By Robert Randle

Genesis 2: 2-3

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Exodus 20: 8-11

Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

NOTE: To “remember” is to bring back something that one is familiar with, and had been previously done or experienced as opposed to introducing something entirely ‘new.’ It is quite probable that the Sabbath Day was honored and passed along to subsequent generations by the patriarchs from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob onward; perhaps even Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden observed it, too.

Deuteronomy 5: 12-15

Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days shall you labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Isaiah 56: 6

Also the sons of the foreigner who joins themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the Name of the LORD, to be His servants-Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant. . .

Hebrews 4: 4-10

For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works (Cp. Genesis 2: 2-3);” and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua [Aramaic: "Yehoshua"] had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For He who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

Mark 2: 27

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”

NOTE: It must be remembered that the Sabbath did not originate with the Jews (Children of Israel) after they escaped Egyptian captivity but rather they were told to remember, observe, honor, and sanctify it. According the “Wikipedia,” the early Babylonians celebrated a “rest” every 7, 14, 21, and 28 days; the same as contained in the book of GENESIS. Coincidentally, it is believed that the Old Testament Scriptures started to be written during the Babylonian captivity. Also, some may argue that the ‘rest’ alluded to in HEBREWS doesn’t specifically command Sabbath Day observance, especially for Gentiles, but the context does refer back to the “Beginning,” which involves all humanity.

Malachi 4: 4

“Remember the Law ['Torah'] of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments.”

Matthew 5: 17

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law ["Torah"] and the Prophets. I did not come to destroy [change or annul] but to fulfill.”

Jeremiah 6: 16

Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

Matthew 11: 29

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for souls.”

NOTE: It would seem that the ancient path where the good way is which leads to “rest” is somehow tied in to the commandments and statutes (including the “Ten Commandments“) which God gave Moses at Mount Horeb; and the Sabbath Day is part of that.

There are some Christians who believe that the Sabbath Day was replaced by the First Day of the week in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ [Yeshua Mashiyach] from the grave, but is this the case? This day, Sunday, in honor of the Sun god ["Sol"] is the one in which we worship the LORD and Creator who warned the Israelites about idolatry, honoring other gods and them worshipping other gods before or alongside Him.

Some even refer to Sunday as the Christian Sabbath, but there is no rest [from any labor] done on this day; in fact it is treated just like any other one in the week, even though for a few hours believers attend worship services before continuing to do their own business later on. Be that as it may, the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 14: 5-6a: One person esteems one day above another; esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the LORD; and he who does not observe the day, to the LORD he does not observe it.

pbks@hotmail.com

http://choirboy51.blogspot.com

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It seems the older we get, the more we worry. Is it because there is more to worry about in the world today or because there is more that can happen to us as we age? Perhaps it’s because we feel helpless as our health and strength slip away. Whatever the reason, there is no reason for us to worry.

“What are you, nuts? Don’t you pay attention to what is going on in the world?” I can hear our readers loud and clear. But even louder is the voice from heaven that cries, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). All around us is the dissonance of worldly declarations from terrorists, cultural watchdogs, economic advisers, government demagogues, and healthcare experts, convincing us that the sky is falling and we’re on the brink. It’s enough to trouble the strongest heart.

There are two things we can worry about. We can worry about getting caught doing things we shouldn’t, and we can worry about things we can’t do anything about. Both have an easy solution. In the first case, don’t do, or stop doing, whatever it is you shouldn’t be doing! The second case is easier to fix and more difficult to understand: pray.

When our hearts are troubled, Jesus has the cure: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). He doesn’t just say, “Don’t worry, be happy!” He offers his peace to replace the worry in our heart. His peace doesn’t come from stocks, bonds, political promises or extended warranties. It comes directly from him by faith.

When the disciples worried because Jesus was leaving them to go to the Father, he said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). If they really believed in God, they would trust His Son as well and live in his peace. Many people believe in “God” but have no peace because they haven’t put their faith in Christ, since “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Without having peace with God through forgiveness, we can’t trust Him for anything else. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

What part, then, does prayer play in the search for peace? It is through sincere prayer that you “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). You give him all your troubles. Notice, this time, the promise attached to the command to pray: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7). But observe that God doesn’t promise to give you everything you ask for–he promises peace. That’s because this act of faith shows that you trust him to provide what’s best, not always what you think you need.

God’s promises have been around a lot longer than any crisis that has existed, does exist, will exist or only exists in your mind! “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:13).

Alan Allegra is the Executive Administrative Assistant of an Evangelical Church in Pennsylvania. More articles at Lifestyles Over 50: http://www.lifestylesover50.com/ and the Morning Call: http://www.mcall.com. Available for writing.

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• Second Sunday of Advent – Philippians 1:4-11 (slideshare.net)

When the weather is nice, when the sky is so blue that even a color-blind guy like me can see how beautiful it is, I like to go walking on the campus at Southwestern Seminary. During today’s walk, for whatever reason, I was pondering my personal philosophy of worship, the answer I might give to a church when they ask what I believe about it. In the process of that meditation, I realized that even though they’re frequently used to mean the same thing, praise and worship are actually two very different ideas. The most basic difference is that worship is based in who God is, while praise is based in what he does.

Worship, if I had to come up with a basic definition, is properly acknowledging who God is. For starters, I just want to focus on his holiness. God’s holiness is the one thing that separates us from him. God is loving, but even a lost person can be a little bit loving sometimes. God is merciful, but even a lost person can sometimes be merciful. However, God is also holy, and nobody in the world can ever claim to be even a little bit holy. God is, by his very nature, something that we could never be no matter how hard we tried; that’s how much more impressive than us he is, and that’s why he deserves our worship.

The really great thing about God, and the thing that makes him deserve worship even more, is that he doesn’t just sit up on his holy stool and let that be the end of it. There’s a theological conundrum called “immanence and transcendence.” What it means is that God is very near to us, all around us in fact, and we can easily call on him just by saying his name. That’s called immanence. However, he’s also very far from us, because we can’t touch him, and short of salvation through Christ, there’s no way we can even have a relationship with him. That’s called transcendence. God’s holiness is the chief force behind his transcendence; our sin is what separates us from a high and holy God. However, his love and mercy are the driving forces behind his immanence. He came down to us, took the form of a lowly human, who got tired and hungry and frustrated, and then allowed himself to be put to an unjust death simply to allow us a way of entering a relationship with him – that’s how incomparably huge his love and mercy are. This is all in addition to the worship he deserves because of his holiness!

Isaiah 57 contains one of my very favorite phrases for God: “The high and exalted one.” God is the king of the entire universe. He is the only holy one, the only one who is perfect in love. In fact, he’s even worthy of worship because of his position as king. We believe that people who are in high earthly positions deserve our respect. There’s not much, in all honesty, that separates you or me from any given president of the United States. Yet if we were to meet the president, we would be expected to treat him honorably and with respect, simply because he is in a high position. How much more honor and respect belong to the God of the universe, the king of everything that exists? Beyond his holiness, beyond his love and mercy, he deserves worship because he is high and exalted.

Praise, on the other hand, is based in how God’s attributes (”who God is”) impact me in my life. For example, I worship God because he is loving. I praise him because that love has manifested itself in the form of salvation and in constant companionship and encouragement no matter how badly I mess up. I worship God because he is holy; I praise him because he has reconciled me to himself through the death of his sinless Son. I worship him because of his mercy; I praise him because his mercy shows itself in the form of forgiveness of all my sins, past, present, and future. See how the two are related, but slightly different? Sometimes they’re not even distinguishable from each other. You’ll notice that in my description of God’s love, I had to rely on his actions in order to demonstrate my point. Paul says the same thing in Romans 5:8: “God showed his love for us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Worship and praise often go hand in hand, but they’re not quite exactly the same, and you’ll see momentarily why that’s important.

Here’s Biblical proof for what I’m talking about. Psalm 29:2 says, “Ascribe the Lord the glory that is due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” Note the two key themes. David talks about “the glory that is due his name,” the idea that God deserves worship simply because of who he is. And what is it about God that deserves the worship? “The splendor of his holiness.” Psalm 99:5 puts it even more simply: “Exalt the Lord and worship at his footstool; he is holy.” Worship is grounded in who God is.

Praise is also addressed in many of the Psalms. Take 139:14, which says, “I praise you, oh God, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Note that: I praise you “because.” Praise is grounded in what God does. Psalm 9:11 elaborates: “Sing praises to the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.” Again, the theme of praise is directly connected to “what he has done.”

