Monday, September 30, 2013
skills or God?
To get anything in this world you must have skills but to get anything with God you must have God
Matt
Matt 5:13
Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth
Matt
Matt 5:3-12
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.
Matt
Matt 4:24
People brought anybody with an ailment
People were more interested in a healing on Earth that they could see than a spiritual healing that they couldn’t see
Matt
Matt 4:1
Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it
Jesus came to the Earth and Satan manages the Earth so of course Satan was going to try to trip Him up!
Matt
Matt 3:12
He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned
Matt
Matt 3:10
10 What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.
Matt
Matt 3:7-8
Do you think a little water on your skin is going to make any difference? 8 It's your life that must change, not your skin!
Matt
Matt 1:1
1:1 The family tree of Jesus Christ, David's son, Abraham's son
Jesus didn’t come from David OR Abraham!
Mal
Mal 1:6
6 "Isn't it true that a son honors his father and a worker his master? So if I'm your Father, where's the honor? If I'm your Master, where's the respect?"
Micah
Mic 6:8
God's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously — take God seriously.
Micah
Mic 5:2
Bethlehem, David's country, the runt of the litter — From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He'll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Amos
Amos 5:14
You talk about GOD, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, being your best friend. Well, live like it, and maybe it will happen
Amos
God said:
Amos 2:10
I'm the One who delivered you from Egypt, led you safely through the wilderness for forty years
Dan
Dan 3:24-25
King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm and said, "Didn't we throw three men, bound hand and foot, into the fire?"
"That's right, O king," they said.
25 "But look!" he said. "I see four men, walking around freely in the fire, completely unharmed!
Dan
Dan 3:16-18
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. 17 If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. 18 But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."
Dan
Dan 2:27-28
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
Dan
Dan 2:17-18
17 Daniel then went home and told his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what was going on. 18 He asked them to pray to the God of heaven for mercy in solving this mystery so that the four of them wouldn't be killed along with the whole company of Babylonian wise men.
Pray to the God of Heaven
Dan
Dan 1:17
17 God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life. In addition, Daniel was gifted in understanding all sorts of visions and dreams
It doesn’t say that they went to the proper college or had degrees
Dan
Dan 1:13
Make your decision on the basis of what you see
Daniel allowed the steward to make a human decision
Saturday, September 28, 2013
bringing God glory!
Because humans were created to bring glory to God then bringing God glory is the most important thing that we can do!
Eze
Ezek 34:30-31
Decree of GOD, the Master:
31 You are my dear flock, the flock of my pasture, my human flock, And I am your God.
Eze
God said:
Ezek 34:6
My sheep scattered all over the world, and no one out looking for them!
But I am!
Eze
Ezek 20:15-16
I did lift my hand in a solemn oath there in the desert and promise them that I would not bring them into the country flowing with milk and honey that I had chosen for them, that jewel among all lands. 16 I canceled my promise because they despised my laws for living obediently, wouldn't follow my statutes, and went ahead and desecrated my holy Sabbaths. They preferred living by their no-god idols
There are no sermons on this!
Lam
Lam 3:28-30
28 When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. 29 Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. 30 Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face.
Lam
Lam 3:25
25 GOD proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks.
Friday, September 27, 2013
reproduction
God created humans to bring glory to Him and He enabled us to reproduce because He wants children of God and He is our Master so to live in His kingdom of Heaven it's pretty clear what we have to do
pride
Unfortunately most humans take A LOT of pride in what can be seen which is odd because God has never been seen so where is the pride?
Jer
Jer 35:14
The commands of Jonadab son of Recab to his sons have been carried out to the letter
As humans we are thorough in following the ways of our own people BUT we don’t follow God, our creator!
Jer
Jer 31:32
32 It won't be a repeat of the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant even though I did my part as their Master." GOD's Decree.
Jer
Jer 29:13-14
when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, 14 I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." GOD's Decree
a good eternity
The Earth is being managed by Satan so it is possible to make personal decisions that will guarantee a good life for you on Earth but those decisions will not guarantee you a good eternity
Jer
Jer 17:9-10
9 "The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. 10 But I, GOD, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be."
Jer
Jer 14:15
preachers who preach using my name as their text, preachers I never sent in the first place
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Jer
God said:
Jer 1:5
5 "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations — that's what I had in mind for you."
Isa
Isa 66:16
16 For it's by fire that GOD brings judgment, a death sentence on the human race. Many, oh so many, are under GOD's sentence of death
Isa
Isa 63:9
He didn't send someone else to help them. He did it himself, in person.
This is about when Jesus came!
Isa
Isa 55:8
8 "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." GOD's Decree.
Isa
Isa 50:10
10 Who out there fears GOD, actually listens to the voice of his servant? For anyone out there who doesn't know where you're going, anyone groping in the dark, Here's what: Trust in GOD.
Isa
Isa 45:9-10
Does clay talk back to the potter: 'What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!' 10 Would a sperm say to a father, 'Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?' Or a fetus to a mother, 'Why have you cooped me up in this belly’
Isa
Isa 40:3
3 Thunder in the desert! "Prepare for GOD's arrival! Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.
This was John the Baptist when Jesus came!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Jesus
When Jesus came to this Earth He was not accepted and crucified! The one who came from God was perfect and He did nothing wrong but He was not only despised but also killed and as His body I don’t expect to be treated any differently
Isa
Isa 30:15
GOD, the Master 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.
Isa
Isa 29:13
These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren't in it. Because they act like they're worshiping me but don't mean it
Isa
Isa 11:6
The wolf will romp with the lamb, the leopard sleep with the kid. Calf and lion will eat from the same trough
…and a newborn human baby will be safe in a manger…
Isa
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.
Isa
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)
Ecc
Eccl 11:5
5 Just as you'll never understand the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman, So you'll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does.
