Deut 12:18
You are to celebrate in the Presence of GOD, your God, all the things you've been able to accomplish.
This is not popular to read because there is a lot of push among humans to celebrate in the presence of other humans when they accomplish anything at all. Can you say rewards?
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Deut 8:12-14
12 Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, 13 see your herds and flocks flourish and more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up — 14 make sure you don't become so full of yourself and your things that you forget GOD, your God.
more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up — make sure you don't become so full of yourself and your things that you forget GOD, your God,.
12 Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, 13 see your herds and flocks flourish and more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up — 14 make sure you don't become so full of yourself and your things that you forget GOD, your God.
more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up — make sure you don't become so full of yourself and your things that you forget GOD, your God,.
Num 22:16-17
"Balak son of Zippor says, 'Please, don't refuse to come to me. 17 I will honor and reward you lavishly — anything you tell me to do, I'll do; I'll pay anything — only come and curse this people.'"
God had told Baalam NO but again humans think that what they can see is the MOST IMPORTANT thing.
"Balak son of Zippor says, 'Please, don't refuse to come to me. 17 I will honor and reward you lavishly — anything you tell me to do, I'll do; I'll pay anything — only come and curse this people.'"
God had told Baalam NO but again humans think that what they can see is the MOST IMPORTANT thing.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Num 21:4-9
The people became irritable and cross as they traveled. 5 They spoke out against God and Moses: "Why did you drag us out of Egypt to die in this godforsaken country? No decent food; no water — we can't stomach this stuff any longer."
6 So GOD sent poisonous snakes among the people; they bit them and many in Israel died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke out against GOD and you. Pray to GOD; ask him to take these snakes from us."
Moses prayed for the people.
8 GOD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it on a flagpole: Whoever is bitten and looks at it will live."
9 So Moses made a snake of fiery copper and put it on top of a flagpole. Anyone bitten by a snake who then looked
Jesus is our snake of fiery copper on a flagpole.
The people became irritable and cross as they traveled. 5 They spoke out against God and Moses: "Why did you drag us out of Egypt to die in this godforsaken country? No decent food; no water — we can't stomach this stuff any longer."
6 So GOD sent poisonous snakes among the people; they bit them and many in Israel died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke out against GOD and you. Pray to GOD; ask him to take these snakes from us."
Moses prayed for the people.
8 GOD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it on a flagpole: Whoever is bitten and looks at it will live."
9 So Moses made a snake of fiery copper and put it on top of a flagpole. Anyone bitten by a snake who then looked
Jesus is our snake of fiery copper on a flagpole.
Num 20:7-12
7 GOD spoke to Moses: 8 "Take the staff. Assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron. Speak to that rock that's right in front of them and it will give water. You will bring water out of the rock for them; congregation and cattle will both drink." 9 Moses took the staff away from GOD's presence, as commanded. 10 He and Aaron rounded up the whole congregation in front of the rock. Moses spoke: "Listen, rebels! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?"
11 With that Moses raised his arm and slammed his staff against the rock — once, twice. Water poured out. Congregation and cattle drank.
12 GOD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you didn't trust me, didn't treat me with holy reverence in front of the People of Israel, you two aren't going to lead this company into the land that I am giving them."
7 GOD spoke to Moses: 8 "Take the staff. Assemble the community, you and your brother Aaron. Speak to that rock that's right in front of them and it will give water. You will bring water out of the rock for them; congregation and cattle will both drink." 9 Moses took the staff away from GOD's presence, as commanded. 10 He and Aaron rounded up the whole congregation in front of the rock. Moses spoke: "Listen, rebels! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?"
11 With that Moses raised his arm and slammed his staff against the rock — once, twice. Water poured out. Congregation and cattle drank.
12 GOD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you didn't trust me, didn't treat me with holy reverence in front of the People of Israel, you two aren't going to lead this company into the land that I am giving them."
Num 20:2-5
2 There was no water there for the community, so they ganged up on Moses and Aaron. 3 They attacked Moses: "We wish we'd died when the rest of our brothers died before GOD. 4 Why did you haul this congregation of GOD out here into this wilderness to die, people and cattle alike? 5 And why did you take us out of Egypt in the first place, dragging us into this miserable country? No grain, no figs, no grapevines, no pomegranates — and now not even any water!"
Again?
2 There was no water there for the community, so they ganged up on Moses and Aaron. 3 They attacked Moses: "We wish we'd died when the rest of our brothers died before GOD. 4 Why did you haul this congregation of GOD out here into this wilderness to die, people and cattle alike? 5 And why did you take us out of Egypt in the first place, dragging us into this miserable country? No grain, no figs, no grapevines, no pomegranates — and now not even any water!"
Again?
Num 13:26-14:9
26 They presented themselves before Moses and Aaron and the whole congregation of the People of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They reported to the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Then they told the story of their trip:
"We went to the land to which you sent us and, oh! It does flow with milk and honey! Just look at this fruit! 28 The only thing is that the people who live there are fierce, their cities are huge and well fortified. Worse yet, we saw descendants of the giant Anak. 29 Amalekites are spread out in the Negev; Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites hold the hill country; and the Canaanites are established on the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan."
30 Caleb interrupted, called for silence before Moses and said, "Let's go up and take the land — now. We can do it."
31 But the others said, "We can't attack those people; they're way stronger than we are." 32 They spread scary rumors among the People of Israel. They said, "We scouted out the land from one end to the other — it's a land that swallows people whole. Everybody we saw was huge. 33 Why, we even saw the Nephilim giants (the Anak giants come from the Nephilim). Alongside them we felt like grasshoppers. And they looked down on us as if we were grasshoppers."
Numbers 14
14:1 The whole community was in an uproar, wailing all night long. 2 All the People of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The entire community was in on it: "Why didn't we die in Egypt? Or in this wilderness? 3 Why has GOD brought us to this country to kill us? Our wives and children are about to become plunder. Why don't we just head back to Egypt? And right now!"
4 Soon they were all saying it to one another: "Let's pick a new leader; let's head back to Egypt."
5 Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in front of the entire community, gathered in emergency session.
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, members of the scouting party, ripped their clothes 7 and addressed the assembled People of Israel: "The land we walked through and scouted out is a very good land — very good indeed. 8 If GOD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land that flows, as they say, with milk and honey. And he'll give it to us. 9 Just don't rebel against GOD! And don't be afraid of those people. Why, we'll have them for lunch! They have no protection and GOD is on our side. Don't be afraid of them!"
This is us as Christians. God has promised us a good home and we’re not there yet so we have to either trust Him or trust what we can see and trusting only what they could see was not good for them.
26 They presented themselves before Moses and Aaron and the whole congregation of the People of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They reported to the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Then they told the story of their trip:
"We went to the land to which you sent us and, oh! It does flow with milk and honey! Just look at this fruit! 28 The only thing is that the people who live there are fierce, their cities are huge and well fortified. Worse yet, we saw descendants of the giant Anak. 29 Amalekites are spread out in the Negev; Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites hold the hill country; and the Canaanites are established on the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan."
30 Caleb interrupted, called for silence before Moses and said, "Let's go up and take the land — now. We can do it."
31 But the others said, "We can't attack those people; they're way stronger than we are." 32 They spread scary rumors among the People of Israel. They said, "We scouted out the land from one end to the other — it's a land that swallows people whole. Everybody we saw was huge. 33 Why, we even saw the Nephilim giants (the Anak giants come from the Nephilim). Alongside them we felt like grasshoppers. And they looked down on us as if we were grasshoppers."
Numbers 14
14:1 The whole community was in an uproar, wailing all night long. 2 All the People of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The entire community was in on it: "Why didn't we die in Egypt? Or in this wilderness? 3 Why has GOD brought us to this country to kill us? Our wives and children are about to become plunder. Why don't we just head back to Egypt? And right now!"
