Thursday, February 26, 2009
VERSE:
VERSE: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thyGod: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I willuphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, allthey that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed andconfounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive withthee shall perish. -- Isaiah 41:10-11 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Isaiah+41:10-11&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: Not only does God's blessing rest on us, his presence goes withus. We cannot ever be in a place where he is not with us (see Psalm139). His presence and power will uphold us and strengthen us. Nomatter what may happen in and to our physical bodies or ourphysical worlds, in Jesus, God has given us the ultimate triumphover every enemy and all wickedness. Even Jesus' doubters andenemies will worship our Lord and kneel at his feet and willrecognize that our faith is not only appropriate, but it isvictorious. (cf. 1 Thess. 1)PRAYER: Thank you, dear Father! You are not only the God of the heavens,but you are also my God. You know me and care about me. You hear mycries for help and mercy. You share my struggles and burdens.Please deliver me from every enemy, both physical and spiritual,and give me boldness to stand firm in my faith in you. In Jesus'name I ask this. Amen.
What the Church Must Do
What the Church Must DoDr. Frederick K.C. Price In John 8:32, Jesus says, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." When we all know the truth about racism, we will all be free of it. The only way that the chasm of racism will close is for everyone to understand that we are all one, as God made us.Each segment of society has played and continues to play its part in racism. However, I'm writing about the Church because that is my mission, because the Lord Jesus Christ is at the center of my life, and because the Church has played an important part in perpetuating racism.Some prominent leaders of the Church have supported or have at one time appeared to support racism. Many others have remained silent when the only true Christian response is to speak out and act to end it. The Church's role is doubly sinful because not only does it go against God's Word about the different nations of people; it also goes against what Jesus says about the Church.In Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus tells us: "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." What a responsibility and a privilege to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world! How miserably the Church has failed until now!When Africans were brought to America as slaves, instead of some churches coming out for the abolition of slavery, the Church as a whole did not throw God's light on the evil institution to make sure that it ended as quickly as it began.Matthew 25:45 says: "Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me."Some Christian leaders have ignored the fact that all of us of every color are part of the same race, the human race, and that as Christians we are all one in Jesus. However, the Scriptures tell us that in Christ, old things pass away and all things become new. This means that anyone who up to now may not have known God's teaching against racism can in Christ renounce racist thoughts and ways and become new.I Peter 4:17: For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?Let this warning also be an inspiration. If the Church finally becomes the house of God that it was meant to be and leads the way against racism as it was always meant to do, it will light the way for everyone else.If the Church takes on its role as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and if all Christians everywhere condemn racism as the sin it is, the "huge racial chasm" will finally close.
THE LAST DAYS
THE LAST DAYS Romans 13:11-14 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+13:11-14Dear Father, object of my desires,Everything points to the fact that we live in the last days.Knowing what hour it is, let me wake up from my sleep! Forsalvation is nearer to me now than when I first believed. The nightis far gone. The day is at hand.Help me cast off all the works of darkness and put on the armor oflight. Let me conduct myself as becomes one of your people, not inreveling or drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, notin quarreling or jealousy.Rather, let me put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make noprovisions for the flesh, to gratify its desires.In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY
SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY Romans 13:9 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+13:9Dear Father, generous giver,Love sees needs and shares resources. How lacking I am in thisregard. Please forgive me and make me better. Give a spirit ofgenerosity not only to me, but also to my wife, my children, and mywhole extended family - also to my spiritual family, your church.Help all of us to be giving people, because you are a giving God.Move us to serve a needy world.I praise you and thank you for all your mercies. You are sobountiful in your gifts. I love you, good and gracious God. I loveyour Son. I love your Spirit. I love your people. I love the lost.My prayer is to love you and them more.In the name of Jesus and with the Spirit's help, I ask thesethings. Amen.
In All Your Getting, Get Together
In All Your Getting, Get TogetherLloyd Owens If you glance at the title of this devotional, it would seem that I have misquoted a very popular passage of scripture found in Prov. 4:7, but in all sincerity, I may have said exactly what needs to be said.Especially for today.It is time for the church, His Bride, You and I, to finally...get together.Not for our sakes, but for the sake of the Kingdom.Can "we" possibly move beyond our unhealed wounds, neglected symptoms of falsehoods and denial? Can the body of Christ ever lead in this charge?Every Sunday morning, our families gather together in their Sunday's best, place their Sunday smiles on and head out to their "local" church. We belong to a local body of Christ that looks just like us. The diversity in our churches often consist of the one or two members that for no other reason than being lost, ended up at your church, and stayed.So why is that so bad? Is there anything wrong with this picture?Who's complaining?It is amazing to me that we can listen to one another's music, attend one another's concerts, play sports with one another, go to games with one another, work with one another, but we cannot seem to sit and Worship the one true God collectively.So, yes something is wrong! Matthew 5:23-24 calls us to be 'reconciled to one another' before bringing an offering of any kind before the altar.The word reconcile means: to win over to friendliness; cause to become amicable; to compose or settle; to bring into agreement or harmony; to reconsecrate; and to cause (a person) to accept or be resigned to something not desired.The church has been commanded to love, not tolerate! We must begin to look past our differences, our past, our faults and unhealed scabs to seek His face as one body, with one heart.We must bring into agreement and harmony before we will be able to offer our gifts at the alter.If we are to heal as a nation, the church must lead the charge, and not be the poster child for the most segregated time of the week. We must first see this as a problem, as an issue the affects our services, our children,and our future.We must cast vision larger than our comfort zone. We must challenge ourselves to ask the questions, create the debate, and dig deep into the well to create solutions.We must be the example if we are to live outside of racial boundaries, stereotypes and exclusion.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
NO DEBT EXCEPT . . .
NO DEBT EXCEPT . . . Romans 13:8-10 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+13:8-10Dear Father, senior partner in my business,Help me get completely out of debt and stay out! Let me followyour word, "Owe no man anything! . . . except to love one another."Help me be a good steward of my business affairs. Spur me on towork smart as well as hard. Let me be very wise, even shrewd, inthe way I order my business. While conserving resources, let memove forward, even taking risks when such is best.Help me, Father, to see you as the senior partner in what I do.And may I always render a generous portion of my income to do yourwork in the world.In the name of Jesus and with the Spirit's help, I ask thesethings. Amen.
VERSE:
VERSE: The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, OLORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. -- Psalm 138:8 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Psalm+138:8&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: First there is conviction: the LORD will finish his work in us!(cf. Phil. 1:6). Second, there is declaration: the LORD's loveendures and doesn't fail (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8). Finally, there issupplication: O Lord, don't forget me, your creation (cf. Ps.139:13-16). What beautiful balance for our walk with the Lord.PRAYER: Heavenly Father and LORD of all things, I am confident that youwill accomplish your will and purpose in me. Seeing how you lovedand worked through the centuries with the everyday people I find inScripture, I know your love will last long after I am gone fromthis place. However, dear LORD, I do face some struggles anddifficulties and I ask you to please intervene with your grace andpower in my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
THE DEBT OF LOVE
THE DEBT OF LOVE Romans 13:8-10 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+13:8-10Dear Father,I owe love to my fellow man, as you have said. What an endlessdebt! How can I keep your command to love my neighbor as myself?What would it be like to live in a world where such unselfishnessprevailed? Ah, it would be heaven on earth, therefore such behavioris a precondition of our heavenly inheritance.But Lord, be gentle in your judgment toward me. I fall so farshort on this. Love would absolutely do no wrong to one's neighbor- never taking anything that was his, or even wanting to. So fillme with love, so that I may fulfill your law.In the name of Jesus, help me, Lord. Amen.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Somebody Needs What You Can Give
Somebody Needs What You Can GivePastor Paula White Numbers are significant to God.The number "9" signifies "gifts," and "fruit." 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 states that we are given nine different ways in which the Holy Spirit shows Himself in our lives. And as with the "gifts of the Spirit" described in Galatians 5:22, these are inner qualities that bless those around us when we share them.For those of us who love God and truly want to see His presence manifested in our lives, I believe that in 2009 it will be especially important to reach out to those around us with the gifts we are given. How we share our blessings, gifts, and talents with others is how we show God's love and allow our lives to be a light to the world around us.Love is a verb - an action word. We can love those around us by our simple actions of giving. Each of us has something to give our world. And somebody out there needs what you can give!Giving is not about a financial thing -- although that is one way to give. Sharing with others stems from our inner being; it is giving of ourselves, our talents and our abilities. Today one of the most valuable gifts we can give someone may be our time. Any time is a good time to give, however, during seasons of struggle, hardship, or transition -- which many of us are experiencing now -- I think it is especially important. It is easy to become self-absorbed, and feel we have nothing to give.But I assure you, you have something somebody needs. It may be a warm smile, or a friendly touch! I have found through my own experiences that when I'm going through difficult times, it helps to make a deliberate and conscious choice to give of myself to others. While going through a series of very painful experiences, I visited a nearby nursing home and devoted a portion of every week to five elderly people who had nobody else visiting them. My gifts to them were simple:I listened to stories of their childhood adventures.I held their hands and told them stories of my own.I joked with them.Sometimes I brought them soft cookies they could "gum" on -- or little bouquets of flowers they could smell, even if they couldn't see them.By sharing simple acts of kindness with these precious seniors, not only was God's love manifested, but it brought me incredible blessings of joy and happiness and allowed me to focus on the positive side of my personal life. When we give to others it is impossible not to be blessed. In 2009, a year that I call "The Year of the Spirit," I encourage you to take time to hear the small still voice within.Be sensitive to God's Spirit in every area of your life. Find simple ways of sharing the gifts He has given you with the people around you. You will, in turn, find yourself filled with joy and contentment, as you become His hand extended to a hurting world.Remember, your life is a gift from God - what you do with your life is your gift to Him. Stay Focused andBlessed.........................Jan
VALUE OF INTERDEPENDENCE
VALUE OF INTERDEPENDENCE Romans 12:3-8 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+12:3-8Dear Father, who wills our interdependence,Having gifts that differ, let us use them appropriately accordingto your will.If prophesy, in proportion to one's faith. If service, diligentlyserving. If teaching, instructively teaching. If exhortation,strongly motivating encouragement. If giving, with liberal andgenerous contributions. If giving aid, with zeal. If acts ofmercy, with cheerfulness.Great Giver, give your gifts to your people through your people.But let us always give you the glory! Praise to you, our Lord.It is in the name of Jesus, who shares all spiritual blessingswith us, we ask for a growing love among all your people. Amen.
