Wednesday, July 31, 2013
me-Eternal Life
Because the Earth is managed by Satan as a human I have to decide whether or not I want to be well known on Earth or have an eternal life. It’s one or the other… and I choose to have an eternal life
m-Eternal Life
In society humans WANT TO HEAR: “You’ve earned it!” but eternal life is a gift from God and because it is a gift you can’t earn it!
Joshua
Josh 11:4-6
4 They came out in full force, all their troops massed together — a huge army, in number like sand on an ocean beach — to say nothing of all the horses and chariots. 5 All these kings met and set up camp together at the Waters of Merom, ready to fight against Israel.
6 GOD said to Joshua: "Don't worry about them. This time tomorrow I'll hand them over to Israel, all dead
Joshua
Josh 9:14
14 The men of Israel looked them over and accepted the evidence. But they didn't ask GOD about it.
I do!
Joshua
Josh 9:3-4
The people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai 4 and cooked up a ruse
People today still do whatever they want to guard themselves from God!
Joshua
Josh 7:20-21
20 Achan answered Joshua, "It's true. I sinned against GOD, the God of Israel. This is how I did it. 21 In the plunder I spotted a beautiful Shinar robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a fifty-shekel bar of gold, and I coveted and took them. They are buried in my tent with the silver at the bottom."
Do you think that God does not know your heart?
Joshua
Josh 5:15
15 GOD's army commander ordered Joshua, "Take your sandals off your feet. The place you are standing is holy."
Joshua did it.
The SAME thing happened to Moses
Joshua
Josh 3:15-16
When the priests got to the Jordan and their feet touched the water at the edge (the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest), 16 the flow of water stopped. It piled up in a heap — a long way off — at Adam, which is near Zarethan. The river went dry all the way down to the Arabah Sea (the Salt Sea). And the people crossed, facing Jericho.
…just like the Red Sea…
Joshua
God said to Joshua:
Josh 1:7
Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right
And God doesn’t change
Deut
Deut 1:1
1:1 These are the sermons Moses preached
And they’re in the Bible so they must be meaningful!
me-Eternity
For me my ultimate WOW factor won’t happen during my lifetime on Earth but it WILL HAPPEN in eternity and I can wait!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
me-Heaven
If you’re interested in God at all and want to spend eternity in Heaven which is God’s kingdom then read your Bible! It was written by your creator to the people He created so no degree needed!
Numbers
Num 14:2-3
"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!"
These are the people who were physical slaves and they actually had SEEN God free them from that!
me-Bible
In the Old Testament of the Bible human people had been freed from slavery and were required to bring their very best to support a life that they could see but in the New Testament humans are freed from a different kind of slavery and are required to have faith in what has been done by a God that they CAN’T see
me-Moses
God chose Moses and gave him a job to do and Moses did everything that God said so if you want for that to happen to you too then you must be like Moses
me-God's kingdom
God chose Moses and whatever God said Moses did and to exist in God’s kingdom that’s what we have to do!
me-focus
When the Israelites were brought out of Egypt although they had been freed from slavery they ONLY focused on what they could see
me-focus
When the Israelites were brought out of Egypt they were told that their central focus was to be God however today peoples central focus is on money
Exodus
Ex 16:8
8 Moses said, "Since it will be GOD who gives you meat for your meal in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, it's GOD who will have listened to your complaints against him. Who are we in all this? You haven't been complaining to us — you've been complaining to GOD!"
I was always taught that it was JUST bread…
Exodus
Ex 16:3
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
People will THINK that they have things fine just as they are but God can do anything!
Exodus
Ex 7:11
The magicians of Egypt did the same thing by their incantations
Humans will TRY to do impressive things…
Exodus
Ex 6:6
I am GOD. I will bring you out from under the cruel hard labor of Egypt. I will rescue you from slavery. I will redeem you
Hmm, that sounds just like God’s plan for us...will we listen to Him?
Exodus
Ex 3:4
4 GOD saw that he had stopped to look. God called to him from out of the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
I would look too!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Gen
Gen 41:15-16
15 "I dreamed a dream," Pharaoh told Joseph. "Nobody can interpret it. But I've heard that just by hearing a dream you can interpret it."
16 Joseph answered, "Not I, but God. God will set Pharaoh's mind at ease."
Gen
Gen 16:6
6 "You decide," said Abram. "Your maid is your business."
Her business? She didn’t have sex with her maid!
Gen
Gen 15:4-6
4 Then GOD's Message came: "Don't worry, he won't be your heir; a son from your body will be your heir."
5 Then he took him outside and said, "Look at the sky. Count the stars. Can you do it? Count your descendants! You're going to have a big family, Abram!"
6 And he believed! Believed GOD! God declared him "Set-Right-with-God."
What Abram could see was that he had nothing on his own but he believed what God said!
Gen
Gen 13:8-9
8 Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have fighting between us, between your shepherds and my shepherds. After all, we're family. 9 Look around. Isn't there plenty of land out there? Let's separate. If you go left, I'll go right; if you go right, I'll go left."
Abram didn’t say: “I’ll go where it’s best for me” NO! He said: “You decide here you want to go and I won’t go there!”
Gen
Interestingly enough, in Genesis even though much happened the thing that God chose over and over to document was human beings
Gen
Gen 7:1
GOD said to Noah, "Now board the ship, you and all your family — out of everyone in this generation, you're the righteous one.
Out of the ENTIRE HUMAN RACE!
Gen
Gen 6:13
13 God said to Noah, "It's all over. It's the end of the human race. The violence is everywhere; I'm making a clean sweep.
The FIRST judgment
Gen
Gen 5:24
24 Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him.
NO SERMONS ON THIS!
Gen
Gen 5:1-2
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.
Gen
Gen 3:6
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.
It looked good AND sounded good to her even though God had clearly said: “the moment you do it you’re dead"
Gen
Gen 3:6
6 When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating
…eye candy… As opposed to what God had clearly said!
Gen
Gen 2:16-17
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."
Gen
Gen 1:27-28
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!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
me-the Bible
The Bible is a letter from God to His creations the gives them 2 kinds of knowledge. 1 about things that they CAN SEE and 2 about things that they CAN’T SEE which is combined with the wisdom of God-the creator and it is separated by His original will (the old testament) and His revised will (the new testament) when He put Jesus in charge of our destiny
me-miracles
By the way if you think that miracles only happen in the Bible well here’s something to change your mind! When I was injured in 2000 ALL of the educated people said: “he’ll either die or be a vegetable!” but that didn’t happen! Not even closely!
