BRINGING UNITY IN THE BODY THROUGH LOCAL GATHERINGS, CONFERENCES, & CONCERTS. PRESENTING THOSE IN CHRIST FULLY MATURE WITH DISCIPLESHIP, TEACHING, & CLASSES. REACHING THE LOST BY GOING TO THE SINNERS & SHARING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few."
"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."
"REPENTANCE" is today's topic! IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO CONFESS OUR SINS! IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAY SORRY! These methods only demonstrate REMORSE, not REPENTANCE!
REMORSE, carries regret for consequences to SELF as a result of actions!
REPENTANCE, genuinely seeks to repair a broken relationship with GOD as a result of wrong doing against GOD!
"TO REPENT IS TO TURN!"
Proverbs says, "But the one who Confesses and Renounces..."
NOTICE THAT THEY ARE PAIRED & NOT SEPERATE IDENTITIES! Renounce: "To give up or put aside voluntarily, to disown, to reject especially by formal announcement pleasures, positions, relations..."
"REPENTANCE IS BEING SO SORRY FOR HAVING OFFENDED GOD THAT WE BEGIN TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY WITH THE INTENT OF NEVER OFFENDING HIM AGAIN!"
"YES! We may fall short every once in a while!" "BUT! We are no longer purposely committing such horrid acts against God!
"Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
"SPIRITUAL WARFARE!" "THIS BROKEN WORLD IS CRADLED BY A LOVING SAVIOR!" "NOTHING GETS PAST HIM!"
If you are in need of hope today, I just want to remind you that: "THIS WILL ALL BE OVER SOON!" "JESUS IS COMING BACK!" "HE CAME TO REDEEM & HE IS COMING TO RESTORE!"
So whatever you may be going through! Whatever the enemy has done against you! Remember that: "Christ endured being attacked, mistreated, rivaled & even rejected by His own!"
"ALL FOR US!" "SO THAT WE COULD LOOK TO HIM FOR HOPE!"
Hebrews 11:1 says; "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
"Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; Remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness."
"NEVER FORGET THAT IT IS THE LORD'S JOB TO PERFORM THE MIRACLE!" "OUR JOB IS TO BELIEVE THAT HE CAN!" "OUR JOB IS TO HAVE FAITH IN HIS GREAT POWER, NOT OURS!"
"IN ORDER TO REACH THE UNREACHABLE, WE WILL ALWAYS BE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE LONG ROAD!" "SHORTCUTS ARE RECOMMENDED, BUT PATIENCE IS!"
"ANYTHING DESIRABLE IS WORTH OBTAINING WITH INTEGRITY OF HEART, OR IT WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME UNDESIRABLE!"
"THE ROAD TO SUCCESS MAY NOT BE COMFORTABLE AT TIMES!" "BUT THE END RESULTS ARE ALWAYS SATISFYING!"
"FOLLOW GOD WHERE EVER HE MAY LEAD YOU & YOU WILL ALWAYS BE EXACTLY WHERE HE WANTS YOU!"
"LET GO OF WHATEVER YOU MUST LET GO OF!" "IN ORDER TO GRAB HOLD OF WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU!"
"“What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road."
"WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?" Jesus asked this question to someone in NEED, not someone in WANT.
Sadly today, many have the misconception of why Jesus came! Sadly, this is the very reason many do not come to Jesus today!
Many believe that Jesus came to fulfill their WISH LIST, because that is what they have been taught! But this is a FALSE & ERRONEOUS TEACHING!
"JESUS STOPPED & ASKED THIS QUESTION TO A BLIND MAN!" "IN OTHER WORDS, A PERSON IN NEED!" "HE ALSO WENT ON TO FULFILL THAT PERSON'S NEED!"
The blind man was not concerned about fashion because he could not see! He also concerned himself very little as to what others said of him! He sought Jesus with one purpose in mind! That purpose was a NEED, not a WANT!
"HE RECEIVED, BECAUSE HE APPROACHED JESUS WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE!"
Today, let us ask ourselves: "HOW IS MY ATTITUDE WHEN I APPROACH JESUS?" "CAN I DISTINGUISH BETWEEN NECESSITY & DESIRE?"
"Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor."
