all.

The Privilege of Prayer

We too have the remarkable privilege to faithfully pray for the people God has placed in our lives. Our example of faithfulness can make an indelible impact that will remain even after we’re gone. Just as God continued to work out the answers to David’s prayers for Solomon and Israel after he was gone, so too the impact of our prayers outlives us.

Giving Our Best

At times, it can be tempting to give God our leftovers. We praise Him and expect Him to give us His all, yet we offer Him our crumbs. When we consider all God has done, we can rejoice in celebrating His worthiness and giving Him our very best.

False Confidence

Boasting is bad in itself, but a boast based on false confidence is tragic. The gospel calls us away from misplaced confidence and into communion with a Savior who loves us and gave Himself for us.

[Message No: 7905]

Questions in Prayer - 1

+ Can we ask amiss? 

James 4:3

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

+ Will unbelief hinder our prayers? 

James 1:6-7

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

+ Does iniquity in the heart hinder ? 

Psalm 66-18

If I regard iniquity in my heart,

 The Lord will not hear.

+ Will God Hear sinners? 

John 9:31

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.

+ What kind of persons will God hear? 

2 Chronicles 7:14

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

John 15:7

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

+ What was David’s advice to Solomon? 

2 Chronicles 28:9

But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out before the army that came to Samaria, and said to them: “Look, because the Lord God of your fathers was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand; but you have killed them in a rage that reaches up to heaven.

[Message No: 7904]

Prayer For –

.  Personal 

Ephesians 1:16 

I have not stopped giving thanks for you,  remembering you in my prayers.

Ephesians 3:14

For this reason I kneel  before the Father,

. Social

Acts 12:12

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark,  where many people had gathered and were praying.

. Church

Acts 2:42

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching  and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread  and to prayer

Acts 12:5

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

. Secret

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,  who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Thoughts   

. Secret, fervent, believing prayer lies at the root of all personal godliness. - William Carey

. he place of charity, like that of God, is everywhere. - Francis Quarles

. It seems as if God gives us hints each day about what he’d like us to do.  If you look closely around you, or if you listen carefully to what a friend says, I bet you will recognize a potential hint as to what God would like you to do.  Listen carefully.  Observe.  God is pointing the direction.  Christopher de Vinck

[Message No: 7903]

Our life is secured

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." — Revelation 1:8

From beginning to end, our God is there! What is there for us to fear? What can happen that can change this one undeniable reality? We belong to the God who is always there, who always cares for us, and who will always work to bring us salvation! No matter what happens to us tomorrow, or the next day, or the one after that, our destiny lies with the God who stretches from beginning to end and who secures for us life that never ends.

Are we worried about our weaknesses?

Human weakness is not a liability only because it makes room for the power of God ( 2 Cor 12:10 ).

Weakness facilitates dependence on God, cultivates the appropriation of grace, and ascribes all glory and credit to God ( 2 Cor 12:7-12 ).

For these reasons Paul boasts of his weakness and views it as a sign of true apostleship ( 2 Cor 11:30 ).

God’s Word … Meditate … 

. Our safety nets – Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

. For the wind  passes over it – Psalm 103:16

the wind blows  over it and it is gone,

 and its place  remembers it no more.

. Of Christ  which passes – Ephesians  3:19

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled  to the measure of all the fullness of God.

. Sacrifice , well pleasing – Philippians 4:18

I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus  the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant  offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

[Message No: 7902]

Setting

James 3:6

The tongue also is a fire,  a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body,  sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Amos 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.

Proverbs 25:11

Like apples of gold in settings of silver 

 is a ruling rightly given.

Numbers 7:1

When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle,  he anointed  and consecrated it and all its furnishings.  He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils

Psalm 104:19

He made the moon to mark the seasons, 

and the sun knows when to go down.

Prayer 

. Heavenly Father, what a great and awesome God You are. Your faithfulness to Your people, Israel, and the promises You have given them are beyond our understanding. Thank You that Jesus came to earth as the Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the Gentile world, and that through faith in Him, I have become Your child. Remove the blinkers from the eyes of Your chosen people, through Whom was born my own, precious Saviour, Who died for my sins and rose again, so that I too may rise into life immortal. 