Ecc
Eccl 7:20
20 There's not one totally good person on earth, not one who is truly pure and sinless.
Ecc
Eccl 5:7
7 But against all illusion and fantasy and empty talk There's always this rock foundation: Fear God!
Ecc
Eccl 5:2
Don't be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear. God's in charge, not you — the less you speak, the better.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
identification
Nowadays people are identified by their names & job titles and in the Bible that combination of identification is NEVER used
focus
As humans we are born into a world that is being managed by Satan so to spend eternity in God’s kingdom of Heaven then we as humans have got to turn to God which was taught in the beginning of the Bible with Adam & Eve & Satan
pat on the back
I have no need to pat myself on the back but I do want for God to pat me on the back!
Pro
Prov 20:24
24 The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
Pro
Prov 14:12
12 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again — it leads straight to hell.
Pro
Prov 3:5-6
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.
Psa
Ps 145:8
8 GOD is all mercy and grace — not quick to anger, is rich in love.
As His servants we should be too!
my favorite thing in the Bible
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.
money
Money can make our life on Earth go very well but when we die we leave it here and someday we enter eternity where there is no money and if there was, it wouldn’t help us there!
servant
Jesus left Heaven and came to this Earth as the Father’s servant and as a Christian I am doing the same thing
Psa
Ps 100:3
3 Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep.
will
I am a servant of Christ and the ONLY will that I want to accomplish is the will of my Father in Heaven!
Monday, September 23, 2013
success
Jesus was born in a barn to a virgin, he was not accepted by people, was crucified and as Christians we are His body so our view of success should be different than that of most people
Psa
Ps 49:7-9
There's no such thing as self-rescue, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. 8 The cost of rescue is beyond our means, and even then it doesn't guarantee 9 Life forever, or insurance against the Black Hole.
Psa
Ps 34:1-2
I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. 2 I live and breathe GOD
Psa
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.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Control
In the Bible God repeatedly says: “I am in control!” which is difficult for a human to realize as was pointed out when Satan seduced Eve!
second place
In the Bible God says that you have to be willing to step into second place which is not easy for a human to do!
Psa
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.
trust me
People say: “Trust me” and they THINK that it will make a difference but God has been saying the same thing for centuries and it hasn’t done Him much good
Psa
Ps 14:6
6 Do you think you can mess with the dreams of the poor? You can't, for God makes their dreams come true.
Psa
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.
Nehe
Neh 5:19
19 Remember in my favor, O my God, Everything I've done for these people.
What’s done is what’s expected of us to do. We get no special rewards-it’s servant work for our Master!
Nehe
Neh 4:23
23 We all slept in our clothes — I, my brothers, my workmen, and the guards backing me up. And each one kept his spear in his hand, even when getting water.
Following God is not normal or usual because Satan is managing this world!
Nehe
Neh 1:11
listen to your servant's prayer — and yes, to all your servants who delight in honoring you
Saturday, September 21, 2013
selling self
There is a lot of talk about you as a person and what you’ve done and NO TALK about God and all that He's done
Chron
2 Chron 29:8
a moral history lesson — look and read!
The Bible is a moral history lesson-so read it
Chron
2 Chron 29:2
2 In GOD's opinion he kept to the standards of his ancestor David.
This is what I want to be said about me!
Chron
2 Chron 16:9
9 GOD is always on the alert, constantly on the lookout for people who are totally committed to him.
Chron
This was said from human to human and supported by things that could be seen:
2 Chron 16:3
I'm showing my good faith with this gift of silver and gold
But God expects far more from the humans that He created
Chron
2 Chron 11:5
built up a defense system
God had given people peace from their enemies so why did anyone need to build a defense system?
Chron
God told Solomon:
2 Chron 7:19-20
if you or your sons betray me, ignoring my guidance and judgments, taking up with alien gods by serving and worshiping them, 20 then the guarantee is off
Chron
2 Chron 2:5
The house I am building has to be the best, for our God is the best
Solomon said this regarding the physical structure that he was building but now we are the temple! But being the “best” does NOT mean appearances! Remember-God knows your heart!
Chron
2 Chron 2:5
The house I am building has to be the best, for our God is the best
Solomon said this regarding the physical structure that he was building but now we are the temple!
Chron
2 Chron 2:17-18
17 Solomon then took a census of all the foreigners living in Israel, using the same census-taking method employed by his father. They numbered 153,600. 18 He assigned 70,000 of them as common laborers, 80,000 to work the quarries in the mountains, and 3,600 as foremen to manage the work crews.
This is what EVERYONE did
Chron
2 Chron 1:8-9
8 Solomon said, " 9 GOD, give me wisdom and knowledge as I come and go among this people — for who on his own is capable of leading these, your glorious people?"
I pray for the same thing as I post things
Friday, September 20, 2013
2 Kings
2 Kings 19:35
that very night an angel of GOD came and massacred a hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians
2 Kings
2 Kings 18:12
refused either to listen or do a word of what Moses, the servant of GOD, commanded
2 Kings
2 Kings 5:11-12
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."
YOU’RE NOT IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT!
2 Kings
2 Kings 5:11-12
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.
Expectations…
2 Kings
2 Kings 4:42-44
42 One day a man arrived from Baal Shalishah. He brought the man of God twenty loaves of fresh baked bread from the early harvest, along with a few apples from the orchard.
Elisha said, "Pass it around to the people to eat."
43 His servant said, "For a hundred men? There's not nearly enough!"
Elisha said, "Just go ahead and do it. GOD says there's plenty."
44 And sure enough, there was. He passed around what he had — they not only ate, but had leftovers.
This same thing happened when Jesus fed people!
