No Offence

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 10:32  Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

I suppose the only way not to offend is to show a true love for others and towards God. Even then people may be offended by what was not said. That Pharisee spirit is out there. The spirit of antichrist is strong too.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Speak the word in love. If the word offends, it also convicts of sin. People need to hear what God is saying. Speak and if they are offended, share with someone else. Give them the word and give them freedom to respond.

Light Overcomes Darkness

The world is becoming a place of sin and darkness, but we have overcome the world.

 

Jer 13:15  Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.
Jer 13:16  Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

 

God can cause darkness to come to a people because of pride and by not giving God the glory he deserves. Spiritual darkness can be described in four words.  Violence, anger, confusion and fear.

 

Violence can be replaced with peace. Jesus gives us peace through the Holy Spirit.

 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Anger can be replaced with calmness.

 

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

 

Peace, be still

 

Mark 4:39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Confusion is replaced by trusting in God.

 

Psa 71:1  In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

 

Jas 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

 

1Cor 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 

Fear is replaced by God's perfect love.

 

1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

 

Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

 

2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

Are you trusting in Jesus? Are you a Spirit filled blood bought son of the most high God?

 

Isa 60:1  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Isa 60:2  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

Let the people of God bring light and His glory to the darkness. Let the people of the world turn to God and be saved from sin and darkness. Let them come to Jesus who loves them and who can save them. Turn away from the darkness of sin and turn to Jesus, the light of the world. 

Strange Worship

  

Some music that is supposed to be for worship just does not move me. I must examine my own heart and seek to be in tune with it. When reading in the book of Amos I found that God is not always pleased with man's form of worship. Is God pleased with our worship? Is it from the heart? Just because worship is loud, doesn't mean that it is spiritual. The prophets of Baal screamed and danced around to their dumb idol. God speaks to us with a still small voice.

Amo 4:4  Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:
Amo 4:5  And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Amo 4:6  And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

Let me explain this as I see it. Israel was worshipping in temples that God did not approve of. They worshipped the Golden calf idol. They offered leaven, which is sin and free offerings for this liketh you. The key words are "this liketh you". You are enjoying yourself worshiping and singing, but it is not to me. God is not glorified in this, he is not honored or impressed. When I hear worldly music entering the church, I wonder if the LORD is pleased?

 I also give you cleanness of teeth, which means he gave them a famine to draw them back to him; no food to stain their teeth.

Music and worship are to be in spirit and in truth. Not some false "feel good emotional spirit to another god of our making."  God expects worship to glorify him. Is the music Biblical? Does it glorify the LORD or  self? Pray about what is to be the worship. Is it true? Is it Spiritual? Is it a solo performance or for all to sing? These are my thoughts. It appears to me that many of the church do not really know what they believe. They could easily be led away, like the new age movement, because they do not know God's word and do not know the Lord.

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Let us prepare our hearts for worship and pray that it pleases the LORD.

Randy

Do you remember Randy?

 The Goose with a broken wing at the park? 

 It has been two years and he and 

his mate are still there.

Gen 1:20  And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

I saw this interesting vine on a walk.

3Jn 1:13  I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 

3Jn 1:14  But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. 

Applying a photoshop filter and rotating it and it spells a name: JOE. Who is Joe?

Isa 62:2  And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. 

Meet Joe, the Praying Mantis. 

He was still on the rose bush after three days.

1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 

Mighty Joe, the young 1.5 inch Praying Mantis. How much greater are we who were created in the image of God?

1Jn 5:9  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 

1Jn 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 

1Jn 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 

Avoiding the ladder

Proverb 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

I have learned to no longer use a ladder to climb up on the house. I may get up there but getting down is sometimes fearful. Some things I will leave to the younger men. When are we to use our own understanding? In Spiritual things we are to trust in the LORD, but how about day to day things? There is an "all" in this proverb. Trust the LORD with ALL of our heart. The heart is the seat of our conscience, our inner most being. Can't I just trust my own heart? Not according to Jeremiah.

Jer 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

It is best to trust God with all of our heart and all of our decisions. We reap what we sow, if our trust is in the LORD we reap wisdom and good fruit. When we get stuck on that ladder of our own actions we call on the LORD for help. Isn't it better to trust him in the first place? An older man should know this.