I look forward to the day when Your New Covenant with the united kingdoms of Israel and Judah will be fully and finally ratified, when the earth will be subjected to Christ's kingdom of righteousness and justice. Thank You in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Thought 

. His kingdom is so simple–one person telling another about the Savior.  Yet we’re busy and full of excuses.  Just remember, someone’s eternal destiny is at stake.  The joy you’ll have when you meet that person in heaven will far exceed any discomfort you felt in sharing the gospel. - Charles Stanley

[Message No: 7901]

Names of God -3

. Cornerstone – Ephesians 2:20

built  on the foundation  of the apostles and prophets,  with Christ Jesus himself  as the chief cornerstone.

. Consolation of Israel – Luke 2:25 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout.  He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,  and the Holy Spirit was on him.

. Dayspring – Luke 1:78

because of the tender mercy of our God,

 by which the rising sun  will come to us from heaven

. Day Star – 2 Peter 1:19

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,  and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light  shining in a dark place, until the day dawns  and the morning star  rises in your hearts.

. Deliverer – Romans 11:26

and in this way all Israel will be saved.  As it is written:

  “The deliverer will come from Zion;

 he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

. Desire of Nations – Haggai 2:7

I will shake all nations, and what is desired  by all nations will come, and I will fill this house  with glory, ’ says the Lord Almighty

. Emmanuel – Matthew 1:23

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”  (which means “God with us”).

. End – Revelation 21:6

He said to me: “It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega,  the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost  from the spring of the water of life.

[Message No: 7900]

Marriage Relationship

The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. — 1 Corinthians 7:4-5

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul told us that our bodies were not our own, but that we had been bought at a price. Once again in chapter 7, he reminds each of us that when we marry, our body is not our own, it belongs to our spouse. We are to use our bodies to bless, please, and bring fulfilment to our marriage partner. This is crucial to our marriage relationship and also to please God!

Debtors 

Habakkuk 2:7

Will not your creditors suddenly arise?

 Will they not wake up and make you tremble?

 Then you will become their prey.

Matthew 6:12

And forgive us our debts,

 as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Luke 7:41

Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty

Romans 8:12

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.

Prayer 

. Thank You, Father, for the ministry of men like Elijah and John the Baptist, who were not ashamed of the gospel of God, for it has the power of God unto salvation to ALL who believe. Thank You for the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who came to Israel as their Messiah and King and was ready and willing to be despised, rejected, falsely accused, and cruelly crucified on the Cross, so that all who believe on His name, would not perish but have everlasting life. Thank You for Your amazing plan of redemption, and use me in whatever way You will, to forward Your perfect redemptive plan. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

[Message No: 7899]

The End Has Come

 

Life Worthy of the Gospel

Philippians 1:27-39

  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy  of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm  in the one Spirit, striving together  as one for the faith of the gospel   without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.   For it has been granted to you  on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer  for him,   since you are going through the same struggle  you saw  I had, and now hear  that I still have.

Bible Tells Us - 

. Hanging On

James 1:12

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial  because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life  that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

. Life’s uncertainty teaches God can be trusted

John 6:69

We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

. Hiding Place

Psalm 16:1

Keep me safe,  my God,

 for in you I take refuge.

Psalm 32:7

You are my hiding place; 

 you will protect me from trouble 

 and surround me with songs of deliverance

. He fulfils God’s Promises

2 Corinthians 1:19-20

For the Son of God,  Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas  and Timothy —was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always  been “Yes.”   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: 7898]

Join

. Isaiah 5:8

Woe  to you who add house to house

 and join field to field 

 till no space is left

 and you live alone in the land.

. Jeremiah 50:5

They will ask the way  to Zion

 and turn their faces toward it.

 They will come  and bind themselves to the Lord

 in an everlasting covenant 

 that will not be forgotten.

. Acts 5:13

No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.

Equal

. Psalm 55:13

But it is you, a man like myself,

 my companion, my close friend,

. Matthew 20:12

These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat  of the day.’

