24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 18

Day 18 of Luke Chapter 18

Prayer – the importance of prayer.  How is your prayer life today?  Are you trusting on the promises of God? Are you being faithful in prayer?

Luke 18:1 reads: And he spake a parable unto them, to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint, (faint means:  Feeble; not vigorous; not active)

Pray: (Websters Dictionary 1828) To ask with earnestness or zeal, as for a favor, or for something desirable; to entreat; to supplicate.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Luke 18:2 reads: Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:” Do you think the judge prayed?  Do you think the judge came boldly unto the throne of grace? Do you think the judge asked with earnestness or zeal to give him wisdom to judge righteously?

Psalms 67:4 “O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.”

How can one judge people righteously if they do not pray for wisdom from the Lord? After all we read clearly in John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

The word is IF – if you abide in the Lord, if you follow God’s commandments, if you pray faithfully, if you seek God’s wisdom, again the word is IF.  Then, it shall be done unto you.

At times it seems so very simple but yet we fail.  We fail to follow, we fail to pray, we fail to be faithful and, we fail to seek God.  Lord, humble me to be allowed to do your will and abide in you more than me (self). Help me to be in prayer every day not just some days.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day eighteen of my journey through the book of Luke.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 17

Day 17 and Chapter 17 of Luke – from the heart.

Forgiveness – as defined in the 1828 Websters Dictionary-

1. The act of forgiving; the pardon of an offender, by which he is considered and treated as not guilty. The forgiveness of enemies is a christian duty.

2. The pardon or remission of an offense or crime; as the forgiveness of sin or of injuries.

3. Disposition to pardon; willingness to forgive.

And mild forgiveness intercede to stop the coming blow.

4. Remission of a debt, fine or penalty.

 

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Luke 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Wow, what a picture of sin and God’s grace and mercy to continue to love us even though we fail and need forgiveness.  Luke 17 is our standard on forgiveness and how we are to forgive over and over again, just as Jesus over and over again allows us to repent and forgives.  How many times have you repented only to find yourself repeating the same offense.  I don’t know about you but as for me, it’s daily.  Today, I struggled with my tongue.  Why you ask:

Psalm 37:3 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

Psalm 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Psalm 120:20 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

My standard to tame my tongue is to repent and ask for forgiveness and mediate on God’s word.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Lord, as I struggle with my tongue and not abiding by your set of standards, I thank you and praise you for forgiving me and for giving me your words to guide me to correction.  I pray you will help me remember, in times of frustration, to use these verses to tame my tongue. I want to be a shining light for others in darkness and not to hinder this by not leaning on you as my strength to help me control my tongue.  Use me for your will, Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day seventeen of my journey through the book of Luke.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 16

Day 16 and Luke Chapter 16

Luke 16:13 No servant 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.

Today, I want to focus on servant and hate.  Let’s dig into what scriptures says about the two. I think one of the many problems today is too many Christians are trying to serve two masters and failing miserable. Why, because if we use the bible as our standard to live by, which is our truth then we read in Luke 16:13 – no servant can serve two masters. What does this mean?

Websters dictionary 1828 – servant – One who yields obedience to another. The saints are called servants of God, or of righteousness; and the wicked are called the servants of sin.

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

As Christians, we are to yield obedience to God and serve God only.

1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Romans 6:16 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?

Many ask why do you answer questions with scripture, that’s an easy answer as well: scripture answers scriptures and it’s when “man” tries to come up with ones own interpretations is when one can fall from God’s truths and set of standards.

From my study today, I understand by serving God, I will have to live by his commandments alone.  Many times this is where Christians stumble and make their own choices on how to live their life.  We read in Exodus 20 God’s commandments:

Exodus 20

20 And God spake all these words, saying,

² I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

³ Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

⁴ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

⁶ And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

⁷ Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

⁸ Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

⁹ Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

¹⁰ But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

¹¹ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

¹² Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

¹³ Thou shalt not kill.

¹⁴ Thou shalt not commit adultery.

¹⁵ Thou shalt not steal.

¹⁶ Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

¹⁷ Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

And we read in Proverbs 6:16-19 what God hates:

Proverbs 6:16-19

¹⁶ These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

¹⁷ A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

¹⁸ An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

¹⁹ A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

 

Dear reader it’s not easy being a child of God and following him with a world full of “choices” and being “politically correct” but if you remain steadfast in knowing God is merciful and loves you beyond what you can comprehend, it’s then you will experience a joy and peace no one can ever take from you.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day sixteen of my journey through the book of Luke.

My Church Notes- Absolutes

Feb 2, 2020 “The Bible Sure Things”

As always I walk away blessed from my Pastor’s preaching and today hit topics close to my heart. I am very thankful my church preaches from God’s word found in the King James Bible. I am filled with gratitude when God hears my cries for help and answers them with his word.

This morning the title of the message was “The Bible Sure Things”

Although the following is not the sermon but what God has put on my heart to search out and write about to my readers.

Today we are living in times of “fluidity” –

1828 Websters Dictionary states – FLUID’ITY, noun The quality of being capable of flowing; that quality of bodies which renders them impressible to the slightest force, and by which the parts easily move or change their relative position without a separation of the mass; a liquid state; opposed to solidity. fluidity is the effect of heat.

1994 Merriam-Webster states – Gender fluidity is the ability to freely and knowingly become one or many of a limitless number of genders, for any length of time, at any rate of change. Gender fluidity recognizes no borders or rules of gender.

In today’s society, we even have moral fluidity.  At this time does not have a definition found in the dictionary but yet if we google it, it’s easily identified.  As I have found on the site: Ethics Daily – Oct. 15, 2018

Younger generations in the U.S. are more likely to see morality as fluid and changing, according to a Barna Group report released Oct. 9.

When asked whether they agreed with the statement, “What is morally right and wrong changes over time based on society,” 24 percent of Gen-Z (born 1999 to 2015) respondents agreed.

By comparison, 21 percent of Millennials (born 1984 to 1998), 18 percent of Gen-X (1965 to 1983) and 12 percent of Boomers (born 1946 to 1964) did so.

A similar trend was found when presented with the statement, “What is morally right or wrong depends on what an individual believes.”

This view was held by 23 percent of Millennials, followed by Gen-Z (21 percent), Gen-X (18 percent) and Boomers (17 percent).

Generational differences on these broad perspectives were also reflected when respondents expressed their views on specific moral issues.

For example, 61 percent of Elders (born before 1946) said that lying is morally wrong, while only 34 percent of Gen-Z agreed.

Of the five specific issues presented in the survey, the only one without a notable difference between the oldest and youngest generations was regarding the morality of sex before marriage.

Twenty-two percent of both Elders and Boomers strongly agreed that “sex before marriage is morally wrong,” compared to 26 percent of Gen-X, 19 percent of Millennials and 21 percent of Gen-Z.

