In Relation to God the Father - 3

= Reconciliation with God

Romans 5:10

For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Ephesians 2:12-13

that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

= Sanctification

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Acts 26:18

to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Faithfulness of our God

"How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." — 2 Samuel 7:22

The promises of God to Abraham and David, the work of God through Jesus, and the miraculous preservation of both the Abrahamic and Davidic lines to Jesus are nothing short of miraculous. They are testimony to God's faithfulness and power. When we get discouraged by the unfaithfulness and blasphemy so prevalent in our world, we need to remember the faithfulness of our God and his awesome power displayed through his chosen people.

Thought 

. You, O Lord, are my only solace.  You, my Father, are eternal.  But I am divided between time gone by and time to come, and its course is a mystery to me.  My thoughts, the intimate life of my soul, are torn this way and that in the havoc of change.  And so it will be until I am purified and melted by the fire of Your love and fused into one with You. – Augustine

[Message No: 8012]

Handling difficult circumstances

Philippians 3:8-11

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing  Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ    and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,  but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness  that comes from God on the basis of faith.    I want to know  Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,  becoming like him in his death,    and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection  from the dead.

Curling Up with the Good Book 

2 Timothy 3:14-17

Reading the Bible convicts, inspires, and helps us to live for Him—and guides us into the truth (2:15).

In our reading, let’s not forget to find time to curl up with the greatest book of all, the Bible.

God can speak unto the chaos of your life

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a pure heart,  O God,

 and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

. When life isn’t fair

1 Thessalonians 5:24

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

Unseen Realities

From Ephesians 6

When we see evil winning in our world, we shouldn’t give in or try to fight it in our own strength. Instead, we’re to resist evil by putting on “the full armor of God” (vv. 13-18). Studying Scripture, meeting regularly with other believers for encouragement, and making choices with the good of others in mind can help us “stand against the devil’s schemes” (v. 11). Equipped by the Holy Spirit, we can stand firm in the face of anything (v. 13).

[Message No: 8011]

Greatest reason for thanksgiving

For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” — Isaiah 57:15

As many of us leave our season of Thanksgiving and transition into the season of Advent, we remember our greatest reason for giving thanks: Jesus’ coming. After all, Advent means “the coming,” and in particular, the coming of God to earth in Jesus. God loves us so much that he refused to just be God far off from us. He chose to come near to us, and be one of us, in Jesus. God is holy and beyond us (Isaiah 6:1-6), yet he became one of us in Jesus because of his mercy and grace (Isaiah 57:15). In Jesus, God surrendered his divine privileges and humbled himself so we could see both God’s grace and our own path to him in his greatness (Philippians 2:5-11).

Thoughts 

. Before God can deliver us we must undeceive ourselves. - Augustine of Hippo

. Great Commission

  Many Christians will not witness unless they sense the Spirit of God prompting them to speak to a particular person.  I’m not that spiritual.  I share my faith whenever and wherever possible.  As far as I’m concerned, the starting gun went off 2,000 years ago with a loud, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”  My conscience continually prompts me to speak. 

- Ray Comfort

Unfolding 

Psalm 119:130

The unfolding of your words gives light; 

 it gives understanding to the simple.

Clouds and Darkness

Psalm 97:2

Clouds  and thick darkness  surround him;

 righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Why cannot follow Thee now?

John 13:37

Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

[Message No: 8010]

Passage of our Time

We were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. — Job 8:9

While Job never learned why he suffered, he did learn his place in the universe before the Almighty God (Job 38-41). When we are young, time passes so very slowly — especially if we are waiting for something special! But as we get older, the years fly by more and more quickly.

Yet despite all our learning, despite all our experience, we come to two great awakenings: our knowledge compared to what there is to know is so very small and our place in the passage of time is so very short. Both of these awakenings prepare us to turn our lives and future over to our God [In 2021] who longs to bring us to himself.

Will there ever be any room for him?

1. There was no room for Jesus in the economic world.

2. There was no room for Jesus in the legal realm.

3. There was no room for Jesus in the realm of the religious order.

4. There was no room for Jesus in the world of politics.

5. Let's look at us today--to you and to me. Do we have room for Christ in our lives?

Questions in 2 Kings 

9:22

When Joram saw Jehu he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?”

 “How can there be peace,” Jehu replied, “as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel  abound?”

9:31

As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri,  you murderer of your master?”

10:4

But they were terrified and said, “If two kings could not resist him, how can we?”

10:9

The next morning Jehu went out. He stood before all the people and said, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?

10:13

he met some relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah and asked, “Who are you?”