. John 5:18

For this reason they tried all the more to kill him;  not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

. Philippians 2:16

as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ  that I did not run  or labor in vain.

[Message No: 7897]

In Christ Jesus

- Salvation – 2 Timothy 2:10

Therefore I endure everything  for the sake of the elect,  that they too may obtain the salvation  that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

- Sanctification – 1 Corinthians 1:2

To the church of God  in Corinth,  to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called  to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name  of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

- Preservation – Jude 1:1

a servant of Jesus Christ  and a brother of James,

 To those who have been called,  who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

- Glorification – 2 Thessalonians 1:12

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

God’s Word for Tod’s People

. 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. - Romans 15:13

. Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. - 

John 14:1

. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10

. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. - Hebrews 10:23

. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6

. Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. - Psalm 68:19

. Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22

[Message No: 7896]

He Leadeth Me

You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear. — Deuteronomy 7:19

So often we look at the past work of God and think we will not see the display of his power like our predecessors did. But, just as God reminded a new generation of his people that he would go with them and empower them like he had their parents. We also need to expect him to do more than all we can ask or even imagine by his power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20-21) and do in our day, what he we heard he did in days gone by with our ancestors of faith (Habakkuk 3:2).

Questions in Genesis 

31:37

Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household?  Put it here in front of your relatives  and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.

31:43

Laban answered Jacob, “The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks.  All you see is mine. Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about the children they have borne?

32:17

He instructed the one in the lead: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?’

The Little Children and Jesus

Mark  10:13-16 — Mt 19:13-15; Lk 18:15-17

  People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.   When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.    

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”    And he took the children in his arms,  placed his hands on them and blessed them.

[Message No: 7895]

God is still waiting for us!

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. — Deuteronomy 4:29

When was the last time you truly searched after God? I'm not talking about an obscure theological insight about God or another best selling book about God. When was the last time you sought after the Father so that you could know him better and appreciate him more? 

Let's open our hearts and go on the Great Quest to find God. Like the prodigal son in Luke 15, we will find he's waiting and watching for us to come home!

For

  “Whoever would love life

 and see good days

 must keep their tongue from evil

 and their lips from deceitful speech.

The continuing call “Beyond”

. 2 Corinthians 10:15-16

Neither do we go beyond our limits  by boasting of work done by others.  Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,  our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand,   so that we can preach the gospel  in the regions beyond you.  For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory.

. Romans 10:13-15

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord  will be saved.” 

    How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?   And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

. Galatians 6:7-8

Do not be deceived:  God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.    Whoever sows to please their flesh,  from the flesh will reap destruction;  whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

[Message No: 7894]

The Word of God - 1

. has God magnified His Word?

Psalm 138:2

I will bow down toward your holy temple 

 and will praise your name 

 for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, 

 for you have so exalted your solemn decree

 that it surpasses your fame.

. what will make a man free?

John 8:31-32

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,  you are really my disciples.   Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

. to whom does God look?

Isaiah 66:2-5

. how were the disciples of Jesus Christ made clean?

John 15:3

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

. how were the Corinthians begotten?

1 Corinthians 4:15

Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father  through the gospel.

. what is the power of God unto Salvation?

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel,  because it is the power of God  that brings salvation to everyone who believes:  first to the Jew,  then to the Gentile.

. how do we get Faith?

Romans 10:17

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

[Message No: 7893]

God’s Natural Attributes - 1

. He is Eternal

Psalm 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth,

 Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,

 Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

1 Timothy 1:17

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 102:24

I said, “O my God,

 Do not take me away in the midst of my days;

 Your years are throughout all generations.

Psalm 102:27

But You are the same,

 And Your years will have no end.

Isaiah 57:15

For thus says the High and Lofty One

 Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

 “I dwell in the high and holy place,

 With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

 To revive the spirit of the humble,

 And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

. He is Unchangeable

1 Samuel 15:29

And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent.”

Malachi 3:6

“For I am the Lord, I do not change;

 Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

[Message No: 7892]

Following Paul’s Example

Philippians 3:15-21 

  All of us, then, who are mature  should take such a view of things.  And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.    Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

    Join together in following my example,  brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.    For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears,  many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.    Their destiny  is destruction, their god is their stomach,  and their glory is in their shame.  Their mind is set on earthly things.    But our citizenship  is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,    who, by the power  that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies  so that they will be like his glorious body.