“Young Americans have come of age in an incredibly complex world with access to more information and ideas than any other generation before them. They are also the most diverse generation in history,” the report said. “These realities have not only broadened their horizons and sources of input, but inculcated a deep sense of empathy. For instance, Gen Z as a whole are generally opposed to challenging others’ beliefs, likely driven by a desire to avoid offense or to acknowledge the value of other perspectives.”

We are now living in a time of no absolutes and everything relative.

absolutes as defined in 1828 by Webster is:  Existing independent of any other cause

relative as defined in 1828 Not absolute or existing by itself; considered as belonging to or respecting something else.

So, what can one do to find truth and where can we find absolutes?   Praise God, we can always rely on God’s word as our truth, set of standards to live by and our absolute.  So how do I know this as truth – easy because God’s word is sure.

1828 Websters Dictionary – sure:

1. Certain; unfailing; infallible.

The testimony of the Lord is sure Psalms 19:7:

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

We have also a more sure word of prophecy. 2 Peter 1:10:

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

2. Certainly knowing, or having full confidence.

We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth– Romans 2:2:

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”

Now we are sure that thou knowest all things. John 16:30:

Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.”

3. Certain; safe; firm; permanent.

Thy kingdom shall be sure to thee. Daniel 4:26:

And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.”

4. Firm; stable; steady; not liable to failure, loss or change; as a sure covenant. 2 Samuel 23:5. Nehemiah 9:38. Isaiah 28:16:

Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.”

And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.”

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

The Lord will make my lord a sure house. 1 Samuel 25:28:

“I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.”

So we say, to stand sure to be sure of foot.

5. Certain of obtaining or of retaining; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health.

6. Strong; secure; not liable to be broken or disturbed.

Go your way, make it as sure as ye can. Math.27:

Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.”

7. Certain; not liable to failure. The income is sure

To be sure or be sure certainly. Shall you go? be sure I shall.

Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure 2 Peter 1:10:

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

SURE, adverb Certainly; without doubt; doubtless.

Perhaps you are thinking, why do I refer back to the 1828 Websters dictionary so often and the reason is simple:  in 2020, I have found we are so removed from God’s truth and set of standards that I need to go back to a time where those standards were seen in our society. And for me it’s shown clearly in the 1828 Websters dictionary that God’s word and set of standards were being used.

May you continue to search the word of the living God and lean not unto your own understanding.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 15

Day 15 and Chapter 15 of Luke

The importance of parables:

Luke 15: 3-7 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Many times I hear others comment, the King James Bible is too archaic or hard to understand and read . However, this parable is very clear to understand: If one is lost don’t you find that one.  Praise God, Jesus is willing to find even one.  All you need to do is receive his gift of eternal love and rejoice in knowing you have the hope in eternal life in heaven.  How does this happen: believe in the gospel: Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, was crucified, was buried, and rose after three days and nights. Then call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save you.

 

Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Acts 2:21 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

And lastly repent.

Websters 1828 Dictionary – Repentence:

REPENT’ANCE, noun

1. Sorrow for any thing done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct.

2. In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.

3. Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.

Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.

Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2 Corinthians 7:9. Matthew 3:8.

Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice, from conviction that it has offended God.

 

Act 8: 20-22 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day fifteen of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 14

Day 14 and Chapter 14 of Luke

Have you been bidden to answer Jesus? Have you rejected his call?

Parable of the great supper and marriage feast

Websters Dictionary 1828 – Parable -A fable or allegorical relation or representation of something real in life or nature, from which a moral is drawn for instruction;

If you have studied God’s word then you know Jesus often shared parables which we can gain great truths and wisdom from. Both the parable of the great supper and the marriage feast will give us a clear picture of being bidden.

Matthew 22: 2-3

vs 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

vs 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Luke 14: 17, 24

vs 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

vs 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Websters Dictionary 1828 – BID, verb transitive preterit tense bid or bade; participle passive bid bidden. [Latin peto, to drive at, to attack, to ask, to desire, to beseech, anciently beto; impetus. Applied to the voice, it denotes utterance, a driving of sounds, which is applied to asking, prayer, and command. Class Bd.]

Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

Are you listening to Jesus? Are you hearing what he has to say? Are you abiding in God’s will?

Psalm 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

Psalm 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.

Are you waiting for an answer, knowing it may take a long while?

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

B – be prepared to hear the truth

I – incline yourself to find the truth

D – don’t rely on man to do the work for you

D – do search God’s word for answers and pray about it

E – enjoy your time and fellowship with our Lord

N – nothing will give you more joy and an everlasting love than to be one of God’s children

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day fourteen of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 13

Day 13 of Luke 13

Lord, Are there a few that be saved?

Luke 13: 23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

1828 Websters Dictionary – strive:  To make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with earnestness; to labor hard; applicable to exertions of body or mind.

Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

 

Psalm 35:1 (A Psalm of David.) Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

 

Proverbs 3:30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

From my studies, I believe the Lord’s answer is not a number but a mere fact to explain oneself.  What are you doing to be sure you are striving to enter the narrow gate in order to follow Christ?  The narrow gate is not worldly pleasures, the narrow gate does not allow for many things to pass through it and the narrow gate is not easy and can be to much for some to abide and strive to enter.  Remember the narrow gate is not good works, since the bible is clear only Christ opens the door to let us come in, we just need to ask and strive to to be Christ like and follow him.

Matthew 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day thirteen of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

 

24 Days and Chapters in Luke – 12

Day 12 and Chapter 12 of Luke

Dear readers:

Life is a balancing act and at times I do so wish I had more hours in the day.  I do have all my notes from my December reading of Luke and just need to find that balance of getting it out to you my readers.

As I continue on day 12 of December 2019 from Luke 12, I am reminded how Jesus warns us about hypocrisy and leaven. Jesus is teaching about the law and for those who don’t follow the law they will be held accountable. We read about the Pharisees who know the law but are not abiding to it.  Do you know Pharisees in your life?

From Websters Dictionary of 1828 – hypocrisy: the assuming of a false appearance of virtue or religion; a deceitful show of a good character, in morals or religion; a counterfeiting of religion. The word leaven: Any thing which makes a general change in the mass. It generally means something which corrupts or depraves that with which it is mixed. This would mean the word unleavened is made without.

Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

We know God’s word is our truth and our set of standard to live by, so why do so many not follow his truths nor live by his standards. One very simple reason, you are not in his word every day to understand his truths and standards.  How will you come to know those who are full of hypocrisy or full of leaven if you don’t know God’s word.  From my studies, I understand the devil is like a lion coming to seek who he can devour.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

From my studies, I understand God takes care of all our needs just as he does the sparrow.

Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

From my studies, I understand our treasures are to be those which will be stored in heaven not here on earth. We come into the world with nothing physical and leave this world with nothing physical. However, we can build our treasures for heaven.

Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

And if you do not know what treasures I am referring to, then start reading God’s word and find out his truths, set of standards and what blessings he wants to pour out on us as long as we abide in him.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

From my studies we are to pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day twelve of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

 

24 Days and Chapters in Luke – 11

Day 11 of Luke Chapter 11

Jesus teaches how to pray and not what to pray.

