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]