By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40


1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,
18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."
19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
20 By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.
21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets--
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two,they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated--
38 of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Week 19 of Charles Stanley's Intercession for America/For Revival Worldwide

The Lord's Faithfulness Endures Forever
Ps. 117  Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!  ESV Bible

Ps. 117
Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people!  His love has taken over our lives; God's faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah! Message Bible

Ps.117 1 O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. King James Bible

Ps.117 O praise Jehovah, all ye nations; Laud him, all ye peoples. For his lovingkindness is great toward us; And the truth of Jehovah [endureth] for ever. Praise ye Jehovah. ASV Bible

Salmos 117 1 Alabad al SEÑOR, naciones todas; alabadle, pueblos todos.  Porque grande es su misericordia para con nosotros, y la verdad del SEÑOR es eterna. ¡Aleluya! La Biblia de las Americas

Ps. 117 1 Praise ADONAI, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples! For his grace has overcome us, and ADONAI's truth continues forever. Halleluyah! Complete Jewish Bible

Psaume 117 Louez l'Eternel, toutes les nations!Chantez ses louanges, ô vous, tous les peuples!
Car il est immense, son amour pour nous. Sa fidélité subsiste à jamais. Louez l'Eternel! La Bible du Semeur

Псалми 117 Хваліть Господа, всі племена, прославляйте Його, всі народи, бо зміцнилось Його милосердя над нами, а правда Господня навіки! Алілуя! Ukrainian Bible

Псалтирь 117 (116-1) Хвалите Господа, все народы, прославляйте Его, все племена; (116-2) ибо велика милость Его к нам, и истина Господня вовек. Аллилуия. Russian Synodal Version

Our God is the God of the universe. Before Him there was no other God because He is, was and will be. He is Alpha,Omega, the beginning and the end!! Amen

Naked and Exposed to the Eyes of Him Whom We Must Give Account

Heb.4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
We are accountable to God for all our sin. This is a terrifying thing to think about, facing God's wrath without the blood of Jesus as your atonement.
Heb.4:14-16  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
He was tempted by the devil to sin also but He did not fail as we do.
1 Tim.2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
He will forgive us if we confess our sin and repent.
The defintion of repent: to turn from sin
There is no way to God but one, Jesus Christ. If someone says different, they are a liar and of satan's followers.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Lord, I pray for the ones who are spreading lies about salvation. Please open their eyes before it is too late.
Amen

Earthly Possessions

1 Tim.6:6-10 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,  for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Job 1:21 And he said,"Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Ps.49:17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
Matt.6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Somewhere along the way, we have gotten the idea that more things will make us happy and content. There are many wealthy people who are not content. They have all sorts of things that just seem to add to the feeling of, there has got to be more to this life. If you follow the Lord, you will be content! Our pastor has just preached a sermon on this subject and I have not listened to yet. I know I will be blessed by God's truth in his sermon. This lesson that I am talking about came from my bible study today. I know that God blessed many people in the bible with material blessings because of their faithfulness to Him. These people were righteous, sought God's will and took care of others who were less fortunate than they were.
Matt.6:31-34 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I guess what strikes my heart about God's word is that love is the key to being a Christ Follower. Be mindful of the poor, share what you have and be blessed. Clean out closets and give to your local food and clothes bank. May God bless you today.

Mystery of the Gospel

Ephesians 3:6-13 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,  in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.  So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
God's gospel word is not only for the Jews but the Gentiles. God, in His infinite mercy has allowed us know Him. He has taken away the burden of the law and given us a one time atonement for sin, the eternal blood sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:4-8 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.  Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."
Acts 4:11-12 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Rev. 1:5-6 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, continue to open the meaning of Your word to us. Help us to love with a humble spirit and Lord bless us to show Your love to the lost. Amen

Halloween: Trick or Treat

Do we Christians really need to take part in this pagan day? I think we have been tricked by a cunning devil!!
Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
You know, I grew up trick or treating and never gave it a second thought. It was not until after years of bible study that I began to question this thing called Halloween. I never did worship the devil or did I unwillingly and unknowingly do so by participating in this ritual?
2 Cor.4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Romans 1:21-23  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Deut. 18:10-12 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer  or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you.
Eph.6:12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
After reading these verses, I think I need forgiveness. Lord God in Heaven, I repent of this wickedness and ask for forgiveness. I choose to be in Your light and to celebrate the good news of Your son Jesus. Amen

