Take from a sermon by Pastor Bart
In the NT book of Matthew, the beginning chapters calls attention to our sin. The ending chapters call attention to the death of God's Messiah. We must remember the context of the sermon in the history of redemption. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah-Redeemer.
Deut.18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
Jesus and Moses
Moses had authority from God to lead the Israelites.
Jesus has more authority than Moses.
Moses, by God's power, delivered the Israelites from Pharaoh's bondage.
Jesus by His power, has brought us out of the bondage of sin.
His is the long-awaited kingdom.
What Christ demands:
Our righteousness exceeding the scribes and Pharisees.
Matt.5:17-20
Not more righteous deeds by human effort but more righteous hearts by divine grace!
Evidence of our exceeding righteousness:
Attitude: Matt.5:21-48
Anger- 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.Lust- 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.Oaths- 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.Retaliation- 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.Love your enemies- 44 But I say to you, pray for those who persecute youGod alone creates a new heart!
Desires: Matt.6:1-18
Giving- 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Praying- 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Fasting- 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Ambitions: Matt.6:19-34
Treasures- 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Anxious- 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Relationships: Matt.7:1-12
Judging- 1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Trust- 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Love- 12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Turn from trust in self to trust and rest in Christ.
Our options are limited.
Matt.7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Our fruit will be evident. It will be good or bad.
Matt.7:15-23
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Eternal consequences
Matt.7:24-27
24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
Lord, not by us but by Your power. Amen
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Nature of Envy
Matt.20:1-16
1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last." The Jews, as God's chosen people, were indeed the first to hear the good news. However, God meant for all men to hear the gospel.The Gentiles should be admitted to equal privileges and advantages with the Jews. God owes no one! Salvation is a gift. We stand before God in a sinful state, idle in our sorrow. Pray for mercy for yourself and others and do not be envious of others. God has called some in their early years while others have been called later in life. Now is the accepted time to accept Christ's salvation. Your life is a vapor! Here one minute, gone the next! Don't worry about the ones who labor less than you.We all have agreed to work for the kingdom, some more some less. Our salvation is not dependant upon what we do but what Christ has done!Lord, Your word is good! Amen
1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' 13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last." The Jews, as God's chosen people, were indeed the first to hear the good news. However, God meant for all men to hear the gospel.The Gentiles should be admitted to equal privileges and advantages with the Jews. God owes no one! Salvation is a gift. We stand before God in a sinful state, idle in our sorrow. Pray for mercy for yourself and others and do not be envious of others. God has called some in their early years while others have been called later in life. Now is the accepted time to accept Christ's salvation. Your life is a vapor! Here one minute, gone the next! Don't worry about the ones who labor less than you.We all have agreed to work for the kingdom, some more some less. Our salvation is not dependant upon what we do but what Christ has done!Lord, Your word is good! Amen
Saturday, January 28, 2012
What Are You Leaving as Your Eternal Legacy?
Are you there as a father and mother for your children? I mean really there!! Not just a couch potato parent, there in body but not teaching Christ or loving your kids with an eternal implication. Are you leaving your children to look outside your God given gift of helping craft a young life to know and follow Christ? Parent, what a gift you have been given by Almighty God, that trusting little child who wants you to be there for them. Spend time with them and teach them biblical truths. Show the love of Christ and teach them how life is more than just being here to enjoy material things.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Ps.90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
We have so little time to mold our children's hearts. I am talking about investing time in teaching love, respect, honor, integrity, purity and hope in that is found in Christ. If you follow Christ, you are a child of holy God. His will for us is to love one another. Feed my Sheep! That means spiritually, physically and mentally. That means we may have to stand alone, when the world is sending one message but Christ is sending another. It is a choice we will have to make, to follow Christ or the world.
Lord, do not let us sit idly by when we see someone headed toward hell because it is not politically correct to give them the truth of God's word. Lord, make us a nation that will shout Your glory no matter the cost! Amen
Matt.10:33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Just as you discipline your child to teach right and wrong, God does the same to those to whom He sees are in need of repentance.
