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Life As It Was Meant To Be Part 11: Praying To Win! By Louie Marsh, 8-22-2021 4 Pics – last one race. I Need To Pray For: 1) Myself – that I help spread GOD'S WORD. “1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,” (2 Thessalonians 3:1, ESV) In Myself – GROWTH In Others - EVANGELISM 2) Christ's STRENGTH. “3But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you...” (2 Thessalonians 3:3a, ESV) 3) Christ's PROTECTION. “3But the Lord is faithful. He will…guard you against the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, ESV) 4) CONFIDENCE in Christ. “4And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.” (2 Thessalonians 3:4, ESV) 5) God's LOVE. “5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God...” (2 Thessalonians 3:5a, ESV) Remember this is God's TOUGH “6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6–12, ESV) 6) Christ's PERSERVANCE. “5May the Lord direct your hearts … to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV) “13As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13–15, ESV) 7) Complete PEACE. “16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16, ESV) May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you! 2 Thes. 3:16 (Mes) 8) God's GRACE. “17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:17–18, ESV)
Rev. Michael EastActs 4:32-5:1-11For more information about FPC Norman, visit www.fpcnorman.org
Life As It Was Meant To Be Part 3: Love As It Was Meant To Be Louie Marsh, 6-22-2021 The Critical Command: LIVE a Life WORTHY of God! “12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12, ESV) “4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV) By saying they are approved Paul seems to be saying he's living worthy – but how is this possible?? “10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:10, ESV) As you can see this is a common command in the Bible! Worthy - “the measure or weight that balances the scale.” Imagine a big scale, on the one side is everything God has done and is – Christ's death on the cross, His Grace, Love, forgiveness, etc. Now what about my end?? How is it possible to do this ??? By getting to the heart of the command! What is at the heart of this command? – 37And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”” (Matthew 22:37–40, ESV) Love is the heart of the Christian life and is the only way I can even come close to living worthy of God! All the Scriptures hang on this! “1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1–2, ESV) Without love it doesn't matter what else you do – LOVE is the only way to live like God wants you too – so let's look at how we can love like God wants us too. Four Steps In Living Worthy of God: 1) LOOK to Christ as my source of love. “1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” (1 Thessalonians 2:1–2, ESV) Paul had a rough time in Phillippi – he was persecuted, jailed, and eventually ran out of town! What did he do? Take time off to heal his wounded spirit, get depressed because he was over stressed? Nope! He took right off, went over the mountains to Thessalonica to preach the Gospel there!! How did he do that?? “13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, ESV) Paul looked to Christ as the source of His love!! He didn't depend on love from others to keep him going – although it doesn't hurt either!! But bottom line for Paul – Christ was his source of the love that matters! This Means: I don't BROOD over past suffering. I don't HARDEN MY HEART to protect myself. I don't RELY on people's love & acceptance to keep going. 2) MAKE God be my audience of one. “4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel…6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4, 6, ESV) “10For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, ESV) I must live to PLEASE God alone! We've talked a lot about this – but it's so important – if you live for an Audience of one – your life will be so much more peaceful and happy! This frees me from being a PEOPLE PLEASER. Here's the truth – remember this – YOU CAN'T REALLY LOVE PEOPLE AS LONG AS WE NEED THEM!! The truth is when a lot of us say I love you what we really mean is I need you!! That needy, clinging, controlling, confining spirit so many people think of as love isn't!! Once I'm free of need, I'm really free to give myself to others! It allows me to have REAL, HEALTHY relationships. Now I relate to you on a healthy basis – not on the basis of what you do for me or what I do for you! 3) LIBERATE myself from impure motives. 5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. (1 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV) To do this I must… LIVE by the standards in God's word. You DON'T use your standards – they will either be too high or low, and you DON'T go by your feelings!! LISTEN to others who are wise and mature. People can help you – and often see things about yourself you can't! RELY on God's help! DO NOT try and do this yourself – you will go crazy!! Why did I think that, what were my motives, and why am I asking why? AHHHHHHH!!!! “23Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24, ESV) grievous way = way of an idol. “39then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),” (1 Kings 8:39, ESV) Only God knows your heart – so go to Him!! “11For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:11, ESV) 4) LEARN to give my soul to others in Christ. “7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”…“11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8,11–12, ESV) The word for self or lives here is the word Psyche, soul! Real love is giving the deepest part of you to others. This Requires: A personal and long lasting COMMITMENT to others. The willingness to be OPEN to others.
1st Thessalonians: Life as It Was Meant to Be Part One: First Things First! Louie Marsh, 6-13-2021 “1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1, ESV) God's Grace Allows Me To… 1) Enter God's Family by COMMITTING my life to Christ. “11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,” (Titus 2:11, ESV) “6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” (Romans 11:6, ESV) Paul says that the Christian faith turns how you look at things on its head! Normally we start by working hard and then eventually reach our goal. Not so here – you start by accepting the gift of salvation and THEN work hard because of the joy the gift brings! Otherwise grace isn't grace! “5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5–7, ESV) If you think you are supposed to get good enough or get it together enough and then come to Christ – you are wrong!! First to receive the gift – then you get it together – by His power! 2) Enter into God's Presence through PRAYER. “18O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.” (Daniel 9:18, ESV) God hears and answers our prayers because of His Grace - He doesn't have too! “16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV) Because of Grace we can be bold with God - He isn't going to squash us if we ask for the wrong thing! 3) Enter into God's Purpose through SERVICE. “12I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12–14, ESV) I'm so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn't know what I was doing—didn't know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus. 1 Tim. 1:12-14 (Mes) Grace is the door way to finding and fulfilling our purpose in life! What's that? It's serving God and others in that special way the He made you for! If you are not serving God, you are cheating everyone, and cheating yourself most of all! 4) Enter into God's Power through FAITH. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Cor. 15:10 See the mystery – Paul worked BUT it was really Christ working in Him, it's hard to tell who's doing who when we are one with Christ! But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven't I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn't amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it. 1 Cor. 15:10 (Mes) and then he told me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become 2 Cor. 12:9-10 (Mes) Weakness becomes opportunity and strength when we really rely on Christ's GRACE and not our own puny strength! God's Peace 1) Is a result of God's GRACE. “27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27, ESV) No grace – no peace! 2) Will help me REMAIN faithful. “7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, ESV) Without peace of mind and soul I won't be able to stay faithful to God or anyone else! “33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33, ESV) Jesus says we'll suffer in this life – BUT with His peace and presence we'll make it through! 3) Is a critical part of my SPIRITUAL LIFE. “17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17, ESV) Peace is part of the foundation of the Kingdom of God – which means it's a vital part of our spiritual life! 4) Gives me the HOPE I need to live! “13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13, ESV)
Are you facing an impossible storm? Learn about God's authority over everything and how to find confidence in Jesus.Today, we are reminded to focus on God rather the problems we face. And we get five tips to grow our faith in Christ:-Remember Jesus reigns.-Realize Jesus is with you.-Read the Bible.-Relive Jesus' faithfulness.-Reclaim what Satan has taken.Through this series, you'll learn how to live well & enjoy God's promises. You are loved by God; He knows your name. He has a plan for your life. Get helpful advice, encouragement, and hope for a life well lived in 2021 and beyond.Are you walking in faith and victory? Set your eyes on the promises of God. You only have one life journey; say yes to Jesus. Like the parables of the buried treasure and the valuable pearl, stop at nothing to gain your entry into the kingdom of heaven.See full notes and suggested praise and worship here: https://agfaithchapel.org/sermons-messages/wheres-your-faith-5-rs-to-faith-confidence-in-god-life-is-a-journey-part-11For more sermons and resources, visit www.agfaithchapel.org/sermons. Please consider supporting this ministry at www.agfaithchapel.org/give.This is brought to you by Faith Chapel church in Pleasanton, CA. Learn more at www.agfaithchapel.org.If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review? It's quick and very appreciated!