Lord, help us return to where our friendship first began! Lord, help us remember the excitement we first had! Lord, help us to return to memory when we first gave You our hearts!
If we have forgotten, help us to remember! If we have strayed, help us to return! If we have lost our focus, help us to see!
"LORD, HELP US RETURN TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!" "LORD, HELP US RETURN TO THE CROSS AGAIN & AGAIN!" "LORD, HELP US NEVER TO FORGET THE REASON WHY YOU CAME!" "LORD, HELP US TO REMEMBER THE STATE YOU FOUND US IN!"
"LORD, HELP US TO REMEMBER THAT WE WERE WRETCHED!" "LORD, HELP US TO REMEMBER THAT WE WERE FLAWED!" "LORD, HELP US TO REMEMBER THAT WE FELL SHORT!"
BUT THEN, LET US REMEMBER LORD, THAT YOU PICKED US UP! THAT YOU, OH LORD, DECLARED US RIGHTEOUS! THAT YOU, OH GRACIOUS GOD, ACCEPTED US AS YOUR OWN!
"HOW GREAT YOU ARE!" "HOW WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!"
I pray that we, Your children, would glorify You for Your great love & sacrifice! Above all, I pray that we would tell others of the same!
TO HELP SOME BETTER UNDERSTAND I would like to paraphrase the Word of God. I encourage you to read the following ACTUAL scripture verses on your own in there entirety and study them, while asking God to reveal His truth that it would penetrate your heart.
Revelation chapter 2: God would rather we be Hot or Cold verses Lukewarm. If we are lukewarm He will spit us out of His mouth. Disown us. I understand Hot, on fire for God. But why would God rather we be cold than lukewarm. Wouldn't warm be better than cold?
Jeremiah chapter 7: People are going to church to worship, sounds like a good thing, right? God has Jeremiah give them a warning. You come to hear sermons, give offerings, and sings songs of worship yet your lives are a mess, you fight, argue, withhold love, are unwilling to forgive, you don't intercede for others, your selfish and prideful, and yet you think your OK. Will you do these things in the house that bears my name? God repeats this phrase several times. In the Old Testament it was the Temple that God was talking bout but today we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. We are the Temple that "Bears God's Name" when we claim to be His child. A child's actions, good or bad, reflect directly back onto their father. God says if you continue to trust in the temple that bears my name (self) I will destroy you. Gods people must do away with their sinful lifestyle.
The Book of Amos: Again, speaking to the church...You keep on sinning because it's what you love. You have church, you bring the best offerings, you sing and dance, you praise Me but I do not know why? The day of judgment for you will be a day of darkness and pain. You are deceived. You will be one of those to whom I say "I never knew you" I hate, I despise you church gatherings, your offerings and your worship! (Yes, that's in the Bible - Amos 5:21-23) You make offerings but I will not accept them. You have shown me who your king is...your worldly ways and pride that you are unwilling to let go of. To the complacent (middle and upper class - most people in the U.S.) God says You drink lots of wine, (you have great un) you use lotions (you are soft) you play music all day (you have constant entertainment) you eat good food, & you have comfortable furnishings (compared to most of the world you do not struggle) yet with your free time you do not spend time interceding and praying for those who are dying, those who are unsaved, those who are suffering, you are selfish and arrogant.
Cold, Lukewarm, and Hot: God would rather us be hot or cold as by being one or the other we are either hot, on fire for God living as ambassadors of Christ, or we are cold, not claiming to be a Christian at all. When we claim to be a child of God the world watches our every move as everything we do is a reflection of our Father. When we live like Christ we bring honor to God. As a Unbeliever or someone who is cold, they do not claim to be a child of God so their actions do not reflect back to God. But when we are Lukewarm...claiming to be a child of God but not living like one, living in sin, fighting & arguing, well, we bring dishonor to God by our actions. He would rather we claim Him, dying to self and living for Christ, or He would rather us not claim Him at all, so that we do not reflect negatively back on Him. He says to the Lukewarm "Do not claim to be my child and act like that! Have you ever heard a parent say to their child who is misbehaving, "You are not my child!"
