The greatest thing the greatest man ever did was pray.
King David mightily believed in prayer, He was in constant communication with God.
Psalm 39:12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. 13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Jesus relied heavily on communicating with His Father in Heaven, in accomplishing their plan to bring salvation to mankind.
Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Matt 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
James 5:. . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
12-23-2012 You cannot travel in the wrong direction--
And reach the right destination.
Psalm 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. 4They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.5Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 7And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Matt 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Psalm 1:Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
12-16-2012 THE BLESSED MAN
Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
The first Psalm constitutes a contrast between the godly individual who delights in God’s law, and the ungodly who is destined for destruction. “Blessed” literally means “happy,” and the habits of such a happy one are described as not only avoiding the thought patterns and lifestyle of the wicked.
But also delighting in and obeying the word of God
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
The third verse describes four results of being blessed or happy in the Biblical sense.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
First, “he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water” with the implication being to dwell in a secure, bountiful state. To “plant” actually means “transplanted,” now firmly rooted and provided for, no longer vulnerable, tentative and undernourished.
Second, he “bringeth forth his fruit in his season,” One does not so nourish a tree without any purpose. Here, following the analogy, the godly individual, nourished and protected by his Maker, can likewise expect to accomplish a purpose—in this case to bear spiritual, eternal fruit.
Third, “his leaf shall not wither.” Eternal life is the present possession of all who have been “transplanted” by the Lord. Such a one can expect to faithfully bring forth precious fruit in each season of his life.
Fourth, “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Success in each endeavor undertaken by one whose delight is the Lord can be expected, such success defined by that which brings spiritual maturity, and eternal fruit, and prosperity, as He defines prosperity.
6 “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish”
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
12-09-2012 Christian character is not an inheritance: Each individual must build it for himself.
Christian living is by each putting God & Christ priority and following their word and examples, this is each one’s job to build good character in their own lives. Family and friends can be helpful or a hindrance, it’s your decision and choice.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
In the OT Moses father-in-law advised him about how to be more productive in leading the people of Israel, delegating others to shoulder some of his work with other able men of good character.
Exodus18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
12-02-2012 Nothing is more sublime, more beautiful, more eternally wonderful than God’s grace.
Grace is commonly known to be a gift from God that man did not, cannot and will never deserve. The favor of God is available to man as a gift, and it is a most far reaching gift. The clearest picture of that grace is that of Jesus, God’s Son on the cross for our redemption. Not a one of us can stand up and claim to have deserved that gift, but it is available to every person on earth.
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
This gift is available to all but you have to accept it. By hearing the gospel, believing it, repent and confess Him and follow His command to be baptized thereby receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and His grace that makes up for the short fall that we as humans have. To live righteously to the best of our ability and reach as high as we can, God grace will make up the difference no matter how high we reach.
Paul’s example shows that God’s grace washed away his sins, but only when Paul had obeyed God’s deree.
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
God’s grace cannot be earned, but conditions are given that must be met in order to receive the blessings of that grace. God’s grace is powerful, but there are some things it will not do. That is where man’s obedience to God’s plan comes in.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
11-25-2012 Nothing is more sublime, more beautiful, more eternally wonderful than God’s grace.
03-25-2012 God has not promised us sun with rain, Joy without sorrow, wealth without pain,
But He has promised us His loving care,
Hope for tomorrow, answer to prayer.
Psalm 33:20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Phil 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
03-18-2012 Though God is sovereign and omnipotent,
many believers don’t trust Him to guide them.
Rom 6:16-28 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Many think about obedience on a case-by-case basis, evaluating how the consequences of various choices might effect them. But the Lord desires followers whose lifestyle is submissive—people who have made a deliberate decision to surrender to his will in every circumstance.
When confronted with the idea of absolute submission, many of us are hampered by anxious thoughts: What if the Lord wants us to do something we can’t or don’t want to do? Another common fear is that we wouldn’t have the strength, wisdom or faith to carry out commands He might give. And we’d be right—if we relied on our own resources. But when we commit to obey, God equips us at the right moment to follow where he leads.
One obedient act prepares us for the next. Each step of faith shows us that God not only supplies the tools and preparation for doing His will. He also handles the consequences. In spite of the Lord’s faithfulness, however we sill take a misstep every now and then. We’re not alone. As Scripture reveals, even saints’ lives include occasional rebellious acts, because obedience is a learning process, Jesus rebuked Peter several times, but he continued to train the disciples in righteousness.
Both our successes and our failures teach us how to live a lifestyle of commitment. Be we must first make a decision to follow God regardless of the outcome. His sovereignty demands our obedience, as was Jesus example,
Heb 5: 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
03-11-2012 Courage consists not in blindly overlooking danger,But in seeing it and conquering it.
Psalm 31:23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. 24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Noah displayed much faith and courage, knowing from God that a major flood would destroy everything, in facing danger he with great courage followed God’s instructions to the letter the saving of eight souls and a sample of all animals and fowl to let the earth have a new start in seeking and doing God’s Will.
Gen 7:7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. 2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. 3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. 4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. 5 And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.
Joseph faced much danger, but his faith that the Lord was with him gave him courage to conquer each danger becoming stronger each time.
Joseph explained to his brothers his position in being the Lord’s servant.
Gen 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
Stephen’s trust and faith in following God’s direction allowed to him to face the danger to his life with courage.
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Let us gain knowledge of God’s Will and with abiding faith and trust face our uncertain life with great courage.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
3-4-2012 What kind of light are you?
In Matthew 5:14 Jesus says that “You are the light of the world…” He doesn’t say that we should be, ought to be or even must be. Rather he says that we are, in fact, the light of the world. Whether we want to be or not makes little difference. The only choice we have is what kind of light we will be. Let’s consider some possibilities.