4 Soon they were all saying it to one another: "Let's pick a new leader; let's head back to Egypt."
5 Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in front of the entire community, gathered in emergency session.
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, members of the scouting party, ripped their clothes 7 and addressed the assembled People of Israel: "The land we walked through and scouted out is a very good land — very good indeed. 8 If GOD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land that flows, as they say, with milk and honey. And he'll give it to us. 9 Just don't rebel against GOD! And don't be afraid of those people. Why, we'll have them for lunch! They have no protection and GOD is on our side. Don't be afraid of them!"
This is us as Christians. God has promised us a good home and we’re not there yet so we have to either trust Him or trust what we can see and trusting only what they could see was not good for them.
Num 11:26-29
26 Meanwhile two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed in the camp. They were listed as leaders but they didn't leave camp to go to the Tent. Still, the Spirit also rested on them and they prophesied in the camp.
27 A young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!"
28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' right-hand man since his youth, said, "Moses, master! Stop them!"
29 But Moses said, "Are you jealous for me? Would that all GOD's people were prophets. Would that GOD would put his Spirit on all of them."
What God chooses to do won’t please everyone.
26 Meanwhile two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed in the camp. They were listed as leaders but they didn't leave camp to go to the Tent. Still, the Spirit also rested on them and they prophesied in the camp.
27 A young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!"
28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' right-hand man since his youth, said, "Moses, master! Stop them!"
29 But Moses said, "Are you jealous for me? Would that all GOD's people were prophets. Would that GOD would put his Spirit on all of them."
What God chooses to do won’t please everyone.
Ex 35:30-35
"See, GOD has selected Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He's filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and know-how for making all sorts of things, 32 to design and work in gold, silver, and bronze; 33 to carve stones and set them; to carve wood, working in every kind of skilled craft. 34 And he's also made him a teacher, he and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He's gifted them with the know-how needed for carving, designing, weaving, and embroidering in blue, purple, and scarlet fabrics, and in fine linen. They can make anything and design anything. “
They didn’t have to MAKE SOMETHING OF THEMSELVES!
"See, GOD has selected Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He's filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and know-how for making all sorts of things, 32 to design and work in gold, silver, and bronze; 33 to carve stones and set them; to carve wood, working in every kind of skilled craft. 34 And he's also made him a teacher, he and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He's gifted them with the know-how needed for carving, designing, weaving, and embroidering in blue, purple, and scarlet fabrics, and in fine linen. They can make anything and design anything. “
They didn’t have to MAKE SOMETHING OF THEMSELVES!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Ex 16:13-15
13 That evening quail flew in and covered the camp and in the morning there was a layer of dew all over the camp. 14 When the layer of dew had lifted, there on the wilderness ground was a fine flaky something, fine as frost on the ground. 15 The Israelites took one look and said to one another, man-hu (What is it?). They had no idea what it was.
This is news to me because all I’ve ever heard about is manna.
13 That evening quail flew in and covered the camp and in the morning there was a layer of dew all over the camp. 14 When the layer of dew had lifted, there on the wilderness ground was a fine flaky something, fine as frost on the ground. 15 The Israelites took one look and said to one another, man-hu (What is it?). They had no idea what it was.
This is news to me because all I’ve ever heard about is manna.
Ex 16:2-3
2 The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said, "Why didn't GOD let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You've brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!"
After all the miracles in Egypt, they were released from slavery, they crossed the Red Sea on dry land and the Egyptians drowned they complained?
2 The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. 3 The Israelites said, "Why didn't GOD let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You've brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!"
After all the miracles in Egypt, they were released from slavery, they crossed the Red Sea on dry land and the Egyptians drowned they complained?
The Israelites forgot the miracle wonders that God had done in Egypt:
Ex 14:10-12
10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw them — Egyptians! Coming at them!
They were totally afraid. They cried out in terror to GOD. 11 They told Moses, "Weren't the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here in the wilderness to die? What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt? 12 Back in Egypt didn't we tell you this would happen? Didn't we tell you, 'Leave us alone here in Egypt — we're better off as slaves in Egypt than as corpses in the wilderness.'"
We're not different! We need to remember them also and not turn to society which is OUR Egypt!
Ex 14:10-12
10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw them — Egyptians! Coming at them!
They were totally afraid. They cried out in terror to GOD. 11 They told Moses, "Weren't the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here in the wilderness to die? What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt? 12 Back in Egypt didn't we tell you this would happen? Didn't we tell you, 'Leave us alone here in Egypt — we're better off as slaves in Egypt than as corpses in the wilderness.'"
We're not different! We need to remember them also and not turn to society which is OUR Egypt!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Ex 5:6-9
6 Pharaoh took immediate action. He sent down orders to the slave-drivers and their underlings: 7 "Don't provide straw for the people for making bricks as you have been doing. Make them get their own straw. 8 And make them produce the same number of bricks — no reduction in their daily quotas! They're getting lazy. They're going around saying, 'Give us time off so we can worship our God.' 9 Crack down on them. That'll cure them of their whining, their god-fantasies."
This is about how God’s people are treated in this world.
6 Pharaoh took immediate action. He sent down orders to the slave-drivers and their underlings: 7 "Don't provide straw for the people for making bricks as you have been doing. Make them get their own straw. 8 And make them produce the same number of bricks — no reduction in their daily quotas! They're getting lazy. They're going around saying, 'Give us time off so we can worship our God.' 9 Crack down on them. That'll cure them of their whining, their god-fantasies."
This is about how God’s people are treated in this world.
Ex 4:21-23
21 GOD said to Moses, "When you get back to Egypt, be prepared: All the wonders that I will do through you, you'll do before Pharaoh. But I will make him stubborn so that he will refuse to let the people go. 22 Then you are to tell Pharaoh, 'GOD's Message: Israel is my son, my firstborn! 23 I told you, "Free my son so that he can serve me." But you refused to free him. So now I'm going to kill your son, your firstborn.'"
This was way in advance!
21 GOD said to Moses, "When you get back to Egypt, be prepared: All the wonders that I will do through you, you'll do before Pharaoh. But I will make him stubborn so that he will refuse to let the people go. 22 Then you are to tell Pharaoh, 'GOD's Message: Israel is my son, my firstborn! 23 I told you, "Free my son so that he can serve me." But you refused to free him. So now I'm going to kill your son, your firstborn.'"
This was way in advance!
Ex 4:10-12
10 Moses raised another objection to GOD: "Master, please, I don't talk well. I've never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer."
11 GOD said, "And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn't it I, GOD? 12 So, get going. I'll be right there with you — with your mouth! I'll be right there to teach you what to say."
God doesn’t use impressive people! Less of you, more of Him.
10 Moses raised another objection to GOD: "Master, please, I don't talk well. I've never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer."
11 GOD said, "And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn't it I, GOD? 12 So, get going. I'll be right there with you — with your mouth! I'll be right there to teach you what to say."
God doesn’t use impressive people! Less of you, more of Him.
Ex 3:21-4:1
21 I'll see to it that this people get a hearty send-off by the Egyptians — when you leave, you won't leave empty-handed! 22 Each woman will ask her neighbor and any guests in her house for objects of silver and gold, for jewelry and extra clothes; you'll put them on your sons and daughters. Oh, you'll clean the Egyptians out!"
And this happened!
21 I'll see to it that this people get a hearty send-off by the Egyptians — when you leave, you won't leave empty-handed! 22 Each woman will ask her neighbor and any guests in her house for objects of silver and gold, for jewelry and extra clothes; you'll put them on your sons and daughters. Oh, you'll clean the Egyptians out!"
And this happened!
Gen 48:17-19
17 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, he thought he had made a mistake, so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's, 18 saying, "That's the wrong head, Father; the other one is the firstborn; place your right hand on his head."
