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Showing posts from January, 2024

know him

 Jan 31, 2024 ”“Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”“ ‭‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭51‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This statement represents most of the people in the world.  They hear of Jesus but never read about him in the most reliable historic book in the world, the Holy Bible.  As believers we must study scripture like we do a diet and follow the description of what does it mean to believe in the Lord Jesus.  We can never know him enough and will always be learning more about his greatness and wonder forevermore.  If we don't have a desire to know him better we must ask if we really know him.  Lord give us the desire and discipline to know and love you more each day.  Amen

Love in truth

 Jan 30, 2024 ”And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold,“ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭45‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus was full of love which does not mean everything that others do is acceptable.  Love makes wrong things right.  It only makes sense to see or know of sinful events to address the evil and make it right.  All his healings he corrected evil and made the person well.  Love and truth are inseparable, therefore when you know the truth which sets you free you are loving yourself and others by sharing the truth of Jesus. Let us love like Jesus did.  Amen

Made by God

 Jan 30, 2024 "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The gift of the Holy Spirit comes out of the heart of those who believe.  When Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead and ascended to God, the part of God, the Holy Spirit was sent to those who were selected to believe.  Therefore, we are saved by the free gift from God, not by works so no one can boast.  We believers task is to life the way we were made to live, holy, righteous, loving lives.  How marvelous to know how much God loves us! Amen 

atest Miracle

 Jan 26, 2024 ”As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,“ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭37‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Many of the followers were with Jesus because of all the miracles he preformed and coming to Jerusalem they expected more miracles.  Those who stayed true to Jesus and his words did see the greatest miracle in all the world, the punishment for our sins on Jesus.  Nothing greater could anyone ever experience, true everlasting forgiveness.  What a victory that so many people miss!  Lord thank you for dying for our sins.  Amen

All that you want

 Jan 25, 2024 ”Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ What a wonderful God Jesus is that he gives them as much food as they wanted.  We often hear that God satisfies all our needs but here Jesus gives them as much food as they wanted!  Nothing short of completely satisfied. Our God loves to please those who depend on him and want to learn more about the kingdom of God.  We all long to have all our wants met and only Jesus has the ability and desire to give us all things.  Let us trust him more each day.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

Incorruptible love

 Jan 24, 2024 ”Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Love incorruptible means loving without the ability to be corrupt.  So how can we love Jesus that way?  On our own it is impossible but since our love for Jesus is a gift from God it will never be corrupt.  So if we feel like our love for Jesus is lacking or not what it should be, our first response is to pray and ask God to fill us with love.  We  must realize everything we need comes from God as a gracious gift, therefore we must ask for what we need and rejoice when we receive his love.  Praise you Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Win the battle

 Jan 22, 2024 ”praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Praying all times in the Holy Spirit when we are in battle with the Satan or evil temptations.  We need to never fight alone but know that God is always with us.  That truth should set us free to always win the battle because we know that nothing compares to the power and wisdom of God.  The sin comes in when we think we can win in our own strength.  Let us battle sin today with the love of Jesus in our hearts with joy.  Amen

Truth and righteousness

 Jan 22, 2024 ”Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we battle on God's side we must be truthful and righteous.   Oh how important these moral values are in being a believer in Jesus.  Since Jesus knows all things and is in control of all things then we must be truthful and righteous  in everything we do.  It may seem productive to hide or make up the truth at times but knowing Jesus should cause us to not go down the path of deception but to trust and obey.  Lord Jesus help us to be truthful and righteous for your glory and our joyful victory.  Amen

A difficult question

 Jan 21, 2024 ”When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”“ ‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus asked this man a question that we all have to answer, Do we want to be healed or saved?  It seems like a ridiculous question for who doesn't want to be healed?  Many people become comfortable in their sin and don't care that the consequences are harmful.  If you are saved from your sin then you must get up and leave your comfort place.  That often causes criticism and other difficulty.  Jesus calls us to turn from our sin and follow him.  If we truly want to see the Lord working in our lives we must be willing to give up our sin.  Lord help us to choose you over our sin today.  Amen  

Depend on God

 Jan 21, 2024 ”Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Be strong in the strength of the Lord God.  How strong is God?There is no power anywhere that compares with God's might.  All power comes from God therefore, what we need to do more than anything is to be on God's side.  When God is for us we are totally safe, nothing can harm us.  Our greatest need and desire is to know Jesus better each day for those who know him will rejoice in him now and desire being with him forever.  Pray without ceasing, means to have a relationship with God that trust, believes, and depends on him all the time!  Come soon Lord Jesus come soon.  Amen