Asceticism Verses Being God Kept

The definition of asceticism: the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.
Colossians 2:18-23  Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.  If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"  (referring to things that all perish as they are used)--according to human precepts and teachings?  These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Christ has delivered us from this way of thinking. We walk in His Spirit and only He can deliver us from sin.
Colossians 1:11-14  May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 2:12-15 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,  by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.  He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Father, in all the universe, You are all we need. You have the power to change and keep us until You dwell among us. Amen

Week 18 of Charles Stanley's Intercession for America/Natural Disasters

Hebrews 12:25-29 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
At Mount Sinai, God shook the earth but this is going to be more extensive. He will shake the entire universe and the heavens. Every physical thing will be destroyed and only eternal things will remain. Our God is a jealous God and He will punish those who reject His salvation made possible through His Son Jesus Christ.
Lord, we long for the new heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem. For we know from Your word that You will dwell with us. For this wait, Amen

Work Out Your Own Salvation With Fear and Trembling

Phil.2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
John MacArthur states in his commentary; The Greek verb rendered "work out" means "to continually work to bring something to fulfillment or completion". It cannot refer to salvation by works,
(Eph.2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.),
but it does refer to the believer's responsibility for active pursuit of obedience in the process of sanctification.
We are to be lights in a dark world, living holy, servant lives and teaching God's way through His word and having His Son Jesus as our example. For it is not if we will fail, but when! We are always subject to the adversaries' cunning exertion in our lives. So run, do not walk from all sin, lest you are lured into participation.
1 Peter 5:6-11 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
God has eternal dominion over the whole universe! He will judge and we will held accountable. Lord, help us to be a servant for You. Teach us how to be self-less in a selfish world. Amen

God's Word Of Instruction

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
God's word is given to us for our instruction on the way we should live. It is written to give encouragement, to make us look at our life and see if we are following God's instruction, and for us to share with others the hope we have found in Christ. He tells us how to keep a peaceful society, teaches us not to judge others, not to cause our brother to stumble, to be like Him, that He is the hope for Jew and Gentile alike, and that soon the God of peace will crush Satan under our feet.
Romans 13:1-4 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
Romans 14:10-12 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Romans 14:18-19 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Romans 15:1-3 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."
Romans 15:8-9 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name."
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
What a mighty God we serve! Amen

God's New Covenant Will For Israel

Romans 11 :25-27 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob";
"and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
Romans 11:1-10 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?  "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." But what is God’s reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.  But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day." And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever."
Heb.8:8-12 For he finds fault with them when he says: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, a write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
 and I will remember their sins no more."
2 Cor.3:3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Christ is the new covenant for Israel. Except it or not, you have a free will. God is merciful in that he sent His only son, Jesus, to be a one time atonement for sin for all time. We are no longer under the burden of the law. Our debt has been payed with the blood of God's son, Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Lord, change hearts by Your word. In Jesus name, Amen

Mercy and God's Will

Romans 9:15-16 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
Ex.33:19 And he said,"I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
Romans 11:32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.
Father, we pray for mercy. We pray to be in Your will. We are weak and You are strong, teach us to follow You. In Jesus name, Amen
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Whosoever Will

Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
John 6:37-40 ) All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."The devil would have you believe that salvation is not open to all but as you can read for yourselves, that is not the case. God created man with a free will. He can choose obedience to God or obedience to the adversary, Satan. In the beginning God created man to live in paradise. God gave man a help mate, woman and through them both, sin entered the world because of disobedience to God. The devil is cunning and will stop at nothing to obtain your soul for eternal torment.


Gen.3:22-24 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—" therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
Praise God for Jesus!
Romans 5:18-21 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord, help our disobedience. We fear it and it is always with us. We fear the thought of separation from You. Help us make the right choices by the renewing of our minds everyday through Your word. Sear Your word on our hearts. Amen 
Romans 8:1-8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of he Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Week 17 of Charles Stanley’s Intercession for America/Departure of the Biblical Views of Marriage

Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.




I know it is not politically correct to say same sex marriage is a sin so I won’t say it, God will! The world better consider the ramifications of turning its back on God. We see the destruction that follows all through the bible as a result of willful disobedience.

His Inexpressible Gift

2 Cor.9:15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Definition of inexpressible: incapable of being uttered or described in words.