19 But his father wouldn't do it. He said, "I know, my son; but I know what I'm doing. He also will develop into a people, and he also will be great. But his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will enrich nations."
This is yet another example of God’s plan as opposed to man’s plan.
17 When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, he thought he had made a mistake, so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's, 18 saying, "That's the wrong head, Father; the other one is the firstborn; place your right hand on his head."
19 But his father wouldn't do it. He said, "I know, my son; but I know what I'm doing. He also will develop into a people, and he also will be great. But his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will enrich nations."
This is yet another example of God’s plan as opposed to man’s plan.
Gen 47:11-12
11 Joseph settled his father and brothers in Egypt, made them proud owners of choice land — it was the region of Rameses (that is, Goshen) — just as Pharaoh had ordered. 12 Joseph took good care of them — his father and brothers and all his father's family, right down to the smallest baby. He made sure they had plenty of everything.
Less of you, more of God.
11 Joseph settled his father and brothers in Egypt, made them proud owners of choice land — it was the region of Rameses (that is, Goshen) — just as Pharaoh had ordered. 12 Joseph took good care of them — his father and brothers and all his father's family, right down to the smallest baby. He made sure they had plenty of everything.
Less of you, more of God.
Gen 46:1-4
46:1 So Israel set out on the journey with everything he owned. He arrived at Beersheba and worshiped, offering sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2 God spoke to Israel in a vision that night: "Jacob! Jacob!"
"Yes?" he said. "I'm listening."
3 God said, "I am the God of your father. Don't be afraid of going down to Egypt. I'm going to make you a great nation there. 4 I'll go with you down to Egypt; I'll also bring you back here. And when you die, Joseph will be with you; with his own hand he'll close your eyes."
Remember the nation named the children of Israel?
46:1 So Israel set out on the journey with everything he owned. He arrived at Beersheba and worshiped, offering sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2 God spoke to Israel in a vision that night: "Jacob! Jacob!"
"Yes?" he said. "I'm listening."
3 God said, "I am the God of your father. Don't be afraid of going down to Egypt. I'm going to make you a great nation there. 4 I'll go with you down to Egypt; I'll also bring you back here. And when you die, Joseph will be with you; with his own hand he'll close your eyes."
Remember the nation named the children of Israel?
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Gen 32:24-25
24 But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he couldn't get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob's hip out of joint.
This is very interesting because I’m sure that Jacob didn’t wake up that day and think: “Hopefully today I’ll wrestle with God and get handicapped”, but that’s exactly what happened and he was happy about it.
24 But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he couldn't get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob's hip out of joint.
This is very interesting because I’m sure that Jacob didn’t wake up that day and think: “Hopefully today I’ll wrestle with God and get handicapped”, but that’s exactly what happened and he was happy about it.
Gen 32:24-25
24 But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he couldn't get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob's hip out of joint.
Jacob didn’t start out that way but God had other plans so he ended up that way. It wasn’t Jacob’s plan but it was God’s plan.
24 But Jacob stayed behind by himself, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he couldn't get the best of Jacob as they wrestled, he deliberately threw Jacob's hip out of joint.
Jacob didn’t start out that way but God had other plans so he ended up that way. It wasn’t Jacob’s plan but it was God’s plan.
Gen 32:3-4
3 Then Jacob sent messengers on ahead to his brother Esau in the land of Seir in Edom. 4 He instructed them: "Tell my master Esau this, 'A message from your servant Jacob”
Per the blessing from his father Isaac, Jacob was the master and Esau was the servant. This shows us that in all situations WE need to be servants and let everyone else be the master.
3 Then Jacob sent messengers on ahead to his brother Esau in the land of Seir in Edom. 4 He instructed them: "Tell my master Esau this, 'A message from your servant Jacob”
Per the blessing from his father Isaac, Jacob was the master and Esau was the servant. This shows us that in all situations WE need to be servants and let everyone else be the master.
Gen 30:3-5
3 Rachel said, "Here's my maid Bilhah. Sleep with her. Let her substitute for me so I can have a child through her and build a family." 4 So she gave him her maid Bilhah for a wife and Jacob slept with her. 5 Bilhah became pregnant and gave Jacob a son.
Just like with Abraham, humans decided to do things only based on what they could see and do, we should learn from this.
3 Rachel said, "Here's my maid Bilhah. Sleep with her. Let her substitute for me so I can have a child through her and build a family." 4 So she gave him her maid Bilhah for a wife and Jacob slept with her. 5 Bilhah became pregnant and gave Jacob a son.
Just like with Abraham, humans decided to do things only based on what they could see and do, we should learn from this.
Gen 29:9-10
9 While Jacob was in conversation with them, Rachel came up with her father's sheep. She was the shepherd. 10 The moment Jacob spotted Rachel, daughter of Laban his mother's brother, saw her arriving with his uncle Laban's sheep, he went and single-handedly rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the sheep of his uncle Laban.
This is a HUGE blessing from God but I’ve NEVER heard this in a sermon!
9 While Jacob was in conversation with them, Rachel came up with her father's sheep. She was the shepherd. 10 The moment Jacob spotted Rachel, daughter of Laban his mother's brother, saw her arriving with his uncle Laban's sheep, he went and single-handedly rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the sheep of his uncle Laban.
This is a HUGE blessing from God but I’ve NEVER heard this in a sermon!
Gen 25:33-34
33 On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn. 34 Jacob gave him bread and the stew of lentils. He ate and drank, got up and left. That's how Esau shrugged off his rights as the firstborn.
This shows us that some will want to be children of God and some will have other priorities.
33 On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn. 34 Jacob gave him bread and the stew of lentils. He ate and drank, got up and left. That's how Esau shrugged off his rights as the firstborn.
This shows us that some will want to be children of God and some will have other priorities.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Gen 22:11-12
11 Just then an angel of GOD called to him out of Heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Yes, I'm listening."
12 "Don't lay a hand on that boy! Don't touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn't hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me."
This is how faith is demonstrated because it’s not what you can see. It didn’t look good or seem like a good idea but Abraham did it and that’s why he is the father of faith. Trying to make others happy is not the answer!
11 Just then an angel of GOD called to him out of Heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Yes, I'm listening."
12 "Don't lay a hand on that boy! Don't touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn't hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me."
This is how faith is demonstrated because it’s not what you can see. It didn’t look good or seem like a good idea but Abraham did it and that’s why he is the father of faith. Trying to make others happy is not the answer!
Gen 20:1-15
20:1 Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, 2 Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She's my sister."
So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, "You're as good as dead — that woman you took, she's a married woman."
4 Now Abimelech had not yet slept with her, hadn't so much as touched her. He said, "Master, would you kill an innocent man? 5 Didn't he tell me, 'She's my sister'? And didn't she herself say, 'He's my brother'? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong when I did this."
6 God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that's why I kept you from sinning against me; I was the one who kept you from going to bed with her. 7 So now give the man's wife back to him. He's a prophet and will pray for you — pray for your life. If you don't give her back, know that it's certain death both for you and everyone in your family."
8 Abimelech was up first thing in the morning. He called all his house servants together and told them the whole story. They were shocked. 9 Then Abimelech called in Abraham and said, "What have you done to us? What have I ever done to you that you would bring on me and my kingdom this huge offense? What you've done to me ought never to have been done."
10 Abimelech went on to Abraham, "Whatever were you thinking of when you did this thing?"
11 Abraham said, "I just assumed that there was no fear of God in this place and that they'd kill me to get my wife. 12 Besides, the truth is that she is my half sister; she's my father's daughter but not my mother's. 13 When God sent me out as a wanderer from my father's home, I told her, 'Do me a favor; wherever we go, tell people that I'm your brother.'"
14 Then Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham, and along with her sent sheep and cattle and servants, both male and female. 15 He said, "My land is open to you; live wherever you wish."
This is an example of not going along with what you can see.
