Thursday, January 17, 2013
The Seeds We Plant
Matt.13:18-23
18 "Hear then the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
God has indeed given us a mission, to go and make disciples. It is not ours to question but to go! The time is here and now, in your own land or maybe in an unfamiliar place. His word is the seed that can lead to salvation. If we live it, if we teach it, if we share it, He alone will bring in the harvest! Our prayer and study of His word is our cherished weapon against Satan. Christ has defeated Satan already!
Lord, teach us to be doers not just hearers. Amen
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Don't Give Up
What Christ has done...
Hebrews 9:14
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
Ps.51:2
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Job 12:10
In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness
When it's your appointed time to go, go in the grace of God who sent His Son to forgive you!
But as long as you are able, through the grace of God, who holds you, live!
We all have a death sentence, some sooner than others!
Some not for a long time!
So many different ways for death to take you, I could never name them all!
Some from disease, some from old age, some from murder, and some from self inflicted harm and so on! Life is about how we live not about how we die! It is how we let the potter mold us and make us according to His purpose. It is about how we glorify God before the unbelievers.
Who we are...
Ecc.3:20
All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.
Ecc.9:5
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
Ecc.12:7
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Ps.103:15-16
15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
Hebrews 9:14
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
Ps.51:2
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Job 12:10
In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness
When it's your appointed time to go, go in the grace of God who sent His Son to forgive you!
But as long as you are able, through the grace of God, who holds you, live!
We all have a death sentence, some sooner than others!
Some not for a long time!
So many different ways for death to take you, I could never name them all!
Some from disease, some from old age, some from murder, and some from self inflicted harm and so on! Life is about how we live not about how we die! It is how we let the potter mold us and make us according to His purpose. It is about how we glorify God before the unbelievers.
Who we are...
Ecc.3:20
All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.
Ecc.9:5
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
Ecc.12:7
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Ps.103:15-16
15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
Monday, January 14, 2013
What A Blessing To Be Washed Clean
As I sat in the warm clear water, I had the overwhelming sense of what a blessing it is to be washed and clean from filth. I could not help but to compare it to being washed by the blood of Christ, for He truly takes away the filth of sin. I read something in a little devotional that I receive everyday from Life Worth Finding.Org, it was the commentary on Matthew 28:18-20 “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Here is that commentary...
Do you know what worry is? Worry is a mild form of atheism. It's acting like God doesn't exist. The great missionary David Livingstone took the Gospel to Africa and actually discovered and unlocked much of Africa. He lived a life of loneliness and danger. On January 14, 1856, surrounded by hostile people beating war drums like they were going to attack the next morning, he wrote in his journal: "Felt much turmoil of spirit in prospect of having all of my plans for the welfare of this great region and this teaming population knocked on the head by savages tomorrow."
Sitting at his campfire, he knows what's out there in the dark. Then he writes, “But I read that Jesus said, 'All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth, go ye therefore and teach all nations, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.' This is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honor. I will not cross furtively as I had intended. Why should such a man as I flee? I shall take observations for latitude and longitude tonight. Though it may be the last, I feel quite calm now. Thank God.”
Now what do we do with this new creation we are in Christ, free from the filth of sin ? Pray, learn from God's word, teach, make disciples, and give hope where there is none.
Lord, take our lives and mold them to glorify You in all the world! Amen
Here is that commentary...
Do you know what worry is? Worry is a mild form of atheism. It's acting like God doesn't exist. The great missionary David Livingstone took the Gospel to Africa and actually discovered and unlocked much of Africa. He lived a life of loneliness and danger. On January 14, 1856, surrounded by hostile people beating war drums like they were going to attack the next morning, he wrote in his journal: "Felt much turmoil of spirit in prospect of having all of my plans for the welfare of this great region and this teaming population knocked on the head by savages tomorrow."
Sitting at his campfire, he knows what's out there in the dark. Then he writes, “But I read that Jesus said, 'All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth, go ye therefore and teach all nations, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.' This is the word of a gentleman of the most strict and sacred honor. I will not cross furtively as I had intended. Why should such a man as I flee? I shall take observations for latitude and longitude tonight. Though it may be the last, I feel quite calm now. Thank God.”