 They said, “We are relatives of Ahaziah,  and we have come down to greet the families of the king and of the queen mother. ”

[Message No: 8009]

Questions in Prayer - 2

+ Upon what condition do we receive what we ask for?

1 John 3:22

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

What does God promise? 

Jeremiah 33:3

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

+ Should we pray for one another? 

James 5:16

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

+ What should we do when afflicted? 

James 5:13

Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

+ Should elders of the Church be called when any one is sick?

James 5:14

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

+ Did God hear Elisha for his servant? 

 2 Kings 6:17

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots  of fire all around Elisha.

+ What does God say of those families who call not upon Him?

Jeremiah 10:25

Pour out your wrath on the nations 

 that do not acknowledge you,

 on the peoples who do not call on your name. 

 For they have devoured  Jacob;

 they have devoured him completely

 and destroyed his homeland.

[Message No: 8008]

The End Has Come - 2

. Lamentations 1:9 - Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.   

. Ezekiel 12:22 - Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?   

. Ezekiel 21:2 - Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,   

. Ezekiel 40:2 - In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south.   

. Matthew 24:6 - And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.   

. Matthew 24:13-14 - But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.   

. 1 Peter 4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.   

Kind

. Genesis 6:20

Two  of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind  of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.

. Matthew 9:29

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”;

. Luke 6:35

But love your enemies, do good to them,  and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children  of the Most High,  because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

. 1 Cor. 13:4

Love is patient,  love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

. Eph. 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another,  forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you

[Message No: 8007]

Who God Really Is? - 6

. King of Israel – Matthew 27:42

He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.

. King of Kings 

1 Timothy 6:15

which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Revelation 19:16

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

. Lamb of God – John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

. Last Adam – 1 Corinthians 15:45

And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

. Life – John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

. Light of the World 

John 8:12

 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 9:5

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

. Lion of the Tribe of Judah – Revelation 5:5

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

. Lord of Lords 

1 Timothy 6:15

which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Revelation 19:16

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

[Message No: 8006]

Unless you believe … ?

I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins. — John 8:24

The crucial phrase, somewhat disguised by our translations, is this one: "Unless you believe that I AM, then you will die in your sins." As John so often does, he grabs a simple phrase, fills it full to the brim with meaning, and leads us to see Jesus in a dramatically fresh way. Jesus is I AM, God with us. How could God love us so? We can't know the full answer to this, but we can surely believe and rejoice and live for his glory.

The Gospel According to Matthew

Author: Anonymous. But early tradition unanimously ascribes to Matthew.

Date: A.D. 50-75

Theme: Jesus is the fulfilment of Old Testament Prophecies concerning the Messiah; His Disciples  are called to a new covenant, to live at a higher dimension than the old ever realized.

Key Words: Fulfil, the Kingdom of Heaven, Son of Man, Son of God, Church. 

The Gospel According to Mark

Author: Mark

Date: A.D. 65-70

Theme: The suffering Son of Man, Son of God.

Key Words: Authority, Son of Man, Son of God, Suffering, Discipline & Gospel.

False Prophecies

Isaiah 8:19

When someone tells you to consult  mediums and spiritists,  who whisper and mutter,  should not a people inquire  of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Isaiah 29:4

Brought low, you will speak from the ground;

 your speech will mumble  out of the dust. 

 Your voice will come ghostlike  from the earth;

 out of the dust your speech will whisper.

[Message No: 8005]

The real road to glory

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

Knowing Jesus is God's Messiah is one thing. Following Jesus as our Lord is quite another. Getting our minds, hearts, and lives to all line up is always a challenge. Once Jesus' disciples confessed him as the Christ, he knew he had to teach them the real road to glory. Each of the Gospels reminds us that this road led to the cross of agony before it led to the crown of glory.

 The early church captured it in a song that reminded them that they, too, must walk that same road (see Philippians 2:5-11). We are a heaven-bound people, but we can be sure that we will encounter potholes and bumps along the road and even steep hills to climb as Satan tries to derail and defeat us. Our Savior, however, has already walked this road, and he is our great reminder that the path leads us to share in his glory, too.

Servant to Corruption

Luke 8:26-29

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.   When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.   When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me,  Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg you, don’t torture me!”   

For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

John 8:34

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Acts 8:23

For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

[Message No: 8004]

We are blessed by God’s Word

He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." — Luke 11:28

God gave us his word to bless us. When we obey what he asks of us, we get to walk in that blessing. On the other hand, as Jesus reminded us at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, when we know the will of God and don't obey it, we are foolish. I don't know about you, but I prefer to receive a blessing! Thank God for speaking to us through his word — the Scriptures — so we can know his will and walk in his blessing and for speaking to us through his living Word — his Son — so we can know his heart as we apply it to our lives.