Disciple Up # 212 I'm a Christian NOT a Victim! By Louie Marsh, 5-26-2021 Intro. Picking up were yesterday's sermon ends, the URL for it is below. https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/christschurchontheriver/06_The_Gospel_of_John_1-7_Do_I_Want_to_Get_Well.mp3 I'm going to do some recapping of the early parts and then get into the main point here. 1) Do I REALLY WANT to get well? 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" John 5:5-6 (NIV) This may be the most profound question in the entire Bible. If it's not then it's certainly one of the most important and profound. It seems like such a silly question to ask. Surely a man who had been disabled for that many years would love to be healed. But the truth is, that many of us grow so accustomed to being sick or needy and the attention that it brings them that I'm not really sure that they want things to be any different. Christ's question to all of us this morning is “Do you want to get well?” Some of us here today face serious physical illness. But many of us are not physically ill but have allowed other things to ruin our lives. Whether that's alcohol abuse, drug abuse, sexual sin, pornography, greed, people pleasing, fear, etc. We all have to answer this question – Do I really want to get well, or have I become comfortable in my dysfunction and sin? I have to move beyond just wanting the pain and discomfort to end. What Jesus wants to know is do I want to be well? Do I want to start down the road to becoming like Christ, the real road to recovery. Is THAT what I want? Or do I just want a little relief from my pain? 2) SOME SIGNS I'M NOT SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING WELL. I practice BLAME SHIFTING 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” John 5:7 (ESV) 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:12-13 (ESV) I make EXCUSES. I have NO TALENT OR ABILITY. But Moses pleaded with the LORD, "O Lord, I'm just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I'm not now, even after you have spoken to me. I'm clumsy with words." Exodus 4:10 (NLT) It's TO HARD/DON'T KNOW HOW. 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” Jeremiah 1:6 (ESV) I'm too BUSY. 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Matthew 8:21 (ESV) I use the GOD DODGE. 12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” 13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, sir, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” Judges 6:12-13 (ESV) I play the VICTIM (FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF.) 2 And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:2-3 (ESV) Thinking Biblically about suffering, rejection and all kinds of pain will require a major shift in our perspective. “38So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” (Acts 5:38–42, ESV) “18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:18–25, ESV) “7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So death is at work in us, but life in you. 16So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:7–12, 16-18, ESV) “21For to THIS you have been called, because Christ also SUFFERED for you, leaving you an example, so that you might FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS. 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:21–25, ESV) “31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31–39, ESV)
In October of 2006, Meg Walsh went missing. She wasn't at her home, and she didn't turn up for work. The garda investigation that followed revealed that Meg had had some troubling experiences recently in her private life. Her body was found in the river Suir two weeks after she was first reported missing. But without a crime scene, would it be possible to get justice for Meg? Join me at CrimeCon UK on September 25th and 26th 2021. For more information and tickets visit crimecon.co.uk. Use the code MENSREA for 10% off. Purchase a ticket with the code and get in touch to get a free Mens Rea T-Shirt (limited to first 10 listeners who contact me) With thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Check out the global leader in mens grooming and Get 20% Off + Free Shipping at Manscaped.com with the code MENS Find us on Facebook or Twitter! With thanks to our supporters on Patreon! Donate today to get access to bonus and ad-free episodes! Check out the Mens Rea Merch Store! Theme Music: Quinn’s Song: The Dance Begins Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Additional Music: Allemande (Sting) by Wahneta Meixsell. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Sources:Cormac Looney, “Missing mum murder fear” in The Evening Herald (6 October 2006) p. 1, 2. Isobel Hurley, 'Bloodstains in mum's car” in The Eveing Herald(7 Octover 2006) p. 2.Brendan Furlong, “Gardai fear for Meg's life” in The Sunday World (8 October 2006) p. 8. Ralph Riegel, “Bloodstains near missing mother's car cause alarm” in The Sunday Independent (8 October 2006) p. 4. Cormac Looney, “pain for friends unwilling to talk of the worst” in The Evening Herald (9 October 2006) p. 3. Ralph Riegel, “Family fears the worst as search goes on for Meg” in The Irish Independent (9 October 2006) p. 14. Cormac Looney, “Dark estuary to reveal its mysteries as hope fades” in The Evening Herald (10 October 2006) p. 8. Cormac Looney, “Missing Margaret told gardai she feared for her life” in The Evening Herald (10 October 2006) p. 8. Niall O'Connor, “Gardai widening their search for missing mum who told friends she lived in fear for her safety” in The Irish Independent (10 October 20060 p. 4. Cormac Looney, “Have you seen this car? Meg's killer used it” in The Evening Herald (12 October 2006) p. 10. Ralph Riegel and Ciaran Murphy, “New appeal as gardai fear for missing Meg” in The Irish Independent (12 October 2006) p. 10. Michael Quinn and Cormac Looney, “Find my missing mum” in The Evening Herald (13 October 2006) p. 1, 2-3.“Body of missing Meg may be adrift at sea” in The Irish Independent (13 October 2006) p. 7. Ralph Riegel, “Fearful family plead for help in hunt for woman who vanished” in The Irish Independent(14 October 2006) p. 6. Niall O'Connor, “Blood found in Meg's house” in The Sunday World (15 October 2006) p. 10-11For a full list of sources, please see mensreapod.com
57 In this episode, I start by reading scriptures about what God's word says about being humble.Go to our website to hear all the episodes in this series.Spiritual Warfare The Armor of GodJames 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.2 Chronicles 7:14If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.Luke 14:11For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, they shall inherit the earth.James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up.Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.1 Peter 5:5-7 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.I also talk about the fruits of the Spirit and the works of the flesh found in Galatians 5:19-23Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just like I told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law.