Now what do we do with this new creation we are in Christ, free from the filth of sin ? Pray, learn from God's word, teach, make disciples, and give hope where there is none.
Lord, take our lives and mold them to glorify You in all the world! Amen
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Pray and Not Lose Heart
Luke 18:1
1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Is.40:28-3
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
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.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,
20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
He hears every prayer offered by a humble heart. We should always pray, not just in times of trouble but when we are overjoyed with thanksgiving. Long for an answer, earnestly seek God and He will be found. I continually talk with Jesus. I have questions and He has the answers. I ask for boldness to speak His word of truth to the lost. I ask for open eyes to see, really see, the ones who need love. I ask for a discerning mind so I can teach the word of truth. I ask for acceptance of the things I can not understand or change, hurtful things that only God knows the whole story. I ask forgiveness when I am not faithful, when I rebel, when I think I have all the answers, or when I think or say mean things.
He is always in control! I am not!
Lord, I pray for faith to lean on You alone! To be humble in spirit, to seek You and Your will, to teach the glorious truth of Your word to the lost. Amen
1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Is.40:28-3
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Ps.50:15
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
James 5:13-20
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
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.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.
18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,
20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Job 5:8-11
8 "As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,
9 who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number:
10 he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;
11 he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
He is always in control! I am not!
Lord, I pray for faith to lean on You alone! To be humble in spirit, to seek You and Your will, to teach the glorious truth of Your word to the lost. Amen
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Into the Lake of Fire
Rev.20:14
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
Oh how I rejoice to read this verse!
We all die a little each day but it is a totally different thing to watch someone you love die from cancer. They waste away each and everyday and you can do nothing except to hide your tears from them.
Hospice is a collective group of caregivers who take care of the dying.
Hospice has social workers, chaplains, nurses, men who deliver the needed equipment to keep the patients comfortable and the blessed ones who minister to the personal needs of the dying, baths etc.
Hospice is an incredible tool in your loved one's death journey. They offer pain management which is a huge blessing.
Death makes me hate sin all the more!
We all die a little each day but it is a totally different thing to watch someone you love die from cancer. They waste away each and everyday and you can do nothing except to hide your tears from them.
Hospice is a collective group of caregivers who take care of the dying.
Hospice has social workers, chaplains, nurses, men who deliver the needed equipment to keep the patients comfortable and the blessed ones who minister to the personal needs of the dying, baths etc.
Hospice is an incredible tool in your loved one's death journey. They offer pain management which is a huge blessing.
Death makes me hate sin all the more!
Sin brought death but death has been defeated by the blood of Christ.
Satan is our enemy!
Sin is our enemy!
Death is our enemy!
Satan is our enemy!
Sin is our enemy!
Death is our enemy!
1 Corinthians 15:26
26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death
Christ is...
Revelation 1:18
18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades
Christ the redeemer...
Col.2:14
14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross
Ephesians 2:15
15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace
1 Peter 2:24
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed
Satan will...
Revelation 14:10
10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
Revelation 20:10
10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever
Christ will...
Lord, we praise You for the power that is found in You. The power of salvation, the power to destroy death, the power to destroy Satan, the incredible mercy You have shown to us who deserve judgment,
and Your obedience to the God the Father are far beyond man's comprehension! Forgive me when I fall into rebellion. Teach me how to love, to teach your word, to show mercy and to forgive. Let me be a blessing to the ones who need a blessing. Teach me to be quite, to listen and really hear from the heart. Amen
18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades
Christ the redeemer...
Col.2:14
14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross
Ephesians 2:15
15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace
1 Peter 2:24
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed
Satan will...
Revelation 14:10
10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
Revelation 20:10
10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever
Christ will...