Prayer and Forgiveness

The Praying Mantis looks innocent, but he likes to sneak up on other insects to eat them. His praying hands are not so innocent. Like the praying Mantis we can appear to be praying in God's will and power, but we cannot let go of someones transgression. We must forgive in order to receive a response to our prayer. Pray in faith.

Mar 11:22  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Mar 11:23  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Mar 11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mar 11:25  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mar 11:26  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 

What good is it to do great things and to be rejected by the Lord? Can't forgive someone? Then that is the mountain that the Lord can easily move from one place to another. Simply give the one you cannot forgive to Jesus and ask him to remove this mountain from your heart and mind. Believe and you will receive a new clear path and future in the Lord. Pray with a clear mind and heart and pray for others too.

The Mighty has fallen

A mighty oak at the park has fallen. Some say it is because being on the lawn it received too much water. It was also very old. In 2002 our tall redwood fell and shortly after this my father-in-law Arthur died. He was a mighty fine man, a WW2 Seabee and a very gifted man with his hands and a humble man.

2Sa 1:17  And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: 

2Sa 1:19  The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! 

The Chinese Sumach, or Tree of Heaven, with the many green leaves are invasive. They grow fast and crowd out other native plants.The root bark of this plant is a natural antibiotic used around the world to treat malaria and kill parasitic worms. It is an important herb in traditional Chinese medicine. What we call a nuisance is a blessing to others.

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 

Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 

Look but don't touch. This oak tree has poison oak vines on it. They are already beginning to show their Fall colors.

Gen 3:2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 

Gen 3:3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 

These are Blue Elderberries. They are used to make wine or jam. They also have medicinal properties. 

Rev 4:10  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 

Rev 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 

Blackberries are still ripe along the trails. They make a sweet snack. It is hard to beat the flavor of a Blackberry pie.

Pro 30:8  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 

Pro 30:9  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. 

Exercise helps

Some get their exercise like this.

 I like to walk. I was told that my blood pressure 

is too high, so I am trying to walk every morning. It is a time to see new things with camera in hand, to renew old acquaintances and a time for prayer.

1Tim 4:8  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Above and in front of my prayer bench, a Valley Oak 

appears to be almost touching limb to limb, or hand to hand. I thought of the Michelangelo painting of the hand of God reaching to touch the hand of man. This is prayer, reaching out to make contact with the Creator, Abba Father.

Isa 55:12  For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands

The morning sun moves through the trees spot lighting objects as it shines. These leaves were illuminated. Sometimes the Lord will illumine our Spirit mind to see and hear from Him. I love these walks in the park.

Luk 9:27  But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. 

Luk 9:28  And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 

Luk 9:29  And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 

The Jimsonweed is also called the angel's trumpet.

1Cor 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

 I was intrigued by the grass like plant, so I

 let my imagination loose...a Ferris wheel or fireworks?

Luk 17:24  For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. 

Luk 17:25  But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 

Compelled to Speak

Amos 3:8  The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

Like a burning fire in my heart... 

Jer 20:9  Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

Power of the Spirit to speak...

Micah 3:8  But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.

We must declare God's message... 

Peter...Act 4:20  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Woe is unto me , if I preach not the gospel...

Paul...1Co 9:16  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 

Increase our faith LORD...
 

You must believe God and trust in him if you are going to speak for him. God's word is true, all of it. The only thing lacking is our faith. LORD help me to speak your truth to those who want to hear.

Life Lessons

I put a pot with a hole in the bottom over a mimosa tree plant that I cut off last year. The plant followed the light through the hole and grew in the light as if the obstacle was not there. We need to be as focused as this plant, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the light of the world and not be deterred by the obstacles around us in this sinful world.

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

A struggling fly in a pool of water made this interesting design pattern. With an action there is a result. Our lives put out waves to those around us attracting attention. May we use our time to plant seeds for the kingdom of God.

Isa 55:10  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

As I walked by the river I heard a boat coming as I caught the speeding boat, I see that it was the sheriff in pursuit. He was putting action to his plan. The law has to be enforced.