The Books of Poetry
The Books of PoetryJob 19-20 Friday: Isaiah 51-55Saturday: Matthew 26-28Sunday: I Corinthians 3-4Job 191 Then Job answered and said, 2 How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? 3 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. 4 And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself. 5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach: 6 Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. 7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment. 8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths. 9 He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. 10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree. 11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies. 12 His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle. 13 He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. 14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15 They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. 16 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. 17 My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own body. 18 Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me. 19 All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me. 20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me. 22 Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh? 23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. 28 But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment. Job 201 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2 Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste. 3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer. 4 Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? 6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; 7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he? 8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. 9 The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him. 10 His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. 11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. 12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; 13 Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: 14 Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him. 15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly. 16 He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him. 17 He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter. 18 That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein. 19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not; 20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired. 21 There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods. 22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him. 23 When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating. 24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through. 25 It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him. 26 All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. 27 The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. 28 The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. 29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God. Stay Focused andBlessed.........................Jan
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
VERSE:
VERSE: For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name;and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earthshall he be called. -- Isaiah 54:5 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Isaiah+54:5&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: "For God so loved the world..." "The Father, from whom everyfamily on earth derives its name..." God is not just the God ofIsrael. The LORD God, ruler of heaven and earth, is the God of allnations and one day "every knee will bow and every tongue willconfess... that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God theFather."PRAYER: Great Redeemer and Father of all nations, I humbly come beforeyour throne and offer my thanks and praise for all that you havedone to bless us, your people. Please let me know you and be awareof your daily presence in my life. Forgive me, dear Father, when Ihaven't been a suitable place for your grace and name to dwell.Thank you for redeeming me from the sin that once entangled me.Guard my heart and rescue me from the deceptive lies of the evilone. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A HOLY TEMPLE
A HOLY TEMPLE Romans 12:1-2 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+12:1-2Dear Father, dweller of my temple,Please give me the mind of Christ and make my body a temple of thespirit of holiness which is his.Make me holy through and through. May my whole spirit, soul, andbody be kept blameless by your power until the coming of our LordJesus Christ.I trust you to do this because you are the one who has called me,and you are faithful. Your word says that you will do it!By the authority of Jesus and in his name I ask for this growth ingrace. Amen.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Promises and Foundations
Promises and FoundationsHebrews 10:34-37 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.Luke 12: 3229 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;I want to talk to you today about foundations and promises. This might seem a little bit of an odd thing to discuss and use these scriptures, but as I was looking at them, the Lord began to speak to me about the issue of the promises of God, and how some of them can be foundational in our lives.I believe that this was true of Abraham. God gave him the promise of a son, and used this as a major foundation in his life and the Lord built on this. Of course we mustn’t forget that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of every foundation that we are to build with in God’s kingdom.Remember the statement that I made in the first blog post building in the Spirit Intro? Well this study also pertains to that study. I mentioned briefly there that God never takes away from old revelations that he has given us, he only builds on them, unless of course they were not from Him to begin with, or they have come to pass, and no longer needed in our lives.However, in this study I am going to look at this from the standpoint of revelation that is a foundational thing in our lives. If we need to see examples of people in the scriptures here are but a few: we have the example of Abraham. Also, the Apostle Paul is another person I believe who built His life around the revelation that he received in the two stages: one at His conversion and the other when Ananias came and laid hands on Him and the scales fell from His eyes! This man was going to be used mightily by the Lord, as Abraham the father of faith was also. It is also true of Joseph and many other people….and we can see this principle echoed also, in the words of Martin Luther King: “I have a dream”. Dream and destiny also tie in closely with all of this, and promises from God and revelations all build in to what God has planned for us. Ultimately, this plan carries on into eternity, and we will all be given rewards based on our obedience to the heavenly vision. (find)So, in this particular post I will be talking about this subject and perhaps will need to do a few more posts on this…well, we will see, as the Lord leads!Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.So, we have received a certain promise for our lives, a vision and a destiny from Him and we are still waiting to see the outworking of it – perhaps we are in the middle somewhere. This is where I find myself at this present time. However there are certain things, certain promises that I have received from the Lord that have come to me in levels. Some of them have been hard to hold onto because they have been hard to receive. They involve some sacrifices and some big changes that will one day come into my life. Indeed changes will have to come, because in order for me to do the will of God in accordance with what he has shown me, change will have to occur.So, the Lord has given me some promises that have not yet come to pass. As time goes on, I might begin to doubt some of them. Or should I say, doubt will come against me. I do believe that we can be in faith about something and have doubt assail us, and in this way we might think that we are succumbing to doubt.However the enemy will lie to us about even this if we are not careful!! So learn to discern when Satan is starting to plant doubts in your head about the promises of God in your life!! I will perhaps look at doubt in a bit more detail later.But for now I want to focus on what I will perhaps call the “levels of promise” or should I say levels and capacity to receive. The Lord has given us part of his plan and we have come to accept it. It may be so crazy that we let it slip from our hearts (or we may just think we have), if you know what I mean. For a long time now, I have had this problem with certain promises from God. But the other day, I believe that I received some interesting insight concerning all of this and that is what I want to share with you. I am sorry if I seem to be “beating around the bush” a bit, however I am trying to explain it so you can understand it, so pleeease bear with me won’t you? LolI have a promise from God. It seems weird to say the least. But I have grown into that promise. It is from God because I have always been watching the fruit of it in my life. With it when I accept it at my new level (this is what I’m going to explain here), it bears the good fruit in my life, my faith is stronger, I walk in the Spirit, and manifest the fruit with power. I have confidence in God, etc etc.So, now down the track a bit I find myself asking the questions again, and up until now I have always thought that God was a little bit peeved at me for asking for His reassurance concerning certain things again.But the revelation that I have recently had is this: It is OK!!! In fact this is how we build in the Spirit!!!So, don’t cast away your confidence both in and at the levels of promise and revelation that you have already been given…you will be given more, and more reassurance besides…THIS IS THE REASON WHY YOU HAVE BEEN TAKEN BACK TO IT AGAIN!!NO, you are not wrong to be asking the questions again…there is a reason that you are..(unless the Lord specifically says no, stop seeking and praying regarding these things).There are times when we need to go back to the Lord concerning certain promises and revelations because HE IS WANTING TO REVEAL MORE, and wanting to reassure you…because He knows that some of these things are hard to accept, and it is not always easy waiting for them to come to pass, when the circumstances around us seem to say otherwise!! Its ok to be human, God knows we are! He also knows that perhaps you are taking a pounding from the enemy and you need His reassurance and comfort to do with these issues!I want you to know dear friends, that there just might be more revelation and insight coming to you on these particular issues, and that is why the enemy is assailing you with doubt again concerning them…he can sometimes see those ole angels coming with the revelation and doesn’t want you to receive it! Remember what happened to Daniel in the Old Testament? The angels have to fight through sometimes, the enemy doesn’t want us to receive anything from God, especially revelation!You see the scriptures say: do not cast away your confidence, and here I am using this principle to show you this: that is - (in the revelations and promises given to you) - you will be rewarded. A reward is coming the enemy doesn’t want you to have.You have need of endurance so after you have pressed through this (done the will of God, held on to the promises, continued to faithfully follow Him etc etc) YOU MAY RECEIVE THE PROMISE.You see, now you will have new capacity to receive the promise into your heart in greater measure!!! There is more revelation there for you concerning it! Hallelujah, the Lord wants to impart it to you. So press though your time of doubt and drought, and see the vision again with ever increasing clarity. See it in more fullness. The Lord wants to expand the revelation to you so you can see and grasp more of it!! He wants to build on what he gave you last time!!!You now have been stretched in your faith and you have more of an ability to receive more of it into your heart.So, what I have discovered in all of this is that it is OK to seek the assurance, because it is all part of receiving more expanded revelation. The fight of endurance concerning the promises at a new level means more revelation is coming concerning the them. Fight the good fight of faith to receive it!!! Ignore doubt!!!Every breakthrough in an area, means more revelation and clarity will be available concerning those things. Every breakthrough means more revelation on a subject thus another testing period v35. Another test of endurance – and resisting the urge to throw away your confidence in the revelations and the promises of God.These are the rewards of faith! You see, to him who is given, more will be added !! AmenSo, I hope and pray that this has all made sense to you my friends. In upcoming studies I might go further into the life of Abraham, if led to do so. You know that he is called the father of faith for a reason! He had to endure many years of waiting for the promise to come to pass, and yet he didn’t let doubt defeat him, even though he had no reason to keep believing in the end the bible says (Romans 4:18-20).
