Prov. 27: 17
Washing with Water of the Word Eph 5:26
Friday, April 16, 2010
Cold hearted?
Do you find that the love of others has grown cold?
Do you experience this coldness yourself?
God is love and He wants us to know and ABIDE in His Love....however we are warned....
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, Matthew 24:12
Like a body has a fever to indicate sickness.
Dark thoughts or emotions a similar gauge to one's spiritual health...if gone unchecked these symptoms can progress and become greater in degree or duration leading some to self-hatred or suicidal thoughts....
Believers are NOT exempt from this danger, but THEY are better equipped!
THE SYMPTOM OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS or despising one's life
[OF LACK OF LOVE for self (compassion,charity, understanding,etc) ]
INDICATES SELF-HATRED...Jesus said hatred is like murder
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.1 John 3:15
Hating your brother includes hating yourself...This can progress to self murder or suicide (thoughts and tendencies)
BELIEVERS MUST FIGHT (RESIST) IN THE SPIRIT
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Cor 10:5
HOW IS THIS DONE???? READ HIS WORD EVERY DAY AND HOURLY IF YOU NEED IT!!! FILL UP ON IT OTHERWISE Beware because....
My people are being destroyed because they don't know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. NLT Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.ESV
So place yourselves under God's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. James 4:7
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Hebrews 6 (Amplified Bible)
1THEREFORE LET us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God,
2With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.]
3If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching].
4For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit,
5And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come,
6If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance--[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.
7For the soil which has drunk the rain that repeatedly falls upon it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated partakes of a blessing from God.
8But if [that same soil] persistently bears thorns and thistles, it is considered worthless and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
9Even though we speak this way, yet in your case, beloved, we are now firmly convinced of better things that are near to salvation and accompany it.
10For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.
11But we do [[a]strongly and earnestly] desire for each of you to show the same diligence and sincerity [all the way through] in realizing and enjoying the full assurance and development of [your] hope until the end,
12In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness[b]) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises.
13For when God made [His] promise to Abraham, He swore by Himself, since He had no one greater by whom to swear,
14Saying, Blessing I certainly will bless you and multiplying I will multiply you.
15And so it was that he [Abraham], having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained [in the birth of Isaac as a pledge of what was to come] what God had promised him.
16Men indeed swear by a greater [than themselves], and with them in all disputes the oath taken for confirmation is final [ending strife].
17Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath.
18This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us].
19[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot [c]break down under whoever steps out upon it--a hope] that reaches [d]farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil,
20Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with [e]the rank) of Melchizedek.
2With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.]
3If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching].
4For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit,
5And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come,
6If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance--[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.
7For the soil which has drunk the rain that repeatedly falls upon it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated partakes of a blessing from God.
8But if [that same soil] persistently bears thorns and thistles, it is considered worthless and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
9Even though we speak this way, yet in your case, beloved, we are now firmly convinced of better things that are near to salvation and accompany it.
10For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.
11But we do [[a]strongly and earnestly] desire for each of you to show the same diligence and sincerity [all the way through] in realizing and enjoying the full assurance and development of [your] hope until the end,
12In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness[b]) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises.
13For when God made [His] promise to Abraham, He swore by Himself, since He had no one greater by whom to swear,
14Saying, Blessing I certainly will bless you and multiplying I will multiply you.
15And so it was that he [Abraham], having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained [in the birth of Isaac as a pledge of what was to come] what God had promised him.
16Men indeed swear by a greater [than themselves], and with them in all disputes the oath taken for confirmation is final [ending strife].
17Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath.
18This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us].
19[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot [c]break down under whoever steps out upon it--a hope] that reaches [d]farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil,
20Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with [e]the rank) of Melchizedek.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
God's Hand- Prayers in time of Trouble (illness, worry, etc)
O Lord,my God though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes, with your righ hand You save me. You, Lord, will fulfill Your purpose for me; Your love, O Lord endures forever- You will not abandon the works of Your hands. (Ps. 138:7-8)
Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power. Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty, You will throw down those who oppose You. You will unleash Your burning angerl it will consume them like stubble.(Exodus. 15:6-7)
Who among the gods is like You, O Lord? Who is like You-majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? Stretch out Your right hand and deal with my enemy, O God!(Exodus. 15:11-12)
Who is like your children, O God , a people saved by the Lord? You are my shield and helper and my glorious sword. Cause my enemy to cower, Lord! Trample down his high places. (Deut 33:29)
Lord, my God, show the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who assail me. (Ps. 17:7-9)
Reach down from on high, my God and my Redeemer, and take hold of me! Draw me out of deep waters. Rescue me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who are too strong for me! My enemy has confronted me in the day of my disaster, but You, Lord are my support! Bring me to a spacious place; rescue me because you delight in me! (Ps. 18:16-19)
Mighty God, free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge...You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place (Ps.31:4,8)
I am always with You, O God. You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counnsel, and afterward you take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing here besides You. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Ps. 73:23-26).
Father, I pray that You will cause no weapon forged against me to prevail. Enable me to refute the tongue of my accuser. Thank You for giving this as a heritage to Your servants, O Lord (Isa. 54:17)
Father God, according to Your Word, wickedness will increase as the time of your return draws nearer (Matt. 24:12) Prepare me through prayer and Your Word to stand firm when I am under the attack of the evil one.
Victorious God, I celebrate the fact that You, the God of peace, will soon crush Satan under Your feet, and until then the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with us (Rom. 16:20).
Excerpts from the Book by BETH MOORE Praying God's Word Chapter on Overcoming the Enemy
Friday, March 26, 2010
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
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
Thursday, March 25, 2010
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 weightIts 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).
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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.
"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!
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
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!”
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!”
Friday, March 19, 2010
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)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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)
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
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
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Take Care of Your 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;
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
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.
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.
Monday, March 15, 2010
When All You can Do is Cry
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.
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.
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
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
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
multitude of counselors (wise advise) there is safety (deliverance, help, victory).
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.
Declare this over your life. Move Mountain. The Lord my God is My Peace.
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.
Friday, March 12, 2010
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.
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?
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?
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