20:1 Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, 2 Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She's my sister."
So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, "You're as good as dead — that woman you took, she's a married woman."
4 Now Abimelech had not yet slept with her, hadn't so much as touched her. He said, "Master, would you kill an innocent man? 5 Didn't he tell me, 'She's my sister'? And didn't she herself say, 'He's my brother'? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong when I did this."
6 God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that's why I kept you from sinning against me; I was the one who kept you from going to bed with her. 7 So now give the man's wife back to him. He's a prophet and will pray for you — pray for your life. If you don't give her back, know that it's certain death both for you and everyone in your family."
8 Abimelech was up first thing in the morning. He called all his house servants together and told them the whole story. They were shocked. 9 Then Abimelech called in Abraham and said, "What have you done to us? What have I ever done to you that you would bring on me and my kingdom this huge offense? What you've done to me ought never to have been done."
10 Abimelech went on to Abraham, "Whatever were you thinking of when you did this thing?"
11 Abraham said, "I just assumed that there was no fear of God in this place and that they'd kill me to get my wife. 12 Besides, the truth is that she is my half sister; she's my father's daughter but not my mother's. 13 When God sent me out as a wanderer from my father's home, I told her, 'Do me a favor; wherever we go, tell people that I'm your brother.'"
14 Then Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham, and along with her sent sheep and cattle and servants, both male and female. 15 He said, "My land is open to you; live wherever you wish."
This is an example of not going along with what you can see.
Gen 19:31-32
31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, "Our father is getting old and there's not a man left in the country by whom we can get pregnant. 32 Let's get our father drunk with wine and lie with him. We'll get children through our father — it's our only chance to keep our family alive."
This is another example of only depending on what you can see.
31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, "Our father is getting old and there's not a man left in the country by whom we can get pregnant. 32 Let's get our father drunk with wine and lie with him. We'll get children through our father — it's our only chance to keep our family alive."
This is another example of only depending on what you can see.
Gen 16:1-3
16:1 Sarai, Abram's wife, hadn't yet produced a child.
She had an Egyptian maid named Hagar. 2 Sarai said to Abram, "GOD has not seen fit to let me have a child. Sleep with my maid. Maybe I can get a family from her." Abram agreed to do what Sarai said.
This is an example of not relying on God and trying to do things your way.
16:1 Sarai, Abram's wife, hadn't yet produced a child.
She had an Egyptian maid named Hagar. 2 Sarai said to Abram, "GOD has not seen fit to let me have a child. Sleep with my maid. Maybe I can get a family from her." Abram agreed to do what Sarai said.
This is an example of not relying on God and trying to do things your way.
Gen 15:13-14
13 GOD said to Abram, "Know this: your descendants will live as outsiders in a land not theirs; they'll be enslaved and beaten down for 400 years. 14 Then I'll punish their slave masters; your offspring will march out of there loaded with plunder.
God told Abram about the children of Israel FAR in advance. Israel wasn’t even born yet!
13 GOD said to Abram, "Know this: your descendants will live as outsiders in a land not theirs; they'll be enslaved and beaten down for 400 years. 14 Then I'll punish their slave masters; your offspring will march out of there loaded with plunder.
God told Abram about the children of Israel FAR in advance. Israel wasn’t even born yet!
Gen 12:1-4
GOD told Abram: "Leave your country, your family, and your father's home for a land that I will show you. 2 I'll make you a great nation and bless you. I'll make you famous; you'll be a blessing. 3 I'll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I'll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram left just as GOD said, and Lot left with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
God told Abram: All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you. Abram didn’t ask God questions or try to figure it out for himself-he just went as God had commanded him to.
GOD told Abram: "Leave your country, your family, and your father's home for a land that I will show you. 2 I'll make you a great nation and bless you. I'll make you famous; you'll be a blessing. 3 I'll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I'll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you." 4 So Abram left just as GOD said, and Lot left with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
God told Abram: All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you. Abram didn’t ask God questions or try to figure it out for himself-he just went as God had commanded him to.
Gen 11:4
4 Then they said, "Come, let's build ourselves a city and a tower that reaches Heaven. Let's make ourselves famous so we won't be scattered here and there across the Earth."
From this came Babble and interestingly enough even though their language was confused by God people are still wanting to be famous and people are trying to make all language the same!
4 Then they said, "Come, let's build ourselves a city and a tower that reaches Heaven. Let's make ourselves famous so we won't be scattered here and there across the Earth."
From this came Babble and interestingly enough even though their language was confused by God people are still wanting to be famous and people are trying to make all language the same!
Gen 5:1-2
This is the family tree of the human race: When God created the human race, he made it godlike, with a nature akin to God. 2 He created both male and female and blessed them, the whole human race.
He created them…they didn’t create themselves. Having to make something of yourselves means that the clay thinks that they can do better than the potter did in the first place.
This is the family tree of the human race: When God created the human race, he made it godlike, with a nature akin to God. 2 He created both male and female and blessed them, the whole human race.
He created them…they didn’t create themselves. Having to make something of yourselves means that the clay thinks that they can do better than the potter did in the first place.
Gen 4:6-7
6 GOD spoke to Cain: "Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? 7 If you do well, won't you be accepted? And if you don't do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it's out to get you, you've got to master it."
In other words: you can become eye candy and win! Isn't that what God said? NO!
6 GOD spoke to Cain: "Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? 7 If you do well, won't you be accepted? And if you don't do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it's out to get you, you've got to master it."
In other words: you can become eye candy and win! Isn't that what God said? NO!
Gen 3:1-14
3:1 The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal GOD had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"
2 The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. 3 It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
4 The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. 5 God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."
6 When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it — she'd know everything! — she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.
7 Immediately the two of them did "see what's really going on" — saw themselves naked! They sewed fig leaves together as makeshift clothes for themselves.
8 When they heard the sound of GOD strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from GOD.
9 GOD called to the Man: "Where are you?"
10 He said, "I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid."
11 GOD said, "Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?"
12 The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it."
13 GOD said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?"
"The serpent seduced me," she said, "and I ate."
Opinions seem very convincing even though the truth is far more powerful.
3:1 The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal GOD had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"
2 The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. 3 It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
4 The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. 5 God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."
6 When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it — she'd know everything! — she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.
7 Immediately the two of them did "see what's really going on" — saw themselves naked! They sewed fig leaves together as makeshift clothes for themselves.
8 When they heard the sound of GOD strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from GOD.
9 GOD called to the Man: "Where are you?"
10 He said, "I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid."
11 GOD said, "Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?"
12 The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it."
13 GOD said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?"
"The serpent seduced me," she said, "and I ate."
Opinions seem very convincing even though the truth is far more powerful.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
This is not going to be a popular thing to say and I’m sure that it won’t be accepted well-but as humans we are slaves just like the children of Israel were in fact, maybe worse! Yes we are slaves to our sinful conditions but we’re also slaves to money! And we have made money our idol and it drives everything we do in life.
I have been given the opportunity to see this while most people have not. But I have been given the opportunity to tell you!
When the children of Israel were allowed to leave Egypt they never had to buy clothes because for 40 years their clothes didn’t wear out. They didn’t have to buy food either because God fed them and I’m sure that there were more amazing things that happened to them that were not written in the Bible. But since then society and life are totally based on money only, in fact money has become necessary when it comes to God! So much so that religion itself has become just another way to make money! So as humans we are definitely slaves to money thus the ability to make more money has become a human priority! And the Bible calls money a god!
I don’t know what the answer to this is but the Bible says that we have to be 100% committed to God! So check your priorities!
I have been given the opportunity to see this while most people have not. But I have been given the opportunity to tell you!