I write this not because I enjoy making mountains out of molehills, but because I think it really is a crucial distinction. There may be times in each of our lives when there doesn’t seem to be a lot to praise God for. You know the temptation in those times: to get bitter and angry at God, to start complaining, to ask him where he is and what he’s doing. However, even in those times, when it seems you don’t have much to praise God for, you still have plenty of reason to worship him. He is still completely holy and completely loving, regardless of your present life circumstances. He is still the high and exalted one, the king over all the universe, and the only reason that you presently exist. Further, you know that you will have reason to praise him in the future, because he is faithful; he has never abandoned you before and this is not about to be the first time. No matter what the temporary circumstances might be, God is still worthy of honor and respect and worship. That’s why it’s so important to understand praise and worship as two separate concepts.

Let me illustrate this idea with – you guessed it – another psalm. In Psalm 11, David gripes, “Look, the wicked bend their bows; they set arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at those who are upright in heart.” He’s bitter over injustice; there doesn’t seem to be much to praise God for under those circumstances. Yet, almost as soon as he’s done voicing his complaint, his thoughts turn to worship. “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne.” He is still holy; he is still the high and exalted one, the king over all creation. “For the Lord is righteous; he loves justice, and upright men will see his face.” David is meditating on God’s holiness, his righteousness, his justice. Those are the eternal, unchanging attributes of God that are always worthy of respect no matter what.

Also, if you read other psalms, you will find that David has a very long memory. A lot of his psalms deal with times when he is being oppressed or persecuted, but almost always he ends by praising God for things that God has done in the past. Even when present circumstances are downright foul, David is careful to bring to mind things that God has previously done. This keeps his faith from being a roller coaster, going up or down depending whether things are going well at the moment or not. If God really is loving, and he really is faithful, then there’s no reason to despair too much over any present circumstances. That’s how an attitude of worship toward God can impact you on a daily basis. Meditating on the eternal, unchanging attributes of God can keep you solid when the rest of life is lurching around.

The temptation for a person to link his faith to what’s presently happening in his life is understandable, but misguided. It basically amounts to selfishness, asking God, “What have you done for me lately?” Worship is the best way to take the focus off of me and place it onto God, where it belongs. It keeps my eye on my goal, becoming more like Christ, and keeps my eye off of all the temporary present distractions. That’s why worship is absolutely central to any believer. That’s why it’s not just something you do on Sunday mornings when the music is playing.

I would urge you to meditate on the things about God that are worthy of worship all the time, and to begin worshiping those things more frequently. Ponder on his great holiness and how it’s even possible for a great, eternal, uncreated being to exist without a shred of impurity in him. Ponder on his eternal, unfailing love toward everyone, no matter what mistakes they’ve made or how vigorously they’ve turned their backs on him. Ponder his mercy, freely available to anyone who repents and asks for it. Ponder the incredible miracle of salvation, where God removes all the guilt from your sin from you and makes you holy. There’s an awful lot about God that’s worthy of worship. He is, after all, the high and exalted one. In the light of that, worship is all I can do.

Jim Barringer is a 26-year-old writer, musician, teacher, and traveler, currently finishing a master’s degree from Southwestern Seminary. More of his work can be found at myspace.com/mygodisalive. This work may be reprinted for any purpose so long as this bio and statement of copyright is included.

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By Rick King

How to Gain Victory Over the Flesh
By: Rick L. King
March 31, 2009

Do you know any professing Christian that does not deal with their flesh? I don’t personally know of any. Did you know that God has provided a way to overcome? Though it is a process, it is possible. This article will set you free from the bondage of the flesh.

The Bible says that they that are in the flesh cannot please God. It also says that there is none that doeth good and sinneth not. First, what is meant by the word “flesh”? Often we use the word to mean our body. We need to understand that we are a threefold being. We are a fleshly body; we have a mind, which is our will, emotions, and intellect; and we are a spirit. If the meaning of being in the flesh means being in our body, then none of us will ever please God this side of Heaven. The flesh referred to means our carnal nature. We have a spiritual nature and a carnal nature. We have a choice as to which we yield too. We are told that to whomever we yield ourself servants to obey, to them we are a servant to indeed; whether of sin unto death or obedience unto righteousness. The word righteousness means correct thinking. We must think correctly. Jesus was our example. He came to not do His own will but to do the will of the Father that sent Him. What He saw His Father do, He did. What He heard His Father say, He spoke. He laid down His life, His carnal mind or nature, and took on the Father’s. The Bible says that we are to “Let” this mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus. This infers that we have a choice. We can allow our mind, the devil’s mind, or God’s mind. Jesus took on God’s mind.

The scripture says that they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the lusts and passion thereof. Let’s really look at what is being said here. Notice the word “have”, it means already done, as it is past tense. So if the scripture means they that literally belong to Christ have crucified their flesh, then where are the ones which belong to Christ? All of us deal with our flesh, or our carnal nature. This would mean that none of us belong to Christ. Now, let’s look at what this is really saying. We know that the anointing breaks the yoke. Anyone that has been in God’s presence has found that the flesh or carnal nature is not a problem at that time. We are just enjoying His presence and whatever He wants to do or say. The word “Christ’s” in the Greek text actually means, “anointed”. So let’s look at the scripture again. They that are “anointed” have crucified the flesh with the lusts and passions thereof. When we are anointed or in God’s presence our flesh or carnal nature is not a problem. Paul said that he died daily. He wasn’t dying to his body; he was dying to his carnal fleshly nature. It was a process. Jesus said that He must increase and that we must decrease. We decrease as we allow God to increase. Paul told us to “walk in the spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”. We decrease by walking in the spirit. We decrease only by drawing near to God.

The church has been telling us for so long that “we” must do this or that. We must fix our self. That is so far from what God says. It is what God does, not what we do. When we were saved why did it happen? We are told that salvation was a gift, not of works so that we couldn’t boast. It was gift from God to us. After we were saved we have been taught works so often. We have been told to walk the Word in our flesh, as that is how that we will please God. God said that they that are in the flesh cannot please Him. God has never told us to walk the Word. In fact, all this is man’s attempt to be in control. When we do it, God isn’t. I realize the scripture in James says to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer. We must look at the whole truth not just part of it. We are told that we are crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live, yet not I, but Christ liveth within me. If we are crucified then who is supposed to be living in us? It is Christ. It is what He does by the Holy Spirit through us, not what we do. Jesus was a doer of the Word that His Father spoke to Him and will do the same thing through us. We are just the vessel. It is only about what He wants to do, not what we want to do. We should not be able to do anything if we are crucified or dead. We are told to walk in the spirit, not to walk the Word! There is a major difference. One God flows through us with what He desires and with power. The other is religiousness and impresses man, but not God. Isaiah 30&31 spell this out clearly. It says in, Isa 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin. Without going into this word for word, the just of the message comes out as this. We are told to not trust in Egyptians (men) or in horses (flesh). God said that if we do this that we are rebellious, as we are trusting in something other than His Spirit. There is quite a message in these two books that you may want to read. It will give you a deeper understanding of God’s view of us walking in our carnal mind and His reaction to it.

The bottom line is this. In order for us to please God, we MUST walk in the spirit. This is where our power, revelation, victory over our flesh, and our only ability to please God comes from. You may ask now so how do I do this? Actually it is quite simple. All you do is make focusing on listening and being obedient to the voice of God your first priority. You accept your limitations and faults and do not focus on them. You cannot change your self. This is God’s job, not yours. As long as you keep trying to do it, then He can’t. You surrender your will to Him, and let Him be Lord instead of you. When you can do this, you will find a new freedom. It takes the weight off of you to perform. Instead you just do what He says and He will change you on His time schedule and way. He knows already everything we do. Nothing is hidden from Him. He saved you; you didn’t save your self. He delivers you; you don’t deliver your self. Who is supposed to get the glory anyway? If you focus on the lusts of the flesh and try to change self, you will not walk in the spirit. If you stay focussed on walking in the spirit, the things of the flesh will start dropping off and will lose power over you. You will walk in His power, not yours. You then will find a freedom and victory that you probably didn’t realize was available. When God allows you to be in His presence, it is a taste of what you can actually walk in, but it requires a change of focus in us to achieve.