2 Kings
2 Kings 4:23
Trust me
Humans that God created say this and mean it but God (the creator) says it too but it's more important from Him!
2 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
1 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.
1 Kings
1 Kings 13:18
he said, "I am also a prophet, just like you. And an angel came to me with a message from GOD: 'Bring him home with you, and give him a good meal!'"
If God wants you to do something then He’ll tell you to do it!
1 Kings
1 Kings 13:18
he said, "I am also a prophet, just like you. And an angel came to me with a message from GOD: 'Bring him home with you, and give him a good meal!'"
If God wants you to do something then He’ll tell you to do it!
temple
In the Bible (God’ s word and our text for our lives on Earth) God (our teacher for life) teaches us (His creations) many things but the purpose of this is to only cover two of them:
1) God is our king,
2) We are God’s temple
In the Old Testament Solomon built the temple to please other people and in the New Testament God clearly tells us that we are the temple so as such, we have to be careful to not build it to please others because if we do it will be torn down!
temple
In the Bible (God’ s word and our text for our lives on Earth) God (our teacher for life) teaches us (His creations) many things but the purpose of this is to only cover two of them:
1) God is our king,
2) We are God’s temple
In the Old Testament Solomon built the temple to please other people and in the New Testament God clearly tells us that we are the temple so as such, we have to be careful to not build it to please others!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
pleasing
Solomon showed us that what it takes to please people and what it takes to please God are completely different things of which pleasing God is much more important than pleasing people
WOW factor
It’s not said but as God can’t be seen, the WOW factor for humans is our eternal destination
1 Kings
1 Kings 11:11
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
1 Kings
1 Kings 9:6-7
6 But if you or your sons betray me, ignoring my guidance and judgments, taking up with alien gods by serving and worshiping them, 7 then the guarantee is off
1 Kings
1 Kings 6:11-12
11 The word of GOD came to Solomon saying, 12 "About this Temple you are building — what's important is that you live the way I've set out for you and do what I tell you, following my instructions carefully and obediently.
1 Kings
1 Kings 3:10-14
10 God, the Master, was delighted with Solomon's response. 11 And God said to him, "Because you have asked for this and haven't grasped after a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the ability to lead and govern well, 12 I'll give you what you've asked for — I'm giving you a wise and mature heart. There's never been one like you before; and there'll be no one after. 13 As a bonus, I'm giving you both the wealth and glory you didn't ask for — there's not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark. 14 And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I'll also give you a long life."
glory
God created EVERYTHING without any human input or intervention at all so His will will be accomplished as was creation! In fact-creation came about to bring Him glory.
1 Kings
1 Kings 3:3
3 Solomon loved GOD and continued to live in the God-honoring ways of David his father, except that he also worshiped at the local shrines, offering sacrifices and burning incense. ]
EXCEPT..
forever
Watch what you’re saying! When you say: “I am forever grateful” that means that you’ll be grateful for as long as you’re alive BUT the word: “forever” really means that there will not ever be an end-EVER!
1 Sam
1 Sam 21:7
7 One of Saul's officials was present that day keeping a religious vow. ]
He was just doing what he thought that he was supposed to do for societal reasons as opposed to worshiping God because he wanted to
1 Sam
1 Sam 16:7
GOD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
competition
A competition is very strange because it tests your ability to do something and knowing that you were created by God to bring Him glory a competition to do anything but bring God glory seems stupid to me
wheelchair
Check out this analogy:
My wheelchair is just like a babies’ walker! I can’t walk BUT I do get around fine! Because I can’t walk-others feel that I’m less of a person than they are but I’m no less!
competition
Life is not a big competition! As a human you were created by God to bring Him glory and competing with other human beings that He created does not bring God glory because if you lose it hurts you and if you win it brings YOU glory
Ruth
Ruth 1:16-17
Ruth said, "Don't force me to leave you; don't make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I'll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; 17 where you die, I'll die, and that's where I'll be buried, so help me GOD — not even death itself is going to come between us!" ]
This is me & God!
Jud
Judg 13:2
barren and childless ]
hmm, I sense a pattern here… God is showing us that everything is not up to us! Even though we think that it is…
concern
In the Old Testament (which we are not under) people were very concerned with what happened on Earth but in the New Testament (which we are under) the concern shifts from Earth to Eternity
Jud
Judg 11:34-35
Jephthah came home to Mizpah. His daughter ran from the house to welcome him home — dancing to tambourines! She was his only child. He had no son or daughter except her. 35 When he realized who it was, he ripped his clothes, saying, "Ah, dearest daughter — I'm dirt. I'm despicable. My heart is torn to shreds. I made a vow to GOD and I can't take it back!" ]
God will expect us to give whatever we promise to give Him
Jud
Judg 8:27
27 Gideon made the gold into a sacred ephod and put it on display in his hometown, Ophrah. All Israel prostituted itself there. Gideon and his family, too, were seduced by it.
Jud
Judg 7:15
15 When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he went to his knees before God in prayer
Jud
Judg 2:1-3
2:1 GOD's angel went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, "I brought you out of Egypt; I led you to the land that I promised to your fathers; and I said, I'll never break my covenant with you — never! 2 And you're never to make a covenant with the people who live in this land. Tear down their altars! But you haven't obeyed me! What's this that you're doing?
3 "So now I'm telling you that I won't drive them out before you. They'll trip you up and their gods will become a trap."
WOW
People desperately want the WOW factor BUT the WOW factor doesn’t exist on Earth…it IS in Eternity though
Josh
Josh 11:12
Moses the servant of GOD ]
In the Bible it says this and I want this to be said about me too by you!
Josh
Josh 9:14
The men of Israel looked them over and accepted the evidence. But they didn't ask GOD about it. ]
And they paid for it too
Josh
Josh 9:8
Joshua said, "Who are you now? Where did you come from?" ]
He asked humans BUT he didn’t ask God!