Promises and Foundations
Promises and FoundationsHebrews 10:34-37 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.Luke 12: 3229 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;I want to talk to you today about foundations and promises. This might seem a little bit of an odd thing to discuss and use these scriptures, but as I was looking at them, the Lord began to speak to me about the issue of the promises of God, and how some of them can be foundational in our lives.I believe that this was true of Abraham. God gave him the promise of a son, and used this as a major foundation in his life and the Lord built on this. Of course we mustn’t forget that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of every foundation that we are to build with in God’s kingdom.Remember the statement that I made in the first blog post building in the Spirit Intro? Well this study also pertains to that study. I mentioned briefly there that God never takes away from old revelations that he has given us, he only builds on them, unless of course they were not from Him to begin with, or they have come to pass, and no longer needed in our lives.However, in this study I am going to look at this from the standpoint of revelation that is a foundational thing in our lives. If we need to see examples of people in the scriptures here are but a few: we have the example of Abraham. Also, the Apostle Paul is another person I believe who built His life around the revelation that he received in the two stages: one at His conversion and the other when Ananias came and laid hands on Him and the scales fell from His eyes! This man was going to be used mightily by the Lord, as Abraham the father of faith was also. It is also true of Joseph and many other people….and we can see this principle echoed also, in the words of Martin Luther King: “I have a dream”. Dream and destiny also tie in closely with all of this, and promises from God and revelations all build in to what God has planned for us. Ultimately, this plan carries on into eternity, and we will all be given rewards based on our obedience to the heavenly vision. (find)So, in this particular post I will be talking about this subject and perhaps will need to do a few more posts on this…well, we will see, as the Lord leads!Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.So, we have received a certain promise for our lives, a vision and a destiny from Him and we are still waiting to see the outworking of it – perhaps we are in the middle somewhere. This is where I find myself at this present time. However there are certain things, certain promises that I have received from the Lord that have come to me in levels. Some of them have been hard to hold onto because they have been hard to receive. They involve some sacrifices and some big changes that will one day come into my life. Indeed changes will have to come, because in order for me to do the will of God in accordance with what he has shown me, change will have to occur.So, the Lord has given me some promises that have not yet come to pass. As time goes on, I might begin to doubt some of them. Or should I say, doubt will come against me. I do believe that we can be in faith about something and have doubt assail us, and in this way we might think that we are succumbing to doubt.However the enemy will lie to us about even this if we are not careful!! So learn to discern when Satan is starting to plant doubts in your head about the promises of God in your life!! I will perhaps look at doubt in a bit more detail later.But for now I want to focus on what I will perhaps call the “levels of promise” or should I say levels and capacity to receive. The Lord has given us part of his plan and we have come to accept it. It may be so crazy that we let it slip from our hearts (or we may just think we have), if you know what I mean. For a long time now, I have had this problem with certain promises from God. But the other day, I believe that I received some interesting insight concerning all of this and that is what I want to share with you. I am sorry if I seem to be “beating around the bush” a bit, however I am trying to explain it so you can understand it, so pleeease bear with me won’t you? LolI have a promise from God. It seems weird to say the least. But I have grown into that promise. It is from God because I have always been watching the fruit of it in my life. With it when I accept it at my new level (this is what I’m going to explain here), it bears the good fruit in my life, my faith is stronger, I walk in the Spirit, and manifest the fruit with power. I have confidence in God, etc etc.So, now down the track a bit I find myself asking the questions again, and up until now I have always thought that God was a little bit peeved at me for asking for His reassurance concerning certain things again.But the revelation that I have recently had is this: It is OK!!! In fact this is how we build in the Spirit!!!So, don’t cast away your confidence both in and at the levels of promise and revelation that you have already been given…you will be given more, and more reassurance besides…THIS IS THE REASON WHY YOU HAVE BEEN TAKEN BACK TO IT AGAIN!!NO, you are not wrong to be asking the questions again…there is a reason that you are..(unless the Lord specifically says no, stop seeking and praying regarding these things).There are times when we need to go back to the Lord concerning certain promises and revelations because HE IS WANTING TO REVEAL MORE, and wanting to reassure you…because He knows that some of these things are hard to accept, and it is not always easy waiting for them to come to pass, when the circumstances around us seem to say otherwise!! Its ok to be human, God knows we are! He also knows that perhaps you are taking a pounding from the enemy and you need His reassurance and comfort to do with these issues!I want you to know dear friends, that there just might be more revelation and insight coming to you on these particular issues, and that is why the enemy is assailing you with doubt again concerning them…he can sometimes see those ole angels coming with the revelation and doesn’t want you to receive it! Remember what happened to Daniel in the Old Testament? The angels have to fight through sometimes, the enemy doesn’t want us to receive anything from God, especially revelation!You see the scriptures say: do not cast away your confidence, and here I am using this principle to show you this: that is - (in the revelations and promises given to you) - you will be rewarded. A reward is coming the enemy doesn’t want you to have.You have need of endurance so after you have pressed through this (done the will of God, held on to the promises, continued to faithfully follow Him etc etc) YOU MAY RECEIVE THE PROMISE.You see, now you will have new capacity to receive the promise into your heart in greater measure!!! There is more revelation there for you concerning it! Hallelujah, the Lord wants to impart it to you. So press though your time of doubt and drought, and see the vision again with ever increasing clarity. See it in more fullness. The Lord wants to expand the revelation to you so you can see and grasp more of it!! He wants to build on what he gave you last time!!!You now have been stretched in your faith and you have more of an ability to receive more of it into your heart.So, what I have discovered in all of this is that it is OK to seek the assurance, because it is all part of receiving more expanded revelation. The fight of endurance concerning the promises at a new level means more revelation is coming concerning the them. Fight the good fight of faith to receive it!!! Ignore doubt!!!Every breakthrough in an area, means more revelation and clarity will be available concerning those things. Every breakthrough means more revelation on a subject thus another testing period v35. Another test of endurance – and resisting the urge to throw away your confidence in the revelations and the promises of God.These are the rewards of faith! You see, to him who is given, more will be added !! AmenSo, I hope and pray that this has all made sense to you my friends. In upcoming studies I might go further into the life of Abraham, if led to do so. You know that he is called the father of faith for a reason! He had to endure many years of waiting for the promise to come to pass, and yet he didn’t let doubt defeat him, even though he had no reason to keep believing in the end the bible says (Romans 4:18-20).
GOD'S RECONCILIATION
GOD'S RECONCILIATION
Romans 11:33-36 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+11:33-36
Dear Father,
How great your mercy is! How deep your riches and wisdom andknowledge are! How unsearchable are your judgments! How inscrutableyour ways!
No one can know your mind totally! No one can be your counsellor!No one can give you a gift! Because from you and through you and toyou are all things!
May my faith never falter, my belief never fail. Continue yourprocess of reconciliation among all your people, Jews and Gentiles.
In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen
Romans 11:33-36 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+11:33-36
Dear Father,
How great your mercy is! How deep your riches and wisdom andknowledge are! How unsearchable are your judgments! How inscrutableyour ways!
No one can know your mind totally! No one can be your counsellor!No one can give you a gift! Because from you and through you and toyou are all things!
May my faith never falter, my belief never fail. Continue yourprocess of reconciliation among all your people, Jews and Gentiles.
In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Epistles
The EpistlesI Corinthians 1-2 Monday: Genesis 36-39Tuesday: RuthWednesday: Psalms 27-291 Corinthians 11 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 21 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
Friday, February 13, 2009
GOD, JESUS, THE HOLY GHOST: 3, OR 1?Posted by Chandra Cole on February 11, 2009 at 2:30pm
GOD, JESUS, THE HOLY GHOST: 3, OR 1?