Scripture references used:
Romans 6:16, Romans 8:8
Ecc 7:20
1 Thes 5:23
John 3:20,John 5:19, John 5:30
Philipians 2:5
Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:24
Isaiah 10:27
Ephesians 2:8,9
James 1:23
Isaiah 30, Isaiah 31

Ways I have learned to walk in the spirit:

1. Be filled with the spirit with evidence by speaking in other tongues. This is my power, His power. Speaking in tongues takes you into the spirit realm and out of your carnal mind. Ephesians 5:18, Acts 1:8,
2. Learn to listen to His voice and do what He asks you to do.
3. Deny self. Just as Jesus did, He denied himself to do the Father’s will alone. Luke 9:23
4. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousnessHis will and His thoughts Mathew 6:33
5. Cast down imaginationsget His mind and knowledge 2 Cor 10:5
6. Thanksgiving.enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise psalms 100:4
7. Minister to Him.when you learn to minister to Him, He will minister to you and through you Eze 44:15 (one of many verses in OT telling us to minister to Him)

Need to contact me? r_king60@hotmail.com

I am a 60 year old Born-Again spirit filled Christian, that has been saved for 30 years. Jesus found me when I was suicidal. I learned real quickly that I was powerless to be in control of my life, so I let Jesus take over. He has chosen me to be a warrior for Him. WE win, if we fight His way.

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Fluff is, simply put, sinfully good.  Here in the south, it is referred to as Marshmallow cream.  That just doesn’t seem to do it justice though.  Where I grew up, in the north, the word fluff had meaning.  It was the really great “extra” on a peanut butter sandwich that you got if you had done something really good for your mom before she made lunch.
It is not a staple, just a nice extra to have around for special times.  It is not necessary, although it is entirely pleasant, offering nothing negative (especially calories).
As I pondered all this one day while having a fluffernutter sandwich, I started thinking how just a few years ago, fluff and my relationship with God shared the same description.  It was an extra, pleasant, something brought out for special occasions.  It was this sort of sugar coating that hid everything else, but, being mainly air, didn’t really have an impact.  For the most part, like the fluff I enjoyed in my childhood, my relationship with God  just sort of sat on a shelf.  Until a few years ago, I thought that the bible was coffee table decor or only as one of the books on the back of the pew in my childhood church, if it was there at all!

I grew up very typical, in a typical town, typical church, no need to get into what religion, that is not the important thing here.  I know there are a gazillion girls out there just like me, brought up like me, who may have been happy to let the family bible collect dust.  This didn’t make me a bad person.  I suspect many with a similar upbringing are good people, well meaning, thoughtful most of the time, sort of living in the moment, happy to float through life. But, I never considered that God might have more and want more for me than just floating.

Five years ago, I would have never considered going to God’s Word for advice. I thought of it as an outdated book, filled with lots of stories of people with lots of vowels in their name. In fact, four years ago I felt this way! Why would I have turned to an old book when Dr. Phil was on every day at 3:00? And if I couldn’t find some comfort or direction there, I could always tape Oprah, talk to my friends (who were as misguided as I at the time), or poll my coworkers for their “what would you do?” input.

The very thought of turning to the God’s word, the bible, was just something I would never have considered until moving south and finding a church that didn’t think for me.  Through our pastor, Mike, and the supportive women of that church, I was encouraged to open the bible and go digging and discover for myself.

Growing up, mostly as a teen and young adult, I had always had a nagging feeling that something was missing. I felt that when good or bad stuff happened, after calling my best friend, running things by my mom, and maybe choosing a brother to chat with, I always felt like there was a missing something, like there was someone else I was supposed to run life’s event by. When I was sad and my usuals could not comfort me, I considered myself doomed and flawed. When I was happy about something, I felt weird taking full credit, but didn’t know who else to give credit to.

When I felt alone, well, I was just alone. Surrounded by friends, a wicked awesome mother, a dad always up for a talk, and brothers that would drop anything for me, I felt completely and totally alone.

I thought when I met my husband, that he was what had been missing.  And, for a time it was.  But, as loving as he was, that familiar void crept in over time.
If someone had told me up until the age of thirty, that I could or should turn to God, I would have dismissed them as a radical.  I would have cracked a few jokes, and had given them my best “Are you for real”? stare.

Since being led to my new church things have changed. I have been encouraged to be in God’s word daily to develop my own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That old void is gone and I am now filled to the brim.  When that void does seem to resurface, it no longer ends in a pity party, but as a gage for whether or not I am spending time with God daily.

The only remaining hollow feeling that does creep in, is guilt, at feeling the way I do, having the relationship with God that I do, and looking around at those like the “old” me, who keep asking themselves “What is missing?”

Some, not only not knowing the answer, but not knowing where to go for the answer.  My new personal mission, revealed only by the Holy Spirit, is to share where I have been, where I am now, where I am headed in my walk with God.  I am so grateful to God for the encouragement to open His word.  It has been, and continues to be life changing.

For some, the entire concept of turning to God, is a foreign one.  I encourage you to hang in there and be immersed in the Word.  KJ, NIV, NRV, doesn’t matterjust start reading.  And, over time, you will learn how to listen.  It is that listening, speaking, and applying that builds your relationship with God.  Communication is a two way street.  I pray that it is for you, how it was for me at first.  You will begin to understand what I did. God and Jesus are more than cool historical guys in sandals.  Swing that pantry door wide, dig in, take it off the shelf and realize that there is much much more to our Lord than just FLUFF.

I am a stay at home mom in the Atlanta area.  My husband John and I have have three children, ages five and two and a half  year old twins.  I am a bible study facilitator and Assistant Coordinator for The Women’s League  for Northstar Church.

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The Bible is the perfect Word of God. It is filled with wonderful and not so wonderful people who encountered a lot of different situations. And although the Bible is perfect, I think God might have left out a few quotes here and there. For example, don’t you think Jonah could have easily said, “Being in that whale sure was stinky!” or can’t you just hear Zaccheus say, “Climbing up sycamore trees is lots of fun especially when you’re short like me.” I think it’s highly probable such sentences escaped from these Bible characters’ mouths.

Why not throw some of the following “quotes” to your kids and see whether or not they can guess who was the famous Bible person who said it. Here’s a list to get you started:

1. “I should never have eaten the fruit from that tree!” (Adam or Eve)

2. “OK, Jesus! Here I go! I’m going to walk on water.” (Peter)

3. “Goliath is big, but my God is bigger!” (David)

4. “Baptizing people was great, but eating those crickets gave me stomach ache.” (John the Baptist)

5. “Boy, those lions really needed breath mints!” (Daniel)

6. “How come no one else has a coat of many colors?” (Joseph)

7. “OK, men! Make sure you bring comfortable shoes when we get to Jericho!” (Joshua)

8. “Oh, Samson! Could you hand me those scissors please?” (Delilah)

9. “Rachel, you know Jacob doesn’t like to eat dinner before 6pm.” (Leah)

10. “Hey, Esau! I made your favorite stew!” (Jacob)

11. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you children today! Why can’t you be more like your brother, Jesus?” (Mary)

12. On a serious note:”I died on the cross for your sins.” (Jesus)

Don’t forget to include the two quotes I gave you in the first paragraph and you’re in for some laughs.

Can your kids think up other fun quotes?

If you liked this Sunday School/Homeschooling idea, then sign up to receive Scripture Lady’s Free Email Newsletter packed full with creative ideas and receive 6 FREE Bible Review Games to help get the kids you minister to excited about the Bible!

Just click here: http://freebiblegames.webs.com/ to receive your 6 FREE Bible Review Games.

Kathy Vincent is the director of a performing ministry for children called The Scripture Lady and has been traveling around Southern California for the past 14 years ministering to preschoolers and elementary aged children with the Word of God through musical, thematic presentations.

She is also a regular seminar speaker, author/creator of over 30 products for the Christian children’s worker and a veteran homeschooling mom of two.

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• Earthy, mystical telling of John the Baptist tale (boston.com)

I was in a circumstance today that I realized how much the Body of Christ can be thirsty for Love.

I’m often not attentive to others needs. Maybe it is a child’s or a teens needs, or just someone there in my day, that they just needed to know a touch of Jesus’ love, have some time given for conversation and time to give to them to love and care about them in Jesus’ love. There are times that I miss the opportunity, and I wasn’t attentive to love them well, to give them a drink of water.

Jesus said out of our bellies would flow Rivers of Living Water.

That is the Water that people are thirsting for.

For a dry and thirsting land.

We are the vessels that carry the Presence of the Lord’s Holy Spirit. He so loves.
He so cares. He has the time for the little ones. He cares about them. He cares about everyone. And He wants to give them the water that they need to grow and live.

We need to take a little time and spend a little time, loving them, being there for them. So they can be filled up with Jesus’ love for them.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. Matthew 10:42

We need to remember that. Spending that time with people allows us to be filled up for them, and then we can give them that Water of the Lord’s Presence and His love. How much He cares for them.

