Ecc.12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Ecc.12:13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc.11:5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
What manner of being is this living God? One who is all knowing, all seeing and Judge and Creator of all living creatures! He speaks to the wind and it blows, the rain clouds and they drop their rain, the storms and they wreak havoc and to tiny cells and they form a baby. He causes every manner of plant to grow, every tree and every flower. The clouds that look like big puffy, soft cotton balls, the sun to warm the days and the moon to glow in the sky, with all the stars that twinkle and all the planets that seemingly hang in the sky with nothing visible holding them in place. This being who created everything, is way beyond our grasp of knowledge!
Lord, I ask for forgiveness for my disobedience. I am in awe of the wonder of You. My heart catches when I think of Your power and Your mercy. The mystery of Your Words and the truth You have revealed to us through Jesus are forever in my heart. Teach us Your ways. Amen
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
A Generation Goes and A Generation Comes
Ecc.1:4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.
God made the earth for man to dwell in. It will stand until he refines it and makes all things new!
Psalm 104:5 He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.
Ecc.1:9 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
Man's condition of heart, his corruption, his desires, his pursuits, and his complaints are the same now as in generations past and if the Lord wills, future generations. When will man learn that he can not be happy from his collection of things? God gives peace and happiness through His mercy. Build your treasure in the kingdom to come so it will be everlasting.
Ecc.6:1-2 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
God gives blessings but also, by His power, gives you the ability to enjoy them!
Gracious God, For all the blessings you give, thank You. For the ability to be content in plenty and want, thank You. For Your forgiveness, thank You. For the knowledge You give us, thank You. Amen
God made the earth for man to dwell in. It will stand until he refines it and makes all things new!
Psalm 104:5 He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.
Ecc.1:9 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
Man's condition of heart, his corruption, his desires, his pursuits, and his complaints are the same now as in generations past and if the Lord wills, future generations. When will man learn that he can not be happy from his collection of things? God gives peace and happiness through His mercy. Build your treasure in the kingdom to come so it will be everlasting.
Ecc.6:1-2 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
God gives blessings but also, by His power, gives you the ability to enjoy them!
Gracious God, For all the blessings you give, thank You. For the ability to be content in plenty and want, thank You. For Your forgiveness, thank You. For the knowledge You give us, thank You. Amen
Friday, September 16, 2011
To Bring Out the Prisoners
Isaiah 42:6-7 "I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
There are many types of prisons but the one thing they have in common is overwhelming feeling of darkness and hopelessness. The most common thought of prison is the one the state puts you in when you are a lawbreaker. There are the prisons we make for ourselves as we become slaves to alcohol, drug abuse, sexual abuse, adultery, and all other manner of sin. Because, whether you will admit it or not, we do become imprisoned and enslaved by things. Sin is the prison into which we are born. Christ is our deliverer! You must repent and follow Him for salvation, there is no other way. There will be no way out of the prison of Hell once you are there. The devil is cunning and keeps people blinded to the saving knowledge of the Lord and His ability to deliver them from the bondage of sin.
Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
2 Cor.4:4 NLV Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
We were not saved for some unknown reason! We were saved by the mercy of our Creator! We are here to be a light for those who are still in darkness. We are to be ready to tell of the hope we have found in Christ.
Lord, most high God, my heart aches for the ones who reside in the dark, the ones who feel so alone, the ones who want someone to love them even while they are deep in sin. Your Word will melt the darkest of hearts if they will but receive it! Amen
Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Peter 3:15 NIV But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
There are many types of prisons but the one thing they have in common is overwhelming feeling of darkness and hopelessness. The most common thought of prison is the one the state puts you in when you are a lawbreaker. There are the prisons we make for ourselves as we become slaves to alcohol, drug abuse, sexual abuse, adultery, and all other manner of sin. Because, whether you will admit it or not, we do become imprisoned and enslaved by things. Sin is the prison into which we are born. Christ is our deliverer! You must repent and follow Him for salvation, there is no other way. There will be no way out of the prison of Hell once you are there. The devil is cunning and keeps people blinded to the saving knowledge of the Lord and His ability to deliver them from the bondage of sin.
Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
2 Cor.4:4 NLV Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
We were not saved for some unknown reason! We were saved by the mercy of our Creator! We are here to be a light for those who are still in darkness. We are to be ready to tell of the hope we have found in Christ.