This week's sermon is on the Old Testament Reading from Exodus chapter 20: Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; 3you shall have no other gods before me. 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. 8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9For six days you shall labour and do all your work. 10But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. 12 Honour your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. 17 You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour. [NRSV]
1 Corinthians 1:1-13 (ESV) Greeting 1Paul,calledby the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 2To the church of God that is in Corinth, to thosesanctified in Christ Jesus,called to be saints together with all those who in every placecall upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving 4Igive thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,5that in every wayyou were enriched in him in allspeech and all knowledge6even asthe testimony about Christ was confirmed among you7so that you are not lacking in any gift, as youwait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,8who will sustain you to the end,guiltlessin the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9God is faithful, by whom you were called into thefellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Divisions in the Church 10I appeal to you, brothers,by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be nodivisions among you, but that you be unitedin the same mind and the same judgment.11For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there isquarreling among you, my brothers.12What I mean is thateach one of you says, I follow Paul, or I followApollos, or I followCephas, or I follow Christ.13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were youbaptized in the name of Paul?
1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 6Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! 8Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. 14The friendshipb of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. 15My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. 16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. 22Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
Could there be hidden pride tucked away in your heart that you haven't even realized was there? Can you identify ways that it may be expressing itself in your life? When you let go of pride and step into humility, you step into the freedom of allowing yourself to be exactly the person God has called you to be.Philippians 2:1-11For more great faith based content, visit:http://www.soulstrengthfit.com
Hebrews 2-5-18 -ESV--5For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. -6It has been testified somewhere, -What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him- -7You made him for a little while lower than the angels- you have crowned him with glory and honor, -8putting everything in subjection under his feet.- Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. -9But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. -10For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. -11For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, -12saying, -I will tell of your name to my brothers- in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.- -13And again, -I will put my trust in him.- And again, -Behold, I and the children God has given me.- -14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, -15and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. -16For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. -17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that
The REAL meaning of CHRISTmas with Scott CHRISTMAS EVE December 24th, 2020 ... Luke 2:1–20 (NKJV) 1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Isaiah 61 The Year of theLord's Favor 61The Spirit of the LordGodis upon me,because theLordhasanointed meto bring good news to the poor;he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim liberty to the captives,andthe opening of the prison to those who are bound;2to proclaim the year of theLord's favor,and the day of vengeance of our God;to comfort all who mourn;3to grant to those who mourn in Zionto give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning,the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;that they may be called oaks of righteousness,the planting of theLord,that he may be glorified.4They shall build up the ancient ruins;they shall raise up the former devastations;they shall repair the ruined cities,the devastations of many generations. 5Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;6but you shall be called the priests of theLord;they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;you shall eat the wealth of the nations,and in their glory you shall boast.7Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;they shall have everlasting joy. 8For I theLordlove justice;I hate robbery and wrong;I will faithfully give them their recompense,and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.9Their offspring shall be known among the nations,and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;all who see them shall acknowledge them,that they are an offspring theLordhas blessed. 10I will greatly rejoice in theLord;my soul shall exult in my God,for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,as a bridegroom decks himselflike a priest with a beautiful headdress,and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,so the LordGodwill causerighteousness and praiseto sprout up before all the nations.
New Habits For Old Fruitcakes.Luke 2:1-8Hope Delivered Directly From God. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10“Hope is believing that the future will be better than the past” | “Your hopelessness about the problem is a bigger problem than the problem”Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans15:13Believing is a Door that leads to hope.Answers Today For My Real Needs.11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11Jesus + Nothing = Everything | Jesus + Anything = NothingBreakthrough Birth From An Unknown, Unexpected, And Unrecognized Source.12And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.FOUR KINDS OF PLACES THAT RESTORE SPIRITUAL PASSION:1. The Sanctuary: Psalm 73:16, 17 “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” 2. The Night Room: Psalm 63:6 - 7 “On my bed I remember You: I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings.” 3. The Protective Wings: Psalm 57:1 “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” 4. The Strong Hands: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:15,16“The opportunity of a lifetime needs to be seized during the lifetime of the opportunity.”― Leonard Ravenhill Transformation Takes Time And Takes Off.17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:17, 20Making Known Makes Glory. | , Be a Linus - https://youtu.be/OJ8qjdxxzzE Peanuts Christmas. -DROP YOUR BLANKET!