When the children of Israel were allowed to leave Egypt they never had to buy clothes because for 40 years their clothes didn’t wear out. They didn’t have to buy food either because God fed them and I’m sure that there were more amazing things that happened to them that were not written in the Bible. But since then society and life are totally based on money only, in fact money has become necessary when it comes to God! So much so that religion itself has become just another way to make money! So as humans we are definitely slaves to money thus the ability to make more money has become a human priority! And the Bible calls money a god!
I don’t know what the answer to this is but the Bible says that we have to be 100% committed to God! So check your priorities!
Gen 2:18-3:1
18 GOD said, "It's not good for the Man to be alone; I'll make him a helper, a companion." 19 So GOD formed from the dirt of the ground all the animals of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the Man to see what he would name them. Whatever the Man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 The Man named the cattle, named the birds of the air, named the wild animals; but he didn't find a suitable companion.
21 GOD put the Man into a deep sleep. As he slept he removed one of his ribs and replaced it with flesh. 22 GOD then used the rib that he had taken from the Man to make Woman and presented her to the Man. 23 The Man said, "Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man."
24 Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh.
25 The two of them, the Man and his Wife, were naked, but they felt no shame.
God knows EVERYTHING about you!
18 GOD said, "It's not good for the Man to be alone; I'll make him a helper, a companion." 19 So GOD formed from the dirt of the ground all the animals of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the Man to see what he would name them. Whatever the Man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 The Man named the cattle, named the birds of the air, named the wild animals; but he didn't find a suitable companion.
21 GOD put the Man into a deep sleep. As he slept he removed one of his ribs and replaced it with flesh. 22 GOD then used the rib that he had taken from the Man to make Woman and presented her to the Man. 23 The Man said, "Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man."
24 Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife. They become one flesh.
25 The two of them, the Man and his Wife, were naked, but they felt no shame.
God knows EVERYTHING about you!
Gen 2:15-18
15 GOD took the Man and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order.
16 GOD commanded the Man, "You can eat from any tree in the garden, 17 except from the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Don't eat from it. The moment you eat from that tree, you're dead."
This wasn’t a “possibly” order, it was a clear consequence: “The moment you eat from that tree, you're dead." So there was no room for guessing.
15 GOD took the Man and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order.
16 GOD commanded the Man, "You can eat from any tree in the garden, 17 except from the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Don't eat from it. The moment you eat from that tree, you're dead."
This wasn’t a “possibly” order, it was a clear consequence: “The moment you eat from that tree, you're dead." So there was no room for guessing.
Gen 2:5-9
At the time GOD made Earth and Heaven, before any grasses or shrubs had sprouted from the ground — GOD hadn't yet sent rain on Earth, nor was there anyone around to work the ground 6(the whole Earth was watered by underground springs) — 7 GOD formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive — a living soul!
8 Then GOD planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the Man he had just made in it. 9 GOD made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil.
Creation was concluded before this so this is just some details of what had been done. God put man in the garden to tend things AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE that it wasn’t because of man’s behavior that he was put there! God gave man something to do!
At the time GOD made Earth and Heaven, before any grasses or shrubs had sprouted from the ground — GOD hadn't yet sent rain on Earth, nor was there anyone around to work the ground 6(the whole Earth was watered by underground springs) — 7 GOD formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive — a living soul!
8 Then GOD planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the Man he had just made in it. 9 GOD made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil.
Creation was concluded before this so this is just some details of what had been done. God put man in the garden to tend things AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE that it wasn’t because of man’s behavior that he was put there! God gave man something to do!
Gen 2:1-4
Heaven and Earth were finished, down to the last detail. 2 By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day Because on that day he rested from his work all the creating God had done. 4 This is the story of how it all started, of Heaven and Earth when they were created.
Heaven and Earth were finished, down to the last detail. 2 By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day Because on that day he rested from his work all the creating God had done. 4 This is the story of how it all started, of Heaven and Earth when they were created.
Gen 1:24-31
24 God spoke: "Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:cattle and reptiles and wild animals — all kinds." And there it was: 25 wild animals of every kind,Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good.
26 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,the birds in the air, the cattle,And, yes, Earth itself,and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." 27 God created human beings;he created them godlike,Reflecting God's nature.He created them male and female. 28 God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."
29 Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,given them to you for food. 30 To all animals and all birds,everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food."And there it was.
31 God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning — Day Six.
24 God spoke: "Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:cattle and reptiles and wild animals — all kinds." And there it was: 25 wild animals of every kind,Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug. God saw that it was good.
26 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,the birds in the air, the cattle,And, yes, Earth itself,and every animal that moves on the face of Earth." 27 God created human beings;he created them godlike,Reflecting God's nature.He created them male and female. 28 God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."
29 Then God said, "I've given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,given them to you for food. 30 To all animals and all birds,everything that moves and breathes, I give whatever grows out of the ground for food."And there it was.
31 God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning — Day Six.
Gen 1:20-23
20 God spoke: "Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life! Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!" 21 God created the huge whales, all the swarm of life in the waters, And every kind and species of flying birds.
God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean! Birds, reproduce on Earth!" 23 It was evening, it was morning — Day Five.
God told birds to fly!
20 God spoke: "Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life! Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!" 21 God created the huge whales, all the swarm of life in the waters, And every kind and species of flying birds.
God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean! Birds, reproduce on Earth!" 23 It was evening, it was morning — Day Five.
God told birds to fly!
Gen 1:14-19
14 God spoke: "Lights! Come out! Shine in Heaven's sky! Separate Day from Night. Mark seasons and days and years, 15 Lights in Heaven's sky to give light to Earth."
And there it was. 16 God made two big lights, the larger to take charge of Day, The smaller to be in charge of Night and he made the stars. 17 God placed them in the heavenly sky to light up Earth 18 And oversee Day and Night to separate light and dark. God saw that it was good. 19 It was evening, it was morning —Day Four.
Mark seasons…this is nature!
14 God spoke: "Lights! Come out! Shine in Heaven's sky! Separate Day from Night. Mark seasons and days and years, 15 Lights in Heaven's sky to give light to Earth."
And there it was. 16 God made two big lights, the larger to take charge of Day, The smaller to be in charge of Night and he made the stars. 17 God placed them in the heavenly sky to light up Earth 18 And oversee Day and Night to separate light and dark. God saw that it was good. 19 It was evening, it was morning —Day Four.
Mark seasons…this is nature!
Gen 1:11-14
11 God spoke: "Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, Every sort of fruit-bearing tree." And there it was. 12 Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. God saw that it was good. 13 It was evening, it was morning — Day Three.
All varieties of seed-bearing plants, Every sort of fruit-bearing tree. They don’t just happen, they were created.
11 God spoke: "Earth, green up! Grow all varieties of seed-bearing plants, Every sort of fruit-bearing tree." And there it was. 12 Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, And fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. God saw that it was good. 13 It was evening, it was morning — Day Three.
All varieties of seed-bearing plants, Every sort of fruit-bearing tree. They don’t just happen, they were created.
Gen 1:6-8
6 God spoke: "Sky! In the middle of the waters; separate water from water!" 7 God made sky.
He separated the water under sky from the water above sky. And there it was: 8 he named sky the Heavens; It was evening, it was morning — Day Two.
Have you ever heard someone talk about this? People love going to the ocean but no one is ever amazed that there is one!
6 God spoke: "Sky! In the middle of the waters; separate water from water!" 7 God made sky.
He separated the water under sky from the water above sky. And there it was: 8 he named sky the Heavens; It was evening, it was morning — Day Two.
Have you ever heard someone talk about this? People love going to the ocean but no one is ever amazed that there is one!
Gen 1:1-5
First this: God created the Heavens and Earth — all you see, all you don't see. 2 Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. 3 God spoke: "Light!"mAnd light appeared. 4 God saw that light was good and separated light from dark. 5 God named the light Day, he named the dark Night. It was evening, it was morning — Day One.
