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
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Deception
What if you had a bunch of brothers who were so jealous of you? The reason being, you were born to your father when he was an old man and therefore you were "the apple of his eye"! He thought he could father no more children and there you were, a little last glimmer of his fast fading manhood! Such goes the bible story of Joseph, the young boy who wore the coat of many colors.
Gen.37:2-11
2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, "Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf." 8 His brothers said to him, "Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, "Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?" 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.Gen.37:16-2816 "I am seeking my brothers," he said. "Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock." 17 And the man said, "They have gone away, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. 18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, "Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams." 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, "Let us not take his life." 22 And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him"--that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.But God was with Joseph!Gen.39:1-5 1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field.But the moral of this bible truth is that God is sovereign over all things! He works His plan according to His will. He sees the whole picture, while we wonder why, God is in control and He knows the outcome is for His glory! Lord, we praise You for You alone are worthy. Teach us to rest in You in every circumstance. Amen
Gen.37:2-11
2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, "Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf." 8 His brothers said to him, "Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, "Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?" 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.Gen.37:16-2816 "I am seeking my brothers," he said. "Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock." 17 And the man said, "They have gone away, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. 18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, "Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams." 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, "Let us not take his life." 22 And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him"--that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.But God was with Joseph!Gen.39:1-5 1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field.But the moral of this bible truth is that God is sovereign over all things! He works His plan according to His will. He sees the whole picture, while we wonder why, God is in control and He knows the outcome is for His glory! Lord, we praise You for You alone are worthy. Teach us to rest in You in every circumstance. Amen
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Evil Treasure in Your Heart
Matt.12:33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.
Matt.12:35-37
35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."A troubled and corrupt fountain(heart) brings forth muddy unpleasant streams. Nothing but the salt of grace, cast into the spring, will heal the waters, season the speech, and purify the corrupt communication.An evil man has an evil treasure in his heart and brings forth evil things.The sinner brings forth bad words and actions, to dishonour God, and hurt others. We need to be humble before the Lord always and keep a watch on our words to make sure we are keeping a Christian tongue! Text taken from Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryProfessing Christian, let us tame our tongue. Show respect to others! Masters, treat your slaves well! Slaves respect your masters. Men in authority over others, you will be judged by your own treatment of your workers! Workers respect "the man" even if he is in the wrong. Father God, only you know a person's heart! I pray for the ones who have bitterness of heart and disrespect for their brothers. Show mercy to them and teach them compassion! In Jesus name, AmenEph.6:5-9 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 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.
Matt.12:35-37
35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."A troubled and corrupt fountain(heart) brings forth muddy unpleasant streams. Nothing but the salt of grace, cast into the spring, will heal the waters, season the speech, and purify the corrupt communication.An evil man has an evil treasure in his heart and brings forth evil things.The sinner brings forth bad words and actions, to dishonour God, and hurt others. We need to be humble before the Lord always and keep a watch on our words to make sure we are keeping a Christian tongue! Text taken from Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryProfessing Christian, let us tame our tongue. Show respect to others! Masters, treat your slaves well! Slaves respect your masters. Men in authority over others, you will be judged by your own treatment of your workers! Workers respect "the man" even if he is in the wrong. Father God, only you know a person's heart! I pray for the ones who have bitterness of heart and disrespect for their brothers. Show mercy to them and teach them compassion! In Jesus name, AmenEph.6:5-9 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 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.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Stolen Gods
Matt.6: 9 Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Definition of hallowed: set apart as holy, sanctified, consecrated
This definition can only be used in reference to a living God, not some figure cast out of metal who can not save to the uttermost, think, feel, bless, or judge!
Our God Almighty can not be lost or stolen!
Gen.31:19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods.
Matt.10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matt.10:33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
He is the maker of all things! Serve Him for He is everlasting!
Ps.90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Christ has risen from the dead and He is Lord! Amen
The power of His mercy!
1 Peter 1:3 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
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
He is real and He is waiting for those who seek Him!
1Chr.28:9 "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
Lord, thank You for the faith You give everyday! Awaken in us the knowledge of who You are. Let Your word rest upon our heart and give peace and the ability to teach others the wonder of You. Lord, may we show the love of Christ to the hurting for we know that love conquers a multitude of sin. Amen
Definition of hallowed: set apart as holy, sanctified, consecrated
This definition can only be used in reference to a living God, not some figure cast out of metal who can not save to the uttermost, think, feel, bless, or judge!
Our God Almighty can not be lost or stolen!
Gen.31:19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods.
Matt.10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matt.10:33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
He is the maker of all things! Serve Him for He is everlasting!
Ps.90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Christ has risen from the dead and He is Lord! Amen
The power of His mercy!
1 Peter 1:3 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
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit
He is real and He is waiting for those who seek Him!
1Chr.28:9 "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
Lord, thank You for the faith You give everyday! Awaken in us the knowledge of who You are. Let Your word rest upon our heart and give peace and the ability to teach others the wonder of You. Lord, may we show the love of Christ to the hurting for we know that love conquers a multitude of sin. Amen
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