• Our Father and thy will be done (Webster’s Dictionary 1828 defines will as: Divine determination; moral purpose or counsel) be done – this doesn’t mean my wants or foolish ways but our heavenly Father’s.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

• Give us day by day our daily bread – this doesn’t say more than or less than but simple daily. For me this means to trust, obey and be committed by faith God will provide daily.

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

• Forgive us of our sins and we are to forgive others of their sins against us.

Matthew 6: 14  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: ¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

• Deliver us from evil

If you have studied your bible you know the children of Israel ask God over and over again to deliver them from evil.

Judges 10:15 And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.”

Then God sends his only begotten son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and the sins of the world, so we have eternal life with him, as long as you believe and repent of your sinful ways.

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

• Lead us not into temptation – we have a choice to do right or wrong. Just as we have a choice to take the free gift of salvation. Just as Jesus had a choice to die on the cross for our sins.  He did this because of his love for us and so that none should perish or go to hell or live apart from God.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Praying will –

• keep us from temptation
• keep us in God’s will
• keep us feed
• keep us humble to give God all the honor and glory.

Protection from evil

Reprove our hearts

Admonish our faults and wrong practices

Yearn for others to know Jesus

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day eleven of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

24 Day and Chapters of Luke – 10

Day 10 and Chapter 10 of Luke

Continuing with living by God’s standards and not ours.

vs. 16

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.”

Thinking about the world we live in, I know without a doubt Satan realizes his time is short and Christ will be coming any day.  We read in Numbers how not living in God’s will or standards what the outcome in life will be.

Numbers 15:31

Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.

 

II Thessalonians 1:6-12

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; ⁷And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, ⁸In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: ⁹Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; ¹⁰When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. ¹¹Wherefore 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: ¹²That 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.

But Praise God, for his living word and the standards we have to live by and for Jesus Christ to save those from eternal hell.

1 John 5:2

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. ²By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. ³For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. ⁴For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ⁵Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

In verse 25, we read a question by a lawyer, and in verse 27 the answer which was known by the lawyer, and Jesus confirms this as truth in verse 28. What a joy to understand yet another standard for us to live by in order to be right in God’s will:

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

We then come to the story of Martha and Mary in verses 38 though 42 – which I have blogged about previously and encourage you to take a peek:

https://willow10326.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/living-a-mary-or-a-martha-life

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day ten of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

 

 

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 9

Day 9 of Luke Chapter 9

God will provide. Are you being faithful?

Luke 9 verse 3: And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

Just as Jesus called the twelve disciples to preach the kingdom of God, he tells them to take nothing. This is such a beautiful understanding and a picture to remind us to be faithful beyond our comprehension.  It reminds me of, we come into this world with nothing and we leave this world with nothing.  The key to this for me is to be fully faithful and committed to Jesus no matter what the cost.  I don’t know about you but for me this seems scary and means I don’t have control.  But isn’t this the whole point, to lean on Christ for all of our needs, to fully surrender to our heavenly Father to provide all our needs and to use his power and strength in the process.

In verse 23 of Luke Chapter 9 we read:

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

This provides us with the answer: to deny himself and take up his cross daily. Did you read this……. daily.  Unless we deny oneself and take up the cross daily, we have a very good chance of not getting our needs met or the blessings in which God has intended for us.

In Malachi 2:2 God’s word is very clear about blessings:

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

Upon reading verse 26 and 27, it’s clear to me we are held accountable for our actions and will be judged in the kingdom of God.

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

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

My question to you and to myself- Are you being faithful? Are you denying yourself daily? Have you surrender fully to Christ today? Are you allowing God total control of your life to provide for you?

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day nine of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 8

Day 8 of Luke Chapter 8

Which seed are you?

Luke 8:11

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

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.

Which seed are you?

• You hear God’s word and leave it behind. This is when the devil uses us the most. You are vulnerable for his attacks by all those small enticing lies.  If you are studying your bible, you will remember that Satan is the father of all lies and untruth. Let’s read this in the book of John 8:41-47

Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. ⁴²Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. ⁴³Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. ⁴⁴Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. ⁴⁵And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. ⁴⁶Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? ⁴⁷He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

• You hear God’s word and place it on a rock. You believe but because you have not planted his word in deep soil with firm roots, you stumble and the devil whisks you away back into the world of false promises and lies.  Let’s read: 1 Peter 2:1-5

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, ²As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: ³If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. ⁴To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ⁵Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

In order to grow your seed with firm roots, you need to be in God’s word or you will continue to be as a baby never maturing and needing constant care or protection. You will always be at the devil’s door, as he will try everything to convince you his way is better than God’s.

• You hear God’s word and believe but do nothing with it. These are seeds which are thorns as they bring forth no fruit nor do they get all the blessings which God desires for them.  Let’s read James 1:22-27

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. ²³For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ²⁵But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ²⁶If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. ²⁷Pure 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.

• The last seed has been heard, kept, planted, continually watered with God’s word, uses the Armour of God against the devil and patiently waits for prayers to be answered and to know God’s will. Let’s read: Ephesians 6:8-14

Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. ⁹And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. ¹⁰Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ¹³Wherefore 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. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day eight of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

 

 

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 7

Day 7 – for Luke Chapter 7

Jesus knows your heart?  What is your heart saying to you and others today?

Let’s read about the standard of forgiving based on one’s heart in verses 41 through 43 of Luke Chapter 7:

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

The standard of forgiving based on the heart and not the outward appearance or the one who has it all. In verse 36 through 40, Jesus is given all that the Pharisee has available to eat at his home. One would think, a good meal and a good host asking you to eat with him at his house.  This sounds like a person with a good heart and who is doing the right thing. Yet, in verse 37, a woman is also part of this scene with Jesus and the Pharisee. Based on the words of the Pharisee, she was a woman who was not welcomed as she was considered a sinner.

Well how many times have I been to a home, a fine restaurant or a place and not felt welcomed. Was it do to my clothes, my looks or my talk or my ???? you fill in the blank.

The Pharisee only saw and knew this woman to be a sinner and had already dismissed her. Praise God, Jesus does not dismiss any one due to being a sinner or one’s appearance.  This woman did more for Jesus than the Pharisee could have even thought of: she stood behind Jesus (a sign of being humble), she washed his feet with her tears and hair (a sign of giving what she was capable of giving which was of herself), kissed the feet of Jesus and anointed his feet with ointment (a sign of her humility, the love and kindness was from her heart and she gives her all: tears, humility, hair and the ointment).

Do you think Jesus knew the heart of this woman and the heart of the Pharisee?  Do you think others saw the heart of each? Clearly this chapter teaches us, your good works, good looks, good house, good food and you fill in the blank does not get you to heaven with Jesus.  It’s about your heart? It’s about being humble? It’s about giving your all even when you have nothing to give? It’s about living by a set of standards and sharing it with others?