Rev.19:3 NIV Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Deut.8:5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
Is.53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
1 Cor.11:32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
Heb.12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Prov.3:11-12
11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Ps.90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
We have so little time to mold our children's hearts. I am talking about investing time in teaching love, respect, honor, integrity, purity and hope in that is found in Christ. If you follow Christ, you are a child of holy God. His will for us is to love one another. Feed my Sheep! That means spiritually, physically and mentally. That means we may have to stand alone, when the world is sending one message but Christ is sending another. It is a choice we will have to make, to follow Christ or the world.
Lord, do not let us sit idly by when we see someone headed toward hell because it is not politically correct to give them the truth of God's word. Lord, make us a nation that will shout Your glory no matter the cost! Amen
Matt.10:33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Just as you discipline your child to teach right and wrong, God does the same to those to whom He sees are in need of repentance.
Rev.19:3 NIV Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
Deut.8:5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
Is.53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
1 Cor.11:32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
Heb.12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Prov.3:11-12
11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Wall of Water
There is none like the Lord God, mighty in strength and power! Offering salvation through the blood of His Son to all nations, tribes and tongues!
Ex.15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Ex.15:3-6
3 The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name.
4 "Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. 5 The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.Ex.15:11-1311 "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. 13 "You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.Ex.14:21-2221 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.Ex.14:23-2823 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen." 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained.Ex.14:30-3130 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.We will praise You and You alone! Amen
Ex.15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Ex.15:3-6
3 The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name.
4 "Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. 5 The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. 6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.Ex.15:11-1311 "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. 13 "You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.Ex.14:21-2221 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.Ex.14:23-2823 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen." 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained.Ex.14:30-3130 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.We will praise You and You alone! Amen
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Passover
Hundreds of years ago in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh would not let God's people, the Israelites go. After God sent many plagues, the final one being, a plague to kill all the first born of Egypt including the livestock. Pharaoh let God's people go! The passover consisted of blood from a lamb, either goat or sheep, one year old and without blemish that was put on the lintel and doorposts of the homes and barns of all the people of Israel to keep the plague from entering. God told the people to stay inside until morning. They were to prepare the sacrificial Passover animals for their meal by roasting it in bitter herbs. No meat was to be saved from that meal. After everyone had eaten his fill, by morning, the rest of the meat was to be burnt. This service is still observed by the Jewish people as a memorial and is the celebration is passed down from generation to generation.
Ex.12:1-28
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 "This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. 7 "Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. 10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast. 15 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. 16 On the first day you shall hold a holy assembly, and on the seventh day a holy assembly. No work shall be done on those days. But what everyone needs to eat, that alone may be prepared by you. 17 And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever. 18 In the first month, from the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19 For seven days no leaven is to be found in your houses. If anyone eats what is leavened, that person will be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a sojourner or a native of the land. 20 You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwelling places you shall eat unleavened bread." 21 Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. 24 You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. 25 And when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. 26 And when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' 27 you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.'" And the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 Then the people of Israel went and did so; as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. Lord God, Your name is to be praised! How awesome in power and might are You. There is none like You! Amen
Ex.12:1-28
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 "This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. 7 "Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. 10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast. 15 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. 16 On the first day you shall hold a holy assembly, and on the seventh day a holy assembly. No work shall be done on those days. But what everyone needs to eat, that alone may be prepared by you. 17 And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever. 18 In the first month, from the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19 For seven days no leaven is to be found in your houses. If anyone eats what is leavened, that person will be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a sojourner or a native of the land. 20 You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwelling places you shall eat unleavened bread." 21 Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. 24 You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. 25 And when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. 26 And when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' 27 you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.'" And the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 Then the people of Israel went and did so; as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. Lord God, Your name is to be praised! How awesome in power and might are You. There is none like You! Amen
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Let the Children Come To Me
Luke 18:16
But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
It is our responsibility to teach our children who God is! Not only in word but in deed. And how can we best teach? By telling them(teaching God's word) and showing them(by helping others). From their very beginning, Satan has them in his sight. He knows they are, by nature full of self, that is where our teaching of His word is going to help turn them from self to seeing that others are in need. The world's needs are physical and spiritual. By us meeting their physical needs God will speak to their hearts about their need for a Savior. Yesterday we had some tornadoes that destroyed homes and took lives. The news reporters kept interviewing the people whose lives had been spared and over and over the people were praising God, yes even in the midst of tragedy. By faith, we have hope in Christ! They realized that God had mercy on them. They knew that he held their life and death. We must receive His kingdom like a child who is faithful and trusting, and know that it is a precious gift! Who or what holds your hope?