Josh
Josh 6:20
When the people heard the blast of the trumpets, they gave a thunderclap shout. The wall fell at once.]
Faith + works!
Josh
Josh 5:12
As soon as they started eating food grown in the land, there was no more manna for the People of Israel
Josh
Josh 5:2-3
2 At that time GOD said to Joshua, "Make stone knives and circumcise the People of Israel a second time." 3 So Joshua made stone knives and circumcised the People of Israel at Foreskins Hill.]
A very personal faith + works
Josh
Josh 4:1-3
4:1 When the whole nation was finally across, GOD spoke to Joshua: 2 "Select twelve men from the people, a man from each tribe, 3 and tell them, 'From right here, the middle of the Jordan where the feet of the priests are standing firm, take twelve stones. Carry them across with you and set them down in the place where you camp tonight.'" ]
Faith AND works!
Josh
Josh 3:1 5-16
15 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
Just like at the Red Sea!
Josh
Josh 2:21
21 Rehab said, "If that's what you say, that's the way it is," and sent them off. They left and she hung the red rope out the window.
Rehab was a good example of faith + works. Yes she had faith BUT she was ALSO REQUIRED to demonstrate it by doing something
Legal
It’s VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE that what people consider to be “legal” and what God actually sees are extremely different! Case in point: marriage. Per the Bible, God created male & female and when they “become one” they are married for life but as a part of society people become one just because they want to regardless of their legal marital status
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
technically correct
In society the words “technically correct” apply to a person’s ability to comply with Earthly standards which is fine on Earth BUT our position in eternity is based on meeting God’s standards ONLY, so being technically correct is fine when you’re on this Earth but it will not apply positively to our position in eternity
servant
As a human you are a servant of God and as a servant you are just following orders from God so as long as He’s successful then you’re successful!
pleasing who?
If you do VERY WELL with society you may fail with God! The main thing is pleasing God not other people!
the best
Humans ALWAYS have to be the best and they feel that everyone is challenging them which is quite odd because humans were created by God for the sole purpose of bringing Him glory!
Deu
Deut 12:18
You are to celebrate in the Presence of GOD all the things you've been able to accomplish.
Due
Deut 12:7
Celebrate everything that you and your families have accomplished under the blessing of GOD
Deu
Deut 12:1
rules and regulations that you must diligently observe for as long as you live in this country that GOD, the God-of-Your-Fathers, has given you to possess
in the Old Testament the land that they would posses was on Earth but in the New Testament the land that we will posses is in Heaven
Deu
Deut 10:12-13
what do you think GOD expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve GOD, your God, with everything you have in you, 13 obey the commandments and regulations of GOD
Deu
Deut 8:17-18
17 If you start thinking to yourselves, "I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!" — 18 well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth
Deu
Deut 6:5
5 Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got!
Not just on Sundays!
Deu
Deut 4:29
if you seek GOD you'll be able to find him if you're serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul
sermons
There aren’t many if any sermons based on Deuteronomy but this book in the Bible contains sermons from Moses the servant of God!
teacher
As humans we have to decide just who we are going to listen to & learn from: society or God. Society teaches us that we will do VERY WELL on this Earth but God teaches us that we will do VERY WELL in eternity. So who’s going to be your teacher?
Monday, September 16, 2013
WOW
Satan manages the Earth-period! That’s a fact and as soon as you realize that then your life will be very different! Instead of WOWING people you begin trying to WOW God. That’s not going to be popular with people but it will be popular with God and since people hold your popularity on Earth and God holds your popularity in Eternity-God is the best choice to make
Num
Num 32:31-32
31 The families of Gad and Reuben responded: "We will do what GOD has said. 32 We will cross the Jordan before GOD, ready and willing to fight. But the land we inherit will be here, to the east of the Jordan."
This is in the Bible to show us that it must be faith + works!
Num
Num 22:18
18 Balaam answered Balak's servants: "Even if Balak gave me his house stuffed with silver and gold, I wouldn't be able to defy the orders of my GOD to do anything, whether big or little”
I like what Balaam said very much!
Num
Num 18:20
20 GOD said to Aaron, "You won't get any inheritance in land, not so much as a small plot of ground: I am your plot of ground, I am your inheritance”
God said this to Aaron then but He says the same thing to us now and we can’t see our inheritance we just have to have faith!
Num
Num 18:20
20 GOD said to Aaron, "You won't get any inheritance in land, not so much as a small plot of ground: I am your plot of ground, I am your inheritance”
God said this to Aaron then but He says the same thing to us now!
Num
Num 18:5
Your job is to take care of the Sanctuary
THEIR job was to take care of the sanctuary but now we are the sanctuary!
Num
Num 15:39
get distracted by everything you feel or see
this was a problem then and it’s still a problem now
Num
Num 14:23
23 not one of them will set eyes on the land I so solemnly promised to their ancestors
These people had personally seen with their own eyes what God had done in Egypt! And we with our own eyes have read what God has said in the Bible so God WILL punish us too if we don’t have faith! We won't enter the promised land either!
Num
God said:
Num 11:20
You're going to eat meat until its coming out your nostrils. You're going to be so sick of meat that you'll throw up at the mere mention of it.
They rejected God. This was severe then so if you reject God now what will happen?
Heaven
Right now the angels in Heaven where God is are there to exclusively give God honor and if you want to go to Heaven then you have to prove yourself on Earth by doing the same thing
God's kingdom
Everything was created by God to bring Him glory and if you focus on that on Earth then you’ll probably live eternally with Him in His kingdom of Heaven but if not there’ll be another place for you
Heaven
God says in the Bible that He created human beings for the sole purpose of bringing Him glory so if we don’t do that during our lives on Earth we won’t go to His kingdom of Heaven; oh we’ll live well on Earth but not in eternity!