There is the person who has one refrain for anything that is unfamiliar, “Put a stop to it!” Anything new, anything different, anything that departs from “The way we’ve always done it” is considered wrong, and he does his best to put a stop to it. This attitude is much like that of the disciples who wanted to stop a man from driving out demons because he was not known by them. Jesus’ response was, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:49-50)
A Green Go light. This person goes to the other end of the extreme. Every suggestion has his support. Whatever someone else wants to do, he is behind it. He tends to accept the tree without inspecting the fruit. He is the type of individual who is :blown here and there by every wind of teaching” (Ephesians 4:14)
A Yellow caution light. This is the person who is not willing or able to take a firm stand on anything. He has very little commitment and his devotion wavers. This person does not try to stop things nor does he try to support things. He stands squarely in between. Like his counterparts in Laodicea, he is neither hot nor cold (Revelations 3:15-15)
A flashing light. A flashing light comes on and goes off. This individual is sometimes “on” spiritually an sometimes “off”. He seeks to serve God at times and then turn around and serve himself. He does not realize that it is impossible to serve two masters .
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
A Beacon. A beacon is a light that guides people to safety. That is the work of a Christian as outlined in Matthew 5:14-16. We are to be lights which guide the lost of this world to safety in the Fathers arms.
A note of caution is that while we are to be beacons in this world, we must take care to be the right kind of beacons. Las Vegas has beacons in the form of neon lights that guide men and women in the path of worldliness. We, however, must be lamps unto their feet on the path of righteousness, guiding them with the pure Word of God. David’s oath to God in Psalms should be our attitude and desire.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
2-26-2012 The ties of friendship begin to slip the moment
You begin to pull on them
Illness and need can often make so-called friends pull away.
Psalms 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. 9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. 10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. 11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from ny sore, and my kinsmen stand afar off.
Our attitudes and actions is often the cause of losing friends or gaining them.
Proverbs 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Herod misused his position as a so-called friend and reaped the consequences.
Acts 12:20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Jesus’ knew that his chosen disciple and so called friend would harken to Satan and fulfill prophecy by betraying him. David refers to it in Psa 41:
Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. 10 But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. 11 By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. 12 And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.
John 13:26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what he spake this unto him.
Luke 6:16 ... Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
2-19-2012 The soul without prayer is like lungs without air! Paul in his teachings to the church at Ephesus, asked for prayers on his behalf in spreading the gospel. Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, Col 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. 2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Matt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN 2-12-2012 Commitments are keys that unlock doors to great opportunities. Commitment is a pledge or promise to do something; To dedicate yourself to some long range course of action or involvement such as Paul did in serving God through Christ to the best of his ability. Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.Paul encouraged Timothy to have commitment and dedication in living a righteous life and in sharing the Word with others. 2 Tim 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.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. 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. MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN2-5-2012 You do not choose when you’re going to die or how.You can decide how your ’re going to live!
Life is a time of choices on how we live our life on earth and the consequences.
Eccl 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Psalms 49:6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) 9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. 10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Prov 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
Paul gives us good admonition:
1 Cor 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 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! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Phil 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
1-29-2012Garments of righteousness never go out of style! Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Matt 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
1 Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
1-22-2012THINK ON THESE THINGS! AND DO!! King David in Psalms 101 lists things for himself to think on and do.
Psalms 101:1 A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. 7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. 8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Paul advised the church at Phillipi what he has learned in his service to God.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
01-15-2012 Giving up means abandoning God’s helpfor our own puny strength.Man often tries to manipulate a situation or simply avoid pain. In essence, were choosing to believe that Satan in his worldly power is stronger than Christ within us—which is the exact opposite of what the Bible says is true.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
` Of course the Devil is not more powerful, but we let him win a battle if we give up on the assurance that God will see us through difficulty. When we have that attitude we miss the father’s blessing and limit our usefulness in His kingdom.
Thankfully we serve a God who feels our pain and knows our limitations first-hand. Jesus Christ walked through the valley of the shadow of death and cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) This means that when our faith is stretched to the breaking point, our strength is exhausted, and our dreams are broken like shattered glass, Jesus understands. And he asks us to hold on to our faith when everything in us screams to give up.
Per Paul:
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
01-08-2012 We may face situations beyond our reserves, but never beyond God’s resources. Jesus, son of man, but son of God on earth, faced a situation that none other will face. He is an example of what our attitude should be. Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Jesus told the father with a sick child and in answer to his disciples questions..
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
Paul faced many dire situations and dangers, at one point was even left for dead. But he believed and knew that whatever God’s will was, that would happen.
Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Belief in God’s love and care is the answer for us.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
01-01-2012 Never think that when you sin it injuries you only. Mankind, in his human nature, often thinks that he is important and an individual answerable only to his own actions. The Bible shows us differently. Sin is disobedience to God, He cannot exist where sin is.Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat Eve led Adam also to sin and in so doing bought the effects of sin upon all mankind and caused the separation of man from God, 2 Sam 11:3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. 5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. David, in his power as King, succumbed to his lust and sinned, affecting Bathsheba, the death of Uriah, her husband and death of the child of their union.Matt 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. (Jesus, the son of God) Judas, in his desire for money, betrayed Jesus and as a result Jesus was crucified on the cross. He ended up taking his own life but his actions affected his fellow apostles, Jesus’ family and all mankind. We as human beings are Satan’s target and it is almost impossible not to sin which in turn affects others, but with God’s plan through His son Jesus’ sacrifice of his earthly life giving grace, man can gain and maintain his relationship with God. Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace MAY GOD BLESS JEFF & JOAN