My name is Kathleen Angell.

My life was dramatically changed when the Lord made Himself real to me.

My website is
christiannews.highpowersites.com
We take testimonies out door to door and feed the poor as the Lord provides.

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By Robert Randle

Many of us are familiar with the miracles, sermons, parables, and prophetical utterances, but what about a simple narrative study and comparison of a few selected citations which might cause you to ask a few questions; thereby doing some follow-up research.

1: 1
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.

NOTE: Who would be the most interested in a genealogical introduction?

Matthew 1: 12-16
And after the deportation to Babylon, to Jeconiah was born Shealtiel; and to Shealtiel, Zerubbabel; and to Zerubbabel was born Abiud; and to Abiud, Eliakim; and to Eliakim, Azor; and to Azor was born Zadok; and to Zadok, Achim; and to Achim, Eliud; and to Eliud was born Eleazar; and to Eleazar, Matthan; and to Matthan, Jacob; and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called the “Christ.”

COMMENTARY:

“JECONIAH”
I Chronicles 3: 16-20
And the sons of Jehoiakim ["Eliakim"] were Jeconiah his son, and the sons of Jeconiah, the prisoner [during the "Babylonian captivity"], were Shealtiel his son, and Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. And the sons of Pedadiah ["Shealtiel"; Matthew 1: 12??]  were Zerubbabel and Shimei. And the sons of Zerubbabel were Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shemolith was their sister; and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushabhesed, five (??)[by "Shimei", verse 19??].

Matthew’s account has some significant inconsistencies which have been previously noted, but in addition to those listed above, there are others: Abiud, Azor, Achim, Matthan, Jacob son of Mattan, and Joseph son of Jacob are not mentioned in any genealogical record or Scriptural reference; except here in this account.

“ELIAKIM”
There are 2 Eliakim’s; one is a son of Hilkiah (Cp. II Kings 18: 18) and the other Eliakim is the king of Judah, whose name was changed to “Jehoiakim” by Necho king of Egypt (Cp. II Chronicles 36: 4).

“ZADOK”
As for Zadok, it is a little difficult to pinpoint his ancestry because it is so varied. He is the son of Ahitub (Cp. I Chronicles 6: 6-9, 11-15; Ezra 7: 1-5), the son of Meraioth (Cp. Ezra 9: 11), the son of Baana (Cp. Nehemiah 3: 4, 6), and the son of Immer (Cp. Nehemiah 3: 29)

“ELEAZAR”
Eleazar is interesting because according to I Chronicles 6: 4, he begat Phinehas, but I Chronicles 23: 22a; 24: 28 states that he died having no sons but only daughters. Ezra 7: 5 and I Chronicles 9: 20 mentions that Phinehas is the son of Eleazar. He is also mentioned as the son of Dodo the Ahohite in I Chronicles 11: 12, and as the son of Mahli (Cp. I Chronicles 23: 21; 24: 28).

“MATTAN”
Mattan is mentioned as a priest of Baal who was killed during the purge of Jehoiada (Cp. II Chronicles 23: 17; II Kings 11: 18) or the father of Shepthatiah (Cp. Jeremiah 38: 1).

NOTE: Presumably this Mattan is Matthan??

“JOSEPH”
Joseph is the son of Bani (I Chronicles 25: 2; Ezra 10: 42) or the son of Shebaniah (Cp. Nehemiah 12: 14).

1: 18-23
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And you shall bring forth a Son and call His name “JESUS” and He shall save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled  which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, bear a Son, and they shall call His name “IMMANUEL,” meaning, ‘GOD WITH US.’ (Cp. Isaiah 7: 14 )

NOTE: Read Isaiah 7: 1 through 8: 10; esp. 10-11, 14-15; 8: 8b, 10b??). Also, this prophesy doesn’t mention the name “JESUS.” Also, why didn’t Mary tell Joseph that she was carrying the Holy Seed inside of her?

2: 1-2, 7
Wise men ["Magi, Astrologers'] from the East inquired of Herod the King after following His “Star” about the birth of One King of the Jews.

NOTE: Was it a brilliant star in the heavens, the Planet Jupiter, a unique constellation configuration, cosmic phenomenon, or truly an inexplicable ’supernatural’ event?

2: 4-5
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the “Christ” was to be born. And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: Micah 5: 2.

NOTE: Curiously, Matthew doesn’t include the part in Micah that mentions “Whose goings forth are from of old, from Everlasting,” and in Matthew 6b, “Who will shepherd My people Israel” is found in II Samuel 5: 2??

2: 11
Gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Cp. Isaiah 60: 6).

2: 13-15
Take the Child and depart to Egypt (Cp. Hosea 11: 1).

2: 20
Those [Herod the Great??] who sought the Child’s life are dead.
NOTE: The King probably died around 4 BCE, according to ‘Wikipedia.’

2: 22
Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod [The Great], and Joseph and his family were warned in a dream by God and turned aside into the regions of Galilee.

NOTE: according to “Wikipedia,”  Herod Philip I ruled Judea, Samaria, and Edom; but in Luke 3: 1 it states that Philip was tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis (around Syria).

2: 23
He came and dwelt in Nazareth that it might be fulfilled as spoken by the Prophets, “HE SHALL BE CALLED A NAZARENE.”

NOTE: This prophetical utterance is not found in Scripture.

3: 1
John the Baptizer came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3: 3
This is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: Isaiah 40: 3

3: 7-8
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! (Cp. 12: 34; 23: 33) Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.”

3: 10, 12
And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

3: 13
Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John.

3: 16-17
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well leased.”

NOTE: The Scriptures do not say if anyone else heard the voice but Jesus, and as far as seeing the Spirit of God descend as a dove, outside of Jesus, John the Baptizer was the only other person who could (Cp. John 1: 31-32). This is not all that surprising, considering the account in Luke 1: 15, 26-41.

4: 12-16, 17
Jesus heard that John was put in prison and departed back to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth He came and dwelt in Capernaum, by the Sea [of Galilee/Tiberius] in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali (Cp. Isaiah 9: 1-2; 42: 7). From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

NOTE: Jesus continued what John the Baptizer started (Cp. 3: 1)

4: 24
Then His fame went throughout all of Syria.
NOTE: Why not throughout Judea, Samaria, or Galilee?

5: 17-19
I did not come to destroy ['loosen'] the law ["Torah"] and Prophets but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth shall pass away, one Yodh [smallest letter] or one small stroke will by no means pass from the Law ["Torah"] till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

NOTE: Loosen might convey a better sense of the verse than destroy. Now what are those commandments?

5: 21
You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not Murder” (Cp. Exodus 20: 13; Deuteronomy 5: 17).

5: 22b
And whoever says to his brother, Raca (’I spit on you’)! shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, You fool (’you coward’)! shall be in danger of hell fire (”gehenna”).

5: 27-28
You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not commit Adultery” (Cp. Exodus 20: 14; Deuteronomy 5: 18). But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

5: 29-30
And if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than your whole body be cast into hell (”gehenna”). And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than your whole body be cast into hell (”gehenna”).

NOTE: Why did Jesus mention  a “right” body part instead of just one in particular; and was He advocating maiming oneself? For the idea behind “HELL” look at II Kings 23: 10; Isaiah 30: 33; Jeremiah 7: 31-33.

5: 31
Furthermore it has been said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality [unfaithfulness] causes her to commit adultery (??); and whoever marries a woman who is divorced [for marital infidelity??] commits adultery (Cp. Romans 7: 2-3??).

NOTE: Under the Law of Moses a divorced woman could remarry another man but the only prohibition was that she could not return back to be a wife to her former husband because it was deemed a ‘defilement’ (Cp. Deuteronomy 24: 1-2); Jesus goes beyond that in His teaching, too?? Also, under the Old Testament, when a man had sexual relations with a married woman, both of them are to be put to death (Leviticus 20: 10)

5: 33
Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord (Cp. Exodus 20: 16; Leviticus 19: 12b; Deuteronomy 23: 23a).

5: 38
You have heard that it was said of old, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Cp. Exodus 21: 12-27; Leviticus 24: 17-21; Deuteronomy 19: 21).

5: 43
You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

NOTE: Deuteronomy 23: 7 says, You shall not abhor an Edomite, and Leviticus 19: 18 says, Love thy neighbor as thyself.

8: 11-12
And I say to you that many will come from the east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

NOTE: Jesus did not include the north and south, the ends of the earth, or refer to the nations [Gentiles]. It seems rather here that the kingdom of heaven is a geopolitical government rather than the heavenly one.