Do you ever really think about it? The selfless thing God did! He sent his only Son to die a shameful death that he did not deserve. All because we, the sinners of the world, could not be reconciled to Him any other way!! That is a very deep thought to have, and the fact that Jesus was obedient to His Father, even unto death is amazing to me and oh so very humbling.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Eph.2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Father God does not need us, but we desperately need Him! When you read His glorious word and began to know Him, you will see the magnitude of His grace towards us. We deserve punishment but He gives us Jesus. I can not grasp this our God, our creator, but am ever mindful of His new mercies everyday.
1Peter1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him.Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Father, you know all hearts. You alone open hearts, minds and eyes or keep them closed. For Your glory, write Your words on their hearts, open the eyes of the ones who are perishing and refresh their minds with Your inexpressible gift. Amen

Mystery and Victory

1 Cor. 15:50-58 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1Thess.4:15-17  For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
It is indeed a mystery! At the coming of our Lord, the dead in Christ shall rise first and then the alive in Christ will be caught up in the clouds to be with the Lord. Doesn't that make you want to shout???
Precious Lord God, how can we understand the wonder of You? Only by Jesus' blood can we be found worthy! The spotless Lamb shed His blood for our sin and we are accounted as righteous! Amen
The mystery is explained.

Whatever You Do, Do It All To The Glory Of God

1 Cor.10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
We tend to look down on people who are less fortunate than we are or someone who has a job we think is beneath us. Take for example, the garbage man, we think, oh that job is so gross. But did you ever stop to think where we would be without the garbage man? It would not be pretty! They serve us very well!! And what about people who live in a house that is disrepair? Instead of turning our nose up in disgust maybe we should volunteer to help do repairs on their home and buy the materials if we can afford it. I guess we really should do all things to glorify God and stop passing judgements. Lord, open our eyes to the hurting around us and pour out Your blessings on the helpless. For Your glory, open our hearts and minds to the joy of being a servant. Amen

Week 16 Charles Stanley’s Intercession for America/Killing the Unborn

Ps.139:13-16 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.


This is one of the most touching and heart wrenching set of bible verses that I know. It tells us that God knew us even before we were created! Beware lest you buy into the worlds’ lie that a fetus is not a human being, God’s word just said different. O Lord God, how can we kill what You have made? Open hearts and minds to Your truth by Your Spirit. Forgive us for allowing the killing of the unborn. Amen

The Moment You Are Born, You Begin To Die

We don't want to think about it, but it is true. We all will die except the ones who are living when Christ comes for His bride. Are you facing death right now? Did you get a terminal diagnosis from your doctor? Let me tell you this now, God is the one who has the right to take your life. He is your creator and your judge. His word says: Ps.139:13-18 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Did you catch that? Your days were numbered before you ever came to  be! God is in control. He knows everything! Trust in Him and Him alone! If you are His, then you will be well taken care of. Believe on Him and have everlasting peace. John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her,"I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" God sends us comfort with His word. READ IT! Hold it in your heart! Romans 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
1 Thess.5: 9-10 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
I guess what I am trying to say is, live for Christ every day He graciously gives you. Don't worry about the number of them, worry about the way you live them for Him!!

The Temptation of Jesus

I recently read an article by a professor who teaches the bible. He stated that although his students came from church backgrounds that they did not have biblical literacy. When asked how many had been taught to read and study the bible, few raised their hands. He asked a few simple questions, like what were the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness, which books were from the old testament, and what person was released during Jesus' trial? Some of these I knew and some I did not. His name is George H. Guthrie and he has written a book called, Read the Bible for Life. It will be for sale in January. I plan to read this so I may have a better insight on how to study God's word. Lord,  for Your glory, help us to study Your word and take it to the nations. Amen
Matt.4:1-11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,"'He will command his angels concerning you,' and
"'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not  put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

For Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing

Gal.6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
1 Cor.3:7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
Luke 18:19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
John 15:4-5  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
1Chr.29:11-12  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
Lord, mark our hearts with these, Your words, that we may know You are King, Creator, and Lord, and apart from You, we can do nothing. Amen

To the Unknown God

Acts 17:23-28 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for  "'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.'

Definition of separated; to set or keep apart
Lord, I pray for the ones who are separated from You. The ones who don't know You and will be kept apart from You for eternity. Use us to tell of the hope we have found in You. Amen