Ezekiel 36 and Amos. God gives Hope. Turn to me and live. Amos cried out to God on behalf of Jacob, he interceded for the hurting and those suffering, and God relented. God says, intercede for others, help those who cant help themselves, love people. In Isaiah 57 He tells us to stop pointing fingers and stop the malicious talk. The New Testament tells us "why do you argue and fight? Pride." God's people should not argue. Wouldn't you be better of being wronged. Live a life worthy of the calling you have received, be COMPLETELY HUMBLE, gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love, those who are strong in their faith should bear with the failings of those who are weak. Back to Amos and Ezekiel God says seek Me and live, do not pursue wickedness, seek God, live carefully with discretion, hate evil, love good, maintain justice and perhaps God will have mercy on you. God says seek me and I will give you a new heart, I will give you a desire to follow my laws and decrees, I will put it in you to love Me and follow Me. But know I am not doing this for your sake, I am doing this for My Names Sake which you have profaned. I am doing this so that people will know I am God! To demonstrate His great love, through Jesus, God extends mercy, grace, and love to a people who do not deserve it. God says, "Be ashamed for your conduct"
Have you been complacent? Have you offered sacrifices, offerings, and worship but your day to day life is not a reflection of Christ. Would people see your life and talk about how awesome God is or would they say something else? It's not to late, God says, "Seek Me and Live" Go to God now, confess and repent of this false worship. God desires us to Worship in Spirit and truth, offering our bodies as living sacrifices, being transformed by the renewing of our mind. That means putting other peoples needs above our own. Laying down our lives (our comfort and leisure) Micah tells us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, and God tells us in 2 Chronicles, "If my people whom I call by name would humble themselves and pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear their prayers and heal their land"
Bottom Line. You are one of the following...
1. HOT...Surrenderedto, and following Jesuswith everything you are and everything you have.
2. COLD...Don't claim Jesus at all. Although judgment will come if you do not surrender, there is hope that God will allow your heart to be softened and you will come to your senses.
3. LUKEWARM...(the most common and the most dangerous) Claim to be a Christian but live like a practical atheist arguing and fighting, pointing fingers, gossiping, and blaming others. But to you God says, "The day of judgment will be a fearful thing as you have been deceived in thinking you are saved but you will be destroyed.
There are no other choices.
Do Not Trust in Self...Ask God to show you which one you are. If it's not HOT, confess and turn to Him so that you may live.
“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”
Wisdom warns us: "ALL WHO HATE ME LOVE DEATH!" Strong words by Wisdom, huh?
Question is: "WILL YOU HEED THE WARNING?" I know I have & it was the best decision I've ever made! I encourage you to do the same, if you haven't already!
Proverbs 10:17 says; "Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
"NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE!" "SOMEONE WILL ALWAYS BE WATCHING YOU!" "SOMEONE WILL ALWAYS BE LOOKING UP TO YOU!" "YOUR CHOICES WILL EVENTUALLY & CONTINUALLY AFFECT THEM!"
Most importantly, we must constantly remind ourselves that: "OUR EARTHLY INFLUENCE ULTIMATELY HOLDS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCE!"
"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: Haughty eyes, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked schemes, Feet that are quick to rush into evil, A false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." Are you guilty of any of these? I know I am. Are you a victim of any of these? I know I am. Sadly, I also know that because of my guilt, There are people who have fallen victim to my actions. "OUR DISOBEDIENCE WILL ALWAYS CARRY CONSEQUENCES!" "BUT THE SAME IS TRUE OF OUR OBEDIENCE!" "When we allow Jesus to live through us, the people around us will always reaps the blessings!" "We were called to bless!" "Therefore, let us bless & not burden!"
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."
I believe today's devotional is self-explanatory. But if anyone feels the need to receive further instruction concerning these verses, please feel free to contact me. Here, we have a team of dedicated Christians who would be more than willing to help answer any questions you may have!