Our standards are revealed in the following:

Romans 8:24

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Ephesians 2: 5,6, 8 and 9

5-Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6- And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

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

9- Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

I Timothy 1:15 and 2:4,5 and 3:16

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

II Timothy 1:9

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day seven of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 6

Day 6 – Chapter 6 of Luke

Is it lawful? As I proceed in my study of Luke, I am yet reminded why it is so important to read God’s word. It seems we are living in days of confusion and what is right is now wrong and what was wrong is now right.  Wow, I have to admit I am scared at the thought of my children’s children growing up in a world which seems to be heading more and more to untruth’s. I can only continue, to pray, God will open more hearts and eyes to the truth’s he has revealed to us in his living word.

Is it lawful? verse 9:

Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

We are living in a time where men hate each other for those who take a stand for what is right. We live in a time where the truth cannot be spoken as we might offend someone. What a blessing to read the Holy Bible and know it is still so relevant for today. Just as in verse 9, the Pharisees are offended. and then we are taught by Jesus in verse 22 of Luke:

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

Jesus even shares with us, in verse 28, what we should do during these times:

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

We are to bless and pray for them. Really, you want me to bless and pray for those who hate me and my love for you. Yes, child- bless and pray for them.  Why – because of 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.

Yes, here it is the answer found in God’s living word and his set of standards for us to live by. we are loved by God. Again, it’s so very simple but yet so many want to make it hard and complicated. So many want to see something physical today and have an attitude of show me proof.  But guess what God sent proof, in the physical, our Lord Jesus Christ and as we read the story of Jesus, in Luke, even then so many made it hard and complicated. We have fast forwarded life to 2020 and we still are in the same place.

So, yes I will continue to use God’s word as my set of standards to live by and continue to pray for others to do the same. God’s love to story to all of us is beautiful, if we just take the time to read and listen. He has promised us so much and asking for so little, a set of standards to live by.  Let’s read verse: 35

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

If you are willing to let Jesus be your Lord and Saviour, then God will use you to help those who do not see the truth and do not want to live by his set of standards. After all in verse 39 and 45 this becomes very clear:

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Are you willing to lead the blind to truth? Are you willing to bring forth God’s set of standards to live by?

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Will you be the one to build a strong foundation in the word of God to share his truths and set of standards in which we should all live by? God promises us if we build deep and strong on his word, we will not go wrong.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day six of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 5

Day 5 – Luke Chapter 5 as God has revealed to me

When you obey and are in God’s will you will be blessed.  We read this in verse 5, Simon had been fishing all night. Jesus speaks to him and says to try again.  Due to Simon’s obedience he inclosed a great multitude of fish and the net even broke.

With this I think of the hymn which speaks to my heart – Trust and Obey by John H. Sammis

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
   What a glory He sheds on our way!
   While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
   And with all who will trust and obey.
   • Refrain:
     Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
     To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
   But His smile quickly drives it away;
   Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay;
   Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
   But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
   Until all on the altar we lay;
   For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
   Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
   Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
   What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
   Never fear, only trust and obey.

 

Deuteronomy 13:4

“Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”

Will you trust and obey Lord Jesus today?

In Luke 5:31 and 32 Jesus came for the sinner to repent (change of one’s heart or ways).  Once you repent and change, you become new and don’t keep on the old self and ways as read in vs 36:

And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.”

Do you find yourself not at peace?  Perhaps you are still wearing old? Don’t you think it’s time to put on new and find the peace, joy and hope in Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 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.”

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day five of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 4

Day 4 –  in Luke Chapter 4

In today’s reading verses 1-13, the devil tempts Jesus.  What a blessing to know Jesus did not fall for any of the lies or temptations. I know way to many times I fail in this area of life and I believe the lies of Satan. It’s that human nature to want the instant life, the instant gratification, the instant answer, the instant happiness, the instant promotion and not think once of how to pray about it, work for it or wait for it.

Our thoughts even work overtime in ways of reasoning of why it’s alright. It’s alright to eat that extra piece of double chocolate cake with whipped cream and a cherry on top, since I know tomorrow I can work it off with extra exercise.  It’s fine if I don’t have the extra money to pay for this outfit, since I know I will have 30 days to pay it off and then another 30 and another to only have paid enough interest to have bought four new outfits.  It’s fine if I don’t attend church this morning, since I can go tonight. It’s fine if I don’t read my bible today, since I can read it tonight and then tonight comes and I am so exhausted from work I can only read a sentence or two and roll over to fall asleep.  Yes our temptations continue to go on and on but isn’t a blessing to know we have God’s word to help us resist temptations. We have God’s word to help us understand the standards in which he wants us to live by. We have God’s promises he will always take care of our needs and help us with temptations.  Here are only a few verses uncovered:

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 6:11 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Did you happen to read one of the most important aspect of these verses? Read them again and ask for God to open your heart to his truths.  Wait for it, pray about this and then….. it becomes so simple but yet so hard for us to comprehend at the same time.  Now go back to Luke 4 verses 1 through 13 and read…. how does Jesus answer the devil?

God’s word and God’s standards in Luke 4:

vs: 4 It is written..

vs: 8 it is written….

vs: 10 it is written….

vs: 12 It is said…..

And how are we?

John 15:7 if ye abide in me…..

James 4:7 submit yourselves….

Ephesians 6:11 submit yourselves……

Matthew 26:41 watch and pray…….

2 Peter 2:9 the Lord knoweth how to deliver…..

Revelation 3:10 kept the word….

Both disclose to us – actions have to happen.

What a blessing to know Jesus acted in the desert.  We can do the very same thing and by these actions our needs are met and our blessings are seen.

From our reading today in verse 13, the devil departs from Jesus for a season. We know God keeps his promises and Jesus and the devil will again meet. Until this time happens, as read in verses 18 through 43, we are to preach the gospel. And if you don’t know what this means, then search to find the answer from God’s word.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day four of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

 

24 Days and the Chapters of Luke – 3

Day 3 – Chapter 3 of Luke

Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

I rejoice in this verse since God makes it clear – all see, not just some or a few or a nation or a country or a jew or a gentile or a…. it is clearly written ALL. What a powerful verse to know we all have a choice and the same gift given to each and every one of us.  The gift of salvation but with any gift it must be received.  It’s very simple but man and the world tries to make it seems so very complicated.  If you haven’t read my blogs previously or have read a few, by now my hope is you know without a doubt, I love the story of Jesus.

Let’s dig into a few OT scriptures of Isaiah:

Isaiah 52:10

The LORD has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 40:3-5

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Jesus is baptized as we read vs. 21 and 22 of Luke 3. Here again, we read of the trinity.