Questions of Jesus

. On Discernment

Mark 8:27

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

Mark 8:29

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

 Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

Luke 9:18

Once when Jesus was praying  in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

Ways to Holiness

. By Christ’s Blood

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light,  as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

. Trough the Holy Spirit

1 Thessalonians 2:13

And we also thank God continually  because, when you received the word of God,  which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

[Message No: 7891]

The Author of Forgiveness - God Alone

Luke 7:49

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

Mark 2:7

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

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Acts 5:31

Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar

Mark  12:13-17 — Mt 22:15-22; Lk 20:20-26

  Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians  to Jesus to catch him  in his words.   They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?   Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

 But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”   They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

    Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” 

 And they were amazed at him.

Thoughts   

. God loves you as though you are the only person in the world, and he loves everyone the way he loves you. – Augustine

. Trusting God trumps understanding God.  The train will have long left the station and left us on the platform if we determine to ride only with full understanding.  Life will have passed us by.  I’m choosing to trust the conductor and the track he’s laid down for me. - Terry Esau

[Message No: 7890]

Effectual Prayer

. In the Name of the Christ

John 14:13-14

And I will do whatever you ask  in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.   You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

. In the Holy Spirit

Jude 1:20

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up  in your most holy faith  and praying in the Holy Spirit,

Acts 12:5

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

. In Faith

James 1:6

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,  because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Hebrews 11:6

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

Perishing

. Matthew 8:25

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

. 2 Cor. 4:3

And even if our gospel  is veiled,  it is veiled to those who are perishing.

God’s Word for Tod’s People

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

. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. - Psalm 40:4

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

[Message No: 7889]

Darkness

. 2 Samuel 22:29

All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah.  They crossed the Jordan, continued through the morning hours and came to Mahanaim.

. Psalm 107:10

Some sat in darkness,  in utter darkness,

 prisoners suffering  in iron chains,

. Isaiah 42:16

I will lead  the blind  by ways they have not known,

 along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

 I will turn the darkness into light  before them

 and make the rough places smooth. 

 These are the things I will do;

 I will not forsake  them.

. Colossians 1:13

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness  and brought us into the kingdom  of the Son he loves,

The Channel of Forgiveness

. Luke 7:48

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

. Acts 

13:38

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.

. Mark 2:9

Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?

God’s Word for Tod’s People

. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. - Psalm 107:8-9

. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. - 1 Chronicles 16:34

[Message No: 7888]

Were you in Distress anytime?

From inside the fish Jonah prayed ... "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry." — Jonah 2:1-2

Jonah was disobedient, rebellious, and selfish. He had run from the Lord. He had shunned the Lord's command. He had endangered the lives of those on the ship where he had tried to hide. Yet even in the middle of his rebellion, God heard his cry and delivered him. 

If you are in rebellion, if you are seeking to hide some secret and all-consuming sin, please know the Lord wants to ransom and redeem you! Things won't be easy, but coming back to the Lord means ultimate redemption and deliverance.

Whom to Love?

. Love the Lord – Matthew 22:37

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

. Love the saints – Ephesians 1:15

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus  and your love for all God’s people,

. Love your neighbour -Matthew 22:39

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

. Love the aliens – Deuteronomy 10:19

And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.

. Love your enemies – Matthew 5:44

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Inn 

. Genesis 42:27

At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey,  and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack.

. Genesis 43:21

But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us.

[Message No: 7887]

Calves

1 King 12:28

After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves.  He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”    

Job 21:10

Their bulls never fail to breed;

 their cows calve and do not miscarry.

Malachi 4:2

But for you who revere my name,  the sun of righteousness  will rise with healing  in its rays. And you will go out and frolic  like well-fed calves.

Hebrew 9:12

He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;  but he entered the Most Holy Place  once for all  by his own blood,  thus obtaining eternal redemption.

Hebrew 9:19

When Moses had proclaimed  every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves,  together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.

