Sufferings

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 

1Pe 4:13  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 

1Pe 4:14  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 

1Pe 4:15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 

1Pe 4:16  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.  

Two kinds of sufferings. There are the sufferings of pain in the body and there are the sufferings of the emotions caused by unkindness and or rejection.  A Christian can be a witness in how he or she goes through times of bodily pain.  We are not exempt from the things that come on all others. When Jesus went to the cross he suffered excruciating pain in body and also rejection. He did this so that we may be forgiven by God of our failings. Think of pain as a test. God knows the pain you feel and we look to him for relief.  Who knows but what you are going through may be the way that others are drawn to Christ Jesus?  

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.  A childhood saying.  Truth is, words do hurt.  May we learn to not use hurtful words? If we suffer for doing wrong? That's our fault.  If we suffer for doing what is good and right, then you are in the sufferings of Jesus. Rejoice in this. You will be rewarded by God because your life would bring glory to Him.  Are we to look for ways to suffer? Are you crazy? Haha, God loves you, isnt that enough? Give your life to Jesus and he will give you grace and mercy to live an overcomers life.

My Jesus, I Love Thee

Love For One Another

My parents would often hug each other and kiss. My brother loved to see this show of affection.  Love and forgiveness is what defines a Christian.

John 13:34  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 

John 13:35  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

John 15:12  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

John 15:13  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 

John 15:17  These things I command you, so that you will love one another. 

John 15:18  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 

John 15:19  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Whoa, the world hates you if you are a Christian and love others?  Often that is the case. The god of the world's thinking is the devil. If he hates our love what would he approve of? He wants what God despises. Here is a list of things that God hates:

Pro 6:16  Here are six things that the LORD hates—seven, in fact, are detestable to him: 

Pro 6:17  Arrogant eyes, a lying tongue and hands shedding innocent blood; 

Pro 6:18  a heart crafting evil plans, feet running swiftly to wickedness, 

Pro 6:19  a false witness snorting lies, and someone sowing quarrels between brothers. 

The things that God approves of are the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

Gal 5:23  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 

Gal 5:24  Now those who belong to the Messiah Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. 

Gal 5:25  Since we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also be guided. 

Gal 5:26  Let's stop being arrogant, provoking one another and envying one another. 

Prayer:  LORD GOD I ask for a new heart that does good. Jesus is the way and I believe that he died to pay for my sins. Create a clean heart in me and give me the Holy Spirit so that I may be able to do what is good and pleasing to you. Amen

Love Lifted Me

Give Thanks

There was rejoicing and dancing upon the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Israel after it had been captured and in enemy hands. The presence of the LORD in the Ark was a curse to those who served other fake gods. To Israel it was the blessings of God to his covenant people. This was a time of Joy and Thanksgiving.

1Ch 16:1  And they brought in the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. 

1Ch 16:2  And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD 

David's Song of Thanks

1Ch 16:8  Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 

1Ch 16:9  Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! 

1Ch 16:10  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 

1Ch 16:11  Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 

1Ch 16:12  Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, 

Israel was chosen by God to be the people of his promises.  Their covenant was based on the law and the prophets. The Christians through the blood sacrifice of Jesus are under a New Covenant.  Salvation is by faith in him, by which we receive his mercy and grace. He made the way for us and we need only believe in him.  We have much to be thankful for and my prayer is that our nation returns to trust in the God of our fathers.

Thanksgiving Medley

In His Hand

I care about you and want you to enjoy your life.

3Jn 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 

We want to protect our children, both in our familes and also those we may be encouraging in their spiritual walk. The Bible shows us the way of truth.  Jesus spoke to us that he is the way to God, the truth and the life. (John 14:6) The Bible says that we all have a sin nature that we were born with. (Romans 3:23) The good news is that we are to be spiritually reborn through faith in Jesus Christ.

John 3:3  ... “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

If Jesus is not in our heart, then we make foolish decisions.  We need the Spirit of Jesus to discern what is right or wrong. To know what is good or evil we need the words of truth from God in the Bible. The world is evil, but Jesus has overcome the world.

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

Take the hand of Jesus by trusting in him. and walk with him in this life and he will bring you to God.

Mat 7:13  “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 

Mat 7:14  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 

Pray with me:

Lord Jesus, I want to walk with you to everlasting life. Please forgive my sins and remove them from me. I want  to learn of you and  need your help to make  wise decisions. Thank you for loving me. Amen

Jesus Hold My Hand

The Miracle of the Garment Maker

My mother was a quilter. I have one of her quilts on my bed. As a child my favorite quilt that she made had smiling puppy dog squares on it My wife was a wonderful crocheter and quilter and my daughter is a knitter and crocheter.  I have extended family that are  talented sewers and seamstresses.  In this Bible story about the death of seamstress named Tabitha, Dorcas;  her name meant Gazelle. She must have been a fast sewer, so important to those around her that she was raised from death.