Know our God .. He is:

. Jehovah Elohim – Strong Creator

. Jehovah Elyon – Lord, most high

. Jehovah – Adoani – Lord, my master

. Jehovah – Nissi -Lord, my banner

. Jehovah Rapha – Lord my healer

. Jehovah Elolam – Everlasting God

. Jehovah Elroi – God who sees

. Jehovah Sabbath -Lord of Host

. Jehovah Rohi – Lord, my shepherd

. Jehovah Tsideknu – Lord, our righteousness 

. Jehovah – Shalom – Lord our peace

. Jehovah – Chereb – Lord our sword

. Jehovah – Elkanna – Jesus God

. Jehovah – Ezer – Lord, my help

. Jehovah Avinu -Lord, our father

. Jehovah Hashopet – Lord, our judge

. Jehovah Ori – Lord, my light

. Jehovah Elgibbor – Mighty God

. Jehovah Immeka -Lord is with you

. Jehovah Elnose -God that forgave

. Jehovah Jireh – Lord, my provider

[Message No: 8003]

On Giving to God - 2

. Giving through the elders

Acts 4:35

and put it at the apostles’ feet,  and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

. Give not in pretence

Acts 5:3-4

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan  has so filled your heart  that you have lied to the Holy Spirit  and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?    Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

. Give ourselves first to God

2 Corinthians 8:5

And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

. Jesus watches how we give

Mark 12:41 

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put  and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.

Precious Fruit

Galatians 5:22-26

But the fruit  of the Spirit is love,  joy, peace,  forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.    Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh  with its passions and desires.   

 Since we live by the Spirit,  let us keep in step with the Spirit.   Let us not become conceited,  provoking and envying each other.

Risk

1 Peter 5:6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

[Message No: 8002]

Learn to Wait

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. — Hebrews 11:13

I'm not good at waiting for much of anything. I'm like the kids who have seen the catalogues for Christmas toys and are anxious for the big gift day. God does have a great Gift Day ahead for us. On that wonderful day, all our waiting will be over and our faith will become sight. 

Let's follow the example of these great heroes of faith, and welcome that day from afar, by anticipation, praising God for his victory through Jesus Christ in our lives.

. Life support

Psalm 54:4

Behold, God is my helper;

the Lord is the upholder of my life.

Behold, God is my helper;

 The Lord is with those who uphold my life.

. The Beauty of Brokenness

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

. By Definition

1 John 3:1

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

. God is a Redeemer

Isaiah 54:5

He will return the evil to my enemies;

in your faithfulness put an end to them.

[Message No: 8001]

In Him we do have Hope, Security and Joy

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. — Psalm 5:11

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!

Thought

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. — John 4:23

Things Laid Up For Believers

. The  Lord’s  Goodness – Psalm 31:19

How abundant are the good things 

 that you have stored up for those who fear you,

 that you bestow in the sight of all, 

 on those who take refuge  in you.

. The Hope of Glory – Colossians 1:5

the faith and love that spring from the hope  stored up for you in heaven  and about which you have already heard in the true message  of the gospel

. The Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8

Now there is in store for me  the crown of righteousness,  which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Jesus 

Rich beyond all telling,

Christ in heaven dwelling,

Came to earth in poverty that we might be

Rich beyond all telling,

With God’s Spirit dwelling

In our hearts to reign now and eternally

[Message No: 8000]

Special Note: --

Abiding in Christ

Thank You Jesus, by His grace today, I could able to complete 8000 Messages in my blog: ejabidinginchrist.blogspot.com

JESUS - 7

. Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

. Matthew 17:1

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John  the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

. Matthew 17:4

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

. Matthew 17:7

But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

. Matthew 17:8

When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

. Matthew 17:9

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone  what you have seen, until the Son of Man  has been raised from the dead.

. Matthew 17:17

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”

. Matthew 17:18

Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

. Matthew 17:19

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

. Matthew 17:22

When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man  is going to be delivered into the hands of men.

. Matthew 17:25

“Yes, he does,” he replied.

 When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes —from their own children or from others?”

[Message No: 7999]

In Father’s Footsteps

"... I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. — Jeremiah 9:24

Two truths are equally crucial for us to understand in this passage. First, God is kind, just and righteous. Second, he delights in these things when he sees them in us. So what does your life stand for? Let's be like our Father and take on the lifestyle of loving kindness, the cause of justice for all, and the character of righteousness. Why? Because we should have no greater joy than to bring delight to the Father!

. Go to Him

 Psalm 46:1-2

God is our refuge  and strength, 

 an ever-present  help  in trouble. 