Hebrews 10:26-31 says, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
The Holy Spirit came to convict people of sin so they might confess, repent, and believe in the name of Jesus. God is a God of grace in that if we believe in Jesus He will not give us what we deserve, death. God sent Jesus into the world to be a sacrifice for the sins we committed. If we confess, repent, and believe He forgives all our sin, no matter how bad. The law was given by God through a man named Moses. Anyone who could not keep the law of Moses was put to death, so how much more do we deserve death if we reject the Son of God? If you have received the knowledge of salvation through faith in Christ and deliberately continue to sin, continuing to live your life your way instead of God's way, you treat the blood of Jesus as an unholy thing, as unable to save, and you insult the Spirit of Grace. If you reject the only thing able to save you from death, no hope of salvation remains. There is no other salvation, no religion, no amount of good deeds, nothing! Therefore, because of this one act of unbelief, God is unable to forgive your sins as you rejected the only means of salvation offered. God desires all people everywhere are saved but He will not force you. As Christians we will still sin but our conscience by the Holy Spirit convicts us and calls us to repent. To deliberately sin is to say I am living my life my way, and by it you reject Jesus as your source of salvation. Therefore you have no one to blame but yourself.
What is the Un-Pardonable Sin? The one thing God cannot forgive?
"Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord."
This sounds GREAT! Doesn't it? But these promises are for a specific people!
"THOSE WHO ARE SEPERATE!" "THOSE WHO ARE DISTINGUISHED!" "NOT BY THEIR WORDS!" "BUT BY GOD HIMSELF!"
It is written; "Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord."
Question of the Day: "CAN THE LORD DISTINGUISH ME AS ONE OF HIS OWN FROM AMONG THIS CORRUPT GENERATION?"
"IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO CLAIM CHRIST WITH OUR WORDS!" "CHRIST ACTUALLY HAS TO BE THE ONE TO CLAIM US!" (Matthew 7:21-23)
You may have heard it said that there is nothing you could do that God will not forgive. Well, that's not exactly true. There is one thing. 1 John 5:16 tells us, "If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that"
So what is it? What is the one thing that is so bad God will not forgive it?
Check inTomorrow for the answer.
Of course you could search out the scriptures between now and then.
"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore."
"Your heart should break when there is friction between the brethren!" "The anointing flows in the midst of unity, just like the oil!" "The true measure of Christ in your heart is your love for the brethren in the midst of adversity!"
"There will always be differences!" "Conflicts will surely arise!" "But how you handle them, will ultimately set you apart from the way the world deals with their circumstances!"
"WE ARE CALLED TO BE A LIGHT TO THIS WORLD!" "NOT TO BE LIKE THIS WORLD!"
"Therefore, whatever transpires in your life, use it to exemplify Christ!" "FOR THERE THE LORD BESTOWS HIS BLESSINGS!" "EVEN LIFE EVERMORE!"
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity."
We as Christians have the ability to be a blessing or a burden! But we as Christians, have the responsibility to be a blessing! God has not called us to wear our fellow man down! Instead, He has called us to lift him up!
This being said; "DON'T MISTREAT THOSE WHO SEEM WEAKER THAN YOU!" "DON'T ASSUME THEY OWE YOU MORE THAN YOU OWE THEM!"
Remember, "JESUS IS WATCHING & YOU WILL ULTIMATELY HAVE TO ANSWER TO HIM ONE DAY!"
John 12:1,9-11 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead....Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Did you catch that? The Priest not only wanted to kill Jesus but Lazarus too! Why? For because of Lazarus being raised from the dead (given a new life) many people were believing in Jesus.
As a born again Christ follower your life should have one of two affects on unbelievers.
#1. Those whom hearts are hardened and will not come to the Lord will hate you, as your new life in Christ represents you being raised from the dead to the land of the living, and shines the light of Jesus on their darkness.
#2. Those whom The Lord calls will see your resurrected life and believe in Jesus because of you.
There is no in-between!!!
If the whole world loves you...it may be because you belong to them. You cannot please God and man at the same time. Now, this s not a license to be mean to people or to judge them, if the world hates you it should be because of righteousness sake, because you reflect Christ, not because of a pious, self righteousness. So, which are you...are you a friend of the world or a Lazarus?