1 John
1 John 4:21
21 The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.
1 John
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.
1 Pet
1 Peter 2:2-3
2 You've had a taste of God. 3 Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
me-glory
Humans have decided that the MOST IMPORTANT THING for them is to earn the most money and to get a great deal of personal glory however in the Bible God says that the most important thing for humans is to give Him glory-period!
me
In the Bible people met regularly, sometimes daily, to celebrate God but now in society people meet once a week to celebrate themselves
me
One of the big problems that I see but God clearly knew about is that humans are MUCH MORE interested in pleasing other humans rather than in simply pleasing God so humans become idols and as far as God is concerned people are totally unfaithful
me-religion2
Because humans are so focused on education and getting things RIGHT then you would think that the text that is used would be very important but instead of reading the Bible (God’s word)t hey just rely on Churches to teach them HOWEVER, God is spiritual and humans at Churches are not!
me-religion
People tend to focus on how they perform at their religion but the focus is not on what God’s will says
1 Peter
1 Peter 1:23
Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word
Born again
1 Peter
1 Peter 1:7
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
James 2:24
a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works
James
James 1:27
27 Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.
James
James 1:21
let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
Heb
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.
Heb
Heb 3:15
Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising.
Who was involved in the bitter uprising? The children of Israel who God rescued from Egypt!
2 Tim
2 Tim 4:1
4:1 I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead
2 Tim
2 Tim 3:17
17 Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
2 Tim
2 Tim 3:12
12 Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it
1 Tim
1 Tim 1:12
12 I'm so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry
2 Thess
2 Thess 1:5
5 All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom
me
Education is SO IMPORTANT to humans today but they are more interested in accumulating man made information than God made information
Friday, July 26, 2013
me
Humans spend a great deal of time and money to support their lives on Earth but what they work for will not earn them a pleasing eternity which is no surprise because Satan manages the Earth
me
What is your #1 goal? Is it to earn the most money during your life on Earth or to spend eternity with God? It’s your choice but it’s a BIG one!
me
When a human is born into this world they have 1 of 2 choices to make: 1) earn lots of money during their lives on earth or 2) dedicate your whole earthly life to honoring God and spend eternity with Him. And my choice is #2
me
In this world the main goal for humans in life is money so that drives everything but my main goal in life is God and everything related to Him; as a result-ALL focus is placed on the main goal
Col
Col 2:1
Not many of you have met me face-to-face, but that doesn't make any difference. Know that I'm on your side, right alongside you. You're not in this alone.
Col
Col 1:22
But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side
It’s not what YOU do-it’s what Christ did! It was done before you were even born so all you have to do is believe!
Col
Col 1:22
But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side
It’s not what YOU do-it’s what Christ did! It was done before you were even born!
Phil
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
Phiil
Phil 3:12-14
I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. 13 Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward — to Jesus. 14 I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
Phil
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.
Phil
Phil 1:12
I want to report to you, friends, that my handicap has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered
Eph
Eph 6:12
12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Eph
Eph 3:20
20 God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!
me
Human beings make a VERY BIG DEAL out of how they live their lives on Earth for themselves but I make a very big deal out of how I’ll live eternally for God
Gal
Gal 5:2
The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ's hard-won gift of freedom is squandered
2 Cor
Gal 3:11
The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him
Not what they arrange for God! That’s very important!
2 Cor
Gal 3:11
The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him
2 Cor
2 Cor 10:18
18 What you say about yourself means nothing in God's work. It's what God says about you that makes the difference.
2 Cor
2 Cor 4:18
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.
So, seeing ISN’T believing!
1 Cor
Regarding resurrection:
1 Cor 15:37-44
We do have a parallel experience in gardening. You plant a "dead" seed; soon there is a flourishing plant. There is no visual likeness between seed and plant. 38 You could never guess what a tomato would look like by looking at a tomato seed. What we plant in the soil and what grows out of it don't look anything alike. The dead body that we bury in the ground and the resurrection body that comes from it will be dramatically different.
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!
42 This image of planting a dead seed and raising a live plant is a mere sketch at best, but perhaps it will help in approaching the mystery of the resurrection body — but only if you keep in mind that when we're raised, we're raised for good, alive forever! 43 The corpse that's planted is no beauty, but when it's raised, it's glorious. Put in the ground weak, it comes up powerful. 44 The seed sown is natural; the seed grown is supernatural — same seed, same body, but what a difference from when it goes down in physical mortality to when it is raised up in spiritual immortality!
1 Cor
1 Cor 13
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
2 If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.
3 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.
4 Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, 5 Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first, "Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, 6 Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 7 Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.
8 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. 9 We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. 10 But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
11 When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
12 We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
me
Life in this world is one HUGE competition however when you read the Bible competition is talked about but very negatively
1 Cor
1 Cor 1:17
17 God didn't send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him
Rom
Rom 12:1-2
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 2 Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Rom
Rom 9:12
12 God told Rebecca, "The firstborn of your twins will take second place."
…the great reversal…
me
In gardening God has given us a REAL EXAMPLE of resurrection and our inheritance! A dead seed is planted in the ground and dead bodies are buried. A new plant that looks nothing like the seed grows from the dead seed! (resurrection). The new plant benefits others and LIVES! We MUST take care of our gardens and we MUST take care of our lives with God! The result is life forever with God!
That’s the gift of our inheritance!
me
In gardening God has given us a REAL EXAMPLE of resurrection and our inheritance! A dead seed is planted in the ground and dead bodies are buried. A new plant that looks nothing like the seed grows from the dead seed! (resurrection). The new plant benefits others and LIVES!
me
Roman s makes it very clear that to live Eternally with God in Heaven we need to understand that God IS NOT IMPRESSED BY WHAT WE DO rather we need to be impressed by what God does
Rom
Rom 3:27
God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does
PEOPLE respond to what we do but WE respond to what God does
Rom
Rom 2:29
You become a Jew by who you are. It's the mark of God on your heart, not of a knife on your skin, that makes a Jew. And recognition comes from God, not legalistic critics.
