A Living Sacrifice

In this life we are to be made into the image of Christ. This prepares us for the eternal life with him in glory. Several of my friends from our MPJ Bible and Prayer Fellowship have gone ahead to Jesus.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1 and 2  are very important verses and should be put to memory. Our Christian walk is one of service, first we must be willing to put to death the old nature. It is only possible by his mercies and by his Holy Spirit. We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and separated unto God. We cannot sacrifice an unclean sacrifice, we must live a clean and pure life to be a sacrifice. We offer ourselves and ask the LORD to remove anything that offends. Changing our behavior is necessary to live a holy life, an acceptable life and if we are His people we will not desire to sin.

Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

We are to die to our sin nature and walk in the Spirit of God.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Be not conformed to this world and it's ungodly ways. How can you openly live in sin, the standard of the world, and be living for God? Jesus must be our Lord and master; we serve him doing what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. We cannot do this if we seek our own lusts and desires. We are to serve the master and he gives to us all spiritual blessings.

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Transformed is the same word used to describe Jesus in His transfiguration (Mark 9:2-3); it is a glorious transformation that happens to us! Reading God's word, meditating on it and seeking the face of God is how we renew our minds. (See Phil 4:8)

That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

His will works in us for his good pleasure.

Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

2 Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2 Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is Christ Jesus glorified in your life, or do we seek for personal honor and glory? We serve God and he rewards us if we serve him well. The greatest shall be servant of all.

Mat 23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

We are no longer our own, we are adopted son's serving the master with devotion, thanksgiving and gratitude.

 Eaglewings Ministries

Testimony of Albert Melrose

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.

 Paul is an example of the correct way of witnessing. Not talking of water baptism but of the cross. The gospel message. Not by mans wisdom but by the word of God's truth spoken by the Spirit of God. Oh how the enemies of Christ oppose the word of God. Next they oppose and discredit the witness. 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.

Many fools are becoming antichrists, removing crosses and Bibles from public places. They need a touch from God and grace to receive grace, their eyes opened to the truth.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

We are saved by the power of God through faith in Jesus' name. We are not to trust in our works, for we can offer nothing that is not from God. He has provided our sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is my Savior and the offering for sins; My Lord redeemer, the Son of God.

Ice

 The water on the pool cover was still frozen this afternoon, trapping some leaves and making designs for us to see. 

 Help me out with these images. This one looks like a spider crab. They have small bodies and very long legs. Being a scavenger the Jewish laws call them unclean.

Deu 14:9  These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat: 

Deu 14:10  And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you. 

 I see an "A" for Artist. The LORD is the master Artist, creator and pattern maker.

Exo 25:9  According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. 

 I see a cross and the figure of a man.

Luke 24:6  He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 

Luke 24:7  Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 

Luke 24:8  And they remembered his words, 

Luke 24:9  And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 

Luke 24:10  It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 

 Pyramids appear above the storehouse of leaves.

Gen 41:34  Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 

Gen 41:35  And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 

Gen 41:36  And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. 

Gen 41:41  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 

Gen 41:42  And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 

Gen 41:43  And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 

I see the head of a great fish.

Jonah 1:17  Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 

Luke 11:29  And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. 

Luke 11:30  For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. 

Saint Andrew

In an earlier post of leaves on my car, I could not get this image in the set of pictures. Repeated attempts and my writing would appear blocked and off to one side. I took this as a "no" and left it out of the set. The X of the leaf stems reminded me of the Rebel flag, but it also could be another flag, the flag of Scotland, that is called the Saltire, or St. Andrews cross. It depicts the crucifixion of St. Andrew, Scotland's patron Saint, who reportedly asked to be crucified in a different way from Christ, so they crucified him on an X shaped cross. It was St. Andrew that brought Christian Religion to Scotland. St. Andrew never went to Scotland to preach but after his death pieces of his bones were sent to various places. These the Catholic Church calls relics. Relics were worshiped and eventually a cathedral built in honor of St. Andrew. The flag was made from a battle story where prayers were made and an X shaped white cloud appeared in the blue sky.

This is a lot of religious tradition. If a relic reminds someone of Jesus Christ as the Saviour, then so be it, but we do not worship a relic. Jesus is the Saviour, not religious traditions.

History and lore are interesting and I deeply respect Scotland and her people. But to put our faith in a saint is a Catholic practice. There was little said about Andrew in the Bible, but he was the first Disciple of Christ.

John 1:35  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 

John 1:36  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 

John 1:37  And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 

John 1:38  Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 

John 1:39  He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 

John 1:40  One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 

John 1:41  He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 

John 1:42  And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. 