    Therefore we will not fear,  though the earth give way 

 and the mountains fall  into the heart of the sea,

. God is Kind

Jeremiah 9:24

but let the one who boasts boast  about this:

 that they have the understanding to know  me,

 that I am the Lord,  who exercises kindness, 

 justice and righteousness  on earth,

 for in these I delight,”

 declares the Lord.

. Stand out and be different

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”   Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

[Message No: 7998]

Bible Tells Us -

. Hold my Tongue

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer  turns away wrath, 

 but a harsh word stirs up anger.

. Pent up Anger

Ephesians 4:26-27

In your anger do not sin”:  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,   and do not give the devil a foothold.

. Prayer as Service

1 John 5:14

This is the confidence  we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

. God we’re Disparate for You

Psalm 4:1

Answer me  when I call to you,

 my righteous God.

 Give me relief from my distress; 

 have mercy  on me and hear my prayer.

. The flip side of Worry

Matthew 6:27

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

. As yourself

Galatians 5:14

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

. Let’s start a new Epidemic

1 Thessalonians 3:12

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other  and for everyone else, just as ours does for you

. Trust in the Lord

Proverbs 3:5-6

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.

[Message No: 7997]

God paid it himself in Jesus

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... — Romans 5:1

The cost of peace is always high. Our peace was purchased by Jesus' enormous sacrifice. God made sure the price for our rebellion was paid, but he didn't make us pay it because we could never have fulfilled our obligation. Instead, God paid it himself in Jesus.

Prayer

Oh, to be like Thee, oh, to be like Thee,

Blessed Redeemer, pure as thou art;

Come in Thy greatness, come in Thy fulness;

Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart

Questions in Prayer 

.  Should we pray for all saints? – Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit  on all occasions  with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying  for all the Lord’s people.

. Should we pray for all things? – Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything,  but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

.  Does God ever answer prayer at once? – Isaiah 65:14

My servants will sing 

 out of the joy of their hearts,

 but you will cry out 

 from anguish of heart

 and wail in brokenness of spirit.

.  Does He ever after delay? – Luke 18:7

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out  to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?

Bible Tells Us  – 

. Always in His Care – Psalm 32:8

I will instruct  you and teach you  in the way you should go;

 I will counsel you with my loving eye on  you.

[Message No: 7996]

Facts about Judgment - 2

. Some will be allowed to condemn

Matthew 12:41-42

The men of Nineveh  will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,  and now something greater than Jonah is here.   The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came  from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

. Teachers will be judged strictly

James 3:1

Not many of you should become teachers,  my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged  more strictly.

. It should begin with God’s family

1 Peter 4:17

For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;  and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

. Even the angels will not be spared

2 Peter 2:4

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned,  but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

. Word of Christ will condemn us

John 12:48

There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them  at the last day.

Christmas 

. Billy Graham knew the true meaning of Christmas. He’s no longer here on earth, but the wisdom he shared lives on. This Christmas season, his words can help us look back in history to the birth of Christ—and look forward to His return with hopeful anticipation.

. “There’s so much more to Christmas than what we see and hear on the radio and television. The whole thing is about Jesus.”

[Message No: 7995]

Discipline brings Blessings

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you... — Hebrews 12:5

When I was young, I always acted as if I hated discipline. It was part of the game. Now that I am older, I am so thankful that my parents loved me enough to discipline me strongly, to guide me lovingly, and encourage me repeatedly. This "discipline and training of God" has given me so many blessings. Now if I can just learn to recognize and appreciate the Lord's discipline in my life the same way! The lack of love is not hate, but indifference. 

The opposite of concern is an unwillingness to discipline. Thank God that he loves us and knows us enough to be involved in our lives and discipline us in the direction of heaven

Deception

Romans 7:11

For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,  deceived me,  and through the commandment put me to death.

2 Timothy 3:13

while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,  deceiving and being deceived.

2 Thessalonians 2:10

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

Early will I seek you

Psalm 63:1

You, God, are my God,

 earnestly I seek you;

 I thirst for you, 

 my whole being longs for you,

 in a dry and parched land

 where there is no water.

In all things

Colossians 1:17-18

He is before all things,  and in him all things hold together.   And he is the head  of the body, the church;  he is the beginning and the firstborn  from among the dead,  so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

[Message No: 7994]

Chariots of Fire

2 Kings 6:16

“Don’t be afraid,”  the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more  than those who are with them.”

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ  and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,  who loved me  and gave himself for me.