Rom
Rom 2:9
9 If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you're from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended
Rom
Rom 1:5
5 Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus
me
Prov 20:24
24 The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
No one thinks of this; it is just considered “normal”
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
me
In the Bible the word: “sanctuary” was used to define a place for God like the temple but now humans use that word to define places for humans alone
me
God created human beings specifically to bring Him glory on Earth-that’s it! So if I do then I’ll live with Him forever in Heaven and that’s what the Bible clearly says
me
Picture the way a father looks at his child and that is the way that God looks at you. Much like an Earthly father He is your creator and He loves you!
me
Most human beings are most interested in their status with other human beings however I am MOST INTERESTED in my status with God
me
Human beings spend EVERYTHING they can possibly use to improve their lives on Earth however I spend EVERYTHING to improve my life in Eternity because most human beings have a very short term goal with a short tern end whereas mine is a goal with no end
me
The scriptures do say that all of your effort should go into bringing God glory but most human beings put MOST of their effort into bringing themselves glory instead…
me
For most human beings, heart=effort; however heart is much deeper and broader than how hard you try
me
SURPRISE! Religion is not your heart! If you have gone to Church on Sunday’s all of your life that has little or nothing to do with how you live your life! Churches as we know them are human business organizations and while they may appeal to society they have nothing at all to do with your heart!
Acts
Acts 21:13
The issue is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can't you see that?
Acts
Acts 14:22
Anyone signing up for the kingdom of God has to go through plenty of hard times
Which is NOT what people think!
Acts
Acts 12:23
23 God had had enough of Herod's arrogance and sent an angel to strike him down. Herod had given God no credit for anything. Down he went. Rotten to the core, a maggoty old man if there ever was one, he died.
Acts
Acts 10:25-26
25 The minute Peter came through the door, Cornelius was up on his feet greeting him — and then down on his face worshiping him! 26 Peter pulled him up and said, "None of that — I'm a man and only a man, no different from you."
Acts
Acts 9:7
7 His companions stood there dumbstruck — they could hear the sound, but couldn't see anyone
Acts
Acts 8:20
20 "To hell with your money! And you along with it. Why, that's unthinkable — trying to buy God's gift!
I have NEVER TAKEN MONEY AND WOULD NEVER TAKE MONEY FOR TEACHING GOD’S WORD!
Acts
Acts 6:2
They said, "It wouldn't be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God
NO RESPONSIBILITY IS GREATER!
Acts
Acts 5:41
41 The apostles went out of the High Council overjoyed because they had been given the honor of being dishonored on account of the Name
being dishonored on account of the Name is NOT a socially acceptable thing!
Acts
Acts 5:24
The chief of the Temple police and the high priests were puzzled. "What's going on here anyway?"
It was something that they couldn’t see!
Acts
Acts 5:11
11 By this time the whole church and, in fact, everyone who heard of these things had a healthy respect for God. They knew God was not to be trifled with.
Acts
Acts 5:8-10
8 Peter said, "Tell me, were you given this price for your field?"
"Yes," she said, "that price."
9 Peter responded, "What's going on here that you connived to conspire against the Spirit of the Master? The men who buried your husband are at the door, and you're next." 10 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than she also fell down, dead.
Acts
Acts 4:32
32 The whole congregation of believers was united as one — one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." They shared everything
This doesn’t happen today!
Acts
Acts 4:15-17
They talked it over: 16 "What can we do with these men? By now it's known all over town that a miracle has occurred, and that they are behind it. There is no way we can refute that. 17 But so that it doesn't go any further, let's silence them with threats so they won't dare to use Jesus' name ever again with anyone."
Even though they knew that it was from God they TRIED to get around it!
Acts
Acts 4:13
these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education
no training by humans
Acts
Acts 2:40
40 He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!"
Acts
Acts 2:12
12 Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?"
Acts
Acts 2:2-4
2 Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force — no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. 3 Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, 4 and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
This power from God was something that no one could see!
Acts
Acts 1:3
3 After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God
Resurrection…
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
me
Human beings are intensely focused on getting the approval of other human beings however I am most focused on getting the approval of God because I want to go to Heaven! Human beings see their lifetime ONLY on this Earth but to me my lifetime goes WAY BEYOND this Earth into Eternity!
me
If people would spend as much time and effort reading their Bibles as they do competing with other humans then there would be more believers!
me
Because for human beings “seeing is believing” and you can’t see God but you can see money then it is obvious that not many humans are firm believers in God!
me
One of the MOST AMAZING things that I have read in the Bible is that our very steps come from God who formed us in our mother’s womb and that’s NOT what humans think and I've NEVER heard a sermon on that!
me
If the son of God came to the Earth and was criticized and killed by crucifixion and as a Christian I am His body then how could I expect to be treated any differently?
me
Because God loves the human beings that He created and they don’t rely on Him-He will allow them to live their earthly lives very well but after that they’re done-no Heavenly lives, at least that is what the Bible clearly says!
me
Human earthly people unfortunately don’t hesitate to use Heavenly (spiritual) words to describe the things that they as humans do! That’s a HUGE mistake because they’re only human and not spiritual!
John
John 21:17
Jesus said, Feed my sheep
Jesus said this several times when He was talking to His followers so as His followers now that’s our job too!
John
Jesus said:
John 20:29
Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing
THAT’S US!
John
Jesus said:
John 16:23-24
Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. 24 Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you.
Not just asking because you want something or it’s just the RIGHT time for what you want!
John
Jesus said:
John 15:16
16 "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
John
John 14:31
so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father's instructions right down to the last detail
Jesus originally said this but I’m saying it now!
John
Jesus said:
John 14:15
If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you
And the Father says exactly the same thing! And He tells us in His word
John
Jesus said:
John 14:12
I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing
John
Jesus said:
John 14:2-4
2 There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? 3 And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live.
Heaven is God’s home!
John
John 13:10
10 Jesus said, My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene
You can actually see hygiene but you can’t actually see holiness
John
John 13:10
10 Jesus said, My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene
You can see hygiene but you can’t see holiness
John
John 12:43
43 When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God's glory.
Do you?
John
Jesus said:
John 12:26
26 "If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me. “
THIS IS HOW YOU GO TO HEAVEN!
John
John 9:39
Jesus then said, "I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind."
John
John 9:11
11 "A man named Jesus made a paste and rubbed it on my eyes and told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' I did what he said. When I washed, I saw."
This is what it means to follow Jesus
John
John 8:33
33 Surprised, they said, "But we're descendants of Abraham. We've never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, 'The truth will free you'?"
Is this how you feel too?
John
John 8:23
23 Jesus said, "You're tied down to the mundane; I'm in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I'm living on other terms
John
John 8:14-15
14 Jesus replied, "You're right that you only have my word. But you can depend on it being true. I know where I've come from and where I go next. You don't know where I'm from or where I'm headed. 15 You decide according to what you can see and touch. I don't make judgments like that
John
John 8:12
Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."