Luke 2:820 (NKJV) 8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! 15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. 16And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
Rev. Michael East - Isaiah 40:1-11For more information about FPC Norman, visit www.fpcnorman.org
Disciple Up # 187 What About Repentance, Works & Salvation? By Louie Marsh, 11-25-2020 Intro. Happy Thanksgiving! An E-mail comes in: Hello louie this is josh again and I have been struggling to understand this topic that I have came apon concerning ones salvation. The topic is a few questions, are we saved in just believing in christ or Is repentance required for salvation? Roman's 10:9-13. In this passage Paul does not mention repentance as a need for salvation. Is believing enough or is there more we need to do to be saved? What got me thinking about this was this video I watched on this topic, which I would like for you to watch and see if what his is saying is right Mike, holdingfirmly channel on YouTube If You Do Well Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAdqrvjUn0&feature=youtu.be “The Great deception among most Professed Christians is they refuse to recognize that Patient Continuance in Doing Well is the determining factor on whether or not they will enter the Kingdom of God. They think Salvation is a Package deal, that once they 'receive Jesus forgiveness of past, present and future sins is assured and nothing they do or don't do from that point forward has any bearing on the outcome of their inheritance of eternal life. Under the 'not of works', collective reasoning 'doing well' may be a by-product of Faith, but its never a necessity in that 'NOT doing well will disqualify them form the Kingdom.” Mistakes – “he told Cain to do well which he wouldn't have done if he had a sin nature.” BUT Jesus regularly told people who were fallen to “go and sin not.” Plus later he says the whole structure of the Scriptures is God telling us to do well, but that contradicts which said about Cain. “God expects an increase of His grace.” What does that even mean? How can you or I increase God's grace since that comes from him and is a part of him? This is based on a misunderstanding of the Old Testament Covenants (yes, there were more than one) and the New Testament covenant of Jesus. He only quotes part of this passage and then concludes that the disciples were able to deal with sin – “21And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”” (Matthew 20:21–23, ESV) - when the passage proves the opposite! Great example of Is eisegesis – forming an opinion and then forcing it upon the text. This man cannot properly interpret Scripture. He either doesn't know about or ignores one of the primary rules of interpretation of Scripture which is: You interpret the Old Testament in light of the New Testament. Not the other way around, which is what he does. He points out that in the OT you had to work to be saved or in the kingdom, then he quotes Jesus to support this (mangling His words as seen above) and then concludes he's right. He forgets or ignores that Jesus lived under the Old Covenant and spoke to people who lived under it too! It's not till He rises from the grave that the New Covenant takes effect. They FAILED when they betrayed Christ! I'm not saying he's bad or evil or is deliberately trying to mislead. I am saying he's wrong, woefully wrong and in a way that anyone who's taken even ONE class on how to interpret the Bible ought to be able to see. Josh's Questions: Are we saved in just believing in Christ or Is repentance required for salvation? Roman's 10:9-13. In this passage Paul does not mention repentance as a need for salvation. Is believing enough or is there more we need to do to be saved? Does God expect an increase of his grace? Can you be saved in your sin by faith alone? Are there deeds required in faithfulness. Watch out for Proof Texting A proof text is a passage of scripture presented as proof for a theological doctrine, belief, or principle. Proof texting (sometimes "proof-texting" or "proof texting") is the practice of using isolated, out-of-context quotations from a document to establish a proposition in eisegesis (introducing one's own presuppositions, agendas, or biases). Such quotes may not accurately reflect the original intent of the author, and a document quoted in such a manner, when read as a whole, may not support the proposition for which it was cited. The term has currency primarily in theological and exegetical circles. “8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” (Romans 10:8–11, ESV) Notice that this doesn't mention repentance. So is it really necessary? Proof texters would say this proves it's not important! But they taking the wrong approach. You need to look at all the verses on this subject and see what they say. Note that this verse doesn't say you have to ask God to forgive your sins either. Is that now something we don't do? Repentance is one of the things we do, along with believing, confessing and being baptized, that we do when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives. Does God expect an increase of his grace? Honestly and sincerely I don't know what this means. “20Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” (Romans 5:20, ESV) “15For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15, ESV) “6which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,” (Colossians 1:6, ESV) Can you be saved in your sin by faith alone? I already answered this. Are there deeds required in faithfulness. “14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:14–19, ESV) “26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26, ESV) You aren't saved by works, but your works prove your faith. That's it and that's all. This guys “Doing Well” stuff has another fatal flaw in it that I've save for now – HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'VE DONE WELL ENOUGH TO BE SAVED? He gives no standard for us to look too. There's nothing about that in the Bible. So you are left up on your own never being sure if you are accepted by God or not. You don't have to have read much of the NT to see that this kind of insecurity isn't typical of the language used about salvation. If he's right then no one can ever know they are saved since they cannot know if they done well enough.
Disciple Up # 186 Greater Than, Part 4 Jesus Suffered & Understands Our Suffering; Hebrews 2:5-18 By Louie Marsh, 11-18-2020 Intro. Angels Won't Rule the World - Hebrews 2:5-8 “5For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” (Hebrews 2:5–8, ESV) The words “put in subjection” are the translation of hupotasso (ὑποτασσο), a military term used of arranging soldiers in order under the commanding general. The word speaks of an economy, a system of administration. - Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 10, p. 54). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. This speaks to the order that God always brings to things. Even when we can't see it or understand it, it's there. Which is why Paul says that God is not a God of confusion but of peace. – 1 Corinthians 14:33 We still marvel at the way nature works to this very day. We marvel at how human creativity works, at how things often seem to come together. This is why people say ignorant things like, “The universe brings this to me.” NO, it's not the universe – the universe is just an inanimate created thing. IT's God's creation and the order He built into the universe that does all these things. Give Him the glory NOT the things He created! This isn't the usual word for world we see – Kosmos. Kosmos means a world system or what we call culture. But this word means… The word “world” is the translation of oikoumene (οἰκουμενε), literally, “the inhabited earth,” - Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 10, p. 54). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. So he's really talking about people here. In the world to come – Millennial Kingdom, whatever, Angels won't be ruling over people. God and His people will rule. 6It has been testified somewhere… (Hebrews 2:6a) I love this! He doesn't have the reference in mind but correctly quotes the verses anyway! Here's the reference from Psalm 8 “4what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,” (Psalm 8:4–6, ESV) But this isn't happening right now. …Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” (Hebrews 2:8b, ESV) This is another example of the realism of the Bible. Obviously this world isn't under subjection to God and the Bible makes no attempt to pretend that it is. But someday it will be and that's what this passage is talking about. The Incarnation: “9But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9, ESV) Note here how the incarnation and Christ's work on the cross is described: Lower than the angels for a little while. Crowned with glory and honor because he suffered and died He died for everyone “10For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”” (Hebrews 2:10–13, ESV) Why is it fitting that Jesus had to suffer? For it was fitting for him, on account of whom (are) all the (existing) things and through whom (are) all the (existing) things, that he as bringing many sons to glory make the Author of their salvation complete by means of suffering. In the case of the Messiah suffering