Jesus is my Hero

1 John 2:2

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,  and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world

The key to real joy

1 Corinthians 10:32

Do not cause anyone to stumble,  whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God

 Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Luke 11:9-10

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you;  seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.   For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Relying on God in times of trouble

Romans 5:1-4

Therefore, since we have been justified  through faith,  we have peace  with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,    through whom we have gained access  by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we boast in the hope  of the glory of God.   Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,  because we know that suffering produces perseverance;    perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Sustained in difficult times

Isaiah 40:28-29

Do you not know?Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting  God, the Creator  of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength  to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

[Message No: 7993]

Be United

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. — Romans 12:15

While misery may love company, grief tends to make us withdraw and hide. Let's remember those who have lost loved ones, especially this time of year. Let them know how you valued their loved one and miss him or her, too. Please keep these folks in your prayers and in your social plans, as well. In addition, make this a season of true joy — affirm others by rejoicing in their blessings.

We can speak— Without words …

With the eyes of understanding;

With the ears of alertness;

With the smile of delight;

With the tone of kindness;

With the spirit of compassion;

With the hands of mercy;

With the embrace of acceptance;

With the handshake of friendship;

With the look of interest;

With the tears of compassion;

With the nod of affirmation;

With the touch of tenderness;

With the heart of love;

With a face that radiates His light.

[“Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord.” Psalm 4:6]

Anxiety – Stress

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him  because he cares for you.

Contentious 

Proverbs 13:10

Where there is strife, there is pride,

 but wisdom is found in those who take advice

[Message No: 7992]

Abuse

Proverbs 9:7

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;

 whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

Proverbs 22:10

Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;

 quarrels and insults are ended.

Jeremiah 38:19

King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am afraid  of the Jews who have gone over  to the Babylonians, for the Babylonians may hand me over to them and they will mistreat me.”

Luke 6:28

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Hebrew 10:33

Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;  at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.

1 Peter 4:4

They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.

Questions in Genesis 

32:27

So He said to him, “What is your name?”

  He said, “Jacob.”

32:29

Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”

  And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.

33:5

And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?”

  So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

[Message No: 7991]

Warnings Against Denying the Son

Dear children, this is the last hour;  and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,  even now many antichrists have come.  This is how we know it is the last hour.   They went out from us,  but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 

    But you have an anointing  from the Holy One,  and all of you know the truth.    I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it  and because no lie comes from the truth.   Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.    No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 

    As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning  remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.    And this is what he promised us—eternal life. 

    I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.    As for you, the anointing  you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things  and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

Sacred Conscience

1 Timothy 4:1

The Spirit  clearly says that in later times  some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits  and things taught by demons.

James 1:14

but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own  evil desire and enticed.

The Holy Spirit will speak

Mark 13:11

Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

[Message No: 7990]

Unteachable

Proverbs 10:17

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, 

 but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Proverbs 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

 but whoever hates correction is stupid.

2 Timothy 4:1-4

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,  and in view of his appearing  and his kingdom, I give you this charge:    Preach  the word;  be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke  and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction.   For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.    They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

1 John 4:6

We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth  and the spirit of falsehood.

Burn

Mark 9:22

It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

Gnashing of Teeth

Mark 9:39

“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,

Pinning away, prostration

Mark 9:18

Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

Mark 9:26

The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”

[Message No: 7989]

The cost of Peace

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... — Romans 5:1

The cost of peace is always high. Our peace was purchased by Jesus' enormous sacrifice. God made sure the price for our rebellion was paid, but he didn't make us pay it because we could never have fulfilled our obligation. Instead, God paid it himself in Jesus.

Plow

. Proverbs 20:4

Sluggards  do not plow in season;

 so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

. 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 —

. Luke 9:62

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

. 1 Corinthians 9:10

Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,  because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.

Letters 

. John 7:15

The Jews  there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning  without having been taught?”

. 2 Corinthians 3:1

Are we beginning to commend ourselves  again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation  to you or from you?

. Galatians 6:11

. 2 Corinthians 10:10

For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive  and his speaking amounts to nothing.”

[Message No: 7988]

Sins of the Tongue

. Foolish talk

Ephesians 5:4

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk  or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

. Coarse joking

Ephesians 5:4

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk  or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

. Falsehood

Ephesians 4:25

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully  to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body.

. Godless character

2 Timothy 2:16

Avoid godless chatter,  because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

. Judging others

Matthew 7:1

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

. Careless words

Matthew 12:36

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken

. Complaining

Philippians 2:14

Do everything without grumbling  or arguing,

[Message No: 7987]

Rule

 . the High Spirit the Creator of it

Acts 20:28

He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.  But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

. the marks of true Rulers

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

  Here is a trustworthy saying:  Whoever aspires to be an overseer  desires a noble task.   Now the overseer is to be above reproach,  faithful to his wife,  temperate,  self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,  able to teach,    not given to drunkenness,  not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,  not a lover of money.    He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.    (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)    He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited  and fall under the same judgment  as the devil.   He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,  so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

. the duty of owning them

1 Thessalonians 5:12

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard  among you, who care for you in the Lord  and who admonish you.