If Jesus said then that He was the world’s light and He is alive then He’s the world’s light now too!
John
John 7:15
15 The Jews were impressed, but puzzled: "How does he know so much without being schooled?"
This has been going on for many years
Monday, July 22, 2013
John
John 6:37 37 Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go
It’s not just up to me! Jesus is with me!
John
John 6:37
37 Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go
THIS MEANS A LOT TO ME!
John
John 5:30
You can trust my decision because I'm not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders
John
John 5:24
Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.
…anyone who has in fact put me in charge… You’re not in the driver’s seat…
John
Jesus said:
John 4:2
the time is coming — it has, in fact, come — when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.
So denominationalism is not from God!
John
John 3:27
27 John answered, "It's not possible for a person to succeed — I'm talking about eternal success — without heaven's help.
As a human you can be baptized with water AND go church every Sunday AND regularly take communion but that doesn’t guarantee salvation. Remember-you’re not in the driver’s seat!
John
John 3:27
27 John answered, "It's not possible for a person to succeed — I'm talking about eternal success — without heaven's help.”
You’re not in the driver’s seat!
John
John 3:27
27 John answered, "It's not possible for a person to succeed — I'm talking about eternal success — without heaven's help.”
me
Humans quite often feel that THEY can do certain things to guarantee their salvation but before the Earth was formed or any creation had occurred, God had already decided their destination in Eternity… it’s in the Bible!
John
John 3:5
5 Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation — the 'wind hovering over the water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life — it's not possible to enter God's kingdom.
Our rebirth is not something that you can see or figure out…
John
John 3:3
3 Jesus said, “Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to — to God's kingdom."
Most people see Heaven as just a very good place for them but it is actually God’s kingdom!
John
John 2:23-25
23 During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. 24 But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. 25 He didn't need any help in seeing right through them.
The key thing to note from this is that even though they entrusted their lives to Jesus-He didn’t entrust Himself to them! So it’s not what we do-it’s what He does! You’re not in the driver’s seat!
John
John 1:8
8 John was not himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light.
A way to say this today is: Toby is not the light; he is here to show the way to the light.
me
The first thing and the hardest thing that human beings had to realize (we’re talking about Adam & Eve) is that it’s Gods will and not theirs and it’s no different now!
me
The important thing for ME to realize AND remember is that I ONLY KNOW where I fit into God’s plan and not where others fit in! It’s His plan not mine
me
The important thing for ME to realize AND remember is that I ONLY KNOW where I fit into God’s plan and not where others fit in! It’s His plan not mine
Luke
Luke 23:34
34 Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing."
I see this happening alot but because I don’t know the details of the story which only God knows-I pray for God’s acceptance because I'm not in the driver's seat-He is!
Luke
Luke 18:15-17
15 People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. 16 Jesus called them back. "Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. 17 Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."
Luke
Luke 16:1-9
Jesus said to his disciples, "There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses. 2 So he called him in and said, 'What's this I hear about you? You're fired. And I want a complete audit of your books.'
3 "The manager said to himself, 'What am I going to do? I've lost my job as manager. I'm not strong enough for a laboring job, and I'm too proud to beg. . . . 4 Ah, I've got a plan. Here's what I'll do . . . then when I'm turned out into the street, people will take me into their houses.'
5 "Then he went at it. One after another, he called in the people who were in debt to his master. He said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6 "He replied, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.'
"The manager said, 'Here, take your bill, sit down here — quick now — write fifty.'
7 "To the next he said, 'And you, what do you owe?'
"He answered, 'A hundred sacks of wheat.'
"He said, 'Take your bill, write in eighty.'
8 "Now here's a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. 9 I want you to be smart in the same way — but for what is right — using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you'll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior."
The great revesal…
Luke
Jesus said:
Luke 15:10
Count on it — that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God
Luke
Jesus said:
Luke 15:7
7 Count on it — there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue
Luke
Luke 15:1-2
By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. 2 The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, "He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends."
Jesus came to the Earth in the first place for sinners!
Luke
Luke 14:13
13 Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks
The great reversal…
Sunday, July 21, 2013
me
Among other human beings a GREAT DEAL of effort AND interest is placed of what THEY choose to do to make money! In other words-everything is related to THEM and what they do and nothing is related to God and what He does at all which to me seems like a huge mistake!
me
Human beings think that they’re very much like their creator, God but they’re created and human and God is their creator and He is spiritual so there is clearly no comparison! Oddly enough-at creation Satan (who God created) had the same problem and used it successfully with Adam & Eve which caused them many problems!
Luke
Luke 13:24-30
The way to life — to God! — is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. 25 Well, one day you're going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you'll find the door locked and the Master saying, 'Sorry, you're not on my guest list.'
26 "You'll protest, 'But we've known you all our lives!' 27 only to be interrupted with his abrupt, 'Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don't know the first thing about me.'
28 "That's when you'll find yourselves out in the cold, strangers to grace. You'll watch Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets march into God's kingdom. 29 You'll watch outsiders stream in from east, west, north, and south and sit down at the table of God's kingdom. And all the time you'll be outside looking in — and wondering what happened. 30 This is the Great Reversal: the last in line put at the head of the line, and the so-called first ending up last.
Luke
Luke 13:24-27
The way to life — to God! — is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. 25 Well, one day you're going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you'll find the door locked and the Master saying, 'Sorry, you're not on my guest list.'
26 "You'll protest, 'But we've known you all our lives!' 27 only to be interrupted with his abrupt, 'Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don't know the first thing about me.'
Luke
Jesus said:
Luke 13:24-25
The way to life — to God! — is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. 25 Well, one day you're going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you'll find the door locked and the Master saying, 'Sorry, you're not on my guest list.'
Luke
Luke 12:57
57 "You don't have to be a genius to understand these things. Just use your common sense
Luke
Luke 12:16-21
16 Then Jesus told them this story: "The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. 17 He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' 18 Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, 19 and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'
20 "Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods — who gets it?'
21 "That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God."
Luke
Jesus said:
Luke 12:10
If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked
Luke
Luke 11:27-28
some woman lifted her voice above the murmur of the crowd: "Blessed the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!"