Act 9:36  Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 

Act 9:37  In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 

Act 9:38  Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 

Act 9:39  So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 

Act 9:40  But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 

Act 9:41  And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 

Act 9:42  And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 

Tabatha was a believer, a disciple of Jesus. Peter, an apostle by the will and power of God prayed for her and God raised her from death. Our church ladies make lap robes that we give to shutins and those locked away in rest homes.  These gifts   bring hope and life to them. Thank you for using your gifts.

Thank You LORD

The Water and the Blood

There were a group of people in the early church and still today who were called the Gnostics. They taught that Jesus was a spirit and did not come as a human. The apostle John speaking by the Holy Spirit affirmed that Jesus was a real man, whose father was God in heaven. He came from eternity in the form of a man to save people from the darkness of hell and to give them life with God forever. His blood was shed as the atonement  for our sins.

1Jn 5:6  This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 

1Jn 5:7  For there are three that testify: 

1Jn 5:8  the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 

1Jn 5:9  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 

Jesus was baptized to identify with humanity. The baptism of John was to be immersed in water as repentance for our sins.

Mat 3:13  Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 

Mat 3:14  John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 

Mat 3:15  But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 

The blood refers to the blood spilled as Jesus willingly went to the cross to be our atonement for sins. The Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth,  agrees with the word of God and witnesses through those who have faith. The Bible is true, even those parts that we do not understand completely. Jesus is both God and a man and to finish the thought , the Holy Spirit is also God in Spirit. One God in three persons. How can it be? It is in the Bible; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Any unanswered questions come through prayer, study of the Bible and you can ask Jesus when you are home with him.

I know that God has given us truth in the Bible. It is all true. The truth seeker will be found by God, cleansed through the blood of Jesus and indwelt by the Holy Spirit of truth. The world is controlled by the spirit of antichrist, but that is another topic.

How Can It Be

 

The Cross

Our faith should accept the Bible as absolute truth. It starts from the beginning.

Gen 1:1  In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 

The devil thought he had taken care of Jesus by  death on  that cross, but God used this as an acceptable sacrifice for all our sins.  

1Co 1:18  For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

1Co 1:19  For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 

1Co 1:20  Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 

1Co 1:21  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 

1Co 1:22  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 

1Co 1:23  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 

1Co 1:24  but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 

1Co 1:25  For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 

No contest, you believe in the truth of the cross or you believe the lies of the world. By faith in Jesus you overcome the world and it's sins. The wise in God choose life in Jesus who is risen from death to eternal life. Call to God now and be saved by faith in the finished work of Jesus.

The Old Rugged Cross

The Prodigal's Brother

It was not fair to the younger son who had remained faithful, working on the farm, that his older brother should again be favored, even after he had blown his inheritance. Tradition favored the older boy who received a larger inheritance. Do not feel hurt if one of your siblings is favored. All are loved and have a purpose to fulfill. We certainly should not prevent a lost brother from being received again. Jesus came to save the lost.

Luk 19:10  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

Luke 15:25  “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 

Luk 15:26  And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 

Luk 15:27  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 

Luk 15:28  But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 

Luk 15:29  but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 

Luk 15:30  But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 

Luk 15:31  And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 

Luk 15:32  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” 

This parable was addressed to the religious leaders, who looked down on sinners and did not lift a finger to help them. Often a lost sinner is more worried about what people think, and use that as an excuse to not come to Jesus and to be forgiven and their sins removed.  Listen, the devil is in control of the wicked people who want you to fail. God sent his son to die in your place. Do not refuse so great a salvation. We should care more about what God desires, then foolish people. Come to Jesus and be made over again to be like him.

Oh To Be Like Thee

The Prodigal Returns

I had a season when I was discouraged and left the Lord and had gone out into the world. The wonderful news is that he never left me and when I returned there was rejoicing in my heart, and perhaps in heaven too?  The story of the prodigal son, is where the eldest son asks for his inheritance from his father. Upon receiving it he wastes it on his lusts and soon he was starving and he had no friends. To a Jew a pig was an unclean thing, but he had  a job with no pay feeding the pigs. He finally came to his senses.

Luk 15:17  “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 

Luk 15:18  I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 

Luk 15:19  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 

Luk 15:20  And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 

Luk 15:21  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 

Luk 15:22  But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 

Luk 15:23  And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 

Luk 15:24  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 

Friend, the Father in heaven thinks the same of you. Come home and be received by your heavenly father. Jesus' shed blood still has paid for your sins. Receive him and he will receive you. Oh how happy we will be and we will spend eternity with those we love in heaven.