God’s Word for God’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

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: 7986]

Questions in Genesis

44:15

Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done?  Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination? ”

44:16

“What can we say to my lord? ” Judah  replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence?  God has uncovered your servants’  guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves —we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup. ”

44:19

My lord asked his servants,  ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

44:34

How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery  that would come on my father.”

45:3

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?”  But his brothers were not able to answer him,  because they were terrified at his presence.

46:33

When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’

47:3

Pharaoh asked the brothers, “What is your occupation?” 

   “Your servants  are shepherds, ” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.”

47:8

Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?”

47:15

When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone,  all Egypt came to Joseph  and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes?  Our money is all gone.”

47:19

Why should we perish before your eyes —we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food,  and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh.  Give us seed so that we may live and not die,  and that the land may not become desolate.”

48:8

When Israel  saw the sons of Joseph,  he asked, “Who are these?”

49:9

You are a lion’s  cub,  Judah; 

 you return from the prey,  my son.

 Like a lion he crouches and lies down,

 like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

50:19

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?

[Message No: 7985]

 Physical act of worship our God

"Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise." — Nehemiah 9:5b

"Stand up and shout it if you love my Jesus..." That's a song our children love to sing! But what happens to that youthful exuberance and joy at worshiping the Lord? God doesn't want us to lose it. Read through the Bible and highlight all the physical acts used to reverence and praise our awesome and eternal God. In a world which regularly uses God's name in vain, isn't it time we stood up and praised him — not only in church (our private worship) and in our daily devotionals (our personal worship), but also in our lives every day (our public worship)?!

My Eternity 

Life was created for choices. That means life was created to prepare for eternity. Eternity is coming; everyone is en route to eternity. 

You are today one day nearer. And each day you are making choices that will affect your eternity. 

Keys to Relating to Authority

. All rightful authority is derived from God; therefore,  to submit to authority honors God. Submission is an act of faith, establishing God as the ultimate authority over the relationship, be it connected with government,  Church,  employment,  or home.

The higher the authority, the greater the accountability to God. 

Are we the same

Nehemiah 9:30

God has spoken repeatedly to his people through the prophets who spoke as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. But so often, these people ignored their voice and abandoned their God. _Let's not let the same thing be said of us!_

Life Is Made of    Brevity      

Life is made of brevity!

Briefest years and weeks and days.

Hours and minutes cross our ways.

Once we greet them,  then they flee --

Gone for all eternity.

Life is made of brevity!

[Message No: 7984]]

Our Lord

 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" — Matthew 8:27

What kind of man? Ah, much more than a man, he is our Lord, King, Messiah, Shepherd, and Savior.

Judgments

. Believers judging themselves 

1 Corinthians 11:28

Everyone ought to examine themselves  before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

1 Corinthians 11:31

But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment

. Believers for reward 

2 Corinthians 5:10

 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us  for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

. Nations for deeds

Matthew 25:31-46

Kindly read

. Angels who sinned 

2 Peter 2:4

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned,  but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

Thought 

In our attempt to penetrate God’s truth we are held within the bonds of ignorance by the weakness of our minds.  We comprehend Divine ideas by earnest attention to God’s teaching and by obedience to the faith which carries us beyond mere human apprehension. - Hilary of Poitiers

[Message No: 7983]

Who God Really Is? - 5

. Great Shepherd – Hebrews 13:20

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

. Guide – Psalm 48:14

For this is God,

 Our God forever and ever;

 He will be our guide

 Even to death.

. Head of the Church – Colossians 1:18

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.

. High Priest – Hebrews 3:1

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

. Holy One of Israel – Isaiah 41:14

“Fear not, you worm Jacob,

 You men of Israel!

 I will help you,” says the Lord

 And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

. Horn of Salvation – Luke 1:69

And has raised up a horn of salvation for us

 In the house of His servant David,

. I Am – Exodus 3:14

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’

. Jehovah – Psalm 83:18

That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord,

 Are the Most High over all the earth.

. Jesus – Matthew 1:21

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

[Message No: 7982]

Living Amidst False Teachers

Jude 1:17-19

Mock truth. 

That is, they attack or attempt to discredit the Word of God or the church. When presented in a passionate and intelligent-sounding way, anti-church sentiment can lure even the most sincere people to doubt the truth of Scripture.