Posted by Chandra Cole on February 11, 2009 at 2:30pm
Add as Friend View Chandra Cole's blog
For years there has been arguments about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Some say they are three persons, some say they're all the same. What do you say? Trinity is not in the Bible, so is it made up by man? Is God, the Son, and the Holy Ghost 3 differnt persons, or 1? What scripture do you have to back your answer:
xg_quickadd_share_moreOptionsUrl = 'http://abcpreachers.ning.com/main/sharing/share?id=916966%253ABlogPost%253A438352';
Share
4 Comments
Comment by Eric Hancock 20 hours ago
Ok Sis .Cole here is a teaching that was done,,No more questions after this,,LOLThe FatherThe term "God the Father" is biblical and refers to God Himself (Galatians 1:1-4). God is the Father; He is not merely Father of the Son, but the Father of all creation (Malachi 2:10; Hebrews 12:9). He is also our Father by reason of the new birth (Romans 8:14-16). The title Father indicates a relationship between God and man, particularly between God and His Son and between God and regenerated man. Jesus taught many times that God is our Father (Matthew 5:16, 45, 48). He taught us to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven" (Matthew 6:9). Of course, Jesus as a man had an additional relationship to God in a sense that no one else has ever had. He was the only begotten Son of the Father (John 3:16), the only One who was actually conceived by the Spirit of God and the only One who had the fulness of God without measure.The Bible plainly states that there is only one Father (Malachi 2:10; Ephesians 4:6). It also clearly teaches that Jesus is the one Father incarnate (Isaiah 9:6; John 10:30). The Spirit that dwelt in the Son of God was none other than the Father.It is important to note that the name of the Father is Jesus, for this name fully reveals and expresses the Father. In John 5:43, Jesus said, "I am come in my Father's name." According to Hebrews 1:4, the Sori "by inheritance obtained a more excellent name." In other words, the Son inherited His Father's name. We therefore understand why Jesus said that He manifested and declared the Father's name (John 17:6, 26). He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that stated the Messiah would declare the name of the LORD (Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 2:12). In what name did the Son come? What name did He obtain from His Father by inheritance? What name did the Son manifest? The answer is apparent. The only name He used was the name of Jesus, His Father's name.The SonBasically, the term "Son of God" refers to God as manifested in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. The name of the Son is Jesus: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS" (Matthew 1:21). Since Father refers to deity alone, while "Son of God" refers to deity as incarnated in humanity, we do not believe that the Father is the Son. The distinction is pivotal. We can say the Son died, but we cannot say the Father died. The deity in the Son is the Father. Although we do not believe that the Father is the Son, we do believe that the Father is in the Son (John 14:10). Since Jesus is the name of the Son of God, both as to His deity as Father and as to His humanity as Son, it is the name of both the Father and the Son.The Holy GhostThe terms "Holy Ghost" and "Holy Spirit" are interchangeable, meaning identically the same. These two terms in the KJV are translated from the one Greek word pneuma; therefore, there is absolutely no distinction between the terms. Either is perfectly acceptable since both mean the same.The Holy Spirit is simply God. God is holy (Leviticus 11:44; I Peter 1:16). In fact, He alone is holy in Himself. God is also a Spirit (John 4:24), and there is only one Spirit of God (I Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:4). Therefore, "Holy Spirit" is another term for the one God.That the Holy Ghost is God is evident from a comparison of Acts 5:3 with 5:4 and from a comparison of I Corinthians 3:16 with 6:19. These passages identify the Holy Ghost with God Himself.We cannot limit the terms "Holy Ghost," "Holy Spirit," or "Spirit of God" to the New Testament, nor can we so limit the role or manifestation of God they describe. We find the Spirit mentioned throughout the Old Testament beginning with Genesis 1:2. Peter tells us that the prophets of old were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Peter 1:21).If the Holy Spirit is simply God, why is there a need for this term? The reason is that it emphasizes a particular aspect of God. It emphasizes that He who is a holy, omnipresent, and invisible Spirit works among all men everywhere and can fill the hearts of men. When we speak of the Holy Spirit, we are reminding ourselves of God's invisible work among men and of His ability to anoint, baptize, fill, and indwell human lives. The term speaks of God in activity: "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:2). It refers to God working among mankind to regenerate man's fallen nature and enable him to do the supernatural will of God in the world. We note that the Spirit is the agent in the new birth (John 3:5; Titus 3:5).Since the Holy Spirit is God Himself, we properly use the pronouns He and Him to refer to the Spirit. We often use "Holy Ghost" and "Holy Spirit" as abbreviated forms of "the baptism (or gift) of the Holy Ghost," and in such cases it is proper to use the pronoun it as a substitute. When we do this, however, we should always remember that the Holy Ghost is God and not merely an unintelligent force or fluid. The following verses of Scripture reveal that the Holy Ghost is not an unintelligent force but is in fact God: Acts 5:3-4, 9; 20:23, 28; 21:11.The Spirit is revealed and received through the name Jesus. He is not a separate person with a separate identity who comes in another name. Jesus said, "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name…" (John 14:26). So the Holy Ghost comes in the name of Jesus.The Father is the Holy GhostThe one God is Father of all, is holy, and is a Spirit. Therefore, the titles Father and Holy Spirit describe the same being. To put it another way, the one God can and does fill simultaneously the two roles of Father and Holy Spirit. The Scriptures bear this out.1. John 3:16 says God is the Father of Jesus Christ and Jesus referred to the Father as His own Father many times (John 5:17-18). Yet Matthew 1:18-20 and Luke 1:35 plainly reveal that the Holy Ghost is the Father of Jesus Christ. According to these verses of Scripture, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost and was born the Son of God as a result.The one who causes conception to take place is the father. Since all verses of Scripture in reference to the conception or begetting of the Son of God speak of the Holy Ghost as the agent of conception, it is evident that the father of the human body is the Spirit; it is only reasonable to conclude that the Holy Ghost is the Father of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.2. Joel 2:27-29 records the words of Jehovah God: "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh." Peter applied this verse of Scripture to the baptism of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4,16-18). Thus the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the one Jehovah God of the Old Testament. Since there is only one Spirit, obviously the Spirit of Jehovah must be the Holy Spirit.3. The Bible calls the Holy Spirit the "Spirit of the LORD" (Isaiah 40:13), the Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2), and the Spirit of the Father (Matthew 10:20). Since there is only one Spirit, all these phrases must refer to the same being. The Holy Spirit is none other than Jehovah God and none other than the Father.For further study of the identification of the Holy Ghost with the Father, consider the following comparisons from the Bible:1. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:24; Ephesians 1:17-20), yet the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11).2. God the Father quickens (gives life to) the dead (Romans 4:17; I Timothy 6:13), yet the Spirit will do so (Romans 8:11).3. The Spirit adopts us, which means He is our Father (Romans 8:15-16).4. The Holy Spirit fills the life of a Christian (John 14:17; Acts 4:31), yet the Spirit of the Father fills hearts (Ephesians 3:14-16). It is the Father who lives in us (John 14:23).5. The Holy Ghost is our Comforter (John 14:26, Greek parakletos), yet God the Father is the God of all comfort (paraklesis) who comforts (parakaleo) us in all our tribulation (II Corinthians 1:3-4).6. The Spirit sanctifies us (I Peter 1:2), yet the Father sanctifies us (Jude 1).7. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (II Timothy 3:16), yet the Old Testament prophets were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Peter 1:21).8. Our bodies are temples of God (I Corinthians 3:16-17), yet they are temples of the Holy Ghost (I Corinthians 6:19).9. The Spirit of the Father will give us words to say in time of persecution (Matthew 10:20), but the Holy Ghost will do so (Mark 13:11).From all these verses of Scripture we conclude that Father and Holy Ghost are simply two different descriptions of the one God. The two terms describe the same being but they emphasize or highlight different aspects, roles, or functions that He possesses.The Deity of Jesus Christ is the FatherThe deity resident in Jesus Christ is none other than the Father. In other words, the Spirit in the Son is the Father. (See the section, "Jesus is the Father," in Chapter 4 - JESUS IS GOD for a full discussion of this point.)The Deity of Jesus Christ is the Holy GhostThe Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:19). and the Spirit of the Son (Galatians 4:6). Second Corinthians 3:17 says of the one Spirit, "Now the Lord is that Spirit." The NIV puts it even plainer, for it says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit," and "the Lord who is the Spirit" (verse 18). In short, the Spirit that is resident in Jesus Christ is none other than the Holy Spirit. The Spirit in the Son is the Holy Spirit.Below are some parallel verses of Scripture which further reveal that the Spirit of Christ is the Holy Ghost.1. The Spirit of Christ was in the prophets of old (I Peter 1:10-11), yet we know the Holy Ghost moved on them (II Peter 1:21).2. Jesus will raise the believer from death (John 6:40), yet the Spirit will quicken (give life to) the dead (Romans 8:11).3. The Spirit raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:9-11), yet Jesus said He would raise Himself from the dead (John 2:19-21).4. John 14:16 says the Father would send another Comforter, namely the Holy Ghost, yet in John 14:18 Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." In other words, the other Comforter is Jesus in another form - in the Spirit rather than the flesh. Jesus explained this in verse 17, saying that the Comforter was with the disciples already, but He would soon be in them. In other words, the Holy Ghost was with them in the person of Jesus Christ, but the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, soon would be in them. Jesus further explained this point in John 16:7, saying that He had to go away or else the Comforter would not come. Why? As long as Jesus was present with them in the flesh He would not he present spiritually in their hearts, but after He physically departed He would send back His own Spirit to he with them.5. The Holy Ghost abides in the hearts of Christians (John 14:16), yet Jesus promised that He would abide with His followers to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). Similarly, believers are filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4, 38), yet it is Christ who dwells in us (Colossians 1:27).6. Ephesians 3:16-17 says that by having the Spirit in the inner man we have Christ in our hearts.7. Christ sanctifies the Church (Ephesians 5:26), yet the Spirit does (I Peter 1:2).8. The Holy Ghost is the promised parakletos in John 14:26 (Greek word translated "Comforter" by the KJV), yet Jesus is our parakletos in I John 2:1 (same Greek word translated "advocate" in the KJV). We should note that the same human writer - the Apostle John - penned both of these verses, so presumably he was aware of the parallel.9. The Spirit is our intercessor (Romans 8:26), yet Jesus is our intercessor (Hebrews 7:25).10. The Holy Ghost will give us words to say in times of persecution (Mark 13:11), yet Jesus said He would do so (Luke 21:15).11. In Acts 16:6-7, the RSV and NIV both equate the Holy Spirit with the Spirit of Jesus.Father, Son, and Holy GhostIt is clear that the terms Father, Son, and Holy Ghost cannot imply three separate persons, personalities, wills, or beings. They can only denote different aspects or roles of one Spirit-being - the one God. They describe God's relationships to man, not persons in a Godhead. We use Father to emphasize God's roles as Creator, Father of spirits, Father of the born-again believers, and Father of the humanity of Jesus Christ. We use Son to mean both the humanity of Jesus Christ and God as He manifested Himself in the flesh for the purpose of man's salvation. We use Holy Ghost to emphasize God's active power in the world and among men, particularly His work in regeneration.We should note that these three titles are not the only ones God has. Many other titles or names for God are very significant and appear frequently in the Bible, including terms such as LORD (Jehovah), Lord, Word, God Almighty, and Holy One of Israel. The oneness view does not deny Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, but it does refute the view that these terms designate persons in the Godhead. God has many titles, but He is one being. He is indivisible as to His existence, but His revelation of Himself to mankind has been expressed through many channels, including His revelation as the Father, in the Son, and as the Holy Ghost.Ephesians 3:14-17, which we have used several times in this chapter, demonstrates that the Father, the Spirit, and Christ are one in the sense just described. "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith…" The KJV is ambiguous as to whether "his Spirit" means the Father's Spirit or Christ's Spirit. The NIV, TAB, RSV, and Nestle's Greek text all make it clear that "his" relates back to "Father." Thus, this passage identifies the Spirit in a Christian's heart as the Father's Spirit and also as Christ. The Father, Christ, and the Spirit all refer to the one indivisible God.What of passages of Scripture that seem to describe more than one person in the Godhead? They appear to do so only because of years of usage by those who believe in more than one person in the Godhead. When a person strips his mind of all man-made interpretations, connotations, and doctrines, viewing these verses through the eyes of the original writers (who were devout monotheistic Jews), he will understand these verses to describe either the multiple attributes and roles of God or the dual nature of Jesus Christ. (For the discussion of particular verses of Scripture in this regard, see Chapter 7 - OLD TESTAMENT EXPLANATIONS, Chapter 8 - NEW TESTAMENT EXPLANATIONS: THE GOSPEL, and Chapter 9 - NEW TESTAMENT EXPLANATIONS: ACTS TO REVELATION.)Only two verses of Scripture in the entire Bible mention Father, Son (or Word), and Holy Ghost in a way that could suggest three persons or a special significance of the number three in relation to the Godhead. They are Matthew 28:19 and I John 5:7. However, both of these passages present serious problems for the trinitarian view.
Posted by Chandra Cole on February 11, 2009 at 2:30pm
Add as Friend View Chandra Cole's blog
For years there has been arguments about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Some say they are three persons, some say they're all the same. What do you say? Trinity is not in the Bible, so is it made up by man? Is God, the Son, and the Holy Ghost 3 differnt persons, or 1? What scripture do you have to back your answer:
xg_quickadd_share_moreOptionsUrl = 'http://abcpreachers.ning.com/main/sharing/share?id=916966%253ABlogPost%253A438352';
Share
4 Comments
Comment by Eric Hancock 20 hours ago
Ok Sis .Cole here is a teaching that was done,,No more questions after this,,LOLThe FatherThe term "God the Father" is biblical and refers to God Himself (Galatians 1:1-4). God is the Father; He is not merely Father of the Son, but the Father of all creation (Malachi 2:10; Hebrews 12:9). He is also our Father by reason of the new birth (Romans 8:14-16). The title Father indicates a relationship between God and man, particularly between God and His Son and between God and regenerated man. Jesus taught many times that God is our Father (Matthew 5:16, 45, 48). He taught us to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven" (Matthew 6:9). Of course, Jesus as a man had an additional relationship to God in a sense that no one else has ever had. He was the only begotten Son of the Father (John 3:16), the only One who was actually conceived by the Spirit of God and the only One who had the fulness of God without measure.The Bible plainly states that there is only one Father (Malachi 2:10; Ephesians 4:6). It also clearly teaches that Jesus is the one Father incarnate (Isaiah 9:6; John 10:30). The Spirit that dwelt in the Son of God was none other than the Father.It is important to note that the name of the Father is Jesus, for this name fully reveals and expresses the Father. In John 5:43, Jesus said, "I am come in my Father's name." According to Hebrews 1:4, the Sori "by inheritance obtained a more excellent name." In other words, the Son inherited His Father's name. We therefore understand why Jesus said that He manifested and declared the Father's name (John 17:6, 26). He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that stated the Messiah would declare the name of the LORD (Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 2:12). In what name did the Son come? What name did He obtain from His Father by inheritance? What name did the Son manifest? The answer is apparent. The only name He used was the name of Jesus, His Father's name.The SonBasically, the term "Son of God" refers to God as manifested in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. The name of the Son is Jesus: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS" (Matthew 1:21). Since Father refers to deity alone, while "Son of God" refers to deity as incarnated in humanity, we do not believe that the Father is the Son. The distinction is pivotal. We can say the Son died, but we cannot say the Father died. The deity in the Son is the Father. Although we do not believe that the Father is the Son, we do believe that the Father is in the Son (John 14:10). Since Jesus is the name of the Son of God, both as to His deity as Father and as to His humanity as Son, it is the name of both the Father and the Son.The Holy GhostThe terms "Holy Ghost" and "Holy Spirit" are interchangeable, meaning identically the same. These two terms in the KJV are translated from the one Greek word pneuma; therefore, there is absolutely no distinction between the terms. Either is perfectly acceptable since both mean the same.The Holy Spirit is simply God. God is holy (Leviticus 11:44; I Peter 1:16). In fact, He alone is holy in Himself. God is also a Spirit (John 4:24), and there is only one Spirit of God (I Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:4). Therefore, "Holy Spirit" is another term for the one God.That the Holy Ghost is God is evident from a comparison of Acts 5:3 with 5:4 and from a comparison of I Corinthians 3:16 with 6:19. These passages identify the Holy Ghost with God Himself.We cannot limit the terms "Holy Ghost," "Holy Spirit," or "Spirit of God" to the New Testament, nor can we so limit the role or manifestation of God they describe. We find the Spirit mentioned throughout the Old Testament beginning with Genesis 1:2. Peter tells us that the prophets of old were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Peter 1:21).If the Holy Spirit is simply God, why is there a need for this term? The reason is that it emphasizes a particular aspect of God. It emphasizes that He who is a holy, omnipresent, and invisible Spirit works among all men everywhere and can fill the hearts of men. When we speak of the Holy Spirit, we are reminding ourselves of God's invisible work among men and of His ability to anoint, baptize, fill, and indwell human lives. The term speaks of God in activity: "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:2). It refers to God working among mankind to regenerate man's fallen nature and enable him to do the supernatural will of God in the world. We note that the Spirit is the agent in the new birth (John 3:5; Titus 3:5).Since the Holy Spirit is