People are very quick to say: “Have you been to there?” but they never say: “Have you seen what God made there?” Just because anything is there it’s because God put it there, the Bible clearly says: First this: God created the Heavens and Earth — all you see, all you don't see. 2 Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness, so there was nothing there or here, it’’s all from Him.
First this: God created the Heavens and Earth — all you see, all you don't see. 2 Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. 3 God spoke: "Light!"mAnd light appeared. 4 God saw that light was good and separated light from dark. 5 God named the light Day, he named the dark Night. It was evening, it was morning — Day One.
People are very quick to say: “Have you been to there?” but they never say: “Have you seen what God made there?” Just because anything is there it’s because God put it there, the Bible clearly says: First this: God created the Heavens and Earth — all you see, all you don't see. 2 Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness, so there was nothing there or here, it’’s all from Him.
Creation is eye candy but instead of focusing on the fact that God did something people simply focus on the candy, creation and what they can see is more important to them than the fact that God created it in the first place! The Bible starts with creation so God obviously want’s for us to realize it but instead we just focus on it. The candy is more important than the fact that it is there!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
I would like to take some time to tell you how incredibly good God has been to me. Firstly this is not about what I have done, it’s about what God has done.
Before I was hurt I had a major addiction to both caffeine and cigarettes but I don’t have those now and I haven’t experienced any withdrawals at all. I also had CFIDS and Fibromyalgia but I don’t have them now. When I was hurt I was supposed to either die or be a vegetable but I am alive and live in an apartment. For 12 years now I have lived in a wheelchair and most usually people get body sores but not me.
God is much more than people realize but even though I can say these things and they can be seen people still don’t see it.
Before I was hurt I had a major addiction to both caffeine and cigarettes but I don’t have those now and I haven’t experienced any withdrawals at all. I also had CFIDS and Fibromyalgia but I don’t have them now. When I was hurt I was supposed to either die or be a vegetable but I am alive and live in an apartment. For 12 years now I have lived in a wheelchair and most usually people get body sores but not me.
God is much more than people realize but even though I can say these things and they can be seen people still don’t see it.
Rev 14:14-15
I looked up, I caught my breath! — a white cloud and one like the Son of Man sitting on it. He wore a gold crown and held a sharp sickle. 15 Another Angel came out of the Temple, shouting to the Cloud-Enthroned, "Swing your sickle and reap. It's harvest time. Earth's harvest is ripe for reaping."
Jesus spoke about harvest time!
I looked up, I caught my breath! — a white cloud and one like the Son of Man sitting on it. He wore a gold crown and held a sharp sickle. 15 Another Angel came out of the Temple, shouting to the Cloud-Enthroned, "Swing your sickle and reap. It's harvest time. Earth's harvest is ripe for reaping."
Jesus spoke about harvest time!
1 John 4:9-10
9 This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. 10 This is the kind of love we are talking about — not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.
9 This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. 10 This is the kind of love we are talking about — not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.
1 John 4:4-5
4 My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. 5 These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world's language and the world eats it up.
4 My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. 5 These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world's language and the world eats it up.
1 John 3:18-20
My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. 19 This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. 20 It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. 19 This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. 20 It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
1 John 3:1-3
3:1 What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it — we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to. 2 But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him — and in seeing him, become like him. 3 All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own.
3:1 What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it — we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to. 2 But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him — and in seeing him, become like him. 3 All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own.
Friday, March 23, 2012
1 John 2:15-17
15 Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. 16 Practically everything that goes on in the world — wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important — has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. 17 The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out — but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
15 Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. 16 Practically everything that goes on in the world — wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important — has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. 17 The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out — but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
2 Peter 3:11-13
11 Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? 12 Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day — 13 but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.
11 Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? 12 Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day — 13 but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.
2 Peter 2:10-11
God is especially incensed against these "teachers" who live by lust, addicted to a filthy existence. They despise interference from true authority, preferring to indulge in self-rule. Insolent egotists, they don't hesitate to speak evil against the most splendid of creatures. 11 Even angels, their superiors in every way, wouldn't think of throwing their weight around like that, trying to slander others before God.
God is especially incensed against these "teachers" who live by lust, addicted to a filthy existence. They despise interference from true authority, preferring to indulge in self-rule. Insolent egotists, they don't hesitate to speak evil against the most splendid of creatures. 11 Even angels, their superiors in every way, wouldn't think of throwing their weight around like that, trying to slander others before God.
2 Peter 2:4-9
4 God didn't let the rebel angels off the hook, but jailed them in hell till Judgment Day. 5 Neither did he let the ancient ungodly world off. He wiped it out with a flood, rescuing only eight people — Noah, the sole voice of righteousness, was one of them. 6 God decreed destruction for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. A mound of ashes was all that was left — grim warning to anyone bent on an ungodly life. 7 But that good man Lot, driven nearly out of his mind by the sexual filth and perversity, was rescued. 8 Surrounded by moral rot day after day after day, that righteous man was in constant torment.
9 So God knows how to rescue the godly from evil trials. And he knows how to hold the feet of the wicked to the fire until Judgment Day.
4 God didn't let the rebel angels off the hook, but jailed them in hell till Judgment Day. 5 Neither did he let the ancient ungodly world off. He wiped it out with a flood, rescuing only eight people — Noah, the sole voice of righteousness, was one of them. 6 God decreed destruction for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. A mound of ashes was all that was left — grim warning to anyone bent on an ungodly life. 7 But that good man Lot, driven nearly out of his mind by the sexual filth and perversity, was rescued. 8 Surrounded by moral rot day after day after day, that righteous man was in constant torment.
9 So God knows how to rescue the godly from evil trials. And he knows how to hold the feet of the wicked to the fire until Judgment Day.
2 Peter 2:1-2
But there were also lying prophets among the people then, just as there will be lying religious teachers among you. They'll smuggle in destructive divisions, pitting you against each other — biting the hand of the One who gave them a chance to have their lives back! They've put themselves on a fast downhill slide to destruction, 2 but not before they recruit a crowd of mixed-up followers who can't tell right from wrong.
But there were also lying prophets among the people then, just as there will be lying religious teachers among you. They'll smuggle in destructive divisions, pitting you against each other — biting the hand of the One who gave them a chance to have their lives back! They've put themselves on a fast downhill slide to destruction, 2 but not before they recruit a crowd of mixed-up followers who can't tell right from wrong.
2 Peter 1:20-21
20 The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. 21 And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word.
Prophecy is not a matter of public opinion.
20 The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. 21 And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word.
Prophecy is not a matter of public opinion.
2 Peter 1:12-13
Because the stakes are so high, even though you're up-to-date on all this truth and practice it inside and out, I'm not going to let up for a minute in calling you to attention before it. 13 This is the post to which I've been assigned — keeping you alert with frequent reminders — and I'm sticking to it as long as I live.
Because the stakes are so high, even though you're up-to-date on all this truth and practice it inside and out, I'm not going to let up for a minute in calling you to attention before it. 13 This is the post to which I've been assigned — keeping you alert with frequent reminders — and I'm sticking to it as long as I live.
1 Peter 2:13-17
13 Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; 14 they are God's emissaries for keeping order. 15 It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. 16 Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. 17 Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
13 Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; 14 they are God's emissaries for keeping order. 15 It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. 16 Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. 17 Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you — 10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you — 10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE TO MAKE OF YOURSELVES which is way different than this world tells you.
9 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you — 10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you — 10 from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE TO MAKE OF YOURSELVES which is way different than this world tells you.
1 Peter 1:23
23 Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself!
This is what being born again means!
1 Peter 1:23
23 Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself!
This is what being born again means!
23 Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself!
This is what being born again means!
1 Peter 1:23
23 Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself!
This is what being born again means!
1 Peter 1:6-7
6 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. 7 Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
6 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. 7 Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
James 5:1-3
And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You'll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. 2 Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. 3 Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you've piled up is judgment.
And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You'll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. 2 Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. 3 Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you've piled up is judgment.