Follow unrighteous impulses. 

False teachers pick and choose verses to justify their sinful habits and desires. For them, the interpretation of Scripture is selective.

Divide people. 

They try to appear superior to their listeners. Some claim an experience that elevates them to a “higher level,” while others profess a more advanced spirituality that no one else could ever achieve.

Are worldly-minded. 

False teachers are not interested in teaching God’s Word. Instead, their focus is usually on what they can achieve, how many people will follow them, or how much they can earn through their teaching.

Thought 

Originally one, Adam has fallen, and, breaking up … he has filled the whole earth 

with the pieces.  – Augustine 

Unsubmissive

Proverbs 29:1

Whoever remains stiff-necked  after many rebukes

 will suddenly be destroyed —without remedy.

1 John 4:6

We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth  and the spirit of falsehood.

Thought 

. Most of us spend the first six days of each week sowing wild oats, then we go to church on Sunday and pray for a crop failure. - Fred Allen

[Message No: 7981]

Rule

. the High Spirit the Creator of it

Acts 20:28

He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.  But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

. the marks of true Rulers

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

  Here is a trustworthy saying:  Whoever aspires to be an overseer  desires a noble task.   Now the overseer is to be above reproach,  faithful to his wife,  temperate,  self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,  able to teach,    not given to drunkenness,  not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome,  not a lover of money.    He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.    (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)    He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited  and fall under the same judgment  as the devil.   He must also have a good reputation with outsiders,  so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

. the duty of owning them

1 Thessalonians 5:12

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard  among you, who care for you in the Lord  and who admonish you.

God’s Word for God’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

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: 7986]

Is Repentance necessary?

Some people say that you can believe in Jesus as “Savior” but not as “Lord.” That is, you can believe in him but never repent of your sin. You can believe in him and be saved even if your life goes on just as it was before you became a Christian. Or so the claim goes. Some people even claim that if we say repentance is necessary for salvation we’re adding works to the gospel. They claim that if repentance is required then we’re no longer saved by God’s grace alone, but by what we do as well.

But what does the Scripture say?

Jesus says, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32)

Jesus told his disciples to proclaim “repentance and forgiveness of sins” in his name to all the nations (Luke 24:47).

When the apostles preached in Acts, they called people to repent of their sins in order to be forgiven (See Acts 2:38, 3:19, 8:32, 17:30, 20:21, 26:20).

The apostle Paul makes it clear that those whose lives are characterized by sin “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10; see also Rom. 8:12-13, Gal. 5:21, Eph. 5:5).

According to the unanimous testimony of Scripture, repentance is absolutely necessary in order to be saved. Only those who turn from their sin, trust in Christ, and live lives that are characterized by righteousness will be saved on the last day.

But then is repentance a “work” we must perform in order to earn our salvation? Not at all! Repentance and faith are really two sides of the same coin. Repentance is turning from sin. Faith is turning to, trusting in, and relying on Christ. Repentance is not a “work” anymore than faith is: we simply renounce our sin and rely on 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!

[Message No: 7979]

Help of Holy Spirit in our Prayer

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. — Romans 8:26-27

Sometimes our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling and fall to the floor. Other times, we are overcome with emotion and the words of our prayers can't capture what's in our hearts. Thank God for the assurance that the power of our prayers is not dependent upon our words but upon his grace given us by the Holy Spirit's intercession!

Bible Tells Us  – 

. God is waiting on you

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

. He is holding me

1 Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful,  who has called you  into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

How to use the Word

. Examine it

Acts 17:11

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,  for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures  every day to see if what Paul said was true.

1 Corinthians 2:10-13

these are the things God has revealed  to us by his Spirit. 

 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.   For who knows a person’s thoughts  except their own spirit  within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.   What we have received is not the spirit  of the world,  but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.   This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom  but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

[Message No: 7978]

God and His People - 1

Hebrews 8:9-13

It will not be like the covenant

 I made with their ancestors 

 when I took them by the hand

 to lead them out of Egypt,

 because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,

 and I turned away from them,

 declares the Lord.

    This is the covenant  I will establish with the people of Israel

 after that time, declares the Lord.

 I will put my laws in their minds

 and write them on their hearts. 

 I will be their God,

 and they will be my people. 

    No longer will they teach their neighbor,

 or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’

 because they will all know me, 

 from the least of them to the greatest.