Bible
In the Old Testament things were focused entirely on what was done and how it was done on Earth which you can see but in the New Testament things are solely focused on Eternity which you can’t see
Heaven
God is in charge of everything and this is from His word, the Bible so it is the bottom line from Him and it’s NOT my personal opinion! Human beings are created by God to bring HIM ALONE glory and IF we want to live with Him in His kingdom of Heaven then we have to be bringing Him alone glory during our lives on Earth!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Ex
Ex 16:23-24
23 Moses said, "This is what GOD was talking about: Tomorrow is a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to GOD. Whatever you plan to bake, bake today; and whatever you plan to boil, boil today. Then set aside the leftovers until morning." 24 They set aside what was left until morning, as Moses had commanded. It didn't smell bad and there were no worms in it.
They did this without electricity OR refrigeration!
Ex
Ex 16:4-5
4 GOD said to Moses, "I'm going to rain bread down from the skies for you. The people will go out and gather each day's ration. I'm going to test them to see if they'll live according to my Teaching or not”
Ex
Ex 14:5-7
5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people were gone, he and his servants changed their minds. They said, "What have we done, letting Israel, our slave labor, go free?" 6 So he had his chariots harnessed up and got his army together. 7 He took six hundred of his best chariots, with the rest of the Egyptian chariots and their drivers coming along.
Humans verses God and humans lose!
Ex
Ex 12:24
Keep this word. It's the law for you and your children, forever
See? This may be in the Old Testament but it still applies today!
Ex
Ex 12:22-23
22 Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the bowl of blood and smear it on the lintel and on the two doorposts. No one is to leave the house until morning. 23 GOD will pass through to strike Egypt down. When he sees the blood on the lintel and the two door posts, GOD will pass over the doorway; he won't let the destroyer enter your house
Faith with action on our hearts is our hyssop, blood & lintel BUT the destroyer IS coming! Are you ready?
Ex
Ex 12:19
not a trace of yeast
NO YEAST. What does yeast do? It builds something up and what does money do?
Ex
Ex 12:11
the Passover to GOD
for the Passover the lamb had to be perfect! Hmm, sounds just like Jesus!
Ex
Ex 9:20-21
20 All of Pharaoh's servants who had respect for GOD's word got their workers and animals under cover as fast as they could, 21 but those who didn't take GOD's word seriously left their workers and animals out in the field.
This is happening now
Ex
God said to Pharaoh:
Ex 9:15-16
15 You know that by now I could have struck you and your people with deadly disease and there would be nothing left of you, not a trace. 16 But for one reason only I've kept you on your feet: To make you recognize my power so that my reputation spreads in all the Earth
Ex
Ex 7:10-12
Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his servants, and it turned into a snake.
11 Pharaoh called in his wise men and sorcerers. The magicians of Egypt did the same thing by their incantations: 12 each man threw down his staff and they all turned into snakes. But then Aaron's staff swallowed their staffs.
Humans WILL TRY to out god God but it won’t work!
Ex
Ex 6:9
But when Moses delivered this message to the Israelites, they didn't even hear him — they were that beaten down in spirit by the harsh slave conditions
Hmm, sounds like people today!
Ex
Ex 6:9
9 But when Moses delivered this message to the Israelites, they didn't even hear him
Hmm, sounds like people today
Ex
Ex 2:23-24
The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out. Their cries for relief from their hard labor ascended to God:
24 God listened to their groanings
Ex
Ex 1:17
the midwives had far too much respect for God and didn't do what the king of Egypt ordered
Saturday, September 14, 2013
parenting
In addition to the problem noted in the Bible where men don’t know how to be men and women don’t know how to be women there are parents that don’t know how to be parents!
chooic
Your choice is to either compete against other humans to win on Earth OR to just relax and let God do everything and win in Eternity
choice
For life on Earth you have two choices: depend heavily on yourself OR depend heavily on God. The first choice gets you a very good life on Earth and the second choice gets you a very good life in Eternity. The choice is up to you!
Gen
Gen 29:21-25
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife; I've completed what we agreed I'd do. I'm ready to consummate my marriage." 22 Laban invited everyone around and threw a big feast. 23 At evening, though, he got his daughter Leah and brought her to the marriage bed, and Jacob slept with her. 24(Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maid.)
25 Morning came: There was Leah in the marriage bed!
This is in the Bible to teach us that what will happen may not be what we were expecting!
Gen
Gen 27:36
36 Esau said, "Not for nothing was he named Jacob, the Heel. Twice now he's tricked me: first he took my birthright and now he's taken my blessing."
This is in the Bible to show us that God will choose to bless people based on His expectations not ours!
Gen
Gen 26:24
24 That very night GOD appeared to him and said,
I am the God of Abraham your father; don't fear a thing because I'm with you. I'll bless you and make your children flourish because of Abraham my servant.
The things that God said to him were only concerning his life on Earth-NOTHING WAS SAID OR PROMISED ABOUT HEAVEN!
Long life on Earth versus an Eternity in Heaven
In the Bible there are people who lived a long time on Earth BUT it doesn’t say that because of that they’ll be in God’s kingdom, Heaven. A long life on Earth does not guarantee an eternity in Heaven!
Gen
Gen 23:12-13
12 Abraham bowed respectfully before the assembled council 13 and answered Ephron: "Please allow me — I want to pay the price of the land; take my money so that I can go ahead and bury my wife."
Paying for it was very important to Abraham because it was a sacrifice
Gen
Gen 22:1-2
22:1 After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, "Abraham!"
"Yes?" answered Abraham. "I'm listening."
2 He said, "Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I'll point out to you."
Faith AND works!