28 Jesus commented, "Even more blessed are those who hear God's Word and guard it with their lives!"
Luke
When Jesus was talking about asking the Father for things Jesus said:
Luke 11:10
Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need
Be direct. Ask for what you need. NOT WHAT YOU WANT! A lot of people just pray for what they want! God knows you BETTER THAN YOU KNOW YOURSELF so He already knows what you need and asking Him for things that He already knows shows Him that you’re acknowledging His control!
Luke
When Jesus was talking about asking the Father for things Jesus said:
Luke 11:10
Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need
Be direct. Ask for what you need. NOT WHAT YOU WANT! A lot of people just pray for what they want!
Luke
Luke 10:36-37
Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"
37 "The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same."
If Jesus said it then we’d better do it!
Luke
Luke 10:21
21 At that, Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit. "I thank you, Father, Master of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the know-it-alls and showed them to these innocent newcomers. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.
And if it pleased the Father then it pleases me!
Luke
Luke 10:20
Not what you do for God but what God does for you — that's the agenda for rejoicing.
THIS IS IMPORTANT! READ IT AGAIN!
Luke
Luke 10:3
be careful — this is hazardous work. You're like lambs in a wolf pack.
If Jesus said this to His followers then-He says the same thing to His followers now!
Luke
Luke 9:62
62 Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."
Remember Lot’s wife taking a backward look and what happened to her?
Luke
Luke 9:60
60 Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom!"
Announcing God’s kingdom should be our ONLY game plan!
Luke
Luke 9:23-24
Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat — I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 24 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self
The key thing to acknowledge is that Satan manages the Earth so society will tell you that self help is good but Jesus said it’s not!
Luke
Jesus said to His disciples:
Luke 9:4
you are the equipment
and as the equipment we have to spread the will of God and job done!
Luke
Luke 8:11-16
The seed is the Word of God. 12 The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won't believe and be saved.
13 "The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn't go very deep. It's only another fad, and the moment there's trouble it's gone.
14 "And the seed that fell in the weeds — well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.
15 "But the seed in the good earth — these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest.
Luke
Luke 8:1
:1 He continued according to plan, traveled to town after town, village after village, preaching God's kingdom
Since we are His body then that should be OUR PLAN too!
Luke
Jesus said:
Luke 7:31-32
How can I account for the people of this generation? 32 They're like spoiled children complaining to their parents
We are the children and God is our parent…
Luke
Luke 7:16
16 They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them.
This was not what Jesus wanted! He didn’t want recognition for Himself or anything that He did-He wanted recognition for God alone and we must be the same way!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Luke
Luke 6:44-45
You must begin with your own life-giving lives. 45 It's who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds
Luke
Luke 6:26
Popularity contests are not truth contests — look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular
Luke
Luke 6:20-23
You're blessed when you've lost it all.
God's kingdom is there for the finding.
21 You're blessed when you're ravenously hungry.
Then you're ready for the Messianic meal.
You're blessed when the tears flow freely.
Joy comes with the morning.
22 "Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. 23 You can be glad when that happens — skip like a lamb, if you like! — for even though they don't like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.
Luke
Luke 2:8-16
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger
The story of Jesus’s birth started with the great reversal: a pregnant unmarried virgin, a barren woman, gets pregnant, the birth of a child in a stable and a baby in a manger…
me
Human beings are created to bring God glory and Heaven is God’s kingdom forever so for a human to go to Heaven they have to continually be bringing God glory!
Luke
Luke 1:19-20
19 the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. 20 But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth.
Mark
Mark 14:36
36 "Papa, Father, you can — can't you? — get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want — what do you want?"
See? Even Jesus said: not what I want – what do you want? So we should feel the same way because we ARE His body!
Mark
Mark 12:1-9
Jesus started telling them stories. "A man planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, erected a watchtower, turned it over to the farmhands, and went off on a trip. 2 At the time for harvest, he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect his profits.
3 "They grabbed him, beat him up, and sent him off empty-handed. 4 So he sent another servant. That one they tarred and feathered. 5 He sent another and that one they killed. And on and on, many others. Some they beat up, some they killed.
6 "Finally there was only one left: a beloved son. In a last-ditch effort, he sent him, thinking, 'Surely they will respect my son.'
7 "But those farmhands saw their chance. They rubbed their hands together in greed and said, 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' 8 They grabbed him, killed him, and threw him over the fence.
9 "What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do? Right. He'll come and clean house. Then he'll assign the care of the vineyard to others
This is a story about eternity…
Mark
Mark 10:45
45 That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served — and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage
And as Christians we are the body of the Son of Man so we must do the same thing!
Mark
Jesus said:
Mark 10:15
Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in
Mark
Mark 9:43
You're better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owner of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire.
I can’t walk but I’m better off!
Mark
Mark 9:28-29
28 After arriving back home, his disciples cornered Jesus and asked, "Why couldn't we throw the demon out?"
29 He answered, "There is no way to get rid of this kind of demon except by prayer."
Remember: you’re not in the drivers seat
Mark
Jesus said:
Mark 4:14-20
14 "The farmer plants the Word. 15 Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the Word than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them.
16 "And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. 17 But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.
18 "The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news 19 but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.
20 "But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams."
Mark
Mark 3:35
The person who obeys God's will is my brother and sister and mother
This is how God can adopt us into His family
Mark
Mark 2:17
17 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I'm here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit."
This is a whole new thing for Churches!
Mark
Mark 1:32-34
That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, 33 the whole city lined up at his door! 34 He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he didn't let them say a word.
Jesus shut the demons up BEFORE they identified Him as the source of the WOW factor!
Mark
Mark 1:14-15
14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: 15 "Time's up! God's kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message."
Jesus didn’t say: “get wet!” NO! He said: “change your life” which involves much more than just getting wet!
Mark
Mark 1:12-13
At once, this same Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild. 13 For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by Satan
Even Jesus had to put up with Satan!
Mark
Mark 1:4-8
4 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. 5 People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. 6 John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.
7 As he preached he said, "The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. 8 I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism — a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit — will change you from the inside out."
WOW! Baptism is way more than just a one time thing and getting wet!
Mark
Mark 1:7-8
7 As he preached he said, "The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. 8 I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism — a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit — will change you from the inside out."
This changes the WHOLE IDEA of baptism!
Friday, July 19, 2013
me
Matt 24:45
45 "Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen? A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day.
me
Heaven is God’s kingdom and it is never ending so to me it’s my future and I want to work very hard for that!
me
After reading in Matthew what Jesus had to say about religious scholars, I don’t want to ever be one!
Matt
Jesus said:
Matt 23:8
You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates.
…and who is our single teacher? God!!