8: 16b-17
And He cast out the spirits with a word, and He healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” (Cp. Isaiah 53: 4a)

10: 5-7
Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

10: 23
You will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

11: 2-3
And when John in prison had heard of the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

NOTE: Is it not strange that although John the Baptizer heard of the things Jesus did, still his understanding of the prophesied “Messiah” or ‘Anointed One’ and what He would do to usher in the expected kingdom of heaven was at odds with what was actually being done. If indeed, John the Baptizer was an Essene from the Qumran community that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls, then the role of Messiyah bringing about the Apocalyptic battle between the “Sons of Light” and the “Sons of Darkness” would have left him a little puzzled, indeed.

11: 4-5
Jesus answered and said to them, “Go tell John the things which you hear and see. The blind see and the lame walk (Cp. Isaiah 35: 5a, 6a); the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear (Cp. Isaiah 35: 5b), the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

NOTE: Isaiah’s prophesy mentions about the tongue of the dumb singing ["loosened"], but nothing about the dead being raised and the poor having the gospel preached to them, or the poor mentioned at all.

11: 10
For this is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You (Malachi 3: 1)

NOTE: The rest of Malachi 3: 1 reads: And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming, says the Lord of Hosts [YHVH Sabaoth].

11: 12
The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force (Cp. Luke 16: 16??). The Law and the Prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

NOTE: It seems as though the people looked on this as a real political, social, religious and civil governmental entity as opposed to a spiritual one.

11: 13-14
For all the Prophets and the Law ['Torah'] prophesied until John [the Baptizer]. And if you are willing to receive it, he is the Elijah to come (Cp. Luke 1: 17??).

NOTE: See Luke 16: 16 and Malachi 4: 5-6a

11: 18
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon.”

NOTE: This is curious because nowhere in the Gospel record does it mention about John the Baptizer was accused of having a demon, but rather Jesus was labeled in that manner.

12: 16-21
Jesus warned the multitude not to make Him known; thereby fulfilling Isaiah 42: 1-4.

12: 23-24
The multitudes asked if this was the Son of David but the Pharisees accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, ruler of the demons.

NOTE: If this entity is over the demonic hordes then where does Satan fit in all of this?

12: 27
By whom do your sons cast them (demons) out?

NOTE: Does Jesus’ statement mean that the Jews practiced exorcism and where in the Law [Torah] are the instructions in this rite mentioned? There is of course the incident mentioned in Acts 19: 13-19.

12: 46-50
While He was talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mothers and My brothers!”For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

NOTE: It doesn’t appear that the social family bonding was all that strong.

13: 10, 13
Speaking to the multitudes in Parables (Cp. Isaiah 6: 9-10).

13: 24-30
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then also the tares appeared. “So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ “He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’ “But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let them both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.

13: 34-35
All these things Jesus spoke to the multitudes in Parables [The Sower, Wheat and Tares, Mustard Seed, Leaven]. . . that it might be fulfilled by the prophet, saying. . . See Psalms 78: 2.

13: 45-52
Jesus instructs the disciples on the parables of The Hidden Treasure; The Pearl of Great Price; The Dragnet, and in verse 51, Jesus asked them if they understood all these things, to which they replied, “Yes Lord.”

13: 54a, 55-56
And when He had come into His own city, He taught them in their synagogue. Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses [Joseph], Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?

NOTE: It would be quite interesting to know more about His siblings and mother Mary.

14: 1-2
Herod the Tetrarch heard the report about Jesus whom he thought was John the Baptizer whom he beheaded had risen from the dead (Cp. Luke 3: 1).

14: 25, 33
Jesus was walking on the Sea [of Galilee/Tiberius] and came into the boat. Those in the boat worshipped Him saying, “You are the Son of God.”

NOTE: Jesus did not tell them to keep this quiet (??).

15: 1-4, 7
Scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked Him why His disciples transgress the “tradition” of the elders; to which He replied, “Why do you transgress the commandment of God by your ‘traditions’?” {Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites!}

16: 13-17
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So the said, “Some say John [The Baptizer], some Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ ["Anointed"], the Son of the Living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

NOTE: Did the people as well as the disciples believe that Jesus was one of the Prophets who died centuries ago, and God has miraculously brought back to life? Even Herod the tetrarch thought that Jesus was John the Baptizer risen from the dead (Cp. Matthew 14: 1-2), so is this belief in the doctrine of Reincarnation or the Transmigration of Souls?

16: 19
The keys to the kingdom of heaven and binding on earth and heaven and loosing on earth and in heaven.

NOTE: Keys seem to denote authority to open up (allow; loosen) and restrict (prevent; bind). With this thought in mind, consider Isaiah 8: 16, which says, “Bind up the Testimony. Seal the Law ['Torah"??] among My disciples,” along with Matthew 5: 17: I did not come to destroy ['loosen'] the Law ["Torah"] and Prophets but to fulfill.

16: 20
Jesus commanded that His disciples should not tell anyone that He was the “Christ”.

NOTE: What about Matthew 14: 30??

17: 1-4
Jesus, Peter, James, and John go up on the Mountain of Transfiguration where Moses and Elijah appeared and talked to Jesus.

NOTE: Elijah is only the second person in the Scriptures to have not seen death but taken directly to heaven. The first was Enoch (Cp. Genesis 5: 22, 24) and Elijah (II Kings 2: 1, 11-12a).

17: 5
A voice spoke from the cloud that overshadowed them, saying, “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

NOTE: Almost word-for-word with Matthew 3: 17.

17: 9
Jesus told them not to tell the “vision” until the Son of Man is risen from the dead; why?

17: 10-12a, 13
And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming [first] and will restore all things? “But I say to you that Elijah has come already (Cp. 11: 14), and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptizer (Cp. Malachi 4: 5-6a; Luke 1: 17).

NOTE: How is it that John the Baptizer was the Elijah who was to come and would have the power to restore ‘all’ things??

18: 8-9
“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell (”gehenna”) fire.

NOTE: Essentially word-for-word as Matthew 5: 29-30.

18: 10
Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

NOTE: According to Jesus, children do indeed have “Guardian Angels.”

18: 18-20
Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you lose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Cp. 16: 19b). Again I say to you that if “two” of you agree on earth concerning ‘anything’ they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.

19: 28
Assuredly, I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

NOTE: Not judging the nations or the world, but just the Twelve tribes of Israel??

20: 20
Then the mother of Zebedee’s son’s came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something of Him.

NOTE: It would seem that these sons were not yet men, and most likely teenagers to have their mother intercede for them.

21: 1-2, 4-5
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olivet, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you will say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them. All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “TELL THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, LOWLY, AND SITTING ON A DONKEY, A COLT, THE FOAL OF A DONKEY.” (Cp. Zechariah 9: 9)

NOTE: There are two Bethany’s; one is around the Mount of Olivet near Jerusalem, and is called Bethphage. The other one is the Bethany Beyond the Jordan, called Bethabara, opposite the one in Judea.

21: 9-11
Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying, “HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! Hosanna in the highest!” (Cp. Psalms 118: 26a) And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved [stirred up with excitement, anticipation, confusion, anxiety, etc.??], saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.

NOTE: The Old Testament doesn’t say anything about the “Prophet” coming from Galilee (Cp. Deuteronomy 18: 15, 18a; John 7: 40, 52; Matthew 2: 4-5)

21: 12-13
Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold [practiced extortion and usury] in the temple precincts; He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves, as it is written, “MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER, ‘BUT YOU HAVE MADE IT A DEN OF
THIEVES. ‘

NOTE: This combines both prophesies of Isaiah 56: 7b and Jeremiah 7: 11.

21: 17
Then He left them and went out of the city [Jerusalem] to Bethany [Bethphage??], and He lodged there.

21: 21-22
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, it will be done. “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

22: 29-30
Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.”

NOTE: This refutes the teaching of some who believe in conjugal rights and family planning in the hereafter.

23: 1-3,
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and His disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say and do not do.”

NOTE: Although the Scribes and Pharisees wielded religious authority among the people as the inheritors of the Mosaic Law ["Torah"] to teach the people in place of the former Levites and Priests {??}, still, didn’t Jesus say in Matthew 15: 6 that they [Pharisees] set aside the commandment of God [contained in the "Torah" of Moses] by their [oral] traditions?

23: 13-34 “Jesus pronounces woes”

NOTE: The most serious and profound denunciation of any group or person in the New Testament Gospels; and perhaps in the entire Bible.

23: 35b
Zechariah the son of Berechiah, who you murdered between the temple and the altar.