    For I will forgive their wickedness

 and will remember their sins no more. ” 

     By calling this covenant “new,”  he has made the first one obsolete;  and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

    . . God with His people- Keeping

2 Thessalonians  3:3

But the Lord is faithful,  and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

[Message No: 7977]

Facts about Judgment - 1

. We are destined for it

Hebrews 9:27

Just as people are destined to die once,  and after that to face judgment,

. After death is judgment

Hebrews 9:27

Just as people are destined to die once,  and after that to face judgment,

. It will be a righteous judgment

Romans 2:5

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath , when his righteous judgment  will be revealed.

. God will judge through Jesus

Acts 17:31

For he has set a day when he will judge  the world with justice  by the man he has appointed.  He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

. Every deed will be brought out

Ecclesiastes 12:14

For God will bring every deed into judgment, 

 including every hidden thing, 

 whether it is good or evil.

. Every careless word will be accounted

Matthew 12:36

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.

. Angry believer is subjected  to it

Matthew 5:22

But I tell you that anyone who is angry  with a brother or sister,  will be subject to judgment.  Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court.  And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

[Message No: 7976]

Creator -1

Genesis 41:10

Pharaoh was once angry with his servants,  and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard.

Exodus 18:11

Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods,  for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly

Daniel 7:20

I also wanted to know about the ten horns  on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

Matthew 11:11

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 12:6

I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.

Matthew 12:41

The men of Nineveh  will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,  and now something greater than Jonah is here.

Matthew 12:42

The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came  from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.  If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

15:20

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.  If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

[Message No: 7975]

Bible Tells Us – 12

Through the eyes of Jesus

John 9:3

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Someone needs your love

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another  and build each other up,  just as in fact you are doing.

The evidence

Philippians 4:5

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Wanted from the Truth

2 Timothy 3:13

while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,  deceiving and being deceived.

Fascination to evil ways, objects or persons

Proverbs 12:26

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Seducers – Enticers

1 Timothy 4:1

The Spirit  clearly says that in later times  some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits  and things taught by demons.

2 Timothy 3:13

while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse,  deceiving and being deceived.

Proverbs 1:10 

My son, if sinful men entice  you, do not give in  to them.

[Message No: 7974]

Advantage

Job 35:3

Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me,

 and what do I gain by not sinning?’

Jude 1:16

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

Ecclesiastes 3:19

Surely the fate of human beings  is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless.

John 16:7

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate  will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Romans 3:1

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?

Abound

Matthew 24:12

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold

Romans 5:20

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.  But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

2 Corinthians 4:15

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving  to overflow to the glory of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:1

The Spirit  clearly says that in later times  some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits  and things taught by demons.

2 Peter 1:8

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive  in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Message No: 7973]

Wife - 3

Genesis 19:15-16

With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away  when the city is punished. ”

    When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters  and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.

Genesis 19:26

But Lot’s wife looked back,  and she became a pillar of salt.

Genesis 20:2-3

and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister. ” Then Abimelek  king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. 

    But God came to Abimelek  in a dream  one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead  because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.”

Genesis 20:7

Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet,  and he will pray for you  and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.”

Genesis 21:21

While he was living in the Desert of Paran,  his mother got a wife for him  from Egypt.

Genesis 23:19

Afterward Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah  near Mamre (which is at Hebron ) in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 24:4

but will go to my country and my own relatives  and get a wife for my son Isaac. ”

Genesis 24:7

The Lord, the God of heaven,  who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land  and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring  I will give this land’ —he will send his angel before you  so that you can get a wife for my son from there.

Genesis 25:1

She bore him Zimran,  Jokshan, Medan, Midian,  Ishbak and Shuah.

[Message No: 7972]

Virtues of Christ

...those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. — Romans 8:14

The Holy Spirit is God's seal on us. The Spirit lives in us and his presence in us means we are God's temple. The Spirit works to transform us to be more like Christ. The Spirit helps us produce the virtues of Christ — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, and faithfulness. The Spirit intercedes for us when we pray, communicates the groanings of our heart when we don't have words, and fills us with power when we worship. 

In addition, the Spirit is our assurance that we are God's children. We are his. His future, his blessings, and his grace are ours.

Thoughts 

. May the gift of His Love be yours this Christmas! - Deborah Boone

. Whatever else be lost among the years,

Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing:

Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,

Let us hold close one day, remembering

Its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.

Let us get back our childlike faith again.

- Grace Noll Crowell

. The coming of Jesus at Bethlehem brought joy to the world and to every human heart.  May His coming this Christmas bring to each one of us that peace and joy that He desires to give. - Mother Teresa

. What is Christmas?  It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings right and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. - Agnes M. Pahro

. Sin can bring pleasure, but never happiness. - R. C. Sproul

Question in Genesis 

They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’  he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’  We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”

43:27

He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father  you told me about? Is he still living?”

[Message No: 7971]