Matt
Matt 21:33-42
There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. 34 When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.
35 "The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. 36 The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. 37 The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.'
38 "But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' 39 They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.
40 "Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?"
41 "He'll kill them — a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time."
42 Jesus said, "Right — and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles.”
This is the story of the Father sending His son to the Earth!
Matt
Matt 21:28-31
A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, 'Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.'
29 "The son answered, 'I don't want to.' Later on he thought better of it and went.
30 "The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, 'Sure, glad to.' But he never went.
31 "Which of the two sons did what the father asked?"
They said, "The first."
Jesus said, "Yes”
Matt
Matt 21:16
Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?"
…'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'…
Matt
Matt 20:28
That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served — and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."
And because we are His body then we must do the same thing!
Matt
Matt 20:1-15
"God's kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work.
3 "Later, about nine o'clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. 4 He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. 5 They went.
"He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o'clock. 6 At five o'clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, 'Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?' 7 "They said, 'Because no one hired us.'
"He told them to go to work in his vineyard.
8 "When the day's work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, 'Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.'
9 "Those hired at five o'clock came up and were each given a dollar. 10 When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. 11 Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, 12'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.'
13 "He replied to the one speaking for the rest, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn't we? 14 So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. 15 Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?'
Matt
To get into God’s kingdom:
Matt 19:26
26 Jesus looked hard at them and said, "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it."
Just like with a baby…trust your father!
Matt
Matt 19:26
26 Jesus looked hard at them and said, "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it."
So the question is not: what can I make of myself, but rather: what does God want to make of me?
Matt
Matt 19:16-17
16 Another day, a man stopped Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17 Jesus said, "Why do you question me about what's good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you."
And how do you know what He tells you? Read & follow His word!
Matt
Matt 18:23-35
23 "The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. 24 As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. 25 He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
26 "The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' 27 Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.
28 "The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!'
29 "The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' 30 But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. 31 When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
32 "The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. 33 Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' 34 The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. 35 And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."
Matt
Matt 18:15-17
15 "If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him — work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. 16 If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. 17 If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love.
… and offer again God's forgiving love
Matt
Matt 18:1-5
At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?"
2 For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, 3 and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. 4 Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. 5 What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me
This is a simple way to put this: Do children get degrees, salaries and prestige? NO! They trust their father and everything is given to them!
Matt
Matt 16:24-25
24 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 25 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self “
As believers WE are His disciples and WE aren’t in the drivers seat!
Matt
Matt 15:1-2
After that, Pharisees and religion scholars came to Jesus all the way from Jerusalem, criticizing, 2 "Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?"
Adherence to the rules may make things easier on Earth but FAITH will save you in eternity!
Matt
Matt 15:1-2
After that, Pharisees and religion scholars came to Jesus all the way from Jerusalem, criticizing, 2 "Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?"
It’s FAITH not adherence to the rules that saves you!
Matt
Matt 14:28-31
28 Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."
29 He said, "Come ahead."
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. 30 But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"
31 Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"
Faith is way more than just what you can see!
Matt
Matt 13:36-43
Jesus dismissed the congregation and went into the house. His disciples came in and said, "Explain to us that story of the thistles in the field."
37 So he explained. "The farmer who sows the pure seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, the pure seeds are subjects of the kingdom, the thistles are subjects of the Devil, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, the curtain of history. The harvest hands are angels.
40 "The picture of thistles pulled up and burned is a scene from the final act. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, weed out the thistles from his kingdom, 42 pitch them in the trash, and be done with them. They are going to complain to high heaven, but nobody is going to listen. 43 At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father.
Matt
Matt 11:25-26
25 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. 26 Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."
Matt
Matt 9:12-13
12 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? 13 Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."
…mercy not religion…
Matt
Matt 9:12-13
12 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? 13 Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."
Matt
Matt 7:14
14 The way to life — to God! — is vigorous and requires total attention.
LIFE is redefined here!
Matt
Matt 6:14-15
14 "In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. 15 If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part. “
Matt
Matt 6:3-4
3 When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. 4 Just do it — quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Matt
Jesus said:
Matt 5:13-16
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand — shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. “
So it’s NOT up to you or what you choose to do!
Matt
Matt 5:1-12
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2 and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are — no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.
8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world — your mind and heart — put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. 10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that — count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens — give a cheer, even! — for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
me
When Jesus was tempted by the Devil He could have done anything He wanted but He quoted scripture!
Matt
Matt 3:7-12
7 When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? 8 It's your life that must change, not your skin! 9 And don't think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. 10 What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.
11 "I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama — compared to him I'm a mere stagehand — will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. 12 He's going to clean house — make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."
There are “popular” baptismal things still happening…
Matt
Matt 1:18-21
The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) 19 Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
20 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. 21 She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus — 'God saves' — because he will save his people from their sins."
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
me
For a human to HAVE to succeed to become something good indicates that they were not created well in the first place by God
me
When a child is born you can look at it two ways: 1) either that they were created and known about by God, or 2) that they are only beginning and must go through a lot of human development
me
When humans say: “once in a lifetime” that ONLY refers to their lives on Earth which is not a lifetime!
me
In the word of God-the Bible there is nothing that says that you are saved by adherence or commitment to religion but there IS something that says that faith is required for salvation!
me
I would like to talk about my REAL future! Not just my future on Earth but my Eternal future because that’s my REAL future an it’s yours too!
Dan
Dan 6:16-23
16 The king caved in and ordered Daniel brought and thrown into the lions' den. But he said to Daniel, "Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this."
17 A stone slab was placed over the opening of the den. The king sealed the cover with his signet ring and the signet rings of all his nobles, fixing Daniel's fate.
18 The king then went back to his palace. He refused supper. He couldn't sleep. He spent the night fasting.
19 At daybreak the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. 20 As he approached the den, he called out anxiously, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve so loyally, saved you from the lions?"
21 "O king, live forever!" said Daniel. 22 "My God sent his angel, who closed the mouths of the lions so that they would not hurt me. I've been found innocent before God and also before you, O king. I've done nothing to harm you."
23 When the king heard these words, he was happy. He ordered Daniel taken up out of the den. When he was hauled up, there wasn't a scratch on him. He had trusted his God.
Dan
Dan 4:17
the High God rules human kingdoms. He arranges kingdom affairs however he wishes, and makes leaders out of losers
Dan
Dan 2:26-28
26 The king asked Daniel (renamed in Babylonian, Belteshazzar), "Are you sure you can do this — tell me the dream I had and interpret it for me?"