Come Home

Will You leave me too?

666 is the mark of the beast. In Revelation it speaks of taking the mark so you can buy and sell.  It has deeper meanings, for all those who take the mark in allegiance to the devil are cut off from God and heaven.  John 666 interestingly is about people leaving Jesus. In the last days there will be an apostasy, many will leave Jesus for the world.

 John 6:63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh accomplishes nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 

John 6:64  But there are some among you who do not believe..." —because Jesus knew from the beginning those who weren't believing, as well as the one who would betray him. 

John 6:65  So he said, "That's why I told you that no one can come to me unless it be granted him by the Father." 

John 6:66  As a result, many of his disciples turned back and no longer associated with him. 

John 6:67  So Jesus asked the Twelve, "You don't want to leave, too, do you?" 

John 6:68  Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. 

John 6:69  Besides, we have believed and remain convinced that you are the Holy One of God." 

Jonh 6:70  Jesus answered them, "I chose you, the Twelve, didn't I? Yet one of you is a devil." 

John 6:71  Now he was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, because this man was going to betray him, even though he was one of the Twelve. 

We will not leave the Lord. Where could we go, but to the Lord?

Where Could I Go?

The True Believer

To be a Jew one is born into a Jewish lineage or is converted to be a Jew. Basically it is a law keeping religion, but so much more.  

One cannot be a Christian by being born into a Christian family. One has to believe in God and His son who died for our sins. Each one must believe to be a Christian. It is not by law keeping but by faith that grace is given to become a Christian. We obey God after we are converted. Jesus came unto his own, the Jewish people by birthright.

John 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 

John 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 

John 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 

John 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

Jesus came unto his own people and they did not receive him. He then came to the other nations through his witnesses who preached Jesus, the way , the truth and the light. No one comes to His Father, God, but by believing in Jesus who paid the price for our sins. We cannot earn salvation, it is a free gift through faith in Jesus.

Much has remained hidden to the Jews regarding Jesus as their Messiah. But do you know that the true Jew is one who has believed in their Messiah?

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 

Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 

Only Jesus kept all of the laws. He was without sin and took our sins upon himself, dying and coming back to life again,  so that we may be made righteous by faith in him. This is for the Jew and all others by faith and it is the work of God in us.

The Solid Rock

Death of a Loved One

 Some things are hard to talk about. The death of a loved one is something we have to face. We can rejoice in our memories or  in the other extreme.can just feel  sorry for ourselves or just shut down and feel nothing. Death gets our attention, forcing families to come together.  But, isn't that a good thing? Coming together and loving one another should be what we do in our life . My goodness , thoughts come to me from the Bible, for example Jesus saying some are dead even while living. When Jesus was calling his believers who were to be his disciples. Many made excuses for not following him.  

Mat 8:19  And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 

Mat 8:20  And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 

Mat 8:21  And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 

Mat 8:22  But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. 

Last Saturday we had a memorial service for my nephew Jay.  He died suddenly of a heart attack leaving behind his wife and elderly mother who they cared for.  Although it had been a difficult two weeks, she came to the memorial service at our church and was speaking encouragement and love to us. The grace of God allowed her to be with us that day and we all had such good memories of Jay who was a humble man who had many talents that he shared with us and a sense of humor  He is missed.

Beyond the Sunset

AWANA

There s an excellent youth organization through the church called the AWANA club. The word AWANA stands for a key scripture verse:

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed   A W A N A

My wife, son and daughter were all involved in the AWANA program once a week. The kids competed in games. They memorized scriptures and did crafts. The highest award given to an AWANA member was the Timothy award. Part of the requirement for the Timothy award was to memorize hundreds of Bible verses. I was a leader, my wife was also and she even received the Timothy award. My son received the Timothy award first and then as my daughter grew old enough she also received the award. All the kids memorized scriptures in the King James Bible version.  Sometimes the wording was hard to understand. One such verse was Romans 4:5. If you read the verse in its context it is easier to understand.

Rom 4:3  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 

Rom 4:4  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 

Rom 4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 

It is saying that we cannot be forgiven of our sins and be declared as righteous by our own good works. We are saved by believing on him, Jesus, that justifies the ungodly. We are the ungodly and he makes us right by believing on him. Our faith in Jesus who paid for our sins by dying on the cross for our offenses, is counted for righteousness. We can do no work to be saved from sins punishment, we must believe in the one who took our place on the cross. We then  become the children of God.  After we are saved of our sins, then we do the work that Jesus has for us to do as the beloved family of God. Our good deeds do not save us. Our belief in Jesus saves us from separation from God.  Jesus lives and we will go to him because we believe in him. 

AWANA Song