is so far from being an outrageous idea that in the accomplishment of God's grace, that of bringing many sons to glory, it positively accorded with his own nature and his relation to all things to make the Author of their salvation the Author that he is by means of suffering. Nothing else would have befitted God, all Jewish and all human preconceptions to the contrary notwithstanding. The writer does not speak of necessity although one might say that what is fitting and proper for God is, therefore, also necessary for him, for God cannot act in a manner that is unbefitting him. The fact that αὐτῷ refers to God and not to Jesus needs no proof. God is the agent of the passive participles used in v. 9 as he is the agent also of this new sentence. To aid us in understanding his thought the writer does not merely say that “it is fitting for God” but that it is fitting “for him on account of whom all the (existing) things (are) and through whom all the (existing) things (are),” τὰ πάντα as in v. 8. The two διά clauses declare that all the things that exist and occur do so “because of him” and “through him”: they are on God's account, for his sake (i. e., for his glory), as they are also due to his agency (his hand being involved in them all.) - Lenski, R. C. H. (1938). The interpretation of the Epistle to the Hebrews and of the Epistle of James (pp. 79–80). Columbus, OH: Lutheran Book Concern. So Lenski is saying that it's fitting because it's connected with God's nature and His relationships with His created beings to bring about salvation thru suffering. Man brought sin into the world, sin brings suffering, God suffers to free us from sin and suffering. One source? The words “of one” are literally, “out of one.” We have the ablative of source here. That is, the Lord Jesus and the saints, are all out of one source. Because the Lord Jesus and the saints are all out of one source, the writer says that He is not ashamed to call the saints His brethren. The Greek word for brother (adelphos (ἀδελφος)) means “from the same womb.” That one source is God the Father - Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 10, p. 61). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. How Redemption Works: “14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:14–18, ESV) The Devil is destroyed Vs. 14 He destroys the devil by first of all removing his authority over death and hell. That now belongs to Jesus thanks to His death, burial and resurrection. “18and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18, ESV) Our Fear of Death is Removed Vs. 15-16 Once we come to Christ we no longer have to fear death. This doesn't mean many of us don't, just that we have no reason too thanks to the finished work of Christ on the Cross. He also circles back to his earlier theme of the angels when he mentions Jesus isn't doing this for the angels. To Fully Redeem He Had to Be Fully Human- Vs. 17 Propitiation – removing God's wrath from those who have sinned. Jesus did this by suffering, bleeding and dying on the cross as a man. Because He is both God and Man He Understands Our Suffering. – Vs. 18 Now – because He has suffered – He can completely understand our suffering, whatever that suffering may be.
Discipleship Series #13 A Disciples Heart Was Made For INTIMACY WITH GOD By Pastor George Lehman (Our heart was made to be God’s home.) The word Intimacy means: - * closely acquainted (to know a person / up close and personal) * Intimate friend – Someone you can trust and confide in * Relationship between – It’s a strong bond, it’s always two sided Paul’s greatest desire was for intimacy with God Philippians 3:8 and 10 (Amp) – 8But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him-a joy unequalled]. For His sake I have lost everything and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ. 10And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]. How intimately do you want to know God? It is possible to go through the motions of obeying God and His commands. All this and yet: - not have an intimate relationship with God. So busy with the things of God and miss the God of the things. Isaiah 45:5 (Msg) – “I AM GOD, the only God there is. Besides Me there are no real gods. I’m the One who armed you for this work, though you don’t even know Me.” Did you know that Moses had this type of relationship in the beginning of his ministry with God? Exodus 33:12-13 (Amp) – 12Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have also found favour in My sight.’ 13Now therefore, I pray you, if I have found favour in Your sight, let me know Your ways so that I may know You[becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, recognizing and understanding Your ways more clearly] and that I may find grace and favour in Your sight. And consider also, that this nation is Your people.” At this point in Moses’ life he had been obedient to God’s instructions For example: - He led Israel out of Egyptian bondage. 1A This is a type of us coming out of bondage to a new life in Christ. He helped Israel pass through the Red Sea. 2A It’s a type of crossing over from death to life – through the obedience of baptism. I Corinthians 10:1-2 (NIV) – For I do not want you to be ignorant of that fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea Acts 2:38 (NIV) – Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. He led Israel to Mount Sinai where God gave him the 10 Commandments. 3A This is a type of the clear instructions of how we should live as God’s children – as per His word. The amazing thing is Moses obeyed Gods instructions. But yet he never knew God in an intimate way. Note Exodus 33:13(NIV) – “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favour with you.” The sad similarity to this story is: Some Christians today are following God’s commandments and instructions. But do not “know Him” in an up close personal intimate way. How I remember serving God in my own life, out of fear, legalistic, keeping rules, trying to be obedient. In case God zapped me. When I see this scripture, I realise God is not only a God of wrath, fury, anger, just and Righteous. But a God of love who longs for His children to have an intimate relationship with Him. Exodus 34:5-7(NIV) – 5Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” This passage, God reveals Himself in a personal way. Then Moses said, “Now show me your Glory” Exodus 33:18 Moses asks to see God’s glory and God shows him His character. Gods glory is: - * Gods character * God’s Nature The way He relates to the prince of his creation “mankind”. God never gave Moses some vision of His great majesty, a tour of the universe, or showed Him all his wealth. No!!! Here are 3 wonderful characteristics of God that I trust will help us understand something about our awesome God. So we can develop a more intimate relationship with God. (Note Moses’ reaction) Exodus 34:8 “Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.” (Draws into an intimacy with God) Romans 2:4 (NIV) – “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Firstly 1. First to know God in an intimate way. We must understand that God is a compassionate and gracious God. David sums it up: Psalm 145:7-9 (NIV) – 7They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love. 9The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. God is so compassionate that when we sin, He graciously and mercifully forgives us. God is so compassionate that He blesses us with food, a roof over our heads, jobs, provision and protection Words cannot express how great our God is. James 5:11b – The Lord is full of pity and compassion and tenderness and mercy. You can this week go to God and thank Him for being so wonderful to you. Secondly 2 To know God in an intimate way – we must understand that God is slow to anger. Some people think God is like our earthly father. They think God is quick to become angry with us when we make a mistake. However, the truth is that when we make a mistake, God is patient with us and slow to anger. Psalm 103:8-11 (NIV) – 8The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever; 10he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth. So great is his love for those who fear him. God is not like us. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) – 8”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9”As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” When we get angry, we want to get even – we hold grudges, we become bitter, we live with Unforgiveness, we act Love-less Thank God He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He is slow to anger. Thirdly 3 To know God in an intimate way we must understand that God is abounding in LOVE. John 3:16-17(NIV) – 16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. No greater act of love has ever been demonstrated than when Jesus gave His life to save ours. To reconnect us to have an intimate relationship with Him. Romans 5:8 NIV “That God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. I John 4:8 – God is LOVE. Aren’t you glad you can have an intimate relationship with this kind of God? Who is compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Conclusion If you do not have an intimate relationship with God – it’s probably because you don’t know Him very well or maybe you’ve never met Him in a personal way.