There are other places where Andrew is mentioned in the Bible. God bless his part in the Biblical account of the Messiah. Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of the church. He is the head of the Church and he is the only begotten Son of God. Let us not worship relics or idols or make a man to take the place of Jesus Christ.

Anniversaries

 

 

My son and daughter in law are about to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. It was only 15 years ago that we celebrated our 25th anniversary. I married Faye who had a handsome three year old son from a previous marriage. He was married at the age of 18 and joined the Marines and was in the Operation Desert Storm war. He is quite a gifted son and a good husband and father who loves the Lord.

 

Thinking back 15 years; this was when we began the Eaglewings ministry online. The Internet was a new thing in 1998 for most people and AOL was the starting place for most people. This gave us a lot of people to chat with and several hundred were led to Jesus.

 

Israel had feasts and Sabbath days to remember. They were to remember their covenant of the law. We are to remember the cross of Jesus and our faithfulness to him. Anniversaries are to remember the good things of the past and covenants that were made. The antichrist spirit is trying to erase the good traditions of our past and to replace them with ungodly laws and sinful ways. We are to remember and keep the things that are good and holy.

 

Jer 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

The Apostle Paul gave us reminders too.

2Ti 1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 1:14  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

We are to remember the good things, the promises made and hold fast to them. My folks were married 65 years and our covenant with Jesus is forever.

Honor from humility

A one eyed vulture was watching me as I walked in the woods. That isn't such an honor to be watched as a lunch. One thing about being older is that sometimes the young men call me sir, giving honor to the years lived. I see others seeking honor by pretending to be something that they are not. The devil is the thief, pretending to be what he is not. It is good to follow God as our master and to follow the pattern of life that Jesus led, but there are no shortcuts, we must follow Jesus in spirit and in truth.

 

Pro 15:33  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

 

Jesus is our example of honour from humility.

 

He spoke his Father's words and not his own. He was humble and obedient even to the cross. Being God, he set down his glory and became a servant, showing us a pattern of the perfect man.

 

Php 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

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.

Psalm 36

When there is no fear of God in a nation and the Christians are no different from the world, then every evil thing is exalted in defiance of God.

Psa 36:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
Psa 36:2  For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
Psa 36:3  The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
Psa 36:4  He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
Psa 36:5  Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
Psa 36:6  Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
Psa 36:7  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Psa 36:8  They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
Psa 36:9  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Psa 36:10  O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
Psa 36:11  Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
Psa 36:12  There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.

Keep me Jesus in your lovingkindness and all who call upon your name. We exalt you LORD God and lift up the name of Jesus. Keep us under your wings and give us grace to bring others to you. I bow before you and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Your finished work on the cross has set me free.

Job's friends

Think of Jesus taking our sins and blame to the cross, being stripped of all that he was and yet having no sin of his own. Most of those who followed him had left him. His friend and disciple Judas, betrayed him with a kiss. Peter, as Jesus had predicted, had denied him three times and had fallen away in sorrow. The greatest friend we have is God. So no matter what your friends do, we have God and we love God and our friends. Our friends are human with human weaknesses as we have. Job's suffering was not helped by his well meaning friends, but we can learn from this ourselves. God's love is so much greater than any feeling or emotion, lust,  or misunderstanding that we may suffer from.

Job 16:20  My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

As Jesus wept for our sorrows and has experienced cruelty, he cares for you who trust in him.

1Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Job 19:14  My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

His closest relatives had failed him because of unbelief. I myself remember those times that I lay in the hospital and my best friends never once visited or made contact with me. We need to be a friend especially when a friend is in need.

James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Job 32:3  Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Do not bring condemnation to a friend. God was upset with Job's three friends, but Job had never spoke against God, he remained faithful. We are not to be faithful to other people by following them in sin, this is wrong. We are to be faithful to God, keeping our self from sin. In this way we becoming a true friend to others.

Job 42:10  And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

A great truth here, when we pray for others we receive favor from God. One night in our Internet Bible chat room we had a woman who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was a mother of four children, she was soon to die and her concern was for her children. On this night we prayed and the woman did not pray for her own needs, but for the needs of her children and for their care. Something happened as she was praying...she felt a warmth from here head down to her feet. God was touching her and healing her. She went to the doctor the next week and they found no trace of the cancer that was there before. Her unselfish prayers for her children brought the compassion of God upon herself. Praying for others brings healing to ourselves. Unforgiveness is not good. Experience the love and power of God in your life, be faithful to God and receive Jesus, who is the only way to God and forgiveness. He is our eternal life and joy. He is our savior from our sins and separation from God. 