For some people who state they are Christians, the trinity is either misunderstood or not even acknowledged. But for me and my limited understanding of God’s word and what he has revealed to me, the trinity although hard to comprehend since I am not God nor will I ever have the wisdom or holiness of God, the trinity is real and scripture provides this as truth in Luke 3: 22

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Trinity is stated:  Holy Ghost, voice of heaven=God and I am=God, my beloved Son=Jesus

The deity of Jesus as it is written in the book of John

John 1:1, 14 and 29 and 3:16

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

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.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day three of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

24 days and Chapters of Luke – 2

 

Day 2 – Luke chapter 2

God’s timing and plans

How many times do we move forward with life and don’t wait for God’s answer or his timing.  I know I have more often than not.  I have found troubles before me when I haven’t waited on God’s timing and forged ahead on my own.

We read in vs. 2-7 of Luke 2 – Jesus is born in Bethlehem.  If it hadn’t been for Joseph and Mary being taxed and having to go to Bethlehem. Jesus would not have been born there.

We know by reading in Micah 5:2 – the prophesy of where our Saviour will be born is told – Bethlehem – shall come forth a ruler of Israel, from everlasting. (child in Bethlehem – being the Son of God – everlasting)

We can also read in 1 Samuel 17:12 the lineage of Jesus – David of Bethlehem who is the son of Jesse.

So many times, we have questions but if we dig deep into the word of God, it is there that we will find our answers.  However we must remember to be diligent when reading since it will be on God’s timing to see the answers.  Thus it’s so important to read God’s word everyday and over and over again.  It will be during one of these times God will reveal something new to us that didn’t get revealed or understood the first time reading his word.

Back to chapter 2 of Luke, the importance of this child born in a manger.  Let’s think about this, today more than one child is born a day which most likely happened in the time of the birth of this child named: Jesus.  When we read God’s word to us, he does not tell us about any other born children or give the location of other born children. However, we do read God sends an angel to tell of where our Saviour Christ was born.  (vs. 11 and 12) We read not only the location of Bethlehem but also in a manger.  In verse 13 a multitude of heavenly host praising God.  Again, this one child of all the children is to be the only begotten son and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day two of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

24 Days and Chapters of Luke – 1

Hello Blogging Word- it has been some time since I have written.  I continue to be faithful in my reading and searching what God is revealing to me.  After all, the Holy Bible is my (and yours) personal love letter from our heavenly Father.

I am reminded during Christmas it can be a time of traditions.  Sometimes, these are passed on for several generations and sometimes they begin new with you.  In this case, I have decided to start a new tradition, every year on December 1st, I am going to read a chapter of the book of Luke. My new tradition will be: 24 days and chapters of Luke. This will be a perfect reminder of the birth of Christ and the story of Jesus.  It is my hope to have grandchildren one day but if that is not in my story book of life, then I would like to share my new tradition with my family, friends and the world of blogging.  It is my hope this would bring a blessing to all who take a moment and learn what God has revealed to me for this first annual tradition starting December 2019.  It begins like this:

Day 1 – Luke chapter 1:

Man’s unbelief causes trials and tribulations

It seems to be more and more we live in a world of uncertainty. We are told of  “new”  truths and who determines this as truth.  A world who continues to ask, how do you know God is real, how can you believe a book written so long ago and why is it so important for me to share what I believe are truths and standards to live by.  Let’s take a journey to find out if any answers can be uncovered and how we can be certain of God’s truth.

Man’s unbelief causes trials and tribulations:

• if I didn’t believe in breathing air and just stop the action – the cause would be…
• if I didn’t believe I could jump in a lake of water and swim underneath for hours without any assistance – the cause would be…..
• if I didn’t believe I didn’t need to drink or eat food for days upon days – the cause would be……..
• if I didn’t believe I needed a jacket, hat, mittens and several layers of clothing on a minus degree day – the cause would be…….
• if I didn’t believe setting my hands on a burning grill without protection – the cause would be……

So, how do we know these things above as truth, perhaps we have read it or been taught by school, parents, grandparents or by another way. At some point in your life you found out these as to being truth.  Most likely by faith, of knowing these as being true, you will continue breathing without the thought, use assistance of being under water for a long length of time, use protective gear when going out in cold weather and not intentionally putting your hands on a hot grill.

For me reading the Holy Bible, by faith, is the word of truth and a set of standards I can live by and come to the knowledge of peace, happiness, understanding of trials, tribulations, sadness and wonder of things to come with a hope of eternal everlasting life with my Lord Jesus Christ.  It’s a faith of knowing, I don’t have to understand it all and to be perfectly satisfied with this.

So back to Luke Chapter 1  and man’s unbelief –

We read in verses 5 through 25:  Zacharias does not believe his wife, Elisabeth, would bear a child at her old age. Due to his unbelief, the Lord makes Zacharias unable to speak for a season.

In verse 26 during the 6 month of this same time, Mary is told she would bear a son and his name would be: Jesus.  Now, this is even more interesting since she is a virgin.

Here we read about two men: Zacharias and Joseph and both are revealed truth. For Zacharias his wife gave birth to John the Baptist and for Joseph his wife (who he had never been with intimately) gave birth to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Zacharias has immediate trial and tribulations due to his unbelief, he is unable to speak. However, this only lasted for a small amount of time. For Jesus – he is still seeking for man to believe and understand his truths.

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

In Luke 1:35 we are shown a clear truth of the trinity: Holy Ghost, God and Jesus

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

God keeps his promises in verses 70 through 80 with verse 72 and 73 as written:

To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham.

oath references to Genesis 22:16

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withhold thy son, thine only son

Therefore we have been granted:  as read in verses 74-79 of Luke Chapter 1.

• deliverance,
• knowledge of salvation by remission of our sins,
• and light to guide our feet into peace

May you continue to prepare your hearts to knowing the truth about Jesus and lean not unto your own understanding but search the living word of God.

Thank you for reading day one of my journey through the book of Luke.

Come let us adore him.

 

 

In his name…..

• In his name…
  • there is hope of his promise

As read in: Zachariah 10:12 And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.

Israel will triumph over Egypt as long as they put there hope in Jesus.

• In his name…
  • there is blessing

As we read in: Deuteronomy 10:8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.

What is required for his blessings:

Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

• In his name…
  • there is trust

As we read in: Matthew 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

The design of the gospel is for all to trust in the name of Jesus Christ.  God sent his only begotten son to save all from perishing in the pits of hell.  God’s word can be trusted and his promises are true.

Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

There is no misunderstanding of the gospel, there is no gray area, there is no politically correct about the gospel and no one has disproved the word of God.

• In his name…
  • there is truth

As we read in Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

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

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

• In his name…
  • there is power

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

Mark 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

 

Psalm 49:16 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

In his name…  may you trust in the hope Jesus has given to all of us.

May you continue to search the word of the living God and lean not unto your own understanding.

The Seven Wonders of Jesus

My Church Notes – July 24, 2016

Matthew 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,

Wonderful – (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

WONDERFUL, a. Adapted to excite wonder or admiration; exciting surprise; strange; astonishing. Job 42.

What do you think it was like when Jesus walk on earth?  Did one wonder when those heard of his birth?

Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

What do you think life was like for Jesus while he was on earth?