NOTE: This incident is recorded in II Chronicles 24: 20-22, but it is Zechariah son of Jehoiada. The only other mention of a name close to that of “Berachiah” is, Zechariah son of Benaiah in II Chronicles 20: 14.

24: 1-3, 6b, 22, 24, 31, 33-34
Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Now as He sat on the Mount of Olivet, the disciples came to Him privately saying, “Tell us, (1) when will these things be and (2) what will be the sign of Your coming and (3) the end of the age?” For all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. For false Christ’s and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away until all these things take place.

COMMENTARY: The first thing is to read the entire chapter, keeping in mind the ‘context,’ which is predicated upon the three questions the disciples wanted Jesus to answer. Jesus mentioned “these things” as events which the disciples would seemingly be alive to see ['the end is not yet; when you see all these things; this generation will by no means pass away until. . .']. Also, curiously, Jesus says His angels will gather the “Elect” from the four corners of heaven instead of the four corners of the Earth, or even gathering them from every nation under heaven. Lastly, the ‘Elect’ is usually thought of as being the Christian Church, and while some aspect of that may be true, but in this particular instance, Jesus may have more nationalistic interests. God’s Elect would appear to be “Israel” foremost (Cp. Isaiah 45: 4; 65: 22; Romans 11: 7, 28; I Peter 1: 1-2; II John 1: 1, 13??; Revelation 7: 4-8 & 14: 1-5??)

25: 31-46
The Son of Man will judge the Nations (Cp. Revelation 7: 9-10; 14: 6-7; “Gentiles”)

26: 17-18, 20
Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, “The Teacher says, ‘My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.”‘” When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.

NOTE: Nothing is mentioned in the other Gospel narratives about Jesus saying, “My time is at hand.” MARK and LUKE mention about a guest room where Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples (Cp. Mark 14: 12-17; Luke 22: 7-13). John’s Gospel shows Jesus instituting the ordinance of “Foot-washing,” probably as an example of humility and demonstration of Love; as opposed to The Lord’s Supper (”Eucharist”) as mentioned in the others, including the Apostle Paul’s instructions in I Corinthians 11: 17-34. Also, JOHN’S narrative is the only one to record a very lengthy discourse by Jesus (chapters 13 through 18)to the disciples before leaving for the Brook of Kidron near the Mount of Olivet, where He was finally arrested and sent to His execution (”Crucifixion”).

27: 32-44 “The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ”

NOTE: It is puzzling that Jesus could have been have been publicly executed between 12PM and 3PM by the hated Romans without the people rioting and committing insurrection because according to Matthew 21: 9, 11, 45-46, Jesus was highly esteemed by the people as a prophet.

28: 16-17
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them (Cp. Matthew 28: 10; Mark 16: 7). When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted.

Note: It is curious why this narrative mentions some disciples were doubtful; was it such a shock and they were so traumatized as this event was beyond belief, and they just could not rationally accept the impossible feat of seeing Jesus having been raised from the dead? Mark 16: 12-14 seems to be a record of what is mentioned in Luke 24: 13-38. Also, in Luke 24: 34, it mentions about the Lord appearing to Simon [Peter], but verse 12 doesn’t mention any such thing. The narrative of JOHN is the only book to mention about Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene alone (Cp. John 20: 11-18).

Robert Randle
776 Commerce St. #B-11
Tacoma, WA 98402
July 29, 2009
pbks@hotmail.com

pbks@hotmail.com
http://choirboy51.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com <a href=”http://www.faithwriters.com”>CHRISTIAN WRITERS</a>

Romans 4:25

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

1. “Who was delivered for our offences”

a. Isaiah 53:5 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities”

2. “and was raised again for our justification.”

a. [New King James Version] “and was raised because of our justification.”

b. [New Living Translation] “and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.”

c. [Young's Literal Translation] “and was raised up because of our being declared righteous.”

d. [New American Standard Version] and was raised because of our justification.”

e. The NKJV and Young’s translation have it right.

When we were justified, Jesus was raised.

My name is Don Costello. Ever since I received Christ in November of 1976 I have had a passion to study and know God’s word.My wife Melissa and I have 5 children.

My e-mail address is costello.don@gmail.com

I have a blog located at:

http://www.theophilus-loverofgodsword.blogspot.com/

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By Peter Menkin

Let us Speak of Holiness this morning:
Bernard of Clairvaux
A homily, Peter Menkin, Obl Cam OSB

Church of Our Saviour (Episcopal)
Mill Valley, CA USA
Wednesday Eucharist, August 19, 2009
Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 1994

Ecclesiasticus 39: 1-10
John 15: 7-11
Psalm 139: 1-9

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Let us speak of Holiness this morning, God’s Holiness, as we learn of Bernard of Clairvaux. This is his Feast Day in our Episcopal Church.

From a hymn attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot, born in 1090, at Fontaines, near Dijon, France:

My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine.

Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.
Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.

This is a request of God in Christ by a man who founded 162 monasteries, was a man who deeply admired Mary, Mother of God, and is considered a man of God’s wisdom and holiness.

Herewith this is a remark, a statement, part of Psalm 139

You search out my path and my lying down, /and are acquainted with all my ways. /Even before a word is on my tongue,/ O Lord, you know it completely /Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; /is is so high that I cannot attain it.

Friend of God, yes. Man of God’s wisdom, yes. Man of Holiness, yes.

Regarding Mary, history tells of Bernard:

He considered and admired the feminine in the holy, in the divine story, as Bernard played the leading role in the development of the Mary cult. One of the most important manifestations of the popular piety of the twelfth century, the Virgin Mary had played a minor role and it was only with the rise of emotional Christianity in the eleventh century that she became the prime intercessor for humanity with the deity.

She is sometimes referred to as the “fourth part of the Trinity,” for Mary is a feminine figure much admired and even referred to in prayer to this day.

We pray,

“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death”

A Cistercian Monk, Bernard, is considered in this manner by our readings today, reflecting the three-fold manner of his character and relationship with God and man. He died at Clairvaux, 21 August, 1153:

Bernard is wise, with the wisdom of God.

Bernard is Holy, with a Holiness of God.

Bernard is friend of God, as the New Testament tells us of friendship with God.

This is the way to abide in God.

Our Gospel, says:

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my job may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

So part of our reading from John for today, tells us of Bernard’s love in Christ, and his friendship with God in Christ.

In this way is Bernard found wise, so another of our readings tells us:

If the great Lord is willing,/ he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; /he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own/ and give thanks to the Lord in prayer./ The Lord will direct his counsel and knowledge, /as he meditates on his mysteries.

So goes part of our reading from Ecclesiasticus (the Apocrypha) for today, tell us of Bernard’s wisdom.

It is as a holy man we remember Bernard of Clairvaux today.

An internet search on Answer.com received this definition of holiness: “The New Testament Greek word that translates KADOSH is HAGIOS. In the New Testament it is everywhere used of Christians. Christians are said to be HAGIOI (plural.) All the English translations here read ’saints’.

“Paul writes letters to congregations in a dozen different cities, always beginning his letter, “To the saints in…( Corinth , Philippi , wherever.) To be holy, a saint, is simply to be different.”

Holiness is that which allows us to be separate –as we are closer to and with God. It is that of separation as seen in hagios from hagos, which denotes “any matter of religious awe” (the Latin sacer); and that of sanctioned (sancitus). That which is hosios has received God’s seal.

Thomas Aquinas says, “All who worship God may be called ‘religious’, but they are specially called so, who dedicate their whole lives to the Divine worship, and withdraw themselves from worldly concerns, just as those are not termed ‘contemplatives’ who merely contemplate, but those who devote their whole lives to contemplation”. The saint adds: “And such men subject themselves to other men not for man’s sake but for God’s sake,” words which afford us the keynote of religious life–so it is called.

What we are speaking of is the inner dynamic within and between God and man. And it has the most dramatic effects, bringing uprightness, happiness, yearning, treasuring, and delight.

The late Anglican Reverend Professor Daniel Hardy, defines Holiness.

So holiness is not to be seen, but it is found in those whose hearts are formed by the inward laws given to Moses by the Lord. Moreover, it is found again in those whose hearts are formed by the consistent faithfulness of the Lord in the crucified and risen Christ. And the benefits go beyond what we saw in the passage from Nehemiah. Then there was uprightness, happiness, yearning, treasuring, delight, and their lives were filled with the unfathomable presence of the Lord, whose holiness and joy flooded their hearts. But now there is a ’spiriting’ of human hearts that makes them responsive and responsible, a people affirmed by the Lord and marked by inner peace, meaning and purpose, faith, hope and love. All these rest on what we might call the three I’s.

