Bondage

What is bondage? State of being bound, servitude, slavery
I think many of us are appalled at the very mention of this word! Not being free is a horrible thing. Most often we think of bondage as being held against our will, by another, but it is sometimes a lot more subtle. We are under the bondage of sin and do not even give it a second thought. When we are addicted to alcohol or drugs, we are under bondage. When we have to keep buying things we don't need, we are under bondage and have bought into the lie that material things make you happy.
1 Tim.6:7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
Slave to sin:
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.
2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
Now I will comment on the act of bondage against another, also known as slavery. Slavery is in the bible from a very early time. One of the most notable stories of bondage is the Israelites and Pharaoh and how God raised up Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage to the promised land.
Ex.3:10-14  Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain." Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Many times Moses asked Pharaoh to let God's people go but God hardened his heart. God sent ten plagues to Egypt to show His power to the Israelites and the Egyptians.
Ex.10:3 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Finally, after the death of all the firstborn, human and animal, Pharaoh let God's people go!
Ex.12:30-32 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead. Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, "Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!"
Bondage of the world:
Eph.6:5-9 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Eph.6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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.
There is freedom in Christ!
Gal.5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Satan wants to keep your focus on things and not people. Christ wants you to love people in His name!
Lord, help us to keep Your Word in our hearts so that we may love the nations for You. Amen

This Mystery Is Profound

Eph.5:32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
1Tim.3:16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Eph.6:16-20 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
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.
1 Cor.15:3-4 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
The mystery of the gospel is clearly summed up by saying Christ came to save sinners by the power of God the Father. He was born of a virgin. He, who knew no sin, became sin and died on a cross! He was the only acceptable, one time payment for our sin! He is alive to intercede for us and sits beside God the Father. He is coming again to conquer death and sin! Come quickly Lord Jesus! Amen

For The Lord Has Spoken

God's victory:
Is.25:8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.
Judgement on the whole Earth:
Is.24:3 The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word.
Our hope:
Is.26:3-4 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Heb.10:12-14 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.
God working in man:
Is.26:8-9 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
Most high God, You will judge the whole Earth. Show us mercy as we trust in Christ for our salvation. Help us teach the nations that You are the true and living God. You Word has power and we will praise You for the work You do in people's lives. Let us boldly speak of the salvation that comes from trusting Christ as Lord. Amen

My Strength and My Song

From whom or what do you draw your strength? Is it wealth? Is it health? Is it your job? Is it your family? Be careful what you answer because some of these things can be taken away in seconds, but the strength and peace from God's salvation is for eternity!
Is.12:2 "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
1Cor.1:25 NIV For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
Ps.119:28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!
Lord, You are our all in all! We draw strength from Your Word. Amen

One in Christ

This is some amazing scripture!!
Eph.2:11-22 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands-- remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Remember what God has done for you and what He is going to do! Remember that you have been delivered from Hell by God's power through the blood of His Son. It is not by human will or exertion but by God's mercy!! Romans 9:14-16
Lord God Almighty, I have tasted Your Word and it is good!! It gives me an overwhelming sense of joy yet all the while I fear You for the judgement I know I deserve. I trust in Your Son to cover my sin and intercede on my behalf so that I may be forgiven. Show us mercy Lord. Amen

October Bible Reading

Date             Old Testament           New Testament

October 1     Isaiah 22, 23            Ephesians 3

October 2     Isaiah 24, 25, 26      Ephesians 4

October 3     Isaiah 27, 28            Ephesians 5

October 4     Isaiah 29, 30            Ephesians 6

October 5     Isaiah 31, 32, 33      Philippians 1

October 6      Isaiah 34, 35, 36     Philippians 2

October 7      Isaiah 37, 38          Philippians 3

October 8      Isaiah 39, 40          Philippians 4

October 9      Isaiah 41, 42         Colossians 1

October 10    Isaiah 43, 44         Colossians 2

October 11    Isaiah 45, 46, 47   Colossians 3

October 12    Isaiah 48, 49         Colossians 4

October 13    Isaiah 50, 51, 52   1 Thessalonians 1

October 14    Isaiah 53, 54, 55   1 Thessalonians 2

October 15    Isaiah 56, 57, 58   1 Thessalonians 3

October 16    Isaiah 59, 60, 61   1 Thessalonians 4

October 17    Isaiah 62, 63, 64   1 Thessalonians 5

October 18    Isaiah 65, 66         2 Thessalonians 1

October 19    Jeremiah 1, 2        2 Thessalonians 2

October 20    Jeremiah 3, 4        2 Thessalonians 3

October 21    Jeremiah 5, 6        1 Timothy 1

October 22    Jeremiah 7, 8        1 Timothy 2

October 23    Jeremiah 9, 10      1 Timothy 3

October 24    Jeremiah 11, 12, 13   1 Timothy 4

October 25    Jeremiah 14, 15, 16   1 Timothy 5

October 26    Jeremiah 17, 18, 19   1 Timothy 6

October 27    Jeremiah 20, 21, 22    2 Timothy 1

October 28    Jeremiah 23, 24          2 Timothy 2

October 29    Jeremiah 25, 26          2 Timothy 3

October 30    Jeremiah 27, 28          2 Timothy 4

October 31    Jeremiah 29, 30          Titus 1

Children of Promise

Lord, through Your Son, we have become Your children of promise.
Gal.4:28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
Romans 9:8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
Not by lineage but because we are born again believers in faith that salvation is through Christ alone!
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."
It is a precious gift!
Romans 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring--not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
Romans 3:22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference
A gift through mercy!
Romans 9:14-16 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 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.
Awesome God in heaven, forgive us. We want You, we want to share You, we fall before Your throne of grace and ask for Your blessings to teach Your truth to the world. Amen