27 Daniel answered the king, "No mere human can solve the king's mystery, I don't care who it is — no wise man, enchanter, magician, diviner. 28 But there is a God in heaven who solves mysteries, and he has solved this one
Ezek
Ezek 34:31
31 You are my dear flock, the flock of my pasture, my human flock, And I am your God. Decree of GOD, the Master
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Isaiah
Isa 53:1-10
Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought GOD's saving power would look like this?
2 The servant grew up before God — a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. 3 He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. 4 But the fact is, it was our pains he carried — our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. 5 But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him — our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. 6 We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And GOD has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him. 7 He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. 8 Justice miscarried, and he was led off — and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. 9 They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, Even though he'd
10 Still, it's what GOD had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it — life, life, and more life. And GOD's plan will deeply prosper through him.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Isaiah
Isa 30:15
GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: "Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me — The very thing you've been unwilling to do.”
Isaiah
Isa 9:6-7
a child has been born — for us! the gift of a son — for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. 7 His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.
me
One of the most difficult things for me to realize but it is in scripture is that people will look but they won’t see a thing!
Isaiah
Isa 8:19-20
19 When people tell you, "Try out the fortunetellers. Consult the spiritualists. Why not tap into the spirit-world, get in touch with the dead?" 20 Tell them, "No, we're going to study the Scriptures."
Isaiah
Isa 7:14
A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She'll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us).
me
Something that Jesus said that is nearly impossible for a human being to face is He said: you’re not in the driver’s seat-I am!
Sunday, July 14, 2013
me
To be like Jesus the hardest this for a human being to do is you HAVE to play second fiddle! Was a crucifixion playing first fiddle? NO! And for a human to be like that is not heard of!
me
To be like Jesus the hardest this for a human being to do is you HAVE to play second fiddle! Was a crucifixion playing first fiddle? NO!
me
Living as a Christian is likened in the Bible to an athlete training for a game but the difference is that an athlete is training for a one time gain whereas a Christian is training for eternal life!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Eccl
The God given wisdom of Solomon said this:
Eccl 2:20
20 That's when I called it quits, gave up on anything that could be hoped for on this earth
Now, if very wise Solomon said THIS and God chose to put it in the Bible-then we (who are not as wise as Solomon) could learn from it!
Proverbs
Prov 20:24
24 The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
OR, the very steps we don’t take come from God
Proverbs
Prov 14:12
12 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again — it leads straight to hell.
Proverbs
Prov 3:5-7
5 Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. 6 Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. 7 Don't assume that you know it all.
Psalms
Ps 145:3
3 GOD is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness.
Friday, July 12, 2013
me
The big difference between things is in Satan’s kingdom EVERYTHING is based on what you CAN SEE whereas in God’s kingdom EVERYTHING is based on what you CAN’T see which is where faith comes in and faith is required if you want to live forever in God’s kingdom!
me
Many human beings look at what they can see and say: what more could you ask for? But I can’t see anything at all and I say: I couldn’t ask for more!
me
There are multiple kinds of education. Colleges teach earthly education from books and God teaches Heavenly education from the Bible. Earthly education relies on human input but Heavenly education relies on input from God. Earthly education only lasts on Earth but Heavenly education lasts forever
me
In my opinion from reading the Bible you can choose either to WOW other human beings or bring glory to God and I choose to bring glory to God which is not popular at all but it is Biblical!
Psalms
My favorite thing to learn from:
Ps 139
GOD, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. 2 I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. 3 You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. 4 You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. 5 I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too — your reassuring presence, coming and going. 6 This is too much, too wonderful — I can't take it all in! 7 Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? 8 If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! 9 If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, 10 You'd find me in a minute — you're already there waiting! 11 Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!" 12 It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.
13 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. 14 I thank you, High God — you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration — what a creation! 15 You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. 16 Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.
17 Your thoughts — how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! 18 I couldn't even begin to count them — any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! 19 And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! And you murderers — out of here! — 20 all the men and women who belittle you, God, infatuated with cheap god-imitations. 21 See how I hate those who hate you, GOD, see how I loathe all this godless arrogance; 22 I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred. Your enemies are my enemies!
23 Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me,get a clear picture of what I'm about; 24 See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong — then guide me on the road to eternal life.
Psalms
Ps 119:63
63 I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules.
Psalms
Ps 111:10
10 The good life begins in the fear of GOD — Do that and you'll know the blessing of GOD
Psams
Ps 95:7
7 Oh yes, he's our God, and we're the people he pastures, the flock he feeds.
Jesus said: Feed my sheep
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Psalms
Ps 44:22
you decided to make us martyrs, lambs assigned for sacrifice each day
What was Jesus?
this is war!
Psalms
Ps 36:5-6
5 God's love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, 6 His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks.
Psalms
Ps 27:4
4 I'm asking GOD for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.
me
Prior to the year 2000 I was very much like you! I’ve been to college and I have a degree! I was an executive for the world’s airlines and I have traveled all over the world! I had it all but now I have even more. My education now comes from God’s word and I’ll NEVER graduate from that! I spend 6 hours per day-EVERY DAY working for God to bring Him glory and I reach the entire world! I have 3 BLOGS and thousands of posts.
The key thing to remember is that God created human beings to bring Him glory and if we want to live eternally in His kingdom then we have to bring Him glory during our lives on Earth.
There are 2 kinds of education: Earthly and Godly and I prefer the Godly method of education because I want a positive future eternally!
Let’s talk about God:
We can start with the feeding of the children of Israel from nowhere then we can go to the feeding of the 5,000 with nothing to begin with, so God is much more than we can see-that’s called faith and to live eternally with God, we have to have that.
There are many “standards” in place for things but God doesn’t follow our standards! Don’t try to apply standards because that eliminates what God can do. ALL humans said 13 years ago that I would either die or be a vegetable-but I’m not either one!
Psalms
Ps 17:4
4 I'm not trying to get my way in the world's way. I'm trying to get your way, your Word's way.
Psalms
Ps 1
How well God must like you — you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College. 2 Instead you thrill to GOD's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. 3 You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. 4 You're not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust — 5 Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people. 6 GOD charts the road you take
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Me
People try VERY HARD to give you a “run for your money” but God is not money and I wouldn’t do that!
Chron
2 Chron 34:32
he made everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin commit themselves. And they did it. They committed themselves to the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors.
Yes they committed themselves from that point forward which was good but does that equal eternal life?