Live for reward

 Jan 20, 2024 ”rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ There is a very selfish way of living which rewards you for all your good deeds.  When we think of and serve others the Lord Jesus will reward us.  He sees everything and will reward us in heaven if not sooner.  It is our nature to be rewarded for what good we do but it often is overlooked.  Our faith in Jesus and his love and righteousness will honor all those who love him and serve others.  So if you desire great rewards live thinking of God and others more than yourself.  Amen

Share the good news

 Jan 19, 2024 ”Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭36‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus is the sower and the reaper by speaking about himself to the women at the well.  When his word is received the person becomes born again and obtains eternal life.  There are times when people hear the word but do not receive it but later they do.  Our task is to share the good news with them.  Lord use us to share your love to others so we all will rejoice in heaven. Amen

The mystery of marriage

 Jan 18, 2024 ""Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Marriage is the world's example of Jesus and his church.  That is why it so often is being attacked, for Satan hates Jesus and those that make up his body, the church.  The joy that is available to married couples is seldom understood because they fail to know what marriage can produce, namely one new person out of two.  One is spirit, thought, and created power.  When we are connected to Jesus the potential for joy is eternal and we experience increased happiness the more we submit to him.  In like matter we must submit to our spouses and trust the Lord Jesus will help our marriages blend together.  Lord may we realize the opportunity we have to become more than our wildest dreams!  All the praise to yo...

Love yourself

 Jan 17, 2024 ”In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬ True love goes out to others and helps the source.  When you truly love you put the other persons needs above yours.  And the wonderful, amazing result is the other person receives help and you receive joy.  God through love produces peace, content and joy through love.  Therefore if you truly love yourself you would love your spouse and put their needs above yours.  Amazing love!   Amen

Submit God God

 Jan 16, 2024 ”Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we submit to the Lord like Paul is encouraging then we will be able to submit to each other.  The curse of God on Eve was that she will want to rule over her husband.  So telling wives to submit to there husband is saying that as believers in Jesus we have the ability to not sin if we submit to the Holy Spirit's guidance and power.  We must learn to trust that God has a plan for us and when we submit our wills to him all things are possible!  Amen

Do you believe in God?

 Jan 16, 3024 ”John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭27‬ ‭ESV‬‬ All that we are and possess comes from heaven.  This statement is a declaration of faith in God.  Do we trust that he is all powerful and is the source of life?  Do we believe he is a good and loving God?   Do we believe he had a plan and purpose for our lives that will glorify him?  Do we believe that he sent his Son Jesus to rescue us from the penalty of our sins?  If we answer yes to these questions then we will have joy that nothing can take away.  Praise you God for your love for us.  Amen

Don't get drunk

 Jan 15, 2024 ”And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Debauchery is extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures  that can come when we are drunk with wine.  It is when a person takes all the pleasure and beauty that God created and uses it for self gratification not thanking God for what he offers us in an appropriate way.  It makes us throw away all of God's rules for self pleasure.  Instead we should be filled with the Holy Spirit and enjoy all of God's pleasures in a God honoring way with psalms and hymns singing and making our heart's rejoice in all that God has done for us.  Lord help us to desire the greatest joy which is in you.  Praise you Lord Jesus.  Amen

Walk in love

 Jan15, 2024 ”Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We have the great ability to self analysis how we are living.  We make many decisions everyday most out of reaction and fulfillment of our routines.  But we do have the gift to stop and question how we respond to our environment.  What causes our choices?  Is it selfish wants or selfless love.  Evil is choosing self over loving others because "when we were yet sinners Christ died for us."Therefore we must stop and analysis our daily walk and ask ourselves what occupies our time, selfish desires or selfless love.  Lord Jesus you have given us the ability to walk in love, help us to desire and accomplish your will for us.  Amen 

Trust the Bible

 Jan 13, 2024 ”When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We want to trust the promises of Jesus in our lives. This verse encourages us to believe in Scripture that it is the word of God.  We often struggle because we neglect what the Bible tells us or we don't want to know it for it will tell us to do what we don't want to or don't do what we want to do.  The more we trust and obey Scripture, the more our faith in God will grow. Lord help us to trust your word.  Amen

Inherent the kingdom of God

 Jan 11, 2024 ”For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Our sinful nature cannot inherent the kingdom of God because God is holy, righteous, and pure.  Therefore we must be born again, born of God and put off our sinfulness by renewing our heart.  Yes God will forgive our sins, but we must be growing in righteousness and desire to become pure, holy and righteous.  Lord give us the desire and ability to grow in your love and know we will inherit eternal life with you.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

Be Tenderhearted

 Jan 10, 2024 ”Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When you are tender hearted instead of hard hearted you have compassion and sympathy for those who wronged you.  The next logical step is to forgive them even if they don't repent.  God shows mercy and grace to everyone and only those who love Jesus will repent and humble themselves before the Lord God.  Lord Jesus teach us to receive your mercy and grace by being sensitive to your love.  Then we can be tenderhearted and forgive others.  Amen

Be sober minded

 Jan 9, 2024 Be sober minded.   ”Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Anger often leads to sin for anger is often connected to revenge.  We determine that we have been wronged instead of allowing the anger to flow to understanding that God is testing our faith.  If all things work together for our good then the incident that leads to anger should turn to joy knowing that God is making us more holy.  Lord help us to be sober minded so we can trust your love and control in our life.  Amen  

Grow in righteousness

 Jan 8, 2024 ”and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬ When we confess our sins Jesus removes the consequences of disobedience.  He allows the Holy Spirit to renew our minds which enables us to put on the new person who thinks and behaves like Jesus.   If you feel your faith in the Lord is not growing pray that God will show you where you need forgiveness.  Then continue to put on your new self in the likeness of the Lord.  This process is a gracious gift that only believers receive.  It is an ongoing process that will culminate when we see Jesus face to face in righteousness and holiness. All praise to you Lord Jesus.  Amen

Eternal Joy

 Jan 7, 2024 ”Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬ A non believer in Jesus has not experienced the love and closeness of God.  Their greatest need and desire is self gratification.  This desire becomes selfishness and puts their needs above everyone else.  Only a relationship with the Lord can change our hearts to desire him more than our sensuality.  When we realize to deny our self and take up our cross and follow Jesus. Then we are choosing to taste eternal joy instead of temporary pleasure . Lord open our hearts to your joy that lasts forever.  Amen

Speaking the truth

 Jan 6, 2024 ”Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We are to speak the truth in love so we can grow into Jesus.  It doesn't mean we are to try to act like Jesus with our own strength.  The truth is that the Holy Spirit is transforming us from the inside to become loving and wise like Jesus.  Loving God and others and trusting God when we don't understand.  We will learn that God's will is better than our will all the time.  Praise you Lord God.  Amen

Choose to be holy

 Jan 4, 2024 ”Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.“ ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Temptations will come some by your own choosing and some by our enemy the devil and his demons.  We must resist those desires that we know are wrong.  It is not easy but God is faithful to give us the power to resist if we choose to take it.  Lord give us the awareness of our battle and help us win the fight for holiness.  Amen 

The closeness of Jesus

 Jan 4, 2024 ”He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus did it all, paid it all and fulfills it all.  We don't have a God who is distant and we have to try to bring him to us.  He came to us, knocked on our door and lives with us now by the Holy Spirit.  All we must do is ask him to open our hearts more each day so we may comprehend the depth of his love for us.  Praise you Jesus.  Amen 

Free from worry

 Jan 3, 2024 ”casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.“ ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Worry is normal but very costly.  It robs us of joy, happiness and peace.  There are many techniques people use to rid themselves of worry but sometimes the remedy is more costly than the problem!  Peter tells us to cast your worries onto Jesus because he cares for you.  Now this is meaningless unless you know Jesus as Lord, Savior and God. If you do then it makes perfect sense for Jesus can do anything and he loves you.  We are never along so trust in the Lord always.  Free from all worries!  Praise you Jesus.  Amen

Snowflakes for God

 Jan 3, 2024 ”But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬ We are all one in Jesus because  of all that God has done for us.  But we are not all the same.  We are unique like snow flakes by the measure of grace the Lord gives us.  We have exactly the right gift from God to do the tasks we have been prepared to do.  How freeing and empowering to know we don't need to depend on our own strength but only to trust in the Lord to provide us with everything we need to glorify him and love others.  Amazing grace!  Amen