Gen
Gen 19:26
26 But Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt
WHY DID SHE LOOK BACK? BECAUSE TO HER IT WAS EYE CANDY!
a combination
Abraham’s circumcision was an example of how faith and works are combined by something that is VERY meaningful to us
Gen
Gen 15:6
God declared him "Set-Right-with-God."
This was prior to circumcision! It was God’s choice NOT Abram’s behavior!
Gen
Gen 16:1-2
16:1 Sarai, Abram's wife, hadn't yet produced a child.
She had an Egyptian maid named Hagar. 2 Sarai said to Abram, "GOD has not seen fit to let me have a child. Sleep with my maid. Maybe I can get a family from her."
God didn’t create the difference in sexes JUST to produce children and Abram didn’t ask God
Gen
Gen 6:13-14
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. 14 Build yourself a ship
Do you think that it was socially acceptable for Noah to build a ship?
Gen
Gen 6:5-8
GOD saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil — evil, evil, evil from morning to night. 6 GOD was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart. 7 GOD said, "I'll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds — the works. I'm sorry I made them."
8 But Noah was different. GOD liked what he saw in Noah.
Out of the entire human race it says that God liked what He saw in Noah
Gen
Gen 5:24
Enoch walked steadily with God. And then one day he was simply gone: God took him.
NO SERMONS ON THIS!
Gen
Gen 5:2
God created both male and female and blessed them, the whole human race.
God blessed the entire human race!
Gen
Gen 5:1-2
This is the family tree of the human race: When God created the human race, he made it godlike, with a nature akin to God. 2 He created both male and female and blessed them, the whole human race.
Gen
Gen 3:23
GOD expelled them from the Garden of Eden
because He didn't want for them to live forever
Gen
Gen 3:12
12 The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it."
blame
Gen
Gen 3:1-5
3:1 The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal GOD had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"
2 The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. 3 It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
4 The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. 5 God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."
The FIRST opinion and was it correct? NO! And who gave it? SATAN!
Gen
Gen 2:16-17
16 GOD commanded the Man He had created, "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!
Not just because you’re old enough-but because you were created this way by God!
Gen
Gen 1:1
First this: God created the Heavens and Earth — all you see, all you don't see
The VERY FIRST verse in the Bible says that God created all that you CAN SEE and all that you can’t see!
Friday, September 13, 2013
nurturing
Because no one has ever seen God, I don’t know that we even remotely know how much God has nurtured us-His creations
Rev
Rev 3:18
Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see
1 John
1 John 3:20
God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves
1 John
1 John 2:6
Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived
1 John
1 John 2:6
Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived
2 Peter
2 Peter 1:20-21
The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. 21 And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart it was concocted by God Himself
1 Peter
1 Peter 1:23
Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word
James
James 4:10
10 Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet
The only way…
James
James 1:21
In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life
Heb
Heb 12:4-8
4 In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through — all that bloodshed! 5 So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?
My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline,
but don't be crushed by it either.
6 It's the child he loves that he disciplines;
the child he embraces, he also corrects.
7 God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, 8 the normal experience of children
Heb
Heb 12:4
4 In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you
I never thought of this as an all-out match against sin!
Heb
Heb 12:2
2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever
Thursday, September 12, 2013
forever
recreate
People THINK that they were created by their parents BUT their parents were given the ability to recreate humans by God who people don’t pay much attention to
saying
“oh my God!” is just another way of saying: “oops! It’s a screw up!” Which is just another way of blaming God for something
Heb
Heb 11:1-20
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. 3 By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see. 4 By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought, that made the difference. That's what God noticed and approved as righteous. After all these centuries, that belief continues to catch our notice. 5 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." 6 It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. 7 By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God. 8 By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. 9 By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. 10 Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations — the City designed and built by God. 11 By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said. 12 That's how it happened that from one man's dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.13 Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. 14 People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. 15 If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. 16 But they were after a far better country than that — heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them. 17 By faith, Abraham, at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to God. Acting in faith, he was as ready to return the promised son, his only son, as he had been to receive him — 18 and this after he had already been told, "Your descendants shall come from Isaac." 19 Abraham figured that if God wanted to, he could raise the dead. In a sense, that's what happened when he received Isaac back, alive from off the altar. 20 By an act of faith, Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau.
Heb
Heb 5:8
Though he was God's Son, he learned trusting-obedience by what he suffered, just as we do
Heb
Heb 3:15-19
Today, please listen;
don't turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising.
16 For who were the people who turned a deaf ear? Weren't they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And who was God provoked with for forty years? Wasn't it those who turned a deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness? 18 And when he swore that they'd never get where they were going, wasn't he talking to the ones who turned a deaf ear? 19 They never got there because they never listened, never believed.
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 2:25-26
You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, 26 enabling them to escape the Devil's trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.
1 Tim
1 Tim 6:6
6 A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God
1 Thess
1 Thess 5:21
Check out everything
How do you check out everything? Compare what you hear with the Bible!
1 Thess
1 Thess 5:16-18
16 Be cheerful no matter what; 17 pray all the time; 18 thank God no matter what happens
1 Thess
1 Thess 5:14
Be patient with each person
God is VERY PATIENT with you so you should be patient with others!
Col
Col 3:14
And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
Col
Col 3:3
Your new life, which is your real life — even though invisible to spectators — is with Christ in God
Hmm, sounds just like God: …invisible to spectators…
goal
The MAIN goal of members of society is: “what can I do that will make myself happy?” however my main goal is: “what can I do that will make God happy?”
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
opinions
A great deal of value is given to the opinions of created human beings BUT absolutely no value is given to the opinions of the creator of human beings
families
People want A LOT for their families on Earth so they are willing to do anything for them on Earth BUT they do nothing for them in Eternity which will be much more time than on Earth so they’re actually doing NOTHING for anyone!
prayer
Praying IS NOT saying what you need! In prayed you’re talking to your Father who knows you better than you know yourself-so RELAX! He knows what you really need and He takes good care of you!