"How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your word." "MANY SEEK EVERY WAY, EXPECT GOD'S WAY!" If you pay close attention to what is being said, you will soon realize this saying to be true. People go in circles trying to find ways to live a life free from sin, but 100% of the time they fail. People always seems to lack the key ingredient to purity: "GOD'S WORD!" "Only by following God's Instructions, will a person ever reach a Godly Goal!" Can you seek to become a medical doctor by studying sports magazines? Certainly Not! Well, the same is true with Purity! You will never refrain from sin until you begin to live according to "The Master's Plan for Purity!" "GOD'S WORD CONTAINS HIS PLANS & STRATEGIES FOR PURITY!" Follow His Word & you will soon be on the right path! Others can only offer their opinions & maybe even some occasional insight, but the truth still stands that these people are faulty & imperfect. "They can not teach us about purity!" "ONLY GOD'S WORD CAN!" All this to say: "THE PERFECT WORD OF GOD CAN MAKE YOU PERFECT, NOTHING ELSE!" Therefore, study it & soon you will learn to cherish it!
You have heard the saying that God helps those that help themselves. This may surprise you, but this is not a verse found in the bible. I love the bible verse found in Matthew 6 :33. This verse encourages us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Once we do that, then all these things will be added on to you. In other words, our priority in life is to seek first the kingdom. We always need to be careful that we are not seeking after our own kingdom but God's. Be encouraged and know that God see's your situation and the answer is coming shortly!!!
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes."
You can quote me on this or condemn me! The choice is yours! But ultimately, you will be rejecting your Maker who loves you dearly!
"WE AS MINISTERS MUST LEAD OTHERS TO THE SOURCE OF OUR CONFIDENCE (JESUS CHRIST), WITH THE INTENTION THAT ONE DAY, THEY THEMSELVES WILL MAKE HIM THEIR SOURCE OF REFUGE & STRENGTH!"
"BUT WOE UNTO US, IF WE SEEK TO MAKE OURSELVES THAT SOURCE!"
"BUT WOE UNTO US, IF WE DARE TO STAND IN THE PLACE OF CHRIST!"
Ministers are public signs that display directions toward a Heavenly Destination! Therefore, I caution anyone out there who is giving false or misleading directions, to correct whatever needs to be corrected in their own lives in order to reach what they so openly proclaim! HEAVEN!
"YOUR WORDS WILL NOT GET YOU INTO HEAVEN!" "BUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST WILL!" "YOUR WORDS WILL NOT GET ANYONE IN EITHER!" "BUT ENCOURAGING THEM TO HAVE AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST WILL GIVE THEM A GREATER CHANCE!"
A man's daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The priest assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.
"I guess you were expecting me," he said. "No, who are you?" "I'm the new associate at your local church," the pastor replied. "When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up." "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"
Puzzled, the pastor shut the door. "I've never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head.."
"I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, 'Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here's what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I'll be with you always.' Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now." "So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."
The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her daddy had died that afternoon. "Did he seem to die in peace?" he asked. "Yes, when I left the house around two o'clock he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange, In fact, beyond strange-kinda weird.
Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed."
"With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship."
"BUT I AM A MAN OF PRAYER!" In the midst of his greatest struggles, King David always remained focused on "Who He Was In The Lord!", but most importantly "Who The Lord Was In His Life!"
His friends, turned enemies! His family, turned foes! His treasured possessions, unjustly stripped from his hands! His acquaintances, became his adversaries!
"MANY TIMES, WAS HE WRONGED!" "BUT EVERY TIME, HE WAS VINDICATED BY GOD!" "BECAUSE OF HIS PRAYER LIFE, GOD ALWAYS UPHELD HIS CAUSE!"
Was King David someone perfect? NO!!! Was he someone that knew all the answers? NO!!! Did he know how to get results? YES!!!
How, you may be wondering! "HE WAS A MAN OF PRAYER!" "HE NEVER TOOK MATTER INTO HIS OWN HANDS!" "HE ULTIMATELY LEFT THE FINALLY DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY GOD!"
Plain & Simple: "Whatever you may be struggling with, GIVE GOD THE FINAL WORD!" "You will never regret it!"
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, those He gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south."
YOU MIGHT BE THE ONE THAT ESCAPED WITH DEAR LIFE ON 9/11. YOU MIGHT BE THE ONE WHO SUFFERED THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE. YOU MIGHT BE ONE OF THE HEROES WHO CAME TO THE RESCUE. YOU MIGHT BE THE ONE WHO CONTINUOUSLY PRAYED FOR THE COMFORT & SAFETY OF THOSE WHO REMAINED.