God Himself, we properly use the pronouns He and Him to refer to the Spirit. We often use "Holy Ghost" and "Holy Spirit" as abbreviated forms of "the baptism (or gift) of the Holy Ghost," and in such cases it is proper to use the pronoun it as a substitute. When we do this, however, we should always remember that the Holy Ghost is God and not merely an unintelligent force or fluid. The following verses of Scripture reveal that the Holy Ghost is not an unintelligent force but is in fact God: Acts 5:3-4, 9; 20:23, 28; 21:11.The Spirit is revealed and received through the name Jesus. He is not a separate person with a separate identity who comes in another name. Jesus said, "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name…" (John 14:26). So the Holy Ghost comes in the name of Jesus.The Father is the Holy GhostThe one God is Father of all, is holy, and is a Spirit. Therefore, the titles Father and Holy Spirit describe the same being. To put it another way, the one God can and does fill simultaneously the two roles of Father and Holy Spirit. The Scriptures bear this out.1. John 3:16 says God is the Father of Jesus Christ and Jesus referred to the Father as His own Father many times (John 5:17-18). Yet Matthew 1:18-20 and Luke 1:35 plainly reveal that the Holy Ghost is the Father of Jesus Christ. According to these verses of Scripture, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost and was born the Son of God as a result.The one who causes conception to take place is the father. Since all verses of Scripture in reference to the conception or begetting of the Son of God speak of the Holy Ghost as the agent of conception, it is evident that the father of the human body is the Spirit; it is only reasonable to conclude that the Holy Ghost is the Father of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.2. Joel 2:27-29 records the words of Jehovah God: "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh." Peter applied this verse of Scripture to the baptism of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4,16-18). Thus the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the one Jehovah God of the Old Testament. Since there is only one Spirit, obviously the Spirit of Jehovah must be the Holy Spirit.3. The Bible calls the Holy Spirit the "Spirit of the LORD" (Isaiah 40:13), the Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2), and the Spirit of the Father (Matthew 10:20). Since there is only one Spirit, all these phrases must refer to the same being. The Holy Spirit is none other than Jehovah God and none other than the Father.For further study of the identification of the Holy Ghost with the Father, consider the following comparisons from the Bible:1. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:24; Ephesians 1:17-20), yet the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11).2. God the Father quickens (gives life to) the dead (Romans 4:17; I Timothy 6:13), yet the Spirit will do so (Romans 8:11).3. The Spirit adopts us, which means He is our Father (Romans 8:15-16).4. The Holy Spirit fills the life of a Christian (John 14:17; Acts 4:31), yet the Spirit of the Father fills hearts (Ephesians 3:14-16). It is the Father who lives in us (John 14:23).5. The Holy Ghost is our Comforter (John 14:26, Greek parakletos), yet God the Father is the God of all comfort (paraklesis) who comforts (parakaleo) us in all our tribulation (II Corinthians 1:3-4).6. The Spirit sanctifies us (I Peter 1:2), yet the Father sanctifies us (Jude 1).7. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (II Timothy 3:16), yet the Old Testament prophets were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Peter 1:21).8. Our bodies are temples of God (I Corinthians 3:16-17), yet they are temples of the Holy Ghost (I Corinthians 6:19).9. The Spirit of the Father will give us words to say in time of persecution (Matthew 10:20), but the Holy Ghost will do so (Mark 13:11).From all these verses of Scripture we conclude that Father and Holy Ghost are simply two different descriptions of the one God. The two terms describe the same being but they emphasize or highlight different aspects, roles, or functions that He possesses.The Deity of Jesus Christ is the FatherThe deity resident in Jesus Christ is none other than the Father. In other words, the Spirit in the Son is the Father. (See the section, "Jesus is the Father," in Chapter 4 - JESUS IS GOD for a full discussion of this point.)The Deity of Jesus Christ is the Holy GhostThe Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:19). and the Spirit of the Son (Galatians 4:6). Second Corinthians 3:17 says of the one Spirit, "Now the Lord is that Spirit." The NIV puts it even plainer, for it says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit," and "the Lord who is the Spirit" (verse 18). In short, the Spirit that is resident in Jesus Christ is none other than the Holy Spirit. The Spirit in the Son is the Holy Spirit.Below are some parallel verses of Scripture which further reveal that the Spirit of Christ is the Holy Ghost.1. The Spirit of Christ was in the prophets of old (I Peter 1:10-11), yet we know the Holy Ghost moved on them (II Peter 1:21).2. Jesus will raise the believer from death (John 6:40), yet the Spirit will quicken (give life to) the dead (Romans 8:11).3. The Spirit raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:9-11), yet Jesus said He would raise Himself from the dead (John 2:19-21).4. John 14:16 says the Father would send another Comforter, namely the Holy Ghost, yet in John 14:18 Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." In other words, the other Comforter is Jesus in another form - in the Spirit rather than the flesh. Jesus explained this in verse 17, saying that the Comforter was with the disciples already, but He would soon be in them. In other words, the Holy Ghost was with them in the person of Jesus Christ, but the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, soon would be in them. Jesus further explained this point in John 16:7, saying that He had to go away or else the Comforter would not come. Why? As long as Jesus was present with them in the flesh He would not he present spiritually in their hearts, but after He physically departed He would send back His own Spirit to he with them.5. The Holy Ghost abides in the hearts of Christians (John 14:16), yet Jesus promised that He would abide with His followers to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). Similarly, believers are filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4, 38), yet it is Christ who dwells in us (Colossians 1:27).6. Ephesians 3:16-17 says that by having the Spirit in the inner man we have Christ in our hearts.7. Christ sanctifies the Church (Ephesians 5:26), yet the Spirit does (I Peter 1:2).8. The Holy Ghost is the promised parakletos in John 14:26 (Greek word translated "Comforter" by the KJV), yet Jesus is our parakletos in I John 2:1 (same Greek word translated "advocate" in the KJV). We should note that the same human writer - the Apostle John - penned both of these verses, so presumably he was aware of the parallel.9. The Spirit is our intercessor (Romans 8:26), yet Jesus is our intercessor (Hebrews 7:25).10. The Holy Ghost will give us words to say in times of persecution (Mark 13:11), yet Jesus said He would do so (Luke 21:15).11. In Acts 16:6-7, the RSV and NIV both equate the Holy Spirit with the Spirit of Jesus.Father, Son, and Holy GhostIt is clear that the terms Father, Son, and Holy Ghost cannot imply three separate persons, personalities, wills, or beings. They can only denote different aspects or roles of one Spirit-being - the one God. They describe God's relationships to man, not persons in a Godhead. We use Father to emphasize God's roles as Creator, Father of spirits, Father of the born-again believers, and Father of the humanity of Jesus Christ. We use Son to mean both the humanity of Jesus Christ and God as He manifested Himself in the flesh for the purpose of man's salvation. We use Holy Ghost to emphasize God's active power in the world and among men, particularly His work in regeneration.We should note that these three titles are not the only ones God has. Many other titles or names for God are very significant and appear frequently in the Bible, including terms such as LORD (Jehovah), Lord, Word, God Almighty, and Holy One of Israel. The oneness view does not deny Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, but it does refute the view that these terms designate persons in the Godhead. God has many titles, but He is one being. He is indivisible as to His existence, but His revelation of Himself to mankind has been expressed through many channels, including His revelation as the Father, in the Son, and as the Holy Ghost.Ephesians 3:14-17, which we have used several times in this chapter, demonstrates that the Father, the Spirit, and Christ are one in the sense just described. "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith…" The KJV is ambiguous as to whether "his Spirit" means the Father's Spirit or Christ's Spirit. The NIV, TAB, RSV, and Nestle's Greek text all make it clear that "his" relates back to "Father." Thus, this passage identifies the Spirit in a Christian's heart as the Father's Spirit and also as Christ. The Father, Christ, and the Spirit all refer to the one indivisible God.What of passages of Scripture that seem to describe more than one person in the Godhead? They appear to do so only because of years of usage by those who believe in more than one person in the Godhead. When a person strips his mind of all man-made interpretations, connotations, and doctrines, viewing these verses through the eyes of the original writers (who were devout monotheistic Jews), he will understand these verses to describe either the multiple attributes and roles of God or the dual nature of Jesus Christ. (For the discussion of particular verses of Scripture in this regard, see Chapter 7 - OLD TESTAMENT EXPLANATIONS, Chapter 8 - NEW TESTAMENT EXPLANATIONS: THE GOSPEL, and Chapter 9 - NEW TESTAMENT EXPLANATIONS: ACTS TO REVELATION.)Only two verses of Scripture in the entire Bible mention Father, Son (or Word), and Holy Ghost in a way that could suggest three persons or a special significance of the number three in relation to the Godhead. They are Matthew 28:19 and I John 5:7. However, both of these passages present serious problems for the trinitarian view.