When you talk to Him in prayer you might just say: “thank you, I wouldn’t be here without you”.
focus
As did Adam & Eve people still strongly focus on what they can eat and determine if they feel it’s the best BUT regardless of how good it is it has nothing to do with God’s word!
the same boat!
No matter what degree you have OR what you do to earn a living we’re ALL in the same boat with our creator! We’re ALL sinners and unless we have Jesus than we are damned!
plans
In the current Earthly world humans say: “I am good at this and that is why I’m doing what I’m doing!” but in God’s world things happen that you didn’t plan on but God did! And that’s OK
acknowledging God
God created human beings and the Earth BUT human beings focus on knowledge based on things of the Earth while refusing to acknowledge God and God doesn’t like being ignored
things
People tend to focus on things as just things that exist on Earth instead on things that were created by God
titles
Regardless of the fact that they were created to be who they are by God and told the details by God in the Bible, human beings give more recognition to personal, work and educational titles than to their creator-but someday the will and it won’t be pretty!
value
What is going on in society does not even closely agree with what the Bible says! People actually brag about who makes the most money and making human beings as opposed to just valuing their creator. People personally value their ability to create humans and making money BUT they don’t realize that they were given those abilities by God, their creator!
marry
Among people the word “marry” is used to reflect a combination of things as opposed to one person’s full commitment to another person
respect
In our society people RESPECT earthly things such as food and renovations (basically their personal abilities) but I respect only God and His abilities
Col
Col 2:7
You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it!
Col
Col 2:5
5 I'm a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe me, I'm on your side, right beside you
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.
Phil
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 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.
Phil
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 2:13
God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure
…what will give him the most pleasure
Eph
Eph 6:17-18
God's Word is an indispensable weapon. 18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare
Eph
Eph 4:10-11
He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, 11 filled earth with his gifts
Filled earth with his gifts…
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!
Eph
Eph 2:8-10
8 Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! 9 We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! 10 No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Eph
Eph 1:4
4 Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love
Gal
Gal 5:14
everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself
faith
In our lives on Earth we can live by one of two things: obedience to the law or faith in Christ and I prefer to live my life by faith in Christ and that makes me seem weird to others
Gal
Gal 3:11
The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him
Gal
Gal 1:1
My authority for writing does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I'm God-commissioned
2 Cor
2 Cor 8:9
You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us — in one stroke he became poor and we became rich.
2 Cor
2 Cor 5:10
Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.
2 Cor
2 Cor 4:18
The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
1 Cor
1 Cor 7:1-2
Is it a good thing to have sexual relations?
2 Certainly — but only within a certain context. It's good for a man to have a wife, and for a woman to have a husband.
1 Cor
1 Cor 5:7
Our true identity is flat and plain, not puffed up with yeast to make us something more than we were created to be!
1 Cor
1 Cor 1:17
17 God didn't send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach what he has done, collecting a following for him
Rom
Rom 12:3
it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you
Rom
Rom 12:1
Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering
Rom
Rom 6:3
That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace — a new life in a new land!
Rom
Rom 5:8
God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.
Rom
Rom 4:14
If those who get what God gives them only get it by doing everything they are told to do and filling out all the right forms properly signed, that eliminates personal trust completely and turns the promise into an ironclad contract! That's not a holy promise; that's a business deal.
Rom
Rom 4:4-5
4 If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. 5 But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it — you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked — well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.
That’s VERY DIFFERENT from just asking for what you want!
Rom
Rom 4:3
"Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own."
Monday, September 9, 2013
same boat
We’re all in the same boat! We’re all sinners and we’re all condemned so we all need what Jesus offers!
self
Making something special of yourself on Earth seems very important BUT Satan is managing the Earth so if you want to make Satan happy then yes it’s important but Satan is a loser!
Rom
Rom 3:28
Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade
Rom
Rom 2:6-8
In the end you get what's coming to you — 7 Real Life for those who work on God's side, 8 but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire!
Rom
Rom 1:5
5 Through Jesus I received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others
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
Acts
Acts 10:34-35
God plays no favorites! 35 It makes no difference who you are or where you're from — if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open
Acts
Acts 5:15
15 They even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on stretchers and bedrolls, hoping they would be touched by Peter's shadow when he walked by
It doesn’t say that they were saved just that they were healed
Acts
Acts 2:2
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
They couldn’t see it but it filled the whole building!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
John
Jesus said to the Father about those who follow Him:
John 17:18
18 In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world
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. You can count on it/
As His body we continue doing the work that He was doing!
John
Jesus said:
John 12:24-25
Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. 25 In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal. /
So in gardening God has given us a clear picture of eternal life!
John
John 7:14-15
With the Feast already half over, Jesus showed up in the Temple, teaching. 15 The Jews were impressed, but puzzled: "How does he know so much without being schooled?"
John
Jesus said:
John 6:65
no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father
therefore-salvation is a gift from God!
John
Jesus said:
John 6:65
no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father
John
John 6:15
Jesus saw that in their enthusiasm, they were about to grab him and make him king, so he slipped off and went back up the mountain to be by himself.
John
Jesus said:
John 5:44
44 How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?
John
John 4:2-3
They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people 3 So Jesus left the Judean countryside
John
John 4:2
They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people
driver's seat
Jesus said to us as Christians:
“you’re not in the driver’s seat-I am!”
And He is! But to me as a human that’s not easy to accept!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
redemption
Redemption is up to God as His gift to us and doesn’t depend on us OR anything we can do so we can’t redeem ourselves!
stepping down
As Jesus did I am perfectly willing to step way down as a sacrifice to God to help others
forever
People THINK that “forever” just means a very long time but truly forever means something that has no ending, so someday people WILL learn the true meaning of that word!