2Cor 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Two monuments

2 Sam18:5 And the king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: "For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom." And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders.

6 So the battle began in the forest of Ephraim,

7 and the Israelite troops were beaten back by David's men. There was a great slaughter, and twenty thousand men laid down their lives that day.

8 The battle raged all across the countryside, and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword.

9 During the battle, Absalom came unexpectedly upon some of David's men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great oak, his head got caught. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air.

10 One of David's men saw what had happened and told Joab, "I saw Absalom dangling in a tree."

11 "What?" Joab demanded. "You saw him there and didn't kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver and a hero's belt!"

12 "I wouldn't do it for a thousand pieces of silver, " the man replied. "We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, 'For my sake, please don't harm young Absalom.'

13 And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son -- and the king would certainly find out who did it -- you yourself would be the first to abandon me."

14 "Enough of this nonsense," Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom's heart as he dangled from the oak still alive.

15 Ten of Joab's young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him.

16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel.

17 They threw Absalom's body into a deep pit in the forest and piled a great heap of stones over it. And the army of Israel fled to their homes.

18 During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King's Valley, for he had said, "I have no son to carry on my name." He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom's Monument to this day. (NLT)

 

Two monuments; one to prideful self and a pile of stones marking his destruction.

 

Prov 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Prov 16:19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

 

John 5:44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

 

David may have been a poor father but he loved his prideful son. He did not want any harm to come to him, but the rules of war are different. Joab killed Absalom as Absalom's prideful head was caught in an oak tree limb where he was dangling. An amazing story. All the forest was in the battle, just as God may use the creation to bless us, he can use it to chastize us as well. " ...and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword. "

 

Twenty thousand of Israel were killed because of David's prideful rebellious son. David cried when he heard of his son's death.

 

2 Sam 18:33  And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

This reminds me of Jesus crying over Jerusalem, a rebellious people. 

Mat 23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

As David would have died to save his rebellious son, God's own son Jesus came to die for God's rebellious sons. We humans were created in the image of God, but sin had separated us. The law said we deserved death. God's love sent his Son Jesus to die for us. A son of David died for all Israel and all who would believe in him. Through faith we receive God's grace instead of the law of death. We are saved by the blood of Jesus and by believing that he did this we are forgiven and given eternal life with Jesus and God the Father. An amazing story and it is the truth. Leave the monuments of pride and the grave and look unto Jesus and the cross.

Secret things

Deu 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Hold onto the things that God has revealed to you and trust him for what you do not know. We do have the responsibility to learn what he has told us and to obey him.

Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Job 38:5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
Job 38:6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Job 38:8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

There is so much we are told and yet so much is a mystery. One mystery revealed to us is the church. We are the body of believers, the body of Christ and he is the head.

1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Jesus paid the price for our sins with his blood and we became joint heirs with Christ, the children of God. He died on the cross in my place and has been raised from the tomb to give us eternal life. We have access to the mind of God our father, through the Holy Spirit who is our comforter.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Jesus told us to ask of him and we will receive.

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

Many are going through afflictions. God knows and he is there for you.

Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

We are destined to eternal life with God. Jesus is our Lord and King.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know

Jesus is the way to God; hear him and believe him. We are not to make mysteries out of what is revealed. Everything important to us he reveals to us. Believe in him always and take time to see and understand what he has shown to us.

Jesus First

When we go to our weekly Nursing Home service we ask one of the ladies in the Home to sing for us Christian songs from her childhood. One of her songs is to the music of Jingle Bells. It is called J O Y; Jesus first, Yourself last, and Others in between. How often we put ourselves before Jesus and others. Jesus shared something very painful; his coming death and resurrection, but two of his disciples walk in seeking their personal glory, seeming to ignore his message as if it were not spoken.

Mar 10:33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:
Mar 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Mar 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
Mar 10:36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
Mar 10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Mar 10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
Mar 10:39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
Mar 10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
Mar 10:41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

One great thing about Jesus Christ is that he was available for others who came to him. His needs were ignored by his friends and yet he always cared for others. He was ignored and would be mocked, beaten, tortured and killed. His cup was full. Would you like to share in his sufferings? We may have to, but we prefer to be in his blessings. Remember the simple song to put things in order as a disciple of Jesus. Jesus first, yourself last and others in between. May your Joy be complete; put Jesus first.