Lord, most high God, my heart aches for the ones who reside in the dark, the ones who feel so alone, the ones who want someone to love them even while they are deep in sin. Your Word will melt the darkest of hearts if they will but receive it! Amen
Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Peter 3:15 NIV But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The Fruit of the Vine
Prov.23:30-35 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. "They struck me," you will say,"but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink." While drinking in and of itself is not forbidden, there certainly are some cautious words of wisdom in the bible. The only ones forbidden to drink alcohol were the Levitical priesthood. That being said, drunkenness was strictly forbidden.Eph.5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the SpiritTitus 1:7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain1 Tim. 3:2-3 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.Let us remember what happened to Noah and Lot, just to name a few, who got drunk and lost control. Gen.9:21-22 He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside.Gen.19:32-36 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father." So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. He did not know when she lay down or when she arose. The next day, the firstborn said to the younger, "Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also. Then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father." So they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father.Lord, I pray for the ones who have become a slave to drinking. Deliver them from the certain path of destruction. Let us be Your servant and trust you for deliverance. In Jesus name, Amen
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
By The Open Statement of Truth
2 Cor.4:1-2 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
There is no trick to it! There are no hidden meanings to it! The gospel is just the plain truth, that Jesus saves sinners.
2 Cor.4:5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Cor.4:7-18 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. How is Jesus able to save?2 Cor.5:21 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Heb.10:11-14 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. By God's command!Acts 4:10-12 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man is standing before you well. 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." Lord, by Your power. Amen
There is no trick to it! There are no hidden meanings to it! The gospel is just the plain truth, that Jesus saves sinners.
2 Cor.4:5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Cor.4:7-18 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. How is Jesus able to save?2 Cor.5:21 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Heb.10:11-14 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. By God's command!Acts 4:10-12 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man is standing before you well. 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." Lord, by Your power. Amen
Monday, September 12, 2011
Unmerited Blessings
We who are guilty, sinful, and worthless creatures receive many unmerited blessings from a holy and just God when we really deserve judgement.
Job 2:7-10 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die." But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?"In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
You see here that Job knew the truth, that we are being blessed all the time with blessings we do not deserve. He knew that we were doomed to hell without a merciful God who would send His beloved son to die for the sin of man. Why? Because there was no other way to be reconciled to a holy and just God but through the blood of an acceptable sacrifice!
These following words are from this past Sunday's preaching.
God is good and God is great! Can He prevent evil? Yes! Why does He permit evil? We live in a fallen world, evil exists because of sin! That is why we should hate sin. Sin brings death! The existence of evil point us to the existence God. In our hearts we know that some things are bad and some are good.
Romans 2:15-16 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
God relates to sin in many ways, He prevents sin, He permits sin, He limits sin, and He uses sin.
Romans 1:21 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.
Gen.20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.
Gen. 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
In Scripture, God never sins, directly causes sin or is blamed for sin.
James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
God is sovereign over all things: evil nations and rulers, the devil and demonic spirits, trials and temptations, suffering and persecution, moral atrocities, natural disasters, disease and death.
Deut.32:39 "'See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
No one is good and righteous but God!
Romans 3:9-12 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
God allowed His only son, Jesus to be murdered by sinful man!
Acts 2:22-23 22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
O death, where is your victory?
1 Cor.15:55-57 "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.
Rev.21:22-26 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. Ps.2:8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
Lord, we ask for the nations. Amen
Job 2:7-10 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die." But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?"In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
You see here that Job knew the truth, that we are being blessed all the time with blessings we do not deserve. He knew that we were doomed to hell without a merciful God who would send His beloved son to die for the sin of man. Why? Because there was no other way to be reconciled to a holy and just God but through the blood of an acceptable sacrifice!
These following words are from this past Sunday's preaching.
God is good and God is great! Can He prevent evil? Yes! Why does He permit evil? We live in a fallen world, evil exists because of sin! That is why we should hate sin. Sin brings death! The existence of evil point us to the existence God. In our hearts we know that some things are bad and some are good.
Romans 2:15-16 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
God relates to sin in many ways, He prevents sin, He permits sin, He limits sin, and He uses sin.
Romans 1:21 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.
Gen.20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.
Gen. 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
In Scripture, God never sins, directly causes sin or is blamed for sin.
James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
God is sovereign over all things: evil nations and rulers, the devil and demonic spirits, trials and temptations, suffering and persecution, moral atrocities, natural disasters, disease and death.
Deut.32:39 "'See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
No one is good and righteous but God!
Romans 3:9-12 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
God allowed His only son, Jesus to be murdered by sinful man!
Acts 2:22-23 22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
O death, where is your victory?
1 Cor.15:55-57 "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.
Rev.21:22-26 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. Ps.2:8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
Lord, we ask for the nations. Amen
Sunday, September 11, 2011
The Veil
2 Cor.3:14-17 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Lord, thank You for freedom in Jesus. Without him there is no reconciliation to You. He intercedes for us night and day and is our only hope of salvation. Our veil has been lifted and we see what you reveal to us. Teach us precious Master. Amen
2 Cor.4:3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
My prayer: Eph.6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel
Lord, thank You for freedom in Jesus. Without him there is no reconciliation to You. He intercedes for us night and day and is our only hope of salvation. Our veil has been lifted and we see what you reveal to us. Teach us precious Master. Amen
2 Cor.4:3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
My prayer: Eph.6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel
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