We read in Luke 23:4 – Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

Even in Luke 4:13 we read:  And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

His message is wonderful.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Without the word of God and the gospel, we have no hope.

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalm 119:81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

Are you reading God’s love letter to you?  The King James Bible

His love is wonderful.

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 15:9,10 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus died on the cross for you.  He loves you so much, he died on the cross, so you should not perish in hell but have everlasting life with him in heaven.

His death is wonderful.

Without his death, we would perish.  Without the gospel, we would have no hope.

Hope – (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

HOPE, n. [L. cupio.]

1. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.

The hypocrite’s hope shall perish. Job 8.

He wish’ed, but not with hope–

Sweet hope! kind cheat!

He that lives upon hope, will die fasting.

2. Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God’s gracious promises; a scriptural sense.

A well founded scriptural hope,is, in our religion, the source of ineffable happiness.

3. That which gives hope; he or that which furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good. The hope of Israel is the Messiah.

The Lord will be the hope of his people. Joel 3.

4. An opinion or belief not amounting to certainty, but grounded on substantial evidence. The christian indulges a hope, that his sins are pardoned.

His resurrection is wonderful.

John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrectionat the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

His return is wonderful.

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Thank you Father God for your living word!

May you continue to not lean unto your own understanding but to search the word of God.

 

Are you on the winning side?

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

My Church Notes- June 26, 2016

Today we read the story in I Kings 18 about Ahab, Obadiah and Elijah.  What a perfect picture of two sides and one is right without a shadow of doubt and then the other finds truth.

18:1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 18:2 And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

The people of Samaria had turned their backs on the Lord and had leaned on 400 prophets of Baal to “get them through the famine”.

18:5 And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts. 18:6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

Ahab and Obadiah try to find the answer without the help of God.  Elijah is being obedient to God and tells Obadiah to go tell Ahab he is present.

18:8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.

However, Obadiah is afraid that Elijah will not stay and then Ahab will have him killed.

18:15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.

As Elijah states, he is present and Ahab sees him. Ahab doesn’t understand why Elijah is there or what he wants. Elijah then confronts Ahab about turning his back on God.

18:18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

Of course, Ahab’s pride gets in the way and wants to prove his gods are “the gods”.  Elijah let’s Ahab try to prove who was really God.  Was it Baals gods or was it the one true living Lord.

18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 18:22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 18:23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 18:24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. 18:25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 18:26  And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 18:27  And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

The scene is set – who will provide the fire?  Who is the one true God?

We see this today over and over again.  One side is right and one is not, those who stand with God and his word can never be wrong.  It’s so simple but yet so difficult for others to see and hear the truth.  The winning side will gain the victory in the end and there is no doubt that is the truth.

18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 18:37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 18:39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

Truth – Webster Dictionary 1828
TRUTH, noun

1. Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. The truth of history constitutes its whole value. We rely on the truth of the scriptural prophecies.

My mouth shall speak truth Proverbs 8:7.

Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth John 17:17.

May you continue to search the word of our living God and lean not unto your own understanding.

Are you a “Whosoever”?

Acts 16:12-15

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

In today’s church notes from June 19, 2016, we read Lydia’s heart is opened by the Lord. In order to understand the bible and God’s word your heart needs to be opened. A closed heart will not hear the Lord, read his words or follow the Lord. Will the Lord open your heart today?

In God’s word we clearly find out how to become a whosoever and allow the Lord to open your heart.

In Luke 14:27 – we need to bear the cross to be a whosoever.

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

In John 3:15, 16 – we need to believe to be a whosoever.

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

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.

In Acts 2:21 – we need to call on his name to be a whosoever.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

In James 2:10 – we need to keep the whole law to be a whosoever.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

1 John 4:15 – we need to confess to be a whosoever.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Are you ready to become a “whosoever”?

May you continue to search the word of our living God and not lean unto your own understanding. If you don’t know how to become a “whosoever” – reach out to me or leave me a comment.  I would be more than happy to show you how.

 

Feast of the Passover – Unleavened Bread

This past several weeks I have been studying the book of Mark, today I am digging deeper into Mark 14:1 and 2

Mark 14:1, 2

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

My two main words to focus on are: passover and unleavened.  How do these words apply to me today as a bible believing saved Christian by the blood of Jesus Christ?

What I love about the bible is the answers are always in scripture.  Scripture answers scripture, when we as a Christian start to rely more on man and less on God and his word, it is then we stumble and fall.

We need to head back to the beginning, in the days of Moses, to learn about the feast of the passover.  Exodus Chapter 12 tells us when the passover is and the details of a the passover.  After reading this we know four important pieces:

1. lamb is spotless and unblemished
2. the instructions are to be followed-the first month and the 10th day and kept until 14th day, killed in the evening, with the blood strike on the two sides posts and on the upper door of the house.
3. the blood is a token
4. eat the flesh in night roast with fire and unleavened bread

 

Passover – (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

P`ASSOVER, n. [pass and over.] A feast of the Jews, instituted to commemorate the providential escape of the Hebrews, in Egypt, when God smiting the first-born of the Egyptians, passed over the houses of the Israelites, which were marked with the blood of the paschal lamb.

1. The sacrifice offered at the feast of the passover.

 

Now let’s look at the word unleavened:

Unleavened – (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

UNLEAVENED, a. unlev’ened. Not leavened; not raised by leaven, barm or yeast. Exo 12.

And let’s look what leaven means:

Leaven – (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

LEAVEN, n. lev’n. [L. levo, Eng. to lift.]

1. A mass of sour dough, which, mixed with a larger quantity of dough or paste, produces fermentation in it and renders it light. During the seven days of the passover, no leaven was permitted to be in the houses of the Jews. Exo 12.

2. Any thing which makes a general change in the mass. It generally means something which corrupts or depraves that with which it is mixed.

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mat 16.

LEAVEN, v.t. lev’n.

1. To excite fermentation in; to raise and make light, as dough or paste.

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 1 Cor 5.

2. to taint; to imbue.

I really like using the Webster 1828 Dictionary – as I find it’s importance to the meaning of words as they pertain to the bible.  As a forward progressive society words lose meaning and change; and with change we need to be reminded of our history and what these changes once were.

By reading 1 Corinthians 5: 6-8 we have a clear understanding of why unleavened bread is used at passover.

Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

How does this relate to me today as a child of God? Are you surrounding yourself with godly men and women who are faithfully serving the Lord with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth? Or are you surrounding yourself with the old leaven bread full of malice and wickedness? As we read in Mark 14:1, 2 both the chief priests and the scribes knew they could not put Jesus to death on the passover or it would cause the people to roar.  So, do you think the chief priests and the scribes were unleavened or leavened?

 

Again, I love how scripture answers scripture by reading 1 Peter 1:18-19

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

To wrap this up in a full circle – Jesus became our passover – he was without blemish, no sin, without leaven and only unleavened. His blood become our token for our SINS, so that we are to have eternal life with God.  To observe the feast was a duty and privileged but until the crucifixion of Christ there was not a guarantee. It’s because of Christ, God’s grace and mercies we have a guarantee of going to eternity with our Lord.