James 3:13-16
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. 14 Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. 15 It's the furthest thing from wisdom — it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. 16 Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. 14 Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. 15 It's the furthest thing from wisdom — it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. 16 Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
James 2:23-24
23 The full meaning of "believe" in the Scripture sentence, "Abraham believed God and was set right with God," includes his action. It's that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named "God's friend." 24 Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
23 The full meaning of "believe" in the Scripture sentence, "Abraham believed God and was set right with God," includes his action. It's that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named "God's friend." 24 Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?
James 1:10-11
Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it. 11 You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that's a picture of the "prosperous life." At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it. 11 You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that's a picture of the "prosperous life." At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
James 1:2-4
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4 So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4 So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Heb 11:24-28
24 By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. 25 He chose a hard life with God's people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with the oppressors. 26 He valued suffering in the Messiah's camp far greater than Egyptian wealth because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff. 27 By an act of faith, he turned his heel on Egypt, indifferent to the king's blind rage. He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going. 28 By an act of faith, he kept the Passover Feast and sprinkled Passover blood on each house so that the destroyer of the firstborn wouldn't touch them.
24 By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. 25 He chose a hard life with God's people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with the oppressors. 26 He valued suffering in the Messiah's camp far greater than Egyptian wealth because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff. 27 By an act of faith, he turned his heel on Egypt, indifferent to the king's blind rage. He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going. 28 By an act of faith, he kept the Passover Feast and sprinkled Passover blood on each house so that the destroyer of the firstborn wouldn't touch them.
Heb 11:17-19
17 By faith, Abraham, at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to God. Acting in faith, he was as ready to return the promised son, his only son, as he had been to receive him — 18 and this after he had already been told, "Your descendants shall come from Isaac." 19 Abraham figured that if God wanted to, he could raise the dead. In a sense, that's what happened when he received Isaac back, alive from off the altar.
17 By faith, Abraham, at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to God. Acting in faith, he was as ready to return the promised son, his only son, as he had been to receive him — 18 and this after he had already been told, "Your descendants shall come from Isaac." 19 Abraham figured that if God wanted to, he could raise the dead. In a sense, that's what happened when he received Isaac back, alive from off the altar.
Heb 11:13-16
13 Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. 14 People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. 15 If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. 16 But they were after a far better country than that — heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.
13 Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. 14 People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. 15 If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. 16 But they were after a far better country than that — heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.
Heb 11:8-10
8 By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. 9 By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. 10 Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations — the City designed and built by God.
8 By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. 9 By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. 10 Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations — the City designed and built by God.
Heb 11:7
7 By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.
7 By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.
Heb 11:5-6
5 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." 6 It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
5 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." 6 It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
Heb 11:1-2
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. 2 The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
It's our handle on what we can't see
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. 2 The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
It's our handle on what we can't see
Heb 8:8-12
God said,
Heads up! The days are coming when I'll set up a new plan for dealing with Israel and Judah. 9 I'll throw out the old plan I set up with their ancestors when I led them by the hand out of Egypt. They didn't keep their part of the bargain, so I looked away and let it go. 10 This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts. I'll be their God, they'll be my people. 11 They won't go to school to learn about me, or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons. They'll all get to know me firsthand, the little and the big, the small and the great. 12 They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean.
God said,
Heads up! The days are coming when I'll set up a new plan for dealing with Israel and Judah. 9 I'll throw out the old plan I set up with their ancestors when I led them by the hand out of Egypt. They didn't keep their part of the bargain, so I looked away and let it go. 10 This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts. I'll be their God, they'll be my people. 11 They won't go to school to learn about me, or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons. They'll all get to know me firsthand, the little and the big, the small and the great. 12 They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Heb 5:1-10
5:1 Every high priest selected to represent men and women before God and offer sacrifices for their sins 2 should be able to deal gently with their failings, since he knows what it's like from his own experience. 3 But that also meaos that he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as the people's. 4 No one elects himself to this honored position. He's called to it by God, as Aaron was. 5 Neither did Christ presume to set himself up as high priest, but was set apart by the One who said to him, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you!" 6 In another place God declares, "You're a priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek."
7 While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God. Because he honored God, God answered him. 8 Though he was God's Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. 9 Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, 10 he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him.
5:1 Every high priest selected to represent men and women before God and offer sacrifices for their sins 2 should be able to deal gently with their failings, since he knows what it's like from his own experience. 3 But that also meaos that he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as the people's. 4 No one elects himself to this honored position. He's called to it by God, as Aaron was. 5 Neither did Christ presume to set himself up as high priest, but was set apart by the One who said to him, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you!" 6 In another place God declares, "You're a priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek."
7 While he lived on earth, anticipating death, Jesus cried out in pain and wept in sorrow as he offered up priestly prayers to God. Because he honored God, God answered him. 8 Though he was God's Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do. 9 Then, having arrived at the full stature of his maturity and having been announced by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, 10 he became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey him.
Heb 4:14-16
Now that we know what we have — Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God — let's not let it slip through our fingers. 15 We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all — all but the sin. 16 So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
Now that we know what we have — Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God — let's not let it slip through our fingers. 15 We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all — all but the sin. 16 So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
Heb 3:15-19
15 These words keep ringing in our ears:
Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising.
16 For who were the people who turned a deaf ear? Weren't they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And who was God provoked with for forty years? Wasn't it those who turned a deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness? 18 And when he swore that they'd never get where they were going, wasn't he talking to the ones who turned a deaf ear? 19 They never got there because they never listened, never believed.
I HAVE NEVER HEARD A SERMON ON THIS!
15 These words keep ringing in our ears:
Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising.
16 For who were the people who turned a deaf ear? Weren't they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And who was God provoked with for forty years? Wasn't it those who turned a deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness? 18 And when he swore that they'd never get where they were going, wasn't he talking to the ones who turned a deaf ear? 19 They never got there because they never listened, never believed.
I HAVE NEVER HEARD A SERMON ON THIS!
Heb 3:12-14
Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. 13 For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. 14 If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul.
Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. 13 For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. 14 If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul.
Heb 2
God didn't put angels in charge of this business of salvation that we're dealing with here. 6 It says in Scripture,
What is man and woman that you bother with them;
why take a second look their way?
7 You made them not quite as high as angels,
bright with Eden's dawn light;
8 Then you put them in charge of your entire handcrafted world.
When God put them in charge of everything, nothing was excluded. But we don't see it yet, don't see everything under human jurisdiction. 9 What we do see is Jesus, made "not quite as high as angels," and then, through the experience of death, crowned so much higher than any angel, with a glory "bright with Eden's dawn light." In that death, by God's grace, he fully experienced death in every person's place.
10 It makes good sense that the God who got everything started and keeps everything going now completes the work by making the Salvation Pioneer perfect through suffering as he leads all these people to glory. 11 Since the One who saves and those who are saved have a common origin, Jesus doesn't hesitate to treat them as family, 12 saying,
I'll tell my good friends, my brothers and sisters, all I know about you;
I'll join them in worship and praise to you.
13 Again, he puts himself in the same family circle when he says
Even I live by placing my trust in God.
And yet again,
I'm here with the children God gave me.
14 Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death 15 and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.
16 It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. 17 That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, 18 he would have already experienced it all himself — all the pain, all the testing — and would be able to help where help was needed.
God didn't put angels in charge of this business of salvation that we're dealing with here. 6 It says in Scripture,
What is man and woman that you bother with them;
why take a second look their way?
7 You made them not quite as high as angels,
bright with Eden's dawn light;
8 Then you put them in charge of your entire handcrafted world.
When God put them in charge of everything, nothing was excluded. But we don't see it yet, don't see everything under human jurisdiction. 9 What we do see is Jesus, made "not quite as high as angels," and then, through the experience of death, crowned so much higher than any angel, with a glory "bright with Eden's dawn light." In that death, by God's grace, he fully experienced death in every person's place.