Revelation 21:4
4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
and Your obedience to the God the Father are far beyond man's comprehension! Forgive me when I fall into rebellion. Teach me how to love, to teach your word, to show mercy and to forgive. Let me be a blessing to the ones who need a blessing. Teach me to be quite, to listen and really hear from the heart. Amen
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Gail's Homecoming
Job 1:21
21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Yesterday I went to, well let's call it what most people call it, a funeral. But this was not a ordinary goodbye to a deceased human being. This could only be described as a celebration of life and a homecoming for a sinner saved by grace who went to be with her Savior. The church was full of people who loved her and her family. They all were there to tell the world that this was not the end for Gail, but the beginning of a promised eternity with Christ. Her grieving son spoke of his mother with a calm and clear voice that could only come from the assurance that Christ is real and He is able to deliver all from the slavery of sin and keep us for eternity by His blood sacrifice. By His death and resurrection, He saves to the uttermost! All mankind will die! All mankind will face judgment! All mankind will have an eternity! It will be heaven or hell, there is no other destination! Once you are dead, all hope is lost!
Heb.9:27
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment
Heb.9:11-15
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
Romans 1:16
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
2 Corinthians 4:3
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
2 Thessalonians 2:10
10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Hebrews 12:2
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
As a Christian I only call earth my temporary home! I am just passing through with a mission from God to share the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not about if you are a good person or if you do charitable things! It is about the blood of Christ and the washing away of our sinful lives! It is about repentance and being born again as a new creation. It is about clinging to Christ who alone saves men from hell by the power given Him by God the father! If you earnestly seek Him, He will be found. Search the scriptures, open your ear to hear and your eyes to see and your wounded heart to receive the hope that is found in Christ alone!!!
Lord, by Your power and for Your glory! Amen
21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Yesterday I went to, well let's call it what most people call it, a funeral. But this was not a ordinary goodbye to a deceased human being. This could only be described as a celebration of life and a homecoming for a sinner saved by grace who went to be with her Savior. The church was full of people who loved her and her family. They all were there to tell the world that this was not the end for Gail, but the beginning of a promised eternity with Christ. Her grieving son spoke of his mother with a calm and clear voice that could only come from the assurance that Christ is real and He is able to deliver all from the slavery of sin and keep us for eternity by His blood sacrifice. By His death and resurrection, He saves to the uttermost! All mankind will die! All mankind will face judgment! All mankind will have an eternity! It will be heaven or hell, there is no other destination! Once you are dead, all hope is lost!
Heb.9:27
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment
Heb.9:11-15
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
1 Cor.1:18
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.Romans 1:16
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
2 Corinthians 4:3
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
2 Thessalonians 2:10
10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Hebrews 12:2
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
As a Christian I only call earth my temporary home! I am just passing through with a mission from God to share the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not about if you are a good person or if you do charitable things! It is about the blood of Christ and the washing away of our sinful lives! It is about repentance and being born again as a new creation. It is about clinging to Christ who alone saves men from hell by the power given Him by God the father! If you earnestly seek Him, He will be found. Search the scriptures, open your ear to hear and your eyes to see and your wounded heart to receive the hope that is found in Christ alone!!!
Lord, by Your power and for Your glory! Amen
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Water for Repentance
Matt.3:11
11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Titus 3:5
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,
What is repentance mean? Man has a sinful heart. He is in rebellion against the law of God. We are to strive to live a holy life unto God. This is the essence of repentance, turn from rebellion and lead a holy life. Man can not be holy without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This sweet Spirit convicts us of all manner of sin. God's word convicts us also. You can not know God if you do not read His word! Your heart deceives!
Man's sinful heart...
Jer.17:9
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Mark 7:20-23
20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Romans 1:18-21
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
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.
Matthew 13:15
15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.
God's mercy...
Matt.9:13
13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Acts 17:23-31
23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.'What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,
25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
28 for "'In him we live and move and have our being';as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.'
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
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.
Matthew Henry's commentary...
The gospel call is a call to repentance; a call to us to change our minds, and to change our ways. If the children of men had not been sinners, there had been no need for Christ to come among them. Let us examine whether we have found out our sickness, and have learned to follow the directions of our great Physician.
Lord, keep us from proud hearts. forgive us as we often fail You. Open dead hearts to receive Your word of life. Amen
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