HAVE you submitted to Christ today?

May you continue to not lean unto your own understanding but search the word of our living God. May you find peace in knowing you can have eternal life.

Times of Distress – My Church Notes

My Church Notes- May 22, 2016

1 Samuel Chapter 30: 1-25

VS 6: And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in theLord his God.

Do you go through distress?  How many times do we blame God for our stress?  Why do we blame God for our distress?  Is it perhaps we need correction ourselves or conviction?

Webster’s definition of distressed–  Suffering great pain or torture; severely afflicted; harassed; oppressed with calamity or misfortune.

What kind of day do you have?

1- Mountain Top Days (these are the best brightest days and nothing is wrong and you don’t have a care in the world)

2- Ordinary Days (these are the uneventful, nothing to exciting, nothing is wearing us down)

3-  Dark Days (drudge and despair, confusion and distressed)

Webster’s definition of despair– 1) Hopelessness; a hopeless state; a destitution of hope or expectation. 2) Loss of hope in the mercy of God.

There are times we need to journey through distress or despair in order to allow us to learn something new.  The good news God always sees us through. If we are in the wilderness of life and don’t know where we are or where we are going, we need our Lord to get us through this journey.  Walking this journey alone is not what the Lord intended for us.

We know this by reading his word-

Deuteronomy 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

and

Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

When you are going through a dark day – reading God’s word, writing a poem, reading Psalms which are praises to God or perhaps write a song may help with your dark days.

Frances Jane van Alstyne (née Crosby; March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915), more commonly known as Fanny Crosby, was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. Fanny’s work produced more than 100 million copies printed, despite being blind from shortly after birth. 

“Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home” by Fanny Crosby

1. Jesus is tenderly calling you home—Calling today, calling today,Why from the sunshine of love will you roam Farther and farther away?

   • Refrain:
     Calling today, calling today,
     Jesus is calling, is tenderly calling today.

2. Jesus is calling the weary to rest—Calling today, calling today,Bring Him your burden and you shall be blest; He will not turn you away.

3. Jesus is waiting, oh, come to Him now—Waiting today, waiting today,Come with your sins, at His feet lowly bow;Come, and no longer delay.

4. Jesus is pleading, oh, list to His voice:Hear Him today, hear Him today,They who believe on His name shall rejoice;Quickly arise and away.

In Job we read how he has many dark days, however, we know by reading Job 13:15 he never gave up on God.

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

In Isaiah we read about his dark days, however, Isaiah does not give up on our God.

Isaiah 25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

Have you given up on God today?

May you not lean unto your own understanding but trust and read the living word of God and know he is a good God all days not just on mountain top days ………….but all days.

 

My Church Notes – Who Can…….

Who Can Find a Virtuous Women? (May 8, 2016)

Proverbs 31:10-31 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary states:

VIR’TUOUS, adjective

1. Morally good; acting in conformity to the moral law; practicing the moral duties, and abstaining from vice; as a virtuous man.

2. Being in conformity to the moral or divine law; as a virtuous action; a virtuous life.

From God’s word – Ruth is a virtuous women by reading Ruth 3:11-

“And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”

A woman should strive to be morally good and say “no” to immortality.

A woman should draw in her husband so he does not wander from her.

A woman should do good and not evil.

A woman’s lifestyle can draw in a lost husband to the Lord. From God’s word – 1 Peter 3:7

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”

Thoughts to consider:

Are you a woman who is:

• convicted of God’s word and truth
• use wisdom over foolishness
• use kindness
• control your tongue to gossip or unpleasant language
• cheerful and helpful to others around you

We read in Proverbs 31:19-22 – she is not afraid to do hard work

¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.

²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.

Are you a Proverbs 31 Woman?  If not what is standing in your way?

What women do you think of from the bible, your church, your family or your friends who are Proverb 31 Women?

I pray you take the time to learn the truth from the living word of God and search your heart deep to remove any hindering thoughts or actions of becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman.

May you continue to search the word of our living God and not lean unto your own understanding. 

 

 

 

Go Your Way and Tell

My church notes:  April 2016 – Luke 7

Did you know the Baptist church can be traced back to John the Baptist?

We know from reading the bible John the Baptist is about 6 months older than Jesus and a cousin to Jesus. It was John the Baptist who baptizes Jesus. The calling from our Lord to John the Baptist was to point out to Israel who the Savior and Messiah was and this one called Jesus was here to save the world – you and me.  What a sacrifice and a love that one can’t even begin to comprehend from both, John who ends up beheaded, and Jesus who dies on the cross for us.

How easy it is to have Satan put doubt in your mind? John knew his calling was to prepare the way for the Messiah as read in Matthew 3-1,2.

3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

² And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

John knew Jesus was the Messiah but expected him to immediately save the world.  John didn’t understand God’s timing.  John was a man who like all of us was thinking in a worldly man’s view and not God’s.  How easy it was for Satan to place doubt in John’s mind – this can’t be the Messiah he is not saving man kind. During this time of doubt John was in prison for at least two years and heard of the miracles Jesus was preforming.  John was like we are today, a world which wants instant gratification.  We want, want and want more without ever thinking we may need to wait and wait and wait some more before getting our answers.

We read in Luke 7:19-29

27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,which shall prepare thy way before thee.

28 For I say unto you,Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist:but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans,justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

John’s calling was used in a mighty way.  Remember your calling and God’s will for you might seem unreasonable or you might doubt it, but we know by God’s living word we need to be patient and wait on God’s timing and not ours.

As we read about John the Baptist – a quick fix is not always the answer.  So continue to Go Your Way and Tell – just as Jesus said in Luke 7:22

22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

May you continue to search the word of God and lean not unto your own understanding.

Comments are welcomed and likes are appreciated.

What is a Christian?

My Church Notes:  April 3, 2016

Are you a false Christian?  Are you 100% sure you will go to heaven, when you time is up here on earth?

1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on his behalf.

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.  And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

• In order to be part of God’s family, you have to be born into his family

John 3:3

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

• A Christian’s life will reflect Jesus Christ
  • Do we bear the characteristics of Christ?

It is evident we should humble ourselves as Christ did on the cross.

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humble himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

• What do we practice?
• What do others see when first meeting us or have know us for a very long time?
• What do others hear when we speak?
• Do we pray?
• A Christian will follow the cross no matter what.
  • where do we find the direction – God’s word – it’s the living word of God which will never fail us when man does.

What is a Christian?

• One who has the Character of Christ
• One who is Committed to Christ
• One who is Commissioned to share Christ

 

May you continue to search the word of the living God and not lean unto your own understanding.