Hos 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. 

Further along the river trail is a place of solitude with a bench. This serves as my altar at times, a place to commune with God and to make plans. Our plans must be His plans if they are to prosper.

Jer 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. 

These wild grapes speak to me of bearing fruit for God. There are ripe grapes and immature grapes as well as older raisin like grapes all together in one bunch connected to the vine. They are like the people of the church, altogether but of differing maturity.

John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

I saw this little oak branch today and it brought to mind two things. The first is the deep root that these oak trees put down. We are to be rooted and grounded in God's word. Secondly, I recall a young lady named Linda who was saved through our online ministry from a bad life. I had named a giant oak as her oak tree. The giant oak fell in a storm and at my house was a tiny oak plant that the birds had planted. I said to her that she has another oak tree with her name on it. I never heard from her since that day in 2003, but the oak tree in my back yard is now  about 30 feet tall. The Valley Oak has grown tall and is a reminder to pray for this girl and for all who we have had contact with in our ministry. 

1Ti 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 

1Ti 2:2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 

1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

Foolish Wisdom

This lesson was first shared in 2002. 
 
1 Cor 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

In visiting the Christian Chats last night, my spirit was grieved with all the rooms being filled with Pagans and other ungodly people trying to destroy the Christian faith. They selected certain scriptures, then applied human (and demon) logic to mock the word of God. No matter how many other verses were used to explain their question, it fell on blind eyes. They were there to destroy the Christian rooms. Every room was filled with them. Where will the true seeker find the truth today?

Prov 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Prov 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Prov 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Many do not fear the LORD, but mock him and those who speak his words. Some of this is from the use of drugs and alcohol that invite demonic possession.

1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 Cor 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Their thoughts are empty glorying in their own shame. The Psalmist spoke of vanity:

Psa 62:9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

As I observe the chats today in 2013, there is little change, only fewer Christian chat rooms and fewer people that come to the rooms. Our nation is in worse shape and even in less unity than it was just months after 2001 and the twin towers. We who are Christians are to find common ground to agree on, and not to publicly be in disagreement. Truth is, not all who say they are Christians are Holy Spirit filled believers, some just need to grow. We are not to exchange harsh words.  All humans are to be respected because God originally made them in his image. We are to show love , for by love the heart is softened. We are to speak the truth in love.

1Pet 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 

Diotrephes and Demetrius

Diotrephes and Demetrius, which are we most like?

3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
3 John 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

This was a shepherd with the heart of a devil. We must not be under bondage to such a man.

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Is the shepherd you follow hospitable? Does he love people with a humble heart? Does he preach the truth? This is required of a Pastor.

3 John 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

Demetrius was a respected man of good report. It is important to be of good report if we are followers of Jesus. Many by their fleshly ways claim to be Christians and bring a bad witness to the name of our Lord.

Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Wherever the Bible is read these two men shall be spoken of. Are you a loving and caring shepherd or seeking to be the focus, jealous of others and lording it over the flock of God? Demetrius had a good reputation and spoke truth. Let us love one another as Christ loved us living holy separated lives and speaking the truth.

Precious Saints

The saints are the sanctified of God, those set aside for his purpose. A holy people loved by the LORD.

 

1Sa 2:9  He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

 

Psa 37:28  For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psa 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

2Ti 4:18  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

tin

Mat 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.  

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

There were old testament saints and the Lord has a holy people now through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. A holy people keeps from idols. Our bodies are the temples of God because the Holy Spirit dwells in those who are saints. 

 

Rev 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Rev 14:13  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

 

Stay faithful and stay in the holiness of the Lord Jesus Christ, ye saints of the Lord.

Preaching of the Cross

1 Cor 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Yes, Paul is an example of the correct way of witnessing. Not talking about salvation by water baptism but of the cross, the gospel message. Not by man's wisdom but by the word of God. His truth spoken by the Spirit of God. Oh how the enemies of Christ oppose the word of God. They oppose and discredit the one who speaks the word. They want you to use your own thoughts and opinions, which are easily mocked. Do not try to justify yourself by your own words, instead speak the powerful word of God. Don't be fooled by satan's tactics, continue to speak God's word to those who will hear. Keep the focus on Christ crucified. (I Cor 1:23)

1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The blood shed by Jesus on the cross of Calvary paid for our sins. We must believe this and receive Jesus as our Lord and savior. There is no other way that our sins can be forgiven.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The worldly wise think they know more than God; by doing this they become fools because they do not fear God nor respect his commands.