Micah YoungMatthew 7:21-23, John 17:3, Philippians 3:7-11For next week: 2 Corinthians 3:18Transcript
YOUR REPENTANCE- FAKE OR REAL----- -9Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. -10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted- but the sorrow of the world produces death. -11For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner- What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication-- In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.--2 CORINTHIANS 7-9-11---- Paul was speaking to --------------------------- Paul talked about two ------------------------ -verse 10----- Paul affirmed that we can -------------------------------- -verse 11---o Diligence- very eager to do the right thing---o Clearing of yourselves- speaking-doing what is right to prove your commitment to God's will and show that you are for real---o Indignation- angry with yourself because of the terrible thing you have done---o Fear- fear God and offending Him---o Vehement desire- yearn deeply for to be restored to God and to be holy like Him---o Zeal- not indifferent or apathetic, but full of fervor and devotion.---o Vindication- real commitment do see justice done and wrong rectified-PHARAOH--https---www.youtube.com-watch-v-o4eLe5N6rwY-list-PLgETZJJFvtOCK7JEa5F55YC0Sv9PFhiN2-index-4
lyricsI don't have time to ponder ur fake blessinI think u know u already learned ur lessonThink back relax and just count ur blessings U say im fakinhow much u think im MakinHow much u really earn when everything u learn is all for the takinGoing off like in the takenOne time, all for me and what I can be, no part 2 or 3This is unfiltered Vitamin_ZYoni always on the go go goWe from the holy landLike JesusMi primo Palestin O O O2 yrs ago i was in Quebec2 yrs later todayIm still a wreckFrom Montreal to SalamancaAnd everywhere in betweenI try to see the things i ain't never seenAnd say what i really meanS/out to my first roommate Martin And all other homies Alex El guapo gringo Alejandro el feo mexicano Martín el gordito argentino Soy Zeid tu flacito palestinoMy uncle from TexasHe a cowboyRootin for me from day 1 to crack into showbizTold me people always talkin out they assCause that's where they wallet isTold me to avoid the politicsIn my rhymes, but i say what I sayI spit what I spitAnd keep it movin lickety splitKeep it movin check the fitKeep it movin no where to sitKeep it movin got no where to shitKeep it movin, even if all u can is a lil bitS/out to Olivia , that girl can knitS/out to layaly and her med kitI try to keep up with the versesAnd those that keep up with us, the nursesS/out to themCleaning up flemClean it up getWell, fix it upCrawl thru hell, crawl Thru the dirt, the Climb back, i came To fuck, not flirt Recline it backThis shit gone hurt I'm the cap tain Call me kirk , in The night, when i Lurk, in the morninMy seat jurk, startOff the mornin A blunt and green teaStart it off right Good vibes is what we needStill workin on my flowLike Snoop Do double GAh the banks gon be seizenAnd the bankers gon be sleazin123Wahed ethnen thalathYeah the Arabs invented mathWe showed the Spanish how to bathUnfiltered Vitamin_Z Notorious BIG3 3 14 3Anyway u add it up Lucky number 7Once im done in this life Imma blow trees in heaven But it's all good if ain't no roomI give up my seat for those starving in YemenMoses forgot 1,ten commandments should've been 11For ignore all the above Hate and racism is taught, no one born with itWe ain't all born winners But we damn sure born sinnersAnd ain't guranteed dinner Dont let jealousy fuel ur hateAnd lock urself out of nirvana gateEl gar tegie kabel el darSedie kal ele be gharesh ehmarYa jamatel 5er el 3akel bedha ghayarWhats it gon take to take us all farHow much u reall save
This week Michael is back on the podcast, and makes Brent guess the movie based off it's 1-star review on Amazon. Then, Brent gets further into the 10 Key Truths to Understanding the “Whoever” Salvation that Jesus Provided he mentioned on Sunday:God does not will for any person to perishSo it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. - Matthew 18:14The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9God sent his Son to be the Savior of all peopleFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16God desires all people to be saved[God our Savior] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. - 1 Timothy 2:4God purposes to show mercy to all peopleFor God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. - Romans 11:32God is not partial in gifting his salvation to peopleSo Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.” - Acts 10:34Jesus fully satisfied God’s wrath toward the sins of all peopleHe is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. - 1 John 2:2 Jesus, through his crucifixion, is drawing all people to himselfAnd I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. - John 12:32Salvation by grace is available for all who believeFor the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people - Titus 2:11For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9God’s will and human will both play a part in salvationO Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! - Luke 13:34A person can reject God’s purpose for their life...but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. - Luke 7:30Working together with him, then we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. - 2 Cor. 6:1Finally, if you have questions you'd like for Brent to answer, just email them to michael@citipointchurch.com
Romans 10:11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Risk: verb act or fail to act in such a way as to bring about the possibility of (an unpleasant or unwelcome event). This morning God highlighted and pointed out the word: RISK. have you ever been in a situation where you felt challenged by God but it seemed like the thing he was asking of you seemed kinda risky? Maybe God gave you something to share with a friend but you weren’t really sure how your friend would receive it. Or God asked you to do a specific thing and it just seemed totally out of the box This reminds me of the story of Abraham God told him it was time to leave and to go to the land and the city he will show him. He had a choice to move with immediate obedience or stay and sit in doubt and disobedience. His choice was to move and walk with God which brought great reward I feel like he wants to remind me that this prophetic walk is about risk. Not in the bad way we see risk ith gambling but risking my pride and comfort zone and trusting that He is speaking to me and to follow His voice. Truly it's a risky move to trust in someone you cant see. But so beautiful to know that you can feel Him His impressions and unctions. Knowing that you won't be put to shame if you trust in Him fully.... no backup plan. Not stepping in just a little but fully diving Into the deep. Little risk= little reward... BIG RISK=BIG REWARD. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/lashanda-lewis/support
—Sermon text:Luke 23:39–43 Download the discussion guide for this sermon here.—Additional Resources—Worship PlaylistBelow, we are including a playlist of songs specifically selected by our worship leaders for this week’s sermon topic:—Supplemental Scripture Readings—Revelation / Call to WorshipIsaiah 53:6–11All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth;like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who consideredthat he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death,although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief;when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.—AdorationEphesians 2:1-10And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.—ExpiationGalatians 3:13-14Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.—DedicationRomans 5:6–11For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
—Sermon text:Luke 23:39–43 Download the discussion guide for this sermon here.—Additional Resources—Worship PlaylistBelow, we are including a playlist of songs specifically selected by our worship leaders for this week’s sermon topic:—Supplemental Scripture Readings—Revelation / Call to WorshipIsaiah 53:6–11All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth;like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who consideredthat he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death,although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief;when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.—AdorationEphesians 2:1-10And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.—ExpiationGalatians 3:13-14Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.—DedicationRomans 5:6–11For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Pastor Matt shares about the relationship between goodness and discipline.Hebrews 12:3-11 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,nor be weary when reproved by him.6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,and chastises every son whom he receives.”7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Rev.12:1 And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; Eph.2:6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: Rom.13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Rev.12:2 and she was with child; and she crieth out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered. 3And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems. 4And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. 5And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne. Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations: 27and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: Rev 3:21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. Luke 8:21 But he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these that hear the word of God, and do it. 2Cor.4:16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. Heb.4:2 For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. Lk.1:45 And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfilment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord. Lk.1:31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. Matthew 13:18-23 18Hear then ye the parable of the sower. 19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side. 20And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; 21yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. 22And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Mat.13:37-38 37And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; Genesis 1:11-12 11And God said, Let the earth put forth grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth: and it was so. 12And the earth brought forth grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after their kind: and God saw that it was good. Joh.16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you. Lk.1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God. Joh.16:19 Jesus perceived that they were desirous to ask him, and he said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, A little while, and ye behold me not, and again a little while, and ye shall see me? Php.3:10-15 10that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; 11if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you: Joh.16:20-22 20Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for the joy that a man is born into the world. 22And ye therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one taketh away from you. 2Cor.3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. Col.1:22-23 22yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: 23if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister. Gal.2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him. Jas.1:23 For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: Eph.4:13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 2Cor.4:10-11 10always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Gal.4:19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you 1Cor.12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. Heb.13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever. Amos 3:3 Shall two walk together, except they have agreed? 2Jn.1:7 For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the anti-christ. Col.1:27-28 27to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; Col.3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. Phm.1:6 that the fellowship of thy faith may become effectual, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in you, unto Christ. Rom.8:16-17 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: 17and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. Jas.1:21Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. 1Cor.15:1-2 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, 2by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. 1Pet.1:22-23,9 22Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: 23having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth. 9 receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Rom.8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Isa.3:4-5,12 4And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. 5And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor: the child shall behave himself proudly against the old man, and the base against the honorable. 12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they that lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. Mat.10:6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Rom.8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Rom.1:3 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, Heb.5:8-9 8But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through him. Rom.8:23 And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Rom.4:17 (as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. Gal.3:26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. Galatians 4:1-5 1But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; 2but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. 3So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: 4but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Gal.5:4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you Gal 2:16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Gal 3:6-7 6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. 7Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham Gal 4:6-7 6And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Pr.29:21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. 1Jn.2:28 And now, my little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 2Cor.4:11 For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (6) Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 1Jn.3:2 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. 1Jn.4:17 Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world. 1Jn.3:3 And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Titus 2:11-15 11For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; 13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works. 15These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise thee. 2Tim.4:7-8 have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: 8henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
Bethany Worship CenterCelina TXPastor Carl Tiner https://bethanyworshipcentercelinatx.business.site/ 1 Corinthians 2When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. [1]2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.4My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,5so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.7No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" [2] --10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. [3]14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.15The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:16"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" [4] But we have the mind of Christ.
Scripture: Philippians 1.4-11Scripture to Remember: Philippians 1.9-11For this reason, I kneel before the Father. - Ephesians 3.14The church of Philippi was forged through prayer and initiated by the supernatural work of God in Christ. The Spirit of God connected hearts, continents, circumstances, spiritual hunger and a heart to know our Rescuing Redeemer. At great cost, God connected Paul as a discipling leader for this church. With great passion, a small group of spiritually hungry stood outside the gates and prayed day in and day out. At even greater cost of imprisonment, worship and miraculous provision of freedom, God grew this amazing Macedonian church. They are a people quite familiar with prevailing power of prayer. So, Paul carries on in prayer as he writes…..1- Paul prays for abounding love among His people…The words ‘keep on’ presupposes that they are already loving God. Already loving Jesus Christ. Already loving one another. No matter where a faith family may be in their journey, Paul prays for exponential increase in their love. What are the practical implications of this prayer for our Mandarin family? How will we know that we are abounding, more and more, in our love for Christ and for one another?2 - Paul prays that this love abound in real knowledge and in depth of insight. Talk about very real ways that you may grow in the knowledge of God. What will this growth require of you? Who will grow with you? He also invites us to abound in discernment or depth of insight. This abundance is the capacity to best serve and to love those who make up your faith family. He is praying that you will know best how to love one another. Talk about what this means for you and what impact this desire can have on our Mandarin family? Brainstorm abounding love, care and serving one another for awhile and share ideas. 3- Paul prays that we determine and pursue what is best or superior or excellent. He prays that you are able to set proper values on things, not so much the ability to distinguish good from bad, but good from the best; to focus your time and energy on what really matters. What do you believe that God values most? Explore this thought. Do you value what He values most? In this context of prayer, Paul is praying that we will love one another and love Christ in the BEST ways. How are you loving others best? 4 - Finally, Paul prays that we will be sincere and blameless. That we are authentic. Avoid offense. Intentionally love and serve. Cause no one to stumble. Walk upright ourselves. Our lives can only be judged ‘in the sunlight’ as sincere. We love with abundance because we are loved in abundance by our God. Because this is true, what may be the issue if we are in fractured situations and our love seems to be waning? Talk about this. There is no explanation for us this abounding love except God who is at work within us both to will and to work for His good pleasure and His glory.The greatest gift that you can give to this church is to be rightly connected to Jesus Christ, and for the love of God in Christ to be flowing through your life.