Ps. 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
So that you will know, your life is not your own, you were bought with a price.
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Christ is the reason you have hope!
1 Peter 3:15
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect
If you hope in what material things you have, it can be taken away. If you hope in your job, it can be lost. If you hope in your family, they are God's too and he gives and takes. God is everlasting, from the first to the last, the beginning and the end, He is and was!
Lord, protect us from placing our hope in worthless things. You are our hope and our safe hiding place. Amen
But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
It is our responsibility to teach our children who God is! Not only in word but in deed. And how can we best teach? By telling them(teaching God's word) and showing them(by helping others). From their very beginning, Satan has them in his sight. He knows they are, by nature full of self, that is where our teaching of His word is going to help turn them from self to seeing that others are in need. The world's needs are physical and spiritual. By us meeting their physical needs God will speak to their hearts about their need for a Savior. Yesterday we had some tornadoes that destroyed homes and took lives. The news reporters kept interviewing the people whose lives had been spared and over and over the people were praising God, yes even in the midst of tragedy. By faith, we have hope in Christ! They realized that God had mercy on them. They knew that he held their life and death. We must receive His kingdom like a child who is faithful and trusting, and know that it is a precious gift! Who or what holds your hope?
Ps. 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
So that you will know, your life is not your own, you were bought with a price.
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Christ is the reason you have hope!
1 Peter 3:15
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect
If you hope in what material things you have, it can be taken away. If you hope in your job, it can be lost. If you hope in your family, they are God's too and he gives and takes. God is everlasting, from the first to the last, the beginning and the end, He is and was!
Lord, protect us from placing our hope in worthless things. You are our hope and our safe hiding place. Amen
Monday, January 23, 2012
You Are the Christ, the Son of the Living God
Matt.16:15-17
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.Who do you say Christ is? Is he just a good man to you? Do you even think about who He is? Or do you think He is a myth? Be careful how you respond, there are eternal consequences to your answers. Jesus is Lord over all! He has been given that power by His Father God! He holds the keys to death and Hell and He will not be moved! You must follow Him now! God can and will change you forever!Matt.16:24-2624 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?1 Cor.8:4-6 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"-- 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and , through whom are all things and through whom we exist.Lord, bless the ones who will respond to Your word today. Amen
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.Who do you say Christ is? Is he just a good man to you? Do you even think about who He is? Or do you think He is a myth? Be careful how you respond, there are eternal consequences to your answers. Jesus is Lord over all! He has been given that power by His Father God! He holds the keys to death and Hell and He will not be moved! You must follow Him now! God can and will change you forever!Matt.16:24-2624 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?1 Cor.8:4-6 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"-- 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and , through whom are all things and through whom we exist.Lord, bless the ones who will respond to Your word today. Amen
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Emergency! Emergency!
