Ways of using God’s Blessings

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. — Proverbs 14:21
God has been so gracious to us! Think of all the different ways he has blessed us — some financially, others with great opportunities for service, others with deep personal relationships that are eternal, and for all of us, the promise of life with him. But what will we do with these blessings? Will we hoard them, hide them, and keep them to ourselves? If we do, our blessings will wither, crack, and dry in our parched hearts. But, one of the greatest ways we can thank God for his kindness, mercy, and goodness is by sharing these blessings with those around us, especially those in need who can never repay us for our kindness.

Plotting murder

 Genesis 37:18-22
18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.
19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other.
20 “Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams.”
21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let's not take his life,” he said.
22 “Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.

Questions in 1 Kings

22:20
And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner.

22:22
The Lord said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’

[Message No: 7177]

Unending provisions from our Creator

This is what the Lord says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." – Isaiah 43:16,18-19



The half year is gone, finished, past. We cannot reclaim it or undo it. We cannot rest on the great distance it has brought us. If tomorrow dawns, it will be another day, a new opportunity, and the time to show our faith in Jesus as Lord. Let's journey forward, knowing that God already inhabits the future and promises to provide us refreshment on our journey there.

Why all should work

That they might be patterns to others:

Titus 2:7
in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
1 Timothy 1:16
However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
1 Peter 2:21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Scriptures for Comfort

. Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

. Lamentations 3:31-33
For the Lord will not cast off forever.
  Though He causes grief,
 Yet He will show compassion
 According to the multitude of His mercies.
  For He does not afflict willingly,
 Nor grieve the children of men.

[Message No: 7176]

The Cloud

“Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.” Numbers 9:17

I put a lot of thought into figuring out God’s will for my life. I don’t know about you, but I fret over where I need to work or live. I pray and ask God if I’m headed in the right direction. I want to make sure I am following where he leads.

Though my intentions are good, I don’t think following Jesus is as complicated as I like to make it. A local radio personality puts it this way, “We are called to love God and serve people.” It’s that simple.
I suppose we modern Christians tend to think we need a long-term plan in order to follow Jesus. Just as with business or personal goals, we like to map out where we want to be in 5 or 10 years. I think we all need to remember that God will lead us when we need to move. His Spirit will show us the way. We merely need to know Him so that we recognize his voice and move when he tells us to.

Classes Mentioned in the Bible

. Fools – Proverbs 26:11

As a dog returns to his own vomit,
 So a fool repeats his folly.

. Gentiles – Matthew 15:26-27

But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
   And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

. Backsliders – 2 Peter 2:20-22

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

Thought 

. That a few simple men should in one generation have invented so powerful and appealing a personality, so lofty an ethic and so inspiring a vision of human brotherhood, would be a miracle far more incredible than any recorded in the Gospel. - Will Durant

[Message No: 7175]

Selection of Words

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. — Proverbs 15:4

Words are powerful. Communicators know this. Negotiators know this. Deep down, you know this. Words have blessed you and words have devastated you. The healing that comes from a kind and tender word is precious. The destruction of a cruel taunt or a well-told deception is crushing. To have such power is amazing. To use this awesome power found in our speech is an awesome responsibility. Words do have the power to give life, hope, and peace when offered in love to honor Jesus. Let's speak that word today!

Unseen Heroes

Exodus 17:8-15

Victory over the Amalekites
    Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

   Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner;

Thoughts

We should be completely clear about these two facts: God is not obligated to heal, and healing is not His greatest gift. – Unknown

It is always the case that when the Christian looks back, he is looking at the forgiveness of sins. - Karl Barth

. If you’re thinking of becoming a Christian, I warn you, you’re embarking on something, which will take the whole of you. - C. S. Lewis

[Message No: 7174]

Respecting Each Other

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. — 1 Timothy 4:12

How do you command the respect of others when you are young? You don't! You earn that respect by the character and quality of your life. Those of us who are older must recognize and validate younger Christians who are people of character and faith.

Those of us who are younger, need to live a life of character that cannot be questioned. Character, morality, faith, and loving kindness are essential attributes of the Christian, no matter his or her age.

Something Wrong

Psalm 34:11-18
Come, you children, listen to me;
 I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
  Who is the man who desires life,
 And loves many days, that he may see good?
  Keep your tongue from evil,
 And your lips from speaking deceit.
  Depart from evil and do good;
 Seek peace and pursue it.
  The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
 And His ears are open to their cry.
  The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
 To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
  The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
 And delivers them out of all their troubles.
  The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
 And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

[Message No: 7173]

Plotting murder

 Genesis 37:18-22

18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.
19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other.
20 “Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams.”
21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let's not take his life,” he said.
22 “Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.


What is Spirituality?

. Sincere and pure devotion to Christ
2 Corinthians  11:3
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

. Knowing God personally
John 17:3
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

. Doing all for God’s glory
1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Pure Gold

1 Peter 1:7
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

[Message No: 7172]

Who is true?

 “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true — even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” – 1 John 5:20

Jesus came to reveal God to us. He has given us the clearest picture yet of what God is really like. Because of Jesus, we can know God, the only one who is truly genuine. Because we are in Christ, we share that special bond with the Father and find in him a whole new quality of life. This life won't end when our bodies die, and eternal life begins now, as we walk with him each day and extends unto forever. For the eternal and transcendent God to make himself known to us is grace. For him to do it in Jesus is salvation!

Questions in Genesis

27:18
So he went to his father and said, “My father.”
  And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”

27:20
But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?”
  And he said, “Because the Lord your God brought it to me.”

Thought

. Doesn’t God’s Word come to us like a soft rain shower, dispelling the fury of the flames?  Isn’t it like fireproof armour, against which heat is powerless?  Then let afflictions come, for God has chosen me.  Poverty, you may walk through my door, but God is already in my house, and He has chosen me.  Sickness, you my intrude into my life, but I have a ready cure—God has chosen me. 
Dear Christian, don’t be afraid, for Jesus is with you.  Through all your fiery trials, His presence is both your comfort and safety.  He’ll never forsake those He has chosen for His own. - Charles H. Spurgeon

Mystery over the believer 

John 13:13
You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.
Dependent on God’s presence

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the Lord
 Shall renew their strength;
 They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
 They shall run and not be weary,
 They shall walk and not faint.

[Message No: 7171]

Our Attitude

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. — Ephesians 4:15

Our goal as believers is to mature into the full presence of Jesus Christ in the world by being his unified Body of believers. This challenging goal can only be accomplished if we speak the truth — God's Spirit-inspired message — and do so with an attitude of love. How can we expect to convey the message of God's love which sent Jesus if we don't live that love ourselves?

Submission to Spiritual Leaders

. Let them commission you

Acts 13:13
Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

. Let then guide you

1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

. Let them rebuke you

Psalm 141:5
Let the righteous strike me;
 It shall be a kindness.
 And let him rebuke me;
 It shall be as excellent oil;
 Let my head not refuse it.
 For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
The “Go” of Unconditional Identification

Mark 10:21
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

[Message No: 7170]