BUT REST ASSURED THAT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN WHOSE HEART WAS BROKEN BECAUSE YOUR HEART WAS BROKEN! REST ASSURED THAT THIS SAME GOD WANTS TO EMBRACE YOU & COMFORT YOU! REST ASSURED THAT TIL THIS DAY, JESUS HAS NOT FORGOTTEN NOR MADE LIGHT OF YOUR SUFFERINGS! HE REMEMBERS EVERY ACT OF KINDNESS & HE RECEIVED EVERY PRAYER SPOKEN IN HIS NAME!
"LET US NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED OUR FREEDOM!" "ABOVE ALL! LET US NEVER FORGET THAT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN THAT GRANTS US OUR FREEDOMS!" THEREFORE, LET US ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL THAT: "GOD IS ON OUR SIDE!"
"So He brought His people out of Egypt with joy, His chosen ones with rejoicing. He gave His people the lands of pagan nations, and they harvested crops that others had planted. All this happened so they would follow His decrees and obey His instructions. Praise the Lord!"
"EVERYTHING GOD DOES FOR YOU HAS A PURPOSE!" He saved you, so that you could tell others of His Grace! He forgave you, so that you could tell others of His Mercy! He loved you, so that you could Love Others As He Loved You! And He called you, so that you could continue the Cycle of Discipleship!
"GOD GIVES US THINGS TO ENJOY!" "BUT HE DOESN'T INTEND FOR US TO MAKE THOSE THINGS THE OBJECTS OF OUR ATTENTION!"
"Our material possessions, no matter how great they are, will not draw someone to Christ!" Jesus said; "If the Son of Man be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Myself!"
Therefore, let us all be mindful of 'THE GREAT COMISSION' & let us make it 'OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN LIFE'. (Matthew 28:16-20)
"GOD WILL DISPOSSESS NATIONS FOR YOU, WITH THE INTENTION THAT YOU FILL IT WITH DISCIPLES FOR HIM!"
"All creatures look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works— He who looks at the earth, and it trembles, Who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."
Question of the Day: ARE YOU LOOKING TO GOD AS YOUR 'ONLY SOURCE OF PROVISION', OR ARE YOU STILL CHASING EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN TO SATISFY YOUR NEEDS?
The Bible says; "All creatures look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things."
Advice of the Day: "ONLY WHAT GOD GIVES HAS LASTING VALUE!"
The Bible tells us in James 4:7 to "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" Many people quote this verse and yet, the devil does not flee. So what's up? Did God's Word fail? By No Means! The problem is that often times people either leave out vital information or they simply need more information. Resist the devil is only part of the verse, and then, there is even more vital information in the verses to follow. Let's take a look at James 4:7 again but this time lets look at verses 8-10 also...
Submit yourselves, then, to God........Resist the devil, and he will flee from you..........Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.(over the sin in your life) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
So the emphasis is actually this...By Confession, Repentance, Humility, and Submitting yourself to God, you are able to resist the devil and he will flee from you! In this you WILL have victory.
“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Jesus went on to say; "YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH!"
I just want to encourage everyone today: "GUARD YOUR SEASONING!" "THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR TOUCH, WHETHER YOU KNOW IT OR NOT!" "THEY MAY REJECT YOU!" "THEY MAY MAKE LIGHT OF YOUR PRESENCE!" "THEY MAY OUTRIGHT IGNORE YOU!" "BUT LITTLE DO THEY KNOW HOW VITAL YOU ARE IN THEIR LIVES!"
"SO DON'T BE DISCOURAGED!" "THE ENEMY WANTS YOU TO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE NOT MAKING A DIFFERENCE, BUT YOU TRULY ARE!!!"
Remember: "People usually don't realize how important an ingredient is until it is lacking!" Therefore, guard your flavor! "YOU ARE THE SALT THIS WORLD NEEDS!"
"Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”"
The Strong's concordance is a very useful tool for studying the scriptures. It takes every single word of the King James Version and lists where each word can be found in the scriptures. It is useful for locating scripture verses that you know the words to, but don't know the book, chapter and verse. Then we can do a word study by reading the meaning of the original word.
One thing to keep in mind is that while the Strong's Concordance is fairly reliable in its lexicon definitions, it is relying on 19th century scholarship. One of the best ways to determine the true meaning of a word is look up that word in a Hebrew or Greek Lexicon to see how it was translated in various places.
Let's take a look at how this can help by looking at a verse that is often misinterpreted.
1 Corinthians 15:29 "Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?"
There are religions where people literally go through a baptism ceremony for people who have died without having been saved and they believe this ceremonially baptism actually saves them. The Bible is clear that we cannot be saved by Baptism even while alive. Baptism is a symbol of dying to your sins, being buried with Christ, being washed clean by the blood of Christ, and raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a sign to the world that you are now following Christ. Salvation comes only by grace through faith in Jesus not by works, so no one can boast.(Ephesians 2:9)
So if you cannot be saved by baptism while alive, how could one possibly save another by being baptized in their place?
So what is this verse saying?
Here's where the concordance comes in...In the original language the word "Baptized" was often interchanged for the word Christian. If you were Baptized you were a follower of Jesus Christ. The word "for" in this verse is better translated "because of" and "the dead" in context of this verse are those who have gone before us, those who have lived a life as a Christ follower, as salt and light, as a reflection of Jesus. The words "for them" in this verse is implying "because of them", because of the life these people who are now dead have led, you and others have been led to faith in Christ Jesus. So the text could read like this...
Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are Christians because of those who have gone before us? If they are not raised at all, why are people becoming Christians because of them?"
Of course the emphasis is on Christ. If Christ was not resurrected to the right hand of God, if Jesus was not resurrected, then we have no hope of resurrection, and everything is for nothing. But we do have hope...1 Peter 1:3 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us,
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Now you know why we need to study the Word of God and not simply skim over it with no understanding.
Jesus said to him,
“Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
The tongue proclaiming that: "Jesus is Lord!" has the greatest potential of bearing eternal fruit! Therefore, if you haven't been doing so, "Begin Today!"
"I will sing of Your love and justice; to You, Lord, I will sing praise.
I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will You come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil. Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate. My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me. No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.
Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord."
"A SONG OF PRAISE WILL ONLY BE MEANINGFUL TO THE WORSHIPPER WHEN THE SONG CONTAINS CONVICTION, PASSION & SACRIFICE!" "THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!"
"A SONG OF PRAISE WILL ONLY BE MEANINGFUL TO GOD WHEN THE SINGER ACTUALLY LIVES WHAT THEY ARE SINGING!" "THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!"
King David did not just write these psalms, nor did he just sing them; "HE LIVED THEM & SO MUST WE!"
"A BEAUTIFUL VOICE DOES NOT MOVE GOD'S HEART!" "BUT A BEAUTIFUL HEART DOES!"
A friend and I were having dinner tonight and someone we were witnessing to told us, "I'm not religious" My first thought was, "Great! Neither is God"
When some people think of God they think of religion, fasting, being oppressed, going to church, doing things that are, well, religious. But the Bible in James 1:27 tells us this..."The only Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Concerning fasting it says's...Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Thenyour light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; thenyour righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.Thenyou will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here I am. ~ Isaiah 58:6-9 ~
* Loose the chains of injustice - Do not withhold from others
* Set the oppressed free - Help those who are in bondage
* Share your food with the hungry - Don't be greedy
* Provide the poor with shelter - Have compassion
* Clothe those without - Do more than wish someone well
* Provide for your own - Take care of your own family
Then...God will answer your cry for help. Because you are dying to self, and living to intercede for others, just like Jesus did when He died on that Cross, He will intercede for you in your needs.
In other words... Turn from a wretched, self centered life, and Turn to a life of trusting Jesus as your Lord, Get rid of the filth in your life, Love God, Love people, Help those who can't help themselves, and Put others needs above your own. Then you are fulfilling the commandments. Matthew 22:37-40 tells us, "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name, O Most High, proclaiming Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For You make me glad by Your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what Your hands have done. How great are Your works, Lord, how profound Your thoughts! Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. But You, Lord, are forever exalted. For surely Your enemies, Lord, surely Your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered. You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me. My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.”