My Church Notes – Life

Where did a year go (next month), since, I have taken the time to pour out my heart on my blog.  I know with my new job at the university, my experiences of life certainly moves by like a twinkle of a star.  I know my mom told me, “when you get my age, time will seem to fly right by”.  Well, I guess I finally made it because that’s what is happening.

I decided I will attempt to blog on my church notes- why- because I attend a bible believing, preaching and teaching church.  My advice to anyone who wants to understand and grow deeper with the Lord.

1. Read your bible daily – this will provide you with peace and an understanding which only you will know because God reveals himself to you through his word.  Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 
2. Find a church which preaches the word of God from a King James Bible and not the NKJB. It seems like everyone wants to make the bible better or easier to understand but Jesus answers this in John 18:66 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Many people want their world to fit into the bible to make it right and hence so many versions of the bible.  Do yourself a huge favor – just stick with the King James Bible and know this has outlasted all to be the truest to God’s word when it was translated into English.

June 4, 2017 – taken from John Chapter 1

*Life – verse 4 – in him was life.  Where do we get life from?

• In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 
  

We get life from Jesus.  Read Deuteronomy 30: 19-20

• I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: **
  

  That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

**God never intended for abortions.  Jesus is Pro-life.

Life is the light of men. Jesus provides light to anyone who wants it.

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

Who is – “I Am” – Jesus

• And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:14

Light – how am I able to have light?

• Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Isaiah 50:10

How am I able to know Jesus is a living?

• As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5

The world is darkness – the world represents our lusts, sins, pride and unloving selves, all of which is darkness.  A husband cheats on his wife – lust.  A child hides taking a candy bar from the store and lies to his parents – sins. My boat is the best of the year and can easily out move your paddle boat – pride.  My boss asked me to take on the work load of my co-worker when she will be out for the next 12 weeks, why would I possibly want to do that even if I could- unloving.  And the darkness goes on and on…. only Jesus can provide the light we need to enjoy an abundance amount of peace and joy.

Why do men/women love darkness?

Let’s read – John 3:19-21

• And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

  ²⁰ For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

  ²¹ But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

and – John 12:43-47

•  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

  ⁴⁴ Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

  ⁴⁵ And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.

  ⁴⁶ I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

  ⁴⁷ And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

 

Where are you at in your faith journey with Christ?  Are you in darkness or in light?

May you continue to not lean unto your own understanding but search the word of our living God.

Is Satan Real?

Seven Old Testament books and nineteen New Testament books refer to the existence of Satan.

Upon reading Ezekiel 28:13-19 (paraphrased) all precious stones were prepared the day you were created. You were perfect in your creation until iniquity was found in you. (God’s heart was lifted up because of his beauty) However, you corrupted wisdom by reason of your brightness. You have defiled my sanctuaries by multitudes of iniquities. I (God) will bring fire and devour you so you shall be never more.

In other words, God was proud of who he created. But pride, envy and jealousy got in this creation. Lucifer (Satan) becomes so self-absorbed that he wanted and still wants to be God. He wants all of God’s honor, glory and praise.

We read in Isaiah 14:12-17 (paraphrased) How have you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning.

Lucifer states:

• I will ascend into heaven
• I will exalt my throne above the stars of God
• I will sit upon the mount of the congregation
• I will ascend above the heights of the cloud
• I will be like the most High!

We read in Ezekiel 28:14 Lucifer was the anointed cherub.

In Exodus 25:20 the cherubims stretched forth their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat.

In other words, this was a very important position.

Definitions:

Iniquity: grossly unfair behavior. (Evil, wickedness, wrong doings)

Annoited: chosen (blessed)

In the beginning, we know Satan decides to test his powers of wickedness and deceitfulness on Eve.

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field the Lord God had made.

Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman (Eve), Ye shall not surely die.

Eve was being tested. God had already told both Adam and Eve the law of the garden.

Satan is still alive and working in our lives today – we read in Ephesians 2:2 according to the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.

How do I know Satan is the power of the air? Because we read in John 12:30-32 Jesus answered and said, this voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

In other words, the prince of the air and the prince of this world is Satan.  This is why as Christians were are in a constant spiritual battle.

Upon reading II Corinthians 4:3-6 the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of those who do not believe.

Remember – Satan is beautiful, subtle and very deceitful. He wants to have all glory and power. He wants to be God. He will do anything to get you NOT to believe.

We read in Romans 10:9 – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

In Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Remember – Satan is the prince of the air and this world but by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) Satan can not hurt us.  And lastly, remember, those who believe are on the winning side.

1 John 4:4 Put your name in place of ye and you, he-God and he-devil.

Ye (Brenda) are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he (God) that is in you (Brenda) than he(Satan) is in the world.

May you continue to search the living word of God to find your answers. 🙂

Why Church?

Why is it important to go to church?  Why is it important to find a good bible preaching church?

Church by definition is: a collective body of believers who profess and worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling ourselves together

forsaking: abandon someone or something; renounce or give up something valued

assembling: connecting together, group who have gathered together

Notice the first word of Hebrews 10:25  NOT

In other words, don’t give up on gathering together and not connecting together with a group of believers.

Hebrews 10:25 As the matter of some is; but exhorting another and so much the mores, as ye see the day approaching.

As Christians, who follow Jesus Christ, we should love what Jesus did and he loved those who worshiped and professed their believe in him.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and be admired in all them that believe.

John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us: that the world may believe thou hast sent me.

As Christians, we are in a constant spiritual battle with the flesh. Ephesians 2:2-5

What better way to fight the flesh, then to congregate with other believers and grow in the word of God.

We are told in Eph 6:11,13- Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.

Going to a church, where the pastor preaches the word of God from the bible, will help us grow and keep the armour on and available to us. It so important to find a church where you are reading from the bible. If you don’t take your bible to church and read it together, how will you ever know if the pastor is reading the bible or ??? Why would you rely 100% on someone other than God to teach you his words?

As you read this, you may be thinking: I study, I pray and I am growing as a Christian without attending church. This maybe so, but, we know in Matthew 18:20: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

Why church?

• not forsaking
• love what Jesus loves
• equips us with the armour of God
• above all else – he is in the midst of them!

 

Why NOT church?

 

Why the King James Bible

Way of Life Excellent site for sound biblical guidance.

 

 

Remember

Remember

About 1.3 million Americans lost lives fighting,
For freedoms worth rewriting.

It started with the Civil War 1861 to 1865,
those many soldiers lost their lives.

Stones were decorated with love and care,
Tears rolled down and end with prayer.

About 70 million people have lost their lives for following God,
even today many fear the swiftness of the sword or a firing squad.

Joseph, Moses, Daniel were a few,
William Tyndale burned to death for translating the bible into English too.

Stones were decorated with love and care,
Tears rolled down and end with prayer.

How many people mocked the forgiver sent for you and me,
Ridiculed and laughed at for all to see.

Then the stone was rolled away,
to give a chance to be forgiven today.

Stones are decorated with love and care,
Tears roll down and end with prayer.

Written by: Brenda L Bennett