John
John 3:5
5 Jesus said, "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.
You must believe what you can’t see!
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.
John
John 2:10
But you've saved the best till now!
This was the first miracle by Jesus and it refers to the coming of God’s kingdom
John
John 1:13
13 These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.
Born again…
Luke
Jesus said this in His prayer to the Father:
Luke 22:42
Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?
And we are His body!
Luke
Luke 19:10
the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost
the great reversal! He came to us because we needed Him! No one else wants us but He does!
Luke
The question being asked was how to get into Heaven, God’s kingdom and Jesus’ answer was:
Luke 18:27
27 "No chance at all," Jesus said, "if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it."
Luke
Luke 18:17
17 Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in
Do children get degrees?
Luke
Luke 15:11-32
There was once a man who had two sons. 12 The younger said to his father, 'Father, I want right now what's coming to me.'
"So the father divided the property between them. 13 It wasn't long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. 14 After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. 15 He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. 16 He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.
17 "That brought him to his senses. He said, 'All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. 18 I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; 19 I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.' 20 He got right up and went home to his father.
"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'
22 "But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! 24 My son is here — given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time.
25 "All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day's work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. 26 Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. 27 He told him, 'Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast — barbecued beef! — because he has him home safe and sound.'
28 "The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't listen. 29 The son said, 'Look how many years I've stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? 30 Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!'
31 "His father said, 'Son, you don't understand. You're with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours — 32 but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he's alive! He was lost, and he's found!'
Luke
Luke 14:33
Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple
Luke
Luke 14:25-27
Jesus turned and told them, 26 "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters — yes, even one's own self! — can't be my disciple. 27 Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple
Luke
Luke 14:16-24
there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. 17 When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, 'Come on in; the food's on the table.'
18 "Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, 'I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.'
19 "Another said, 'I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.'
20 "And yet another said, 'I just got married and need to get home to my wife.'
21 "The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, 'Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.'
22 "The servant reported back, 'Master, I did what you commanded — and there's still room.'
23 "The master said, 'Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! 24 Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.'"
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.
Life happens when you know God
Luke
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 12:29
What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving.
THIS IS HUGE! Most generally people are only determined to “get” so they miss all that God “gives”!
Luke
Luke 11:28
28 Jesus commented, "Even more blessed are those who hear God's Word and guard it with their lives!"
Luke
Luke 10:29-37
29 Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbor'?"
30 Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. 31 Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. 32 Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.
33 "A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. 34 He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. 35 In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill — I'll pay you on my way back.'
36 "What do you think? 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."
Luke
Luke 10:21
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.
Luke
Luke 9:26
If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you
I’m not! How could I be? I’m not in the driver’s seat!
Luke
Luke 9:23
You're not in the driver's seat — I am
I have to acknowledge this…sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t—but He is!
Luke
Luke 9:23
Don't run from suffering; embrace it
Did Jesus run from suffering? NO! Aren’t Christians His body? YES!
Luke
Luke 9:1-2
Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. 2 He commissioned them to preach the news of God's kingdom
He has commissioned me to do the same thing and as it was with them, I’m nothing special-I’m just doing the job that He gave me
Luke
Luke 7:40-43
40 Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Oh? Tell me."
41 "Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. 42 Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"
43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."
"That's right," said Jesus.
The same thing applies to sin!
Luke
Luke 7:40-43
40 Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Oh? Tell me."
41 "Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. 42 Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"
43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."
"That's right," said Jesus.
Luke
Jesus said:
Luke 7:31-32
31 "How can I account for the people of this generation? 32 They're like spoiled children complaining to their parents, 'We wanted to skip rope and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk but you were always too busy.'
Hmm, this sounds like the prayer requests that I hear…
Friday, September 6, 2013
Luke
Luke 6:24-26
But it's trouble ahead if you think you have it made.
What you have is all you'll ever get.
25 And it's trouble ahead if you're satisfied with yourself.
Your self will not satisfy you for long.
And it's trouble ahead if you think life's all fun and games.
There's suffering to be met, and you're going to meet it.
26 "There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. 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 6:7
7 The religion scholars and Pharisees had their eye on Jesus to see if he would heal the man, hoping to catch him in a Sabbath infraction
They were only interested in keeping man’s rules but Jesus wanted to keep God’s rules
Luke
Luke 3:16
16 But John intervened: "I'm baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out
The kingdom life begins inside you through Jesus...
Luke
Luke 3:7
7 When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded
Luke
Luke 3:4
as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet
in the Old Testament but still in the Bible!
Luke
Luke 2:24
prescribed in God's Law
they didn’t keep the laws of the land instead they kept God’s law, how about you?
Luke
Luke 2:16-18
16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. 18 All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Talk about something unlikely: the sheepherders were preaching!
Mark
Jesus told His disciples:
Mark 16:15
Then he said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all
And I am His disciple so that’s why I post things. To bear fruit for Him
Mark
Mark 15:21
There was a man walking by, coming from work, Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They made him carry Jesus' cross.
As Christians we have to carry our own cross and there will be a cross!
Mark
Mark 15:21
There was a man walking by, coming from work, Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. They made him carry Jesus' cross.
As Christians we have to carry our own cross
Mark
Mark 15:30
If you're really God's Son, come down from that cross!
They wanted something that they could see!
Mark
Jesus said to Peter in Gethsemane:
Mark 14:37
Can't you stick it out with me a single hour?
And this is in the Bible to teach us that even though we’re committed it won’t be easy to stick with Jesus
Mark
Even Jesus said to God in His prayer:
Mark 14:36
not what I want — what do you want?
And as His body we HAVE to feel the same way!
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