10 It makes good sense that the God who got everything started and keeps everything going now completes the work by making the Salvation Pioneer perfect through suffering as he leads all these people to glory. 11 Since the One who saves and those who are saved have a common origin, Jesus doesn't hesitate to treat them as family, 12 saying,
I'll tell my good friends, my brothers and sisters, all I know about you;
I'll join them in worship and praise to you.
13 Again, he puts himself in the same family circle when he says
Even I live by placing my trust in God.
And yet again,
I'm here with the children God gave me.
14 Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death 15 and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.
16 It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. 17 That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, 18 he would have already experienced it all himself — all the pain, all the testing — and would be able to help where help was needed.
Heb 1:1-9
1:1 Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. 2 Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. 3 This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says — powerful words! The Son Is Higher than Angels After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, 4 far higher than any angel in rank and rule. 5 Did God ever say to an angel, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you"? Or, "I'm his Father, he's my Son"? 6 When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, "All angels must worship him." 7 Regarding angels he says, The messengers are winds, the servants are tongues of fire. 8 But he says to the Son, You're God, and on the throne for good; your rule makes everything right. 9 You love it when things are right; you hate it when things are wrong
1:1 Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. 2 Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. 3 This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says — powerful words! The Son Is Higher than Angels After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, 4 far higher than any angel in rank and rule. 5 Did God ever say to an angel, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you"? Or, "I'm his Father, he's my Son"? 6 When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, "All angels must worship him." 7 Regarding angels he says, The messengers are winds, the servants are tongues of fire. 8 But he says to the Son, You're God, and on the throne for good; your rule makes everything right. 9 You love it when things are right; you hate it when things are wrong
Titus 3:1-2
Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand 2 No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.
God puts our government in place so you may not like a leader but God put them there and as God’s people you have to like what He does.
Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand 2 No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.
God puts our government in place so you may not like a leader but God put them there and as God’s people you have to like what He does.
Titus 2:11-14
11 God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! 12 We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, 13 and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. 14 He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
11 God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! 12 We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, 13 and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. 14 He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
Titus 1:10-11
10 For there are a lot of rebels out there, full of loose, confusing, and deceiving talk. Those who were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst. 11 They've got to be shut up. They're disrupting entire families with their teaching, and all for the sake of a fast buck.
10 For there are a lot of rebels out there, full of loose, confusing, and deceiving talk. Those who were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst. 11 They've got to be shut up. They're disrupting entire families with their teaching, and all for the sake of a fast buck.
2 Tim 4:3-5
3 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food — catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 4 They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. 5 But you — keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.
3 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food — catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 4 They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. 5 But you — keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.
1 Tim 6:17-19
17 Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage — 18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. 19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.
17 Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage — 18 to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. 19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Col 3:10-11
10 Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. 11 Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
10 Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. 11 Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
Col 2:11-14
11 Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in — insiders — not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. 12 If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. 13 When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive — right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, 14 the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's Cross.
The first thing that ALL HUMANS learn is that life is up to them but this says that’s not true!
11 Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It's not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws. No, you're already in — insiders — not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin. 12 If it's an initiation ritual you're after, you've already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. 13 When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive — right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, 14 the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ's Cross.
The first thing that ALL HUMANS learn is that life is up to them but this says that’s not true!
Col 1:21-23
21 You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. 22 But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. 23 You don't walk away from a gift like that!
21 You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. 22 But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. 23 You don't walk away from a gift like that!
Col 1:15-17
We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. 16 For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels — everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. 17 He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
Even when He was humanly alive He wasn’t eye candy.
We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. 16 For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels — everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. 17 He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
Even when He was humanly alive He wasn’t eye candy.
Phil 4:11-13
11 Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. 12 I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. 13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
11 Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. 12 I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. 13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
Phil 4:6-7
6 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
6 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Phil 2:5-8
5 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6 He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! 8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
5 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6 He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! 8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Eph 5:1-2
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. 2 Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. 2 Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.
Eph 4:17-32
And so I insist — and God backs me up on this — that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. 18 They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. 19 They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.
20 But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! 21 My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. 22 Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything — and I do mean everything — connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life — a God-fashioned life, 23 a life renewed from the inside 24 and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
25 What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
26 Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry — but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. 27 Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
28 Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
29 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
30 Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
31 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. 32 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
And so I insist — and God backs me up on this — that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. 18 They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. 19 They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.
20 But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! 21 My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. 22 Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything — and I do mean everything — connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life — a God-fashioned life, 23 a life renewed from the inside 24 and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
25 What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
26 Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry — but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. 27 Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
28 Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
29 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
30 Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
31 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. 32 Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Eph 2:19-22
God is building a home. He's using us all — irrespective of how we got here — in what he is building. 20 He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone 21 that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day — a holy temple built by God, 22 all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.
God is building a home. He's using us all — irrespective of how we got here — in what he is building. 20 He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone 21 that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day — a holy temple built by God, 22 all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.
Eph 2:7-10
7 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. 8 Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! 9 We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! 10 No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
7 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. 8 Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! 9 We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! 10 No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Eph 2:1-6
It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. 2 You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. 3 We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. 4 Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, 5 he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! 6 Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. 2 You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. 3 We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. 4 Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, 5 he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! 6 Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.
Eph 1:20-23
20 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, 21 in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. 22 He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. 23 The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
20 All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, 21 in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. 22 He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. 23 The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
Gal 6:7-8
7 Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others — ignoring God! — 8 harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
remember the parable on the harvest?
7 Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others — ignoring God! — 8 harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
remember the parable on the harvest?
Gal 5:25-26
25 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. 26 That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
So in Christ there is no competition because each of us is an original.
25 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. 26 That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
So in Christ there is no competition because each of us is an original.
Gal 5:13-16
13 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. 14 For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. 15 If you bite and ravage each other, watch out — in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?
13 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. 14 For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. 15 If you bite and ravage each other, watch out — in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?
Gal 3:28-29
In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. 29 Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous "descendant," heirs according to the covenant promises.
In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. 29 Also, since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous "descendant," heirs according to the covenant promises.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
2 Cor 5:9-10
9 But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. 10 Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.
9 But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. 10 Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.
2 Cor 4:16-18
16 So I'm not giving up. How could I! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on me, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. 17 These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. 18 There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
16 So I'm not giving up. How could I! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on me, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. 17 These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. 18 There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
2 Cor 4:4
4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.
4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.
1 Cor 15:50
50 I need to emphasize, friends, that our natural, earthy lives don't in themselves lead us by their very nature into the kingdom of God. Their very "nature" is to die, so how could they "naturally" end up in the Life kingdom?
our natural, earthy lives don't in themselves lead us by their very nature into the kingdom of God.
50 I need to emphasize, friends, that our natural, earthy lives don't in themselves lead us by their very nature into the kingdom of God. Their very "nature" is to die, so how could they "naturally" end up in the Life kingdom?
our natural, earthy lives don't in themselves lead us by their very nature into the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 15:39-41
39 You will notice that the variety of bodies is stunning. Just as there are different kinds of seeds, there are different kinds of bodies — humans, animals, birds, fish — each unprecedented in its form. 40 You get a hint at the diversity of resurrection glory by looking at the diversity of bodies not only on earth but in the skies — 41 sun, moon, stars — all these varieties of beauty and brightness. And we're only looking at pre-resurrection "seeds" — who can imagine what the resurrection "plants" will be like!
39 You will notice that the variety of bodies is stunning. Just as there are different kinds of seeds, there are different kinds of bodies — humans, animals, birds, fish — each unprecedented in its form. 40 You get a hint at the diversity of resurrection glory by looking at the diversity of bodies not only on earth but in the skies — 41 sun, moon, stars — all these varieties of beauty and brightness. And we're only looking at pre-resurrection "seeds" — who can imagine what the resurrection "plants" will be like!
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