Psa 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

We are saved by the power of God through faith in Jesus' name.

John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

1 Cor 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1 Cor 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

The world's wisdom is always changing but the word of God endures forever. To argue with God only shows your unbelief. We must accept God's word by faith for It is truth. Many prophecies have come about to prove the truth of God's word. God stands behind his word,  It is truth and those who believe are filled with the Spirit of truth.

2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Tim 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

1 Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

We believe and are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. We are to share this truth and salvation by preaching and witnessing to the lost.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We are called to deliver people from satan's bondage by preaching the cross. There is no other way to be saved but by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Holy, Holy, Holy

God is a holy God we are to come to him with thanksgiving and praise in Christ our righteousness.

 

Isa 6:1  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isa 6:2  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
Isa 6:3  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isa 6:4  And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Why three holies?  My thoughts were that God is in three persons, that some refer to as the Trinity. The Bible says that three are one God.

 

1Jn 5:7  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Last Sunday the brass ensemble that I was with played the beautiful hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy with a full; choir. It was beautiful to worship God in this way. This sharing about the holy Trinity is not to argue doctrines and words, but to glorify God with his people. We are to come together as one body of Christ to worship him in Spirit and in truth. Psalm 150, the last Psalm is to wake us up to Praise God with all that we are.

 

Psa 150:1  Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Psa 150:2  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Psa 150:3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Psa 150:4  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Psa 150:5  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Psa 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

 

Let every thing that has breath , praise the LORD!

 

 

The Prayer of Faith

THE PRAYER OF FAITH

The prayer of faith

Is the power in man

That moves God to

Supply their needs. 

By it's mighty force

A mountain may be moved,

Even the mountain of 

Accumulated sins.

The prayer of Faith

Will bring a New Birth

Giving life to the spirit again.

The prayer of faith

Will invite the Spirit of God

To come live in the conscience 

Of men.

The prayer of faith

Can heal the bodies of those

Who are crippled by 

Sickness and pain.

The prayer of faith

Lifts them up once more;

Makes them perfectly whole again.

The pray of faith 

Is the power in men

That moves God to 

Answer their cry.

It gives assurance to them,

That in Jesus the Christ

They never, no never will die!

The prayer of faith

Is a power within:

Our confidence in 

Jesus our Lord:

That enables a man

To declare by faith;

Through it I can 

Overcome all.

"So faith cometh by hearing,

And hearing by the word of God."

Hiram D. Bennett

April 11, 2002

Hiram was a friend of our ministry, a personal friend and retired pastor from Missouri. His wife Jean was a Sunday School teacher.

Hospitality

These are character habits that are to be found in those who are Christians. Jesus gave his all for us and we can show his love to others.

Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

You mean giving money or material needs to others in the faith? Yes, if in need. In America with easy welfare, this has not been as much a need, often the needs are met by the government, but if that stops we should be there. The church should be aware of needs, for some will not ask.

James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

given to hospitality.

This literally means, to pursue people with hospitality. My mother was an example of this. The coffee pot would go on as soon as a person came to the house. Cookies or cake or pie would be brought out. They would converse, and then if late her "Southern" hospitality would ask the guest if they wanted to stay all night.

Our church is open once a month for a seniors fellowship where hospitality is provided by the church and also the members who bring food to share with all. Combine this with brotherly love and God's love and anyone would feel welcome, even if they don't have an AARP card....

Let's take this to a spiritual level. Is Jesus welcome in your house, in your mind and heart? If we are to continue in faith he must be found in us. We need to entertain his presence and depend on him. If Jesus is preeminent in our mind and heart then we will be Holy Spirit led. We will know of needs around us even witnessing to that woman at the well in John 4. This hospitality goes beyond a cup of coffee, friendly hospitality can lead to sharing the gospel and a new life to be born into the family of God.