What will you do when all hope is lost? Will you curse God or praise His holy name? It is not if trouble will come but when! God created man to be a joy to Him but the devil lured man to sin and forever changed what God meant for joy to the perverted existence we call life! We like to think we are in control but the truth is, God is! He allows us to make choices and we are stuck with the consequences these self- made choices bring. This my friend is why a close relationship with Christ is imperative to our making correct choices. We have His word as a guide to living life. I must admit, I too am guilty of not being receptive enough to God's word. I am guilty of not enough prayer. I am guilty of not enough waiting for God's answer and direction. Today I went to be with my dear sister's family. She is in ICU, in stable but dire condition. Her family truly shows the love and faith in Christ as the great healer. Truly resting in the arms of Christ the great comforter! And fully knowing that our true home is with God the Father! As I looked around at the families in such distress, I could not help but think how wonderful the love of Christ is. He holds us in every circumstance if we but bow before His throne of grace. There are many instances of Christ being an encourager but I love this verse because it lets us know that all is not lost. We can come boldly before His throne and He does hear our every prayer!
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Hebrews 4:16 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.
Christ came to heal the sick! He performed many miracles of healing but the most important miracle of all is the salvation He has bought with His blood atonement. For without His gift, we would be doomed to an eternity of damnation.
The definition of damnation: Everlasting punishment
O Precious Lord, I ask for mercy for all the ones who are suffering and peace for the families who have to bear the uncertainty of life and death. May all come to the realization that You bring eternal life to Your chosen people through Your precious Son. Amen
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Hebrews 4:16 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.
Christ came to heal the sick! He performed many miracles of healing but the most important miracle of all is the salvation He has bought with His blood atonement. For without His gift, we would be doomed to an eternity of damnation.
The definition of damnation: Everlasting punishment
O Precious Lord, I ask for mercy for all the ones who are suffering and peace for the families who have to bear the uncertainty of life and death. May all come to the realization that You bring eternal life to Your chosen people through Your precious Son. Amen
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Good Lord Willing
Today little four year old Benjamin left this world behind! He went back to his maker, Almighty God, who gives and takes life according to His purpose! He had an earthly family who loved and cherished him and wanted only the best for him. But we all must submit to the will of our heavenly Father and He called Benjamin's spirit home. That's right, home! If you belong to Christ, this earthly place is only a temporary stop for us. God is our real Father and our real home is heaven! Death is a fright because of the unknown, but to the Christian it is only a fright because we think of the sting of death and the separation from loved ones. But to the ones who deny Christ, death is more than the sting of death and separation, it is an eternity forever separated from God and His love.
James 4:14-15
14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." Lord, only You can break the hard heart and make them humble before You. Today is truly the day of salvation for we are not promised even the next breath. Lord, my heart aches for the lost, speak today to the ones who are seeking You. In Jesus holy name, Amen.
Job 1:21 “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
I know that everything has a purpose, used by God and for His perfect design for those who love Him! Yes, even the death of a small child, God will use for His perfect will and purpose. Benjamin did not grow to manhood but God had a perfect plan for his life before he ever came to be.
Ps.139:15-16
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 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.You will spend eternity somewhere, only by the power of the saving grace of Christ will you be in heaven. It is not by anything you do but by what Christ has done and the mercy of God! Romans 9:14-16 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.Lord, we beg for mercy! By faith in Christ, we believe You are able! Pour out Your power on this place and show the world that You alone are Sovereign God! Teach us how to pray! Amen
James 4:14-15
14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." Lord, only You can break the hard heart and make them humble before You. Today is truly the day of salvation for we are not promised even the next breath. Lord, my heart aches for the lost, speak today to the ones who are seeking You. In Jesus holy name, Amen.
Job 1:21 “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
I know that everything has a purpose, used by God and for His perfect design for those who love Him! Yes, even the death of a small child, God will use for His perfect will and purpose. Benjamin did not grow to manhood but God had a perfect plan for his life before he ever came to be.
Ps.139:15-16
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 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.You will spend eternity somewhere, only by the power of the saving grace of Christ will you be in heaven. It is not by anything you do but by what Christ has done and the mercy of God! Romans 9:14-16 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.Lord, we beg for mercy! By faith in Christ, we believe You are able! Pour out Your power on this place and show the world that You alone are Sovereign God! Teach us how to pray! Amen
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