Holiness of God - 1

1 John 4:2-3 

2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 

3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

1 John 3:2-4

2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 

3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

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.

2 Peter 3:10 

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

2 Peter 3:3-7

3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 

4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 

5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 

6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 

7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Think it over:

~ We can endure anything if we depend on God for everything.

~ To lead others out of the darkness of sin, let them see your light.

~ Spiritual gifts are meant to be used, not admired.

~ What we see of God’s provisions teaches us to trust Him for what we cannot see of His purposes.

Father God…You are Spotless!

1 Peter 1:18-19 

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 

19  but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Hebrews 4:14-16 

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 

15  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 

16  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

James 1:13  

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

Daily Thoughts

- We’re richer when we give and poorer when we keep.

- Because of the cross of Christ, we can become friends of Christ.

- Amid the darkness of sin, the light of God’s grace shines brightest.

- Enthusiasm for Christ is contagious; has anyone caught it from you?

Evangelism 

Evangelism doesn’t have to mean walking around with a big black Bible under your arm. The best witnesses are not the ones who wear T-shirts say, “If you’re not a Christian, you’re going to hell!” you can be an effective witness by using items you have lying around the house to illustrate the gospel message.              …Mike Silva

Chorus - Cross

There’s a way back to God from the dark paths of sin;

There’s a door that is open and you may go in:

At Calvary’s cross is where you begin,

When you come as a sinner to Jesus. 

Telling others about Christ

Bible Study - Bible References …

Telling Others about Christ

Luke 12:8-9

Luke 12:51-53 & 14:26-27

Rewards

Mark 9:41

John the Baptist

Luke 7:18-35

The Unbelieving Towns

Luke 10:13-15

Come to Me and Rest

Luke 10:21-22

A Question about the Sabbath

Mark 2:23-28 Luke 6:1-5

A Man with a Crippled Hand

Mark 3:1-6 Luke 6:6-11

Jesus and the Ruler of the Demons

Mark 3:20-30 Luke 11:14-23 12:10

A Tree and Its Fruit

Luke 6:43-45

A Sign from Heaven

Mark 8:11-12 Luke 11:29-32

Return of an Evil Spirit

Luke 11:24-26

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

Mark 3:31-35 Luke 8:19-21

About Suffering

Psalms 91:1-2  

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalms 138:7  

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

John 14:27  

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

About Dealing with the Past

Romans 8:28  

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Psalms 43:5  

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Philippians 3:13-14  

13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

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

About Accepting God’s Freedom

Ephesians 1:7  

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

John 8:34-36  

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.

36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Galatians 5:1  

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Sexual Abuse - 4

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 

9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 

10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Please read Judges 19:1-30 

Jude 1:7 

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

2 Kings 23:7 

He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah.

1 Timothy 1:10 

for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine

1 Corinthians 6:19 

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Romans 13:8 

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 

9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 6:23 

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

Romans 5:8 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Kings 14:24 

There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land; the people engaged in all the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

Believers Promised Power

Matthew 17:20 

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 21:22 

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 9:23 

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

John 14:12 

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 15:5 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:16 

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

John 20:23 

If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Luke 24:49 

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Acts 1:18  

With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 

9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 

10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 

11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Walking -

Walking in good works

Ephesians 2:10  

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

With a heart which is meek and quiet

1 Peter 3:4  

Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

In order that we may be an example to others

2 Timothy 3:10  

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,

1 Timothy 4:12  

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.

Walking as Jesus walked

1 John 2:6  

Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Daily Thoughts

You can be confident about the future if you walk with God in the present.

The Gospel includes both a welcome and a warning.

Fervent prayer dispels anxious care.

When you give your word, keep it.

Our problems can be opportunities to discover God’s solutions.

Obeying the truth is the remedy for itching ears.

The Bible is the best TV guide.

Greedy people always lose more than they gain.

Small Prayers - 7

Repeat these Prayers.

You, O Lord, are marvelous. You are God Almighty, the holy and majestic Creator. Yet you became the least so I can share in your glory. Please help me, O God, never to look down on someone else because they look like the least. I know, Father, that as I serve and love them, I'm serving and loving you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Abba Father, even your name is precious to me. I gasp at how much it cost you to let me call you Abba. I don't understand such extravagant love, but I thank you for it. I know I don't deserve to call you Abba, but it sounds so right. Something inside resonates at the sound of Abba — Holy, Righteous, Almighty, Abba! While I know that I will never be a perfect child, I rest today in the confidence that I am your child and you claim me. Thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

Holy and Almighty Lord who refuses to be the god who is detached and far away: I thank you for coming to live among us in Jesus. I thank you and praise you for your sacrifice and pain. I know this sign cost you greatly so please let my praise in prayer, song, thought and life reflect my thanks to you in Jesus name. Amen.