Daniel Hardy explains more:

All these rest on what we might call three ‘I’s’:

(1) That the Lord is ‘I am, always with you’ — ever faithful and loving to us; (2) That this Lord gives and ’spirits’ another ‘I’, responsive to the ‘I am’ and responsible for us, who abides with us; (3) That this ‘I am, always with you’ gives and ’spirits’ the ‘I’ that each of us is, to be responsive and responsible.

Reverend Professor Daniel Hardy explains, also: When the ‘I’ that I am, or you are, is within the ‘I’ that Jesus is, and thereby with the ‘I’ that the Lord is, our hearts will burn within us as we remember him. There we will know holiness and peace, and give faith, hope and love to each other.
Bernard of Clairvaux writes in his paper on the Song of Songs:

(M)etaphor shows that we cannot of ourselves come to Christ in our Lord, unless he draws us by his grace, which is laid up in his storerooms: that is, in the mysteries of Faith, which God in his goodness and love for mankind hath revealed, first by his servant Moses in the Old Law in figure only, and afterwards in reality by his only begotten Son Jesus Christ…

A Prayer attributed to Bernard goes:

Jesus, the very thought of Thee

With sweetness fills the breast;

But sweeter far Thy face to see,

And in Thy presence rest.

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,

Nor can the memory find

A sweeter sound than Thy blessed Name,

O Savior of mankind!

We know that Bernard of Clairvaux, the historic figure of the Middle Ages, was a defender of the twelfth century Church, known for his ardor he preached love of God, “without measure.”

A Holy Man, we thank God on this day for his life.

Bernard is wise, with the wisdom of God. Bernard is Holy, with a Holiness of God. Bernard is friend of God, as the Gospel tells us of friendship with God.

May the lord bless us and keep us. Amen.

May the Lord make his face to shine up us and be gracious to us. Amen.

May the Lord life up his countenance upon us and give us peace. Amen.
Audio recording of the Homily is here:

http://www.archive.org/details/HomilyLetUsSpeakOfHolinessBernardOfClairvaux

Peter Menkin, an aspiring poet, lives in Mill Valley, CA USA where he writes poetry. He is an Oblate of Immaculate Heart Hermitage, Big Sur, CA and that means he is a Camaldoli Benedictine. He is 62 years of age as of 2008.

Copyright Peter Menkin

http://www.petermenkin.blogspot.com

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“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marveloushow well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” ~ Psalm 139:13-18

Oh, what comfort these verses have brought and continue to bring me. Though I had heard the expression “God don’t make junk” before, I didn’t truly get it, until I read these verses again and again and again. I read them over, and over, and over, letting them take root deep inside my heart. I needed them desperately.

People who’ve grown up in abuse, poverty and dysfunction often struggle with feelings of inferiority. Self-worth is frequently associated with performance. There is often a feeling of not fitting in or measuring up. That’s how it was with me. Often through the years, my pain, anger, loneliness and oppression really got to me. I sometimes thought I was unlovable, to myself, to others, and to God. I didn’t think I was a bad person per se; it was more like I just didn’t matter. I wandered through life, determined to do and be better than my family. I worked hard and was pretty well liked, eventually, popular even. But all of that was superficial. Inside I was eaten up by insecurity and unworthiness.

I always was aware of God, always knew Jesus, but I never committed my life to Him. It wasn’t because I wasn’t interested. I just couldn’t find Him. I tried out various churches through the years, but never felt anything. Finally, when I was 30, I walked into the church that changed my life. God had been wooing me and I was primed. I was ready. I was tired of searching, I now wanted to find.

And find Him I did! God radically changed my life and more importantly, how I saw and valued myself. I realized I was beautiful, enjoyable, and purposeful simply because He made me that way. I had worth and value, because He created me, not because of where I came from or what I’d accomplished. The wonderful and amazing God of the universe, created me, thought about me, loved me, had a purpose for me.

It is truly astounding to me, that He has written all the days of my life in His book. That He has a very specific and unique purpose for me, one that only I can fulfill. He created me; giving me the looks and personality He wanted me to have to fulfill that purpose. I have learned that when I criticize myself, I am actually criticizing the work of God’s hands. That’s not to say I can’t or shouldn’t better myself, but rather I’m kinder to myself as I go about it. I may mess up from time to time, but God is still there. He still watches over me and thinks of me. He still loves me.

I now know that no matter what happens in my life, I am not alone. I am not unwanted. I am not unloved. Thank you, Jesus!

Lauryn Abbott is a wife and mother, with a passion for writing and a zest for life. Her writing has always been a private passion, but recently the Lord has been urging her to make it public. More of her writing can be found on her Seed Thoughts blog at:

http://takeck.blogspot.com

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“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.” ~ Psalm 139:7-12

Isn’t it good to know we are never alone? Though undoubtedly we may feel that way at times, the truth is that we are not. The thing is the Bible doesn’t ever say we’ll never experience the darkness, storms, sorrow, pain, betrayal, cruelty, evil or death. What it says, is that when we experience these things, God is right there with us.

Have you ever tried to flee the presence of the Lord? Times when you’re angry, doing something you know is sinful, wanting things your way and in your timing, or simply retreating into yourself? I have. It seems like the times that I need Him the most, are the times that I push Him away. Much like a petulant or pouty child. Nevertheless, He is always there for me. He is always waiting on me. He is always reaching out to me.

Have you ever felt as if God has abandoned you, that when you reach out to Him, He’s just not there? I have. There are times when the darkness is so dark and the storm is so violent that you feel you’ll never make it out, you feel like you won’t survive. You even wonder, where is God in the midst of it all? But we can’t rely on or trust our feelings. They are fluid, constantly changing, and influenced by our own limited and faulty perceptions. Feelings waver, truth does not!

The truth is that no matter what we feel, God is right there. Whether we are choosing to live righteously or in sin, whether we are joyful or heartbroken, content or dissatisfied, running to or from Him, He is always there. He supports us when we are frail and uplifts us when we fall. He strengthens us when we are weak and guides us when we are lost. However, we have to let Him. We can, and sometimes do, choose to turn Him down. But that doesn’t mean He’s not there He is. The darkness may last for a time, but the Light always pushes it back. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psa. 30:5)

I am so grateful that I don’t have to rely on my own strength, knowledge, wisdom or feelings. To think that the Lord of all creation is always with little ol’ me, no matter where I am, what I’m doing, or who I’m with, is too wonderful for words! Yes, the storms come and the waves crash down, but we don’t have to be overcome by them. We can trust in the Truth, rather than our feelings, and lean on the support and strength of Jesus to get us through. That’s what He wants. That’s what He offers. All we have to do is receive it.

“Thank you Lord, for always being with me, no matter what I’m going through. Thank you for offering me your love, mercy, grace, compassion, comfort, patience, strength and support. Thank you for driving out the darkness and showering me in Light. Thank you the hope and abundant life you have for me. You are everything to me and I praise you!”

Lauryn Abbott is a wife and mother, with a passion for writing and a zest for life. Her writing has always been a private passion, but recently the Lord has been urging her to make it public. More of her writing can be found on her Seed Thoughts blog at:

http://takeck.blogspot.com

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“O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” ~ Psalm 139:1-6

This Psalm (139) is probably my most favorite of all the Psalms. I have read it many times throughout my Christian journey. It has given me comfort and assurance in ways that are both deep and profound. It is Rhema to me, life-giving words to live by. Just today I read it again. Once more, it has jumped out at me, specifically the part posted above.

I’m the sort of person that can pretty honestly say, “What you see is what you get.” I’m not much of a faker. I never have been. This doesn’t necessarily mean I wear every emotion on my sleeve, but still, I try to be real, though not always deeply revealing (in that I do try to practice wisdom). That’s why it’s been so important for me to be real in my writing. As I go through the seasons of my life, I find I have to be real and honest about them. With both myself and God.

Reading the above verses, it’s good to know that in this, I’m right on target. Like the Psalmist, God knows me better than I know myself. He knows what I think, feel, say and do, whether I’m honest about it or not. Whether I’m aware of it or not. And even whether I am near or far from Him. He knows whether I will take the high road, or the low road, way before I even arrive at the road.

Recently I had another miscarriage. That makes three. And once again, with my latest miscarriage, as with my previous two, I felt anger. I was angry with myself, with God, with the world The thing I didn’t want to do was pretend that I was ok, because I wasn’t. I was hurting badly and downright mad! This is just me, being real. I spoke of my hurt and anger in person, on my blog, to others and to God. And you know what? I began to feel better. Yes, I’m still in the process of healing. But being real, rather than in denial, is both healing and freeing.