Chron
2 Chron 29:1-2
Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five years old and was king in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. His mother was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. 2 In GOD's opinion he was a good king; he kept to the standards of his ancestor David.
Chron
2 Chron 20:22-23
22 As soon as they started shouting and praising, GOD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir as they were attacking Judah, and they all ended up dead. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites mistakenly attacked those from Mount Seir and massacred them. Then, further confused, they went at each other, and all ended up killed.
Chron
2 Chron 16:12
12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa came down with a severe case of foot infection. He didn't ask GOD for help, but went instead to the doctors
Chron
2 Chron 16:9
9 GOD is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him
me
Eternal life IS a gift but not everyone will get it! You can’t cross your “t” s and dot your “I” s and HOPE to get it! Only those who live 100% for God on Earth can hope to get that gift
Chron
2 Chron 13:18
The army of Judah won hands down because they trusted GOD, the God of their ancestors.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
me
When humans say: “make it happen” that means: “by our own efforts” which means without God which is 100% without God so to me, that’s a big risk at best!
me
When people say: “oh my God!” or “holy—“ that means that they are REALLY SHOCKED and that’s not to bring God glory so that’s not good to say!
me
There is a HUGE push for knowledge but the push is for knowledge of things that do not apply to God! And a great deal of value is placed on that.
Chron
2 Chron 12:7-8
7 When GOD saw that they were humbly repentant, the word of GOD came to Shemaiah: "Because they are humble, I'll not destroy them — I'll give them a break; I won't use Shishak to express my wrath against Jerusalem. 8 What I will do, though, is make them Shishak's subjects — they'll learn the difference between serving me and serving human kings."
God said: they'll learn the difference between serving me and serving human kings
But did they learn?
Chron
God said to Solomon:
2 Chron 7:17
17 As for you, if you live in my presence as your father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life I've set out for you, attentively obedient to my guidance and judgments
And now He also says it to you and me!
Chron
God said:
2 Chron 7:14
The God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you
This is waay different from just praying for what you WANT to happen!
Chron
God said:
2 Chron 7:14
The God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you
This is waay different from just praying for what to happen!
me
The temple of God that Solomon built was furnished elaborately but now we are the temple of God and our charge from God is much more simple: follow His commandments and listen & learn from Him (read the Bible!)
me
With regard to the temple that Solomon built: did he do what he did to bring God glory or to please people?
Chron
This was about the building of the temple:
1 Chron 29:1
this is not just a place for people to meet each other, but a house for GOD to meet us
today-this applies to Church buildings!
Chron
1 Chron 28:9
serve God with a whole heart and eager mind, for GOD examines every heart and sees through every motive. If you seek him, he'll make sure you find him, but if you abandon him, he'll leave you for good
…faith and works…
Kings
2 Kings 13:21
When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came alive, stood up, and walked out on his own two feet.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Kings
2 Kings 5:9-14
9 So Naaman with his horses and chariots arrived in style and stopped at Elisha's door.
10 Elisha sent out a servant to meet him with this message: "Go to the River Jordan and immerse yourself seven times. Your skin will be healed and you'll be as good as new."
11 Naaman lost his temper. He turned on his heel saying, "I thought he'd personally come out and meet me, call on the name of GOD, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and get rid of the disease. 12 The Damascus rivers, Abana and Pharpar, are cleaner by far than any of the rivers in Israel. Why not bathe in them? I'd at least get clean." He stomped off, mad as a hornet.
13 But his servants caught up with him and said, "Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something hard and heroic, wouldn't you have done it? So why not this simple 'wash and be clean'?"
14 So he did it. He went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times, following the orders of the Holy Man. His skin was healed; it was like the skin of a little baby. He was as good as new.
This person needed what ONLY God could do but he really wanted a WOW factor!
Kings
2 Kings 5:9-14
9 So Naaman with his horses and chariots arrived in style and stopped at Elisha's door.
10 Elisha sent out a servant to meet him with this message: "Go to the River Jordan and immerse yourself seven times. Your skin will be healed and you'll be as good as new."
11 Naaman lost his temper. He turned on his heel saying, "I thought he'd personally come out and meet me, call on the name of GOD, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and get rid of the disease. 12 The Damascus rivers, Abana and Pharpar, are cleaner by far than any of the rivers in Israel. Why not bathe in them? I'd at least get clean." He stomped off, mad as a hornet.
13 But his servants caught up with him and said, "Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something hard and heroic, wouldn't you have done it? So why not this simple 'wash and be clean'?"
14 So he did it. He went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times, following the orders of the Holy Man. His skin was healed; it was like the skin of a little baby. He was as good as new.
This person needed what ONLY God could do but he wanted a WOW factor instead
Kings
2 Kings 4:14-17
Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son, and her husband is an old man."
15 "Call her in," said Elisha. He called her and she stood at the open door.
16 Elisha said to her, "This time next year you're going to be nursing an infant son."
"O my master, O Holy Man," she said, "don't play games with me, teasing me with such fantasies!"
17 The woman conceived. A year later, just as Elisha had said, she had a son.
Kings
2 Kings 3:16-18
"GOD's word: Dig ditches all over this valley. 17 Here's what will happen — you won't hear the wind, you won't see the rain, but this valley is going to fill up with water and your army and your animals will drink their fill. 18 This is easy for GOD to do”
Oops! No WOW factor!
Kings
2 Kings 2:7-8
7 Meanwhile, fifty men from the guild of prophets gathered some distance away while the two of them stood at the Jordan.
8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and hit the water with it. The river divided and the two men walked through on dry land.
Kings
1 Kings 19:11-12
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before GOD, but GOD wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but GOD wasn't in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake fire, but GOD wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.
The wind or the earthquake would have brought a WOW factor but a gentle and quiet whisper did not!
Kings
1 Kings 13:26
26 When the prophet who had gotten him off track heard it, he said, "It's the holy man who disobeyed GOD's strict orders. GOD turned him over to the lion who knocked him around and killed him, just as GOD had told him."
disobedience to God hurt then and it will hurt now!
Kings
1 Kings 11:11-13
11 GOD said to Solomon, "Since this is the way it is with you, that you have no intention of keeping faith with me and doing what I have commanded, I'm going to rip the kingdom from you and hand it over to someone else. 12 But out of respect for your father David I won't do it in your lifetime. It's your son who will pay — I'll rip it right out of his grasp. 13 Even then I won't take it all; I'll leave him one tribe in honor of my servant David and out of respect for my chosen city Jerusalem."
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