Living in the Love of God
Living in the Love of God Bishop Keith Butler
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
The place to live is in the word of God. Jesus said, "If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love." The word "abide" means to live in, settle down, and take up residence in His love. Well, Jesus is the Son of love. Jehovah is the God of love. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love. Then being in the middle of that love is being in the middle of the secret place of the Most High. And it is being in the middle of His will that provides protection.
By living in the word of God, you abide, or live in the love of God. You, therefore, will love your way right into Heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 to do to others as you want men to do to you. And then He tells us about the pathway to Heaven. He says that the straight way and the narrow way is the love way. Anybody can follow the flesh way. Following the flesh can cause you to retaliate, defend yourself or even punch or curse someone out. But abiding in the love of God takes some effort.
Jesus chose the love way, because the Father loved Him. And that got Him divine protection when He needed it. And God loves you just like He loves Jesus. Therefore, when you choose the love way, you get what Jesus got. You get God's protection. The same authority Jesus has, you have. Remember, that you cannot duplicate the works of God, but you can duplicate the works of a man anointed by God. Well, Jesus, in His walk in this earth, was a man anointed by God; and He was a man that walked in the love of God. That love gave Him divine protection and authority over every sickness and disease, over every problem and over all the power of the enemy. When Satan finally got Him on that cross, it was because Jesus knew it was time f or Him to redeem you and me, making sure that we have everything that He has. Then if Jesus has it, what do you have when you walk in love?
Love causes you to have divine protection, authority over every sickness and disease, over every problem and over all the power of the enemy. The result of Jesus giving His life on that cross was that He rose up from the grave to live in victory. Love is the only way to total victory in this life. And it is the ingredient that causes your faith to work. (Galatians 5:6) So make your dwelling place in the love of God that it may be well with you, and that you may walk in total peace and in God's divine protection.
Scripture References: Galatians 5:6; Luke 10:19
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
The place to live is in the word of God. Jesus said, "If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love." The word "abide" means to live in, settle down, and take up residence in His love. Well, Jesus is the Son of love. Jehovah is the God of love. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love. Then being in the middle of that love is being in the middle of the secret place of the Most High. And it is being in the middle of His will that provides protection.
By living in the word of God, you abide, or live in the love of God. You, therefore, will love your way right into Heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 to do to others as you want men to do to you. And then He tells us about the pathway to Heaven. He says that the straight way and the narrow way is the love way. Anybody can follow the flesh way. Following the flesh can cause you to retaliate, defend yourself or even punch or curse someone out. But abiding in the love of God takes some effort.
Jesus chose the love way, because the Father loved Him. And that got Him divine protection when He needed it. And God loves you just like He loves Jesus. Therefore, when you choose the love way, you get what Jesus got. You get God's protection. The same authority Jesus has, you have. Remember, that you cannot duplicate the works of God, but you can duplicate the works of a man anointed by God. Well, Jesus, in His walk in this earth, was a man anointed by God; and He was a man that walked in the love of God. That love gave Him divine protection and authority over every sickness and disease, over every problem and over all the power of the enemy. When Satan finally got Him on that cross, it was because Jesus knew it was time f or Him to redeem you and me, making sure that we have everything that He has. Then if Jesus has it, what do you have when you walk in love?
Love causes you to have divine protection, authority over every sickness and disease, over every problem and over all the power of the enemy. The result of Jesus giving His life on that cross was that He rose up from the grave to live in victory. Love is the only way to total victory in this life. And it is the ingredient that causes your faith to work. (Galatians 5:6) So make your dwelling place in the love of God that it may be well with you, and that you may walk in total peace and in God's divine protection.
Scripture References: Galatians 5:6; Luke 10:19
Living in the Love of God
Living in the Love of God Bishop Keith Butler
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
The place to live is in the word of God. Jesus said, "If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love." The word "abide" means to live in, settle down, and take up residence in His love. Well, Jesus is the Son of love. Jehovah is the God of love. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love. Then being in the middle of that love is being in the middle of the secret place of the Most High. And it is being in the middle of His will that provides protection.
By living in the word of God, you abide, or live in the love of God. You, therefore, will love your way right into Heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 to do to others as you want men to do to you. And then He tells us about the pathway to Heaven. He says that the straight way and the narrow way is the love way. Anybody can follow the flesh way. Following the flesh can cause you to retaliate, defend yourself or even punch or curse someone out. But abiding in the love of God takes some effort.
Jesus chose the love way, because the Father loved Him. And that got Him divine protection when He needed it. And God loves you just like He loves Jesus. Therefore, when you choose the love way, you get what Jesus got. You get God's protection. The same authority Jesus has, you have. Remember, that you cannot duplicate the works of God, but you can duplicate the works of a man anointed by God. Well, Jesus, in His walk in this earth, was a man anointed by God; and He was a man that walked in the love of God. That love gave Him divine protection and authority over every sickness and disease, over every problem and over all the power of the enemy. When Satan finally got Him on that cross, it was because Jesus knew it was time f or Him to redeem you and me, making sure that we have everything that He has. Then if Jesus has it, what do you have when you walk in love?
Love causes you to have divine protection, authority over every sickness and disease, over every problem and over all the power of the enemy. The result of Jesus giving His life on that cross was that He rose up from the grave to live in victory. Love is the only way to total victory in this life. And it is the ingredient that causes your faith to work. (Galatians 5:6) So make your dwelling place in the love of God that it may be well with you, and that you may walk in total peace and in God's divine protection.
Scripture References: Galatians 5:6; Luke 10:19
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
The place to live is in the word of God. Jesus said, "If you keep my commandments you shall abide in my love." The word "abide" means to live in, settle down, and take up residence in His love. Well, Jesus is the Son of love. Jehovah is the God of love. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of love. Then being in the middle of that love is being in the middle of the secret place of the Most High. And it is being in the middle of His will that provides protection.
By living in the word of God, you abide, or live in the love of God. You, therefore, will love your way right into Heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 to do to others as you want men to do to you. And then He tells us about the pathway to Heaven. He says that the straight way and the narrow way is the love way. Anybody can follow the flesh way. Following the flesh can cause you to retaliate, defend yourself or even punch or curse someone out. But abiding in the love of God takes some effort.
Jesus chose the love way, because the Father loved Him. And that got Him divine protection when He needed it. And God loves you just like He loves Jesus. Therefore, when you choose the love way, you get what Jesus got. You get God's protection. The same authority Jesus has, you have. Remember, that you cannot duplicate the works of God, but you can duplicate the works of a man anointed by God. Well, Jesus, in His walk in this earth, was a man anointed by God; and He was a man that walked in the love of God. That love gave Him divine protection and authority over every sickness and disease, over every problem and over all the power of the enemy. When Satan finally got Him on that cross, it was because Jesus knew it was time f or Him to redeem you and me, making sure that we have everything that He has. Then if Jesus has it, what do you have when you walk in love?
Love causes you to have divine protection, authority over every sickness and disease, over every problem and over all the power of the enemy. The result of Jesus giving His life on that cross was that He rose up from the grave to live in victory. Love is the only way to total victory in this life. And it is the ingredient that causes your faith to work. (Galatians 5:6) So make your dwelling place in the love of God that it may be well with you, and that you may walk in total peace and in God's divine protection.