Sadly, there are too many Christians who aren’t real. Worse yet, there are “seasoned” Christians who try to influence “newer” Christians to not be real. I wonder who they think they’re fooling? Certainly not God! He knows us, loves us, and understands when life, and the storms of life, gets to us. That’s part of the beauty of the reality of Jesus. He’s fully God and fully man. He felt strong emotions; He loved, laughed and grieved. He experienced loyalty and betrayal. And He faced, and conquered, death. He gets us!

And because He gets us, He expects us to be real, even if that real is raw. He is there for us, waiting for us to come to Him, to receive the comfort, peace and love that only He can give. Like a loving Father, He welcomes us to come and sit on His lap and pour out our hearts to him. Even if it is after a temper tantrum. And as we sit with Him, being real with Him, and inviting Him to touch us in His own special way, He does. Tenderly, lovingly, He reaches out to place His hand of blessing on our head.

Thank you, Lord, for your healing-balm, tender-mercies and loving-kindness. Though it is too great and wonderful for me to fully understand, I thank you.

Lauryn Abbott is a wife and mother, with a passion for writing and a zest for life. Her writing has always been a private passion, but recently the Lord has been urging her to make it public. More of her writing can be found on her Seed Thoughts blog at:

http://takeck.blogspot.com

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By Kathleen D. Angell

I had read Mother Teresa’s words that joy was a net of love by which to catch souls.

I had never seen that so clearly as I do now.

That Joy is the Presence of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

His Joy draws others to our Lord by the Presence of His light and life in us in that Joy.

It is truly a net by which to see souls saved. Jesus life draws people to Him.

I am put in remembrance this morning, again, of a show we did in which these words became so much more real to me.

There was a little stand there to talk to kids about Jesus.

What a glorious idea that was!

My little three year old grandson loves stories and to go visit the booth was a wonderful thing for him. He had already gone with grampa but was now wanting me to take him to the booths again and I didn’t realize he had already visited that booth. He wanted to go right in and sit down. And listen to the lady tell the story.

We got to the little kids booth and he went right in and sat down.

The lady looked up at me and told me he’d already been there. So I had to take him out of the booth.

I thought at the time if they only knew how much they had missed. An opportunity to welcome a little one again, in Jesus’ Name, is twice the opportunity to fill their lives with the remembrance of Jesus’ love.
It was the salvation story. What a blessed opportunity. I think I am going to go find a children’s book and do the same at my next show, Lord willing. And hand outs for little kids.

I knew then what it was that the joy of the Lord is a net of Love, by which to catch souls.

And I also knew that Christians need to be encouraged to walk and know His Joy. To know how Wonderful a life we have in Him, with plenty to share! People can get down and they need to be encouraged and lifted back up. Watered with encouragement.

How exciting this life is with our Lord Jesus. How Wonderful everyday is with Him. And there is plenty of His life to go around. He came to give life and life abundantly.

Love and Joy and Jesus life are those Waters in the Well that never go dry. You don’t have to keep them, you can give them away. And the more we give, the more we get in return to give away again.

No doubt there will be times and have been, that others will feel the same about me. I’ll do something that will look uncomely in my walk.

Maybe I’ll have gone through something and not respond well. But if Jesus is living in our lives, it is an exciting life. We can get back up and go again. Look at Paul. He was stoned on occasion, left in the deep, had stripes aplenty, but He was able, by Jesus Christ’s life in Him, to get back up and go again.

Children. They aren’t a bother. It can make a lifetime difference. People, they aren’t a bother either. It is for them all that Jesus came and gave His life that they might live.

If you need to be encouraged today, be encouraged. Jesus lives! He is alive and well.

People who don’t know the Lord need to see Him in us. He is alive to day, in us. Not only is He alive, which is so glorious, but He gives to us to be full of His life. He came to give life and that life abundantly. He keeps filling us up.

I have new strength today and desire abundantly to start afresh and see souls winned to Jesus.

Christians need to know that they have the Lord in their lives in such a wonderful way in which everyday can be a blessing for others. We are told we can stir up the gifts in us. We can pull out the log. We can repent and get back up. If we are just down, He will lift us up. He gives us so much.

Everyday is a day to be immersed in His life and love and be a vessel. It is an exciting walk.
The world offers us many things to bring rejection. But Jesus offers us Himself. His love and His welcomeness. Any who come to Him He will in no wise cast out.

It is like a tent. And that tent radiates welcome and love and light when it is full of the Joy of the Lord, and people want to come into it. That is Jesus. That is the expression of His joy in us outwardly going out to call people home. It calls them to HIm.

And it is like a net by which to catch souls. People need to know the love and joy expressed through the life of the Holy Spirit in us.

His love cares for the children, they are not a bother, and also cares for others, too and they are not a bother. That is what it is to love.

It is not a bother to have people come in to our lives. There is a welcomeness of Love and Joy. The Light is on in our tents to welcome them to Him.

Do we always walk in every circumstance perfectly? I don’t. But I always feel Jesus joy and Love present as I calm down and look to Him, and He fills me up. I know He is there for others to look to and when the LIght is on, which it always should be, they can feel a welcomeness to come to Him. All that I have given to me, is given for others to be able to know He lives, and to feel welcome to come Home to Him and to know Him.

Our life in Him comes out of our weakness. We are weak, and He is strong. We go through trials, but He brings us through. His joy is our strength in our own weakness.

Welcome the little children, and everyone that comes. People might not be ready to handle much, but they will remember for a long time the welcome of Joy that reaches out to say their lives are important and they not a bother. Little children will remember a loving thought and tender care and welcomeness for possibly, a lifetime to recall. That they are welcome, loved and not a bother.

It is the same with people. Jesus died for all people and cares for all people. He wants all people to come to Him to be saved.

Christians need to be encouraged. It is a glorious life we have in Jesus. A Wonderful and fulfilling walk. Full of Love, full of Hope, full of Joy. Full of every good thing in our Lord. It doesn’t come and go with the tide of life. Jesus is steady everyday, and if we come to Him we can be filled up and strengthened, in Joy, and get up like Paul and go on preaching the Gospel to all, in the Joy of the Lord.

My name is Kathleen Angell.

My life was dramatically changed when the Lord made Himself real to me.

My website is

christiannews.highpowersites.com

We take testimonies out door to door and feed the poor as the Lord provides.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

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• Devotional – The Precious Word of God (pastorpaulvbsblog.blogspot.com)

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with {an attitude of} thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, {as though} seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person (Col 4:2-6, NASB).”

Lord, help me to devote myself to prayer. To pray without ceasing. To be diligent and vigilant in the holy place of prayer. Help me to be alert, as a watchman should, that I might see any hint of the works of the flesh in me, my loved ones, and my brothers and sisters in Christ that I will be able to spot the weak areas where the enemy will attack and build a wall of defense in advance. Through prayer, preparing for coming battles; faithfully and courageously fighting current battlesall the while, fortifying any cracks and repairing any damages that already exist.

Father, I ask you to help me keep an attitude of thankfulness. Forgive me for every time I’ve taken Your blessings for granted every time I’ve abused Your grace. Let me be ever grateful for the abundant mercy You’ve shown me. You are worthy of all praise, glory, and honor. O, God, let me be like the one leper (out of the ten) who returned to give thanks to his Healer.

O, most Glorious Savior, I pray that you would open a door for me today – an opportunity to share your Glorious Gospel with an unbeliever or a word of encouragement and exhortation with one of Your wounded lambs. I pray also that You would give me understanding and enable me to speak in the way that You would have me to – that I might, by your grace and through the power of Your Holy Spirit, make clear the wondrous mystery of Christ and Him crucified, buried, risen, ascended, and seated at Your right hand soon to return in the clouds with power and great glory.

Help me, dear Lord, to conduct myself with wisdom toward all men – especially unbelievers. And let me make the most of every opportunity that You give me – to witness and proclaim the Good News of Your salvation – faithfully, fervently, and completely…leaving nothing unsaid that You want said. Give me grace, to speak with humbleness and compassion. Boldness, to declare Your Word fearlessly, with all confidence. And knowledge, to know how I should respond to any questions Your people may have. In the precious, Holy name of Christ my Savior, I pray…Amen.

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Author Info:

My ambition is to exalt the name of Christ. To develop a deeper relationship with Him through prayer and study of HIS word. I just want to honor Him in all I say and do.
http://www.mychristiansite.com/personal/glorifychrist/index.html

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE