The foolishness of God.....

1 Cor 1:24-31


but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord

You are Crowned with Glory & Honor so Shine! -Pastor Joseph Prince-Sermon

The secret to be crowned with glory and honor sermon 183-Pastor Joseph Prince.

Glory=kabowd=heavy weight

Its best not to respond to critics because when you give that person attention you are giving them your glory and honor. Why are you affected by them? You are crowned, so shine!

This can be a presence or also in regards to what you say. Once you are born again you are a city on a hill.

How did Jesus receive glory and honor?2 Peter 1:17-18 When his Father spoke from the Excellent Glory.

WOW!

Every time we speak of God's love over another we are crowning another with glory and honor. You are God's beloved. I am God's beloved. Everytime you say it your body responds sharper your mind becomes clearer and sharper.

Everything in this life is attacking the TRUTH that YOU are God's Beloved! We need to own this belovedness, otherwise when people criticize us we are crushed. Or there is something inside that swallows up that criticism.

In this way we need to be careful with our self-talk and our speech. Even if our performance is not up to par, even if you made a stupid decision, you are NOT stupid though. You may be in a miserable circumstance or situation, but YOU are NOT Miserable.

Now when you mess up reaffirm your belovedness in Christ!

Bring Jesus to your relationships, business, or marriage and this is how heaven OPENS up to Him!!!

Matthew 3:16-4:3 Again, the Lord affirms His Love. The devil did NOT remind Jesus He is Loved. This is what the devil does in his temptations. He left out the word beloved in addressing Jesus as the Beloved Son of God. What you do and who you are are 2 separate things.

People who are saved redeemed by the blood. When people feel loved, they are empowered to be successful (even in the world).

Praying in Tongues-Pastor Joseph Prince CD Disc 1

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost ..."(Jude 20)

THE SPIRIT CAN PRAY PERFECTLY; THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR HELPER

The Holy Spirit is in us and Jesus said He will abide with us forever. The Holy Spirit shows us the way out of wrongdoing. Also, He utters intimate language from heaven that intercedes on our behalf. As we pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit assists us.

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities (Gr.sicknesses): for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26, 27

ON the DAY of PENTECOST....(10 commandments were given) Leviticus 23:15-18

Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord. 18 And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the Lord, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the Lord. Leviticus 23:15-18

THIS IS A BURNT OFFERING OF PRAISE- We can pray in tongues as we go about our day.

The burnt offering has always been an offering of thanks & appreciation & worship. There is a peace that comes KNOWING it has been taken care of.

Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Hosea 14:2 (see the AMP version too)

"And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues ..." Mark 16:17

"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing..." Isaiah 28:11, 12

The Holy Spirit is our paraclete (lawyer,counselor) and the Lord Jesus has paid the price for us to have the rights to this blessing.

We must let the Holy Spirit plead our case. The assurance of this gives us peace which removes worry.

(THIS POST UNDER CONSTRUCTION)....
"Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues." I Thessalonians 5:19

When Trouble Comes What Kind is it???

I have been asked recently, why is there so much pain & suffering. There are different categories for the believer...see the chart below. However, we can respond to these trials

For those who are suffering as a test/trial. TAKE HEART!

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Prov 4:23

Rom 8:18 (Jer) I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us...

Col 1:24 (Phi) ... It is true at this moment that I [Paul] am suffering... yet I am glad, because it gives me a chance to contribute in my own sufferings something to the uncompleted pains which Christ suffers on behalf of his body, the Church

1 Pet 1:6-7 (Phi) This means tremendous joy to you, even though at present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident--it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold, and gold, as you know, even though it is ultimately perishable, must be purified by fire.

Heb 10:32,35-39 (NIV) ... in the face of suffering... do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
 
1 Pet 4:12-14 (Phi) And now, dear friends of mine, I beg you not to be unduly alarmed at the fiery ordeals which come to test your faith, as though this were some abnormal experience. You should be glad, because it means that you are sharing in Christ's sufferings. One day, when he shows himself in full splendor, you will be filled with the most tremendous joy. If you are reproached for being Christ's followers, that is a cause for joy, for you can be sure that God's Spirit of glory is resting upon you.
 
Rom 5:3-5 (NIV) Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
 
1 Pet 4:1 (NIV) Since Christ suffered physical pain you must arm yourselves with the same inner conviction that he had. To be free from sin means bodily suffering, and the man who accepts this will spend the rest of his time here on earth, not in being led by human desires, but in doing the will of God.

Isaiah 53:3-5 By His stripes, WE ARE HEALED!

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.
 
Thank You Father for sending your Son, that we might be saved and healed of every infirmity. Thank You Jesus for paying the price.

True and False Worship-Isaiah 58

1  “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel* of their sins!
2  Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
pretending they want to be near me.
3  ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
and you don’t even notice it!’
“I will tell you why!” I respond.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
you keep oppressing your workers.
4  What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.
5  You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?
6  “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7  Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8  “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9  Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10  Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11  The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
12  Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
13  “Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
14  Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Meditations on Repentance & Regret

When we won't let ourselves be held in the midst of our messes by God who loves us and made us, we miss the unspeakable joy of knowing that we are truly His beloved. --Deborah Newman

Personal sin reflected upon breeds compassion. --John M. Shanahan


When the Spirit is absent, our excuses always seem right, but in the presence of the Spirit our excuses fade away. --R. T. Kendall

Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish for spiritual things then it is sin for you, however, innocent it may be in itself. --Suzanna Wesley


How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in? --Oscar Wilde


It is not that we need more power, but that we need more brokenness. When we are properly broken we will find the indwelling Christ is more than sufficient. —Chip Brogden

To be humbly ashamed is to be plunged in the cleansing bath of truth. -- George MacDonald

Men do not differ much about what things they call evils; they differ enormously about what evils they will call excusable. -- G. K. Chesterton


Heart-suffering because of sin is the best proof that the Holy Spirit dwells in your heart.--Johann Arndt


Some often repent, yet never reform; they resemble a man traveling in a dangerous path, who frequently starts and stops, but never turns back.--Bonnell Thornton

To sin is a human business, to justify sins is a devilish business: Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

When one doesn’t learn to resist the devil, he or she probably doesn’t know much of submitting to God. --Greg Manalli

The temptation of the age is to look good without being good.—Brennan Manning


If you will not determine to be pure, you will grow more and more impure. --George MacDonald

People do not drift toward Holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated. --D.A. Carson

When old companions, old lusts, and sins crowd in upon you, and when you feel that you are ready to sink, what can save you, sinking sinner ? This alone — I have a high priest in heaven, and he can support in the hour of affliction. This alone can give you peace—I have a high priest in heaven. When you are dying — when friends can do you no good — when sins rise up like spectres around your bed — what can give you peace ? This — "I have a high priest in heaven" --Robert Murray M'Cheyne
 
(quotes selected from http://www.tentmaker.org/Quotes/repentancequotes.htm)

Glory School by Patricia King

THE ABOVE DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATES POSSIBLE SIMULTANEOUS REALITY!

The more time you spend with the Lord the more awakened your soul will be to experience with God. You can live in the glory realm and move into the fullness of the Kingdom via the invitation of the word. Kingdom realities occur as you walk in the glory and live in the glory realm because of the eternal truth to the Word of God. All aspects of your body are in submission when you do this. Encounters can still happen whether you acknowledge it or not but walking in this awareness living in your spiritual nature is what makes you more sensitive to Kingdom dynamics. (paraphrase disc 3-Patricia King)

Psalm 34

Are you being discipled & washed in the water of the Word?

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:31-35

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Take Care of Your Thought Life

Source of Good-God focus-begins in the thought life

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…”(2 Cor 10.3-5, ESV)

The imortance of keeping our thoughts out of the muck

Phil 4:4-9 

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Phil 4:8

Source of Evil-Is of the devil or selfish desires-begins in the thought life

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh" Eph 6:12

Busy as a Bee? Choose What is necessary....

But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;

There is need of only but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [[b]that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.

(Luke 10:41-42)

merimnaō=translated anxious                                          thorybazō

1) to be anxious                                                                   1) disturb, trouble

a) to be troubled with cares                                                  2)to be troubled in mind, disquieted
2) to care for, look out for (a thing)
a) to seek to promote one's interests
b) caring or providing for

Look at the beautiful sunflowers that are pollinated & used to be reproduced by the bee. Yet the sunflowers are much more beautiful. Multiply the beauty of the sunflower 1000000000000X and it would still not be as beautiful as the Lord our God.

 
So today, consider yourself be both Mary and Martha. Know when its time to chose the good portion that will not be taken away from you, time with the Lord, Bible Study, prayer. Amen.

When All You can Do is Cry

PS. 56: 8

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

My friends scorn me; My eyes pour out [tears] to God. Job 16:20

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.Ps.18:6

Hear, O LORD, [when] I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.Ps. 27:7

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Ps 40:1

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth [all things] for me. Ps. 57:2

Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. Ps 126:5

Constructive Criticism vs. Destructive Criticism

There is a time and place for healthy criticism, when another person is living in open sin or engaging in a lifestyle that is not right. It is then that criticism can be healing or redemptive, if it is truly constructive criticism. But for the most part, criticism demeans or degrades or humiliates another, often to make the critical person look better. Depreciating another to make a point or make ourselves look better is sinful, particularly when the depreciating robs the other of a sense of personal worth.
Proverbs 12:16-18 . . . A wise person stays calm when insulted. An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
If you are criticized, stay calm and don’t lash back. Evaluate whether the criticism is coming from a person with a reputation for truth or lies. Ask yourself if the criticism is meant to heal or hurt.
Ecclesiastes 7:5 . . . It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool!
Measure criticism according to the stature of the person who is giving it.
1 Corinthians 4:3-5 . . . My conscience is clear, but that isn’t what matters. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
Always work to maintain a clear conscience by being honest and trustworthy. This allows you to shrug off criticism you know is unjustified.
1 Peter 4:14 . . . Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you.
Consider it a privilege to be criticized for your faith in God. God has special blessings for those who patiently endure this kind of criticism.

Godly Family Diagram

The Famine of Faith

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)

So what happens in the Famine of Faith?

According to Amos 8:11

Behold the days come, saith the Lord God , that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord

Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no counsel the people fall , but in the

multitude of counselors (wise advise) there is safety (deliverance, help, victory).

Hebrews 11:6
For without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him

Troubled? How to make mountains into molehills

Be more established in my kindness and covenant of peace so the less established your mountains will be.

In Isaiah 54:9-10 The Lord said My Kindness shall not depart from you nor shall my covenant of peace be removed.

This scripture says that His Kindness shall not depart and His Covenant of Peace shall not be removed, therefore, let us praise him for His promise which cancels out all mountains by faith.

Declare this over your life. Move Mountain. The Lord my God is My Peace.

All Relationships are a Mindset

Let us think about this. There are two covenants which bind relationships. One is between God and man. The other between husband and spouse. Marriage is a blessing because its our first opportunity on earth to be challenged outside our own desires, a chance to not be selfish.

For those who are not married be blessed in that state according to 1 Cor. 7-9 and Philippians 4:4-9.

We are told in Philippians to CHOSE to focus on all things

1. True

2. Honest

3. Just

4. Pure

5. Lovely

6. Good Report

7. Virtue

8. Praiseworthy

Every time we chose NOT to think on things that arent in these categories we are being disobedient and ultimately causing ourselves and our relationships harm. Diseases are known to be caused by wrong thinking. Does anyone want to come up with a Mnemonic device for remembering these 8 guidelines for a proper frame of mind?