Childbirth

Isaiah 13:8

Terror  will seize them,

 pain and anguish will grip  them;

 they will writhe like a woman in labor. 

 They will look aghast at each other,

 their faces aflame.

Childbearing

1 Timothy 2:15

But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love  and holiness with propriety.

[Message No: 7886]

Bible Tells Us – 2

. Lord strengthen me to stand against the enemy

Ephesians 6:10-11

Finally, be strong in the Lord  and in his mighty power.    Put on the full armor of God,  so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Proverbs 10:25

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,

 but the righteous stand firm  forever.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,  intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—

. Lord, show me how to take control of my mind

Romans 12:2

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

Ephesians 4:23-24

to be made new in the attitude of your minds;    and to put on  the new self,  created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

. Lord, rule me in every area of my life

Philippians 2:4

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Romans 14:8

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Colossians 2:6-7

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,  continue to live your lives in him,   rooted  and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,  and overflowing with thankfulness.

. Lord, take me deeper in your Word

James 1:25

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,  and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do

[Message No: 7885]

 A little …

Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction. — Deuteronomy 7:26

A little corruption, a little poison, and a little rotten are all oxymorons. God has made us pure and perfect in Jesus. What a glorious thought! Why would we want to stain his perfection with what is evil. Our Father wants us to dedicate ourselves to him, and to living as his holy people (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:13-16).

Questions in 2 Kings 

9:11

When Jehu went out to his fellow officers, one of them asked him, “Is everything all right? Why did this maniac  come to you?”

 “You know the man and the sort of things he says,” Jehu replied.

9:17

When the lookout  standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, he called out, “I see some troops coming.”

 “Get a horseman,” Joram ordered. “Send him to meet them and ask, ‘Do you come in peace?

9:18

The horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king says: ‘Do you come in peace?’”

 “What do you have to do with peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.”

 The lookout reported, “The messenger has reached them, but he isn’t coming back.”

God’s Word for God’s People

. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. - James 4:7

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

. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. - Psalm 27:14

. 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. - Romans 12:2

. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31

[Message No: 7884]

Wife - 1

Genesis 2:24-25

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

   And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Genesis 3:8

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:21

Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

Genesis 4:1

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.”

Genesis 4:17

And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son—Enoch.

Genesis 6:2

that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.

Genesis 6:18

But I will establish my covenant with you,  and you will enter the ark —you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.

Genesis 7:7

And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark  to escape the waters of the flood.

Genesis 7:13

On that very day Noah and his sons,  Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark.

Genesis 8:16

Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives.

Genesis 8:18

So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives.

[Message No: 7883]

Unfairly Critical

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. — Matthew 7:2

Jesus is concerned that we not have a critical spirit toward others, especially about their motives as to why they did something. We can't assume to know another person's heart; only God can. When we are unfairly critical, overly harsh, or unduly judgmental, we need to remember that God will use that same standard on us. I don't know about you, but I need grace. So do those I love. I'm going to try very hard to be as gracious toward others as I'm trusting that God is going to be gracious with me.

Disobedient 

. Romans 10:21

But concerning Israel he says,

  “All day long I have held out my hands

 to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

. Titus 3:3

At one time  we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

. 1 Peter 2:8

and,

  “A stone that causes people to stumble

 and a rock that makes them fall.” 

  They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

. 1 Peter 3:20

to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently  in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.  In it only a few people, eight in all,  were saved  through water,

Come Down

So often we want God to come down to us, which He has done. He has come down to our pain, down to our problems and down to our conditions. But now God is saying, “It’s time for you to come up to Me. Come up to My blessing. Come up to healing. Come up to prosperity. Comp up to peace. Come up to joy. Stop living down!”

[Message No: 7882]

The End Has Come - 1

“Son of man, this is what the Sovereign  LORD says to the land of Israel: the end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.” – Ezekiel 7:2

. Amos 8:2 - And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them anymore.   

. Amos 8:10 - And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.   

. Lamentations 4:18 - They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.   

. Ezekiel 7:3 - Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.  

. Ezekiel 7:5-6 - Thus saith the Lord GOD; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come.An end is come, the end is come: it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come.   

. Ezekiel 11:13 - And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?  

. Genesis 6:13 - And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.   

. Deuteronomy 32:20 - And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.   

. 2 Chronicles 34:7 - And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.  

. Jeremiah 5:31 - The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?   

. Jeremiah 51:13 - O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.  

[Message No: 7881]

Sacred

Exodus 30:25

And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.

Joshua 6:19

But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.”

Ecclesiastics 8:2

I say: Keep the king's command, because of God's oath to him.

Ezekiel 44:13

They shall not come near to me, to serve me as priest, nor come near any of my holy things and the things that are most holy, but they shall bear their shame and the abominations that they have committed.

Matthew 23:19

You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

Acts 19:35

And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?

2 Timothy 3:15

and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Thoughts   

. Your greatest ministry will likely come out of your greatest hurt. - Rick Warren

. In religion our exclusions are nearly always wrong, and our inclusions, however inconsistent, nearly always right. - Evelyn Underhill

. A relationship with the Living God shouldn’t just fade away or wear out like an old pair of shoes.  It’s meant to be new every morning, just like the mercy it responds to. - Matt Redman

[Message No: 7880]

Who God Really Is? - 4

. Faithful and True Witness – Revelation 3:14

. First Fruits – 1 Corinthians 15:23

. Foundation – Isaiah 28:16

. Fountain – Zechariah 13:1

“In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.

. Friend of Sinners – Matthew 11:19

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

. Gate for the Sheep – John 10:7

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

. Gift of God – 2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

. God – John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God

. Glory of God – Isaiah 60:1

Arise, shine;

   For your light has come!

 And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

. Good Shepherd – John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

. Governor – Matthew 2:6

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

 Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

 For out of you shall come a Ruler

 Who will shepherd My people Israel.’

[Message No: 7879]

Reminder in Galatians 6:16

... what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. — Galatians 6:16

Paul ends his breath-taking letter to Galatians with this incredible reminder: both Jews and Gentiles who are justified by faith in Jesus Christ are God's people, his Israel. Like Abraham who left on a long journey trusting in God's promise, so also all who are spiritual Israel follow God's lead and cling to God's promise through faith in Jesus Christ.

 Like those who were delivered in the Exodus by the power of God and with the sprinkled blood of the Passover lamb, God's people today have been blood-bought and delivered from their bondage to sin and death. Here there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, because in Israel, we are God's people and the recipients of his mercy and his peace.

Ways

. Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the Rock,  his works are perfect, 

 and all his ways are just.

 A faithful God  who does no wrong,

 upright  and just is he.

. Psalm 51:13

I will teach transgressors your ways, 

 so that sinners  will turn back to you.

. Proverbs 5:21

For your ways are in full view  of the Lord,

 and he examines  all your paths.

. Lamentation 3:40

Let us examine our ways and test them, 

 and let us return to the Lord.

. Revelation 15:3

and sang the song of God’s servant  Moses  and of the Lamb: 

  “Great and marvellous are your deeds, 

 Lord God Almighty. 

 Just and true are your ways, 

 King of the nations.

[Message No: 7878]

Questions in Genesis – 33:8

33:8

Then Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?”

  And he said, “These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.”

33:15

And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.”

  But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”

34:23

Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.”

34:31

But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a harlot?”

37:8

And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have domini

on over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.

37:10

So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”

37And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers feeding the flock in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.”:13

37:15

a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?”

37:26

Judah  said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?

 

37:30

He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”

38:16

Not realizing  that she was his daughter-in-law,  he went over to her by the roadside and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.”

 “And what will you give me to sleep with you?”  she asked.

[Message No: 7877]

Patience

+ A need of grace

Hebrew 10:36

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

+ A bestowed power

Colossians 1:11

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

+ A fruitful outcome

Luke 8:15

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop

+ A forming agent

Romans 5:3

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,  because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

+ An evidencing witness

2 Corinthians 6:4

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

+ A communicating blessing

Romans 5:4

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

+ A noble race

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run  with perseverance  the race marked out for us,   fixing our eyes on Jesus,  the pioneer  and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,  scorning its shame,  and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

[Message No: 7876]