Scripture References: Galatians 5:6; Luke 10:19
A GRAFTED BRANCH
A GRAFTED BRANCH Romans 11:17 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+11:17Dear Father, king of banquets,Like that unknown hearer of Jesus long ago, I say, "How blessed itwill be to eat bread in the kingdom of God."Please, Lord, don't let me be like those who were invited to themarriage feast honoring the king's son but who scorned it in favorof business deals and family matters. They were left out while theking filled his house with those from the highways and countrylanes. Your ancient people, Israel, rejected your invitation, andwe non-Jews have filled your halls of festivity and salvation. But,Lord, we are unnatural branches, grafted in. Let none of us becomeproud. Rather, let every one of us stand in awe of your severitytoward those who reject your Son and your mercy toward those whoaccept him.May I continue in your kindness, lest I be cut off. And may yourancient people repent and accept their Messiah, for this would belife from the dead!In the name of Jesus, the true Messiah of Israel, I pray. Amen.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
ISRAEL'S UNBELIEF
ISRAEL'S UNBELIEF Romans 10:18-11:16 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+10:18-11:16Dear Father,How sorry I am that the people you chose, the nation of Israel,has spurned your Messiah and turned away in unbelief. But howthankful I am that because of their unbelief you have sent yourmessage to Gentiles so that we can be adopted into the family ofAbraham, grafted as wild shoots into the natural olive tree.I rejoice that even today you have redeemed in Christ thousands ofAbraham's natural descendants for your kingdom.I rejoice that I share with them the blessings you gave. Thank youthat we are one family.In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.Stay Focused andBlessed.........................Jan
A Love For God
A Love For GodBishop Jim Swilley "Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very Kingdom itself." - Luke 12:31-32 (The Message)Your ministry to God should be more important to you than your ministry to anyone else. As Christ is formed in you through daily worship and devotion, you will discover a whole universe of revelation within yourself that you didn't know existed before, and it will draw you into a deeper, more mature relationship with your Creator.Enjoy intimate and spontaneous communication with your "Abba," Who is revealed to you through your elder brother, Jesus, by the fellowship of the Helper Who stands by to aid and assist you. Love Him because He first loved you.Learn the secrets of Abraham (who was called the friend of God in his earth-walk) and follow his example of unwavering faith, for, without faith, it is impossible to please God. Walk with Him in the cool of the day as Adam did, innocently naked before Him, with no presence of fear or sense of shameful unrighteousness.You have no need to sew together the fig leaves of religion, for you have nothing to hide from the One who chose you in Him before the foundation of the world!Do not engage in friendship with the world-system that is enmity against God. Your relationship with Him takes priority over culture, tradition, philosophy, self-perception, world-view, theology or attitude. The Scriptures say that He is a 'jealous God - Who will have no other gods before Him,' and that just means that He desires your complete attention and total affection.You should be glad that He is "jealous" over you in that sense, because it reinforces to you how important you are to Him. You are the apple of His eye!You will find that you are able to be a better friend (husband, wife, son, daughter, etc.) to someone because you are a friend to God. The emotional release that comes from simply loving God without reservation has a positive effect on every relationship in your life. For the same reason, you will even be a better friend to yourself because, as God is revealed, you will have self-revelation...an understanding of who you are in Him.Rejoice that absolutely nothing--death, life, angels, principalities, powers, present things, future things nor any other creature--can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Because of your unrestrained love for Him, you can have undisturbed peace with God and can be at peace with yourself and with the world around you.Your friendship with the Originator of all things will produce a tangible confidence in your life. God is love, and God is lovable. Love Him with all of your heart, and your neighbor as yourself...that's the fullness of the Gospel!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
VERSE:
VERSE: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect inlove. -- 1 John 4:18 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+John+4:18&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: There are many kinds of fear. Some of these are legitimate.Others are imagined. Still others are irrational. Thankfully, asChristians, we don't have to be afraid of the one crucial event inour lives -- judgment. God's love saves us, empowers us, blessesus, works in us, and touches others through us. Most of all, havingexperienced this love, we can cast fear out of our hearts becausewe know where we stand with God. He is our loving Father who longsto bring us home!PRAYER: Holy, majestic, and awesome God, you are mighty in yourstrength. You are holy beyond comparison. You are righteous andfair in your dealings with your people. Most of all, dear Father, Ithank you because you do not deal with me as my sins deserve. No, OGod, you deal with me graciously, blessing me with your redeemingand transforming grace. Your love gives me confidence to live foryou and to await the day I stand before you. Until that day I offeryou my thanks and praise in Jesus' holy name. Amen.
I BELIEVE!
I BELIEVE! Romans 10:8-17 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+10:8-17Dear Father,May the word of Christ always be on my lips and in my heart. May Imake known to everyone in every place that Jesus is Lord and thatyou have raised him from the dead. Remind me continually that Ihave no cause to be ashamed of my faith.Grant not only that I myself should believe but that I should alsobecome partners with others in sending them to proclaim the GoodNews to the world.Thank you that Christ is preached. Thank you for the belief youhave put into my heart. Thank you for the salvation that comes fromthis.In Jesus' name. Amen.
An Incompatible Love
An Incompatible LoveCory BradleyGot a question for you today.Have you ever found yourself in love with someone, but all the while, wondering whether or not "they're just not that into you?" Well, (as hard as it is for some to acknowledge) I have.You've probably seen us together.Holding hands.Playing in the park.Having dinner.My lover is just beautiful.All together lovely.Genuine.Enduring.Calm under fire.Much more perfect than I could ever be.And my lover has never (ever) made a mistake.(I'm sure you can take a wild guess as to who I may be talking about here!)Perhaps some people whisper: "These two seem incompatible"It is quite natural for us all, regardless of our faith in God, to try at times to do something in order to secure the love of God, not knowing that such is an impossible task.With a God who is all together lovely, beautiful, genuine, and always calm under fire, it is normal for us all to look at Him and conclude that our love for Him is incompatible with His love for us. How can someone so perfect be in love with us? You know, as a worship leader, many would assume that I have a relentless boldness and confidence for the praises and presence of God. And for the most part, I do. But there have been many times when I have fallen victim to thoughts of insecurity, self disgust, and a defeatist attitude about myself. We have fostered today within the church a religious culture that equates a disdain for self as an act of humility. Yet if I were to bring you a gift that I constantly berated, insulted, scoffed at, and considered worthless, how much joy and satisfaction would you get out of that gift?I have discovered that loving God means loving everything that He loves (including me). Genesis 1:31 states that 'God saw all that He had made and behold it was very good.'As worshipers, we must begin to embrace the value that God has for our lives. Not to become puffed up, but to make ourselves more attractive and comely for His pleasure. If God thinks we are worthy enough to have died for us, then we must understand that when we insult the product (us), then we insult the maker (Him). If we count ourselves worthy of His love, then we will begin to walk in a manner that demonstrates worth.We (as believers) must put an end to living our lives as wretches (undone).You cannot love God without loving yourself. A love and appreciation for God must become a love and appreciation for who He loves and who He loved enough to die for.We cannot pretend to "fall in love with Jesus" when we demonstrate no love for the one we see everyday...in the mirror. If you are unwilling to accept you, how will you ever believe that God unconditionally does?The real incompatibility of love is when your lover enjoys something (and someone) that you don't. Begin enjoying yourself today. Because believe it or not......He does.
The Psalms
The PsalmsPsalms 24-26 Thursday: Job 17-18Friday: Isaiah 45-50Saturday: Matthew 23-25Psalms 241 The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. 7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Psalms 251 Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD. 8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Psalms 261 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. 6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. 9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. 12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
/ TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
/ TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/--\/------------------------------------------------------------------ February 7, 2009VERSE: Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because hehath given us of his Spirit. -- 1 John 4:13 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+John+4:13&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: Our sign of authenticity showing we are truly God's children isthe Holy Spirit who lives in us. The Spirit helps bring forth thecharacter of God in our lives (Gal. 5:22). The Spirit helps us whenwe pray (Rom. 8:26-27). The Spirit empowers us to overcome sin(Rom. 8:13) and gives us strength to do things we would neverimagine were possible (Eph. 3:14-21). The Spirit comforts us in ourbrokenness and makes God's presence real in our lives (John14:15-26). The Spirit is the truest sign that we are God's children(Rom. 8:9, 14-16). Thank God for the blessed Holy Spirit!PRAYER: Father, I praise you for your holiness, majesty, and power. Ithank you for your loving grace. I am humbled by your sacrificiallove that has saved me. But today, dear Father, I thank you most ofall for your Holy Spirit, who lives in me, who empowers me, whocleanses me, who comforts me, and who makes your fatherhoodaccessible and real to me. Thank you, in the name of Jesus, fromthe bottom of my heart! Amen.
The Gospels Early History
The Gospels Early HistoryMatthew 20-22 Sunday: Romans 15-16Monday: Genesis 32-35Tuesday: Judges 17-21Matthew 201 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. 17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. 32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. Matthew 211 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. 18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. 28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. 33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. Matthew 221 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. 15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. 23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. 34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
GOD'S SOVEREIGN CHOICE
GOD'S SOVEREIGN CHOICE Romans 9:19-20 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+9:19-20Dear Father,All who are descended from Israel do not belong to Israel, nor aremen counted as Abraham's children by mere physical descent.You, O Sovereign Lord, have chosen, according to your own desireand purpose, those you want to continue your work in the world.Thank you, dear Father, that your choice and mercy has reached tome. Thank you for all that you are doing in my life. Thank you forteaching me to love the descendants of Israel by the flesh. May myshare in their inheritance cause even one of them to turn to JesusChrist in saving faith and give thanks to you.In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
It's Never Too Late
It's Never Too LateDr. Zachary Tims, Jr. All of us have made some bad decisions in life. Often, God will let us experience the bumps in the road to our destiny. I know you have thought maybe it is too late, I've made too many mistakes.But realize that the bumps are designed to bring the flesh and the soul into a place of repentance, and reconciliation. God's love and grace keeps us on course because from God's perspective, it's never too late. God is right in the mix with our destiny. He is not trying to figure out along the way what to do next, nor does God sleep or scratch his head wondering what to do with us."God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?." Number 23:19. Nothing is too hard for God.He already has a plan for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jesus told us in Mark 9:23, "... If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth." And in Jeremiah 1:12, "...Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it." Something ought to make you jump up and shout when you read these scriptures. God loves us so much! He confirms his promises to us over and over in the Word. What He said, He will do.Delay is not denial. Nothing is impossible for God. No matter how many times you've messed up, or how many times you failed. It's never too late!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