From the November 10, 2019 Evening Service Bless the LORD, O My Soul Of David. 1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. 14For he knows our frame;a he remembers that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! 21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! 22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
From the November 3, 2019 Evening Service Bless the LORD, O My Soul Of David. 1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 7He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. 14For he knows our frame;a he remembers that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! 21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! 22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Ep. 83 Welcome Topics - Support request Pray Donate Subscribe & Share 866-988-8311 info@republickeeper.com Those who don’t learn: I’m a little bit torqued off. CHAZ exists It exists because of the help of locals Jay doesn’t know Free food & healthcare Reminded me of a street fair with no vendors. Today is part sermon: 2 Thess:8nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. The Pilgrims were basically a commune The Pilgrims’ early settlement, by today’s standards, was essentially a socialist commune. The settlers received their clothing, food, and supplies from the colony’s “common stock,” all farmland was collectively owned, and each family received provisions according to their needs, with the profits of labor being divided equally rather than by what was earned through hard work. This system quickly led to discontent: The healthy and able-bodied colonists who worked in the fields all day began to resent the colonists who claimed to be ill, frustrated that they received the same amount of food and supplies as those who performed zero labor. The socialist system was also harmful to the health of the Pilgrims: Nearly half of the colonists died of starvation during their first winter in the New World, unable to feed themselves and stay healthy with the colony’s shrinking harvest sizes. After about two years of famine and disaffection, the Pilgrims finally had a meeting amongst themselves and chose to abandon the socialist system for all of the suffering it had caused. The colony’s new system required each family to take care of themselves, and made the settlers personally responsible for their own means of survival. Colonists were encouraged to grow their own food knowing that there was no “common stock” to provide for them. This led to the entire colony becoming more prosperous—those who earlier claimed to be infirm became motivated and industrious, with men, women, and youth alike working in the fields eager to reap the benefits of their labor. Interestingly, the settlers in the Jamestown colony went through the same experience and passed a rule: “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” The Communards – 1871 The working class of Paris were feeling ostracized after the decadence of the Second Empire and the Franco-Prussian War. The Prussians besieged Paris in September 1870, causing suffering among Parisians. The poor ate cat or rat meat or went hungry. Out of resentment from this situation grew radical and socialist political clubs and newspapers. While Paris was occupied, socialist groups tried twice to overthrow the provisional government.[1] In January 1871, Otto von Bismarck and the French minister of foreign affairs, Jules Favre, decided that France would hold national elections. Adolphe Thiers, who had been loyal to the Second Empire, was elected head of the newly monarchist republic. During the war, the capital had moved from Paris to Bordeaux. When the war ended, the government declined to move back to Paris and instead moved to Versailles. In the early morning of March 18, the government stationed in Versailles sent military forces into Paris to collect a reserve of cannons and machine guns. The detachment was still gathering the munitions when the Parisians awoke, and soon the soldiers were surrounded. In the chaos that followed, the soldiers killed two of their own, and by the end of the day, they were mainly sided with the Parisians. Insurgents now controlled the city, and they declared a new government called the Paris Commune, which lasted from March 18 to May 28, 1871.[2] Thiers refused to bargain with the Communards, despite their attempts to do so. He taught newly released French soldiers the "evils" of the Communards as the government prepared for a battle. Starting on May 21 and continuing through May 28, soldiers chased the National Guard members who sided with the Communards through the streets. Around 18,000 Parisians were killed, 25,000 were imprisoned, and thousands more were later executed. The violence of Bloody Week became a rallying cry for the working classes; politicians would later proudly brag about their participation with the Commune. After Bloody Week, the government asked for an inquest into the causes of the uprising. The inquest concluded that the main cause of the insurrection was a lack of belief in God, and that this problem had to be corrected immediately.[4] It was decided that a moral revival was needed Demands of the Mob Given the historical moment, we’ll begin with our demands pertaining to the Justice System. The Seattle Police Department and attached court system are beyond reform. We do not request reform, we demand abolition. We demand that the Seattle Council and the Mayor defund and abolish the Seattle Police Department and the attached Criminal Justice Apparatus. This means 100% of funding, including existing pensions for Seattle Police. At an equal level of priority we also demand that the city disallow the operations of ICE in the city of Seattle. In the transitionary period between now and the dismantlement of the Seattle Police Department, we demand that the use of armed force be banned entirely. No guns, no batons, no riot shields, no chemical weapons, especially against those exercising their First Amendment right as Americans to protest. We demand an end to the school-to-prison pipeline and the abolition of youth jails. Get kids out of prison, get cops out of schools. We also demand that the new youth prison being built in Seattle currently be repurposed. We demand that not the City government, nor the State government, but that the Federal government launch a full-scale investigation into past and current cases of police brutality in Seattle and Washington, as well as the re-opening of all closed cases reported to the Office of Police Accountability. In particular, we demand that cases particular to Seattle and Washington be reopened where no justice has been served, namely the cases of Iosia Faletogo, Damarius Butts, Isaiah Obet, Tommy Le, Shaun Fuhr, and Charleena Lyles. We demand reparations for victims of police brutality, in a form to be determined. We demand that the City of Seattle make the names of officers involved in police brutality a matter of public record. Anonymity should not even be a privilege in public service. We demand a retrial of all People in Color currently serving a prison sentence for violent crime, by a jury of their peers in their community. We demand decriminalization of the acts of protest, and amnesty for protestors generally, but specifically those involved in what has been termed “The George Floyd Rebellion” against the terrorist cell that previously occupied this area known as the Seattle Police Department. This includes the immediate release of all protestors currently being held in prison after the arrests made at 11th and Pine on Sunday night and early Saturday morning June 7th and 8th, and any other protesters arrested in the past two weeks of the uprising, the name Evan Hreha in particular comes to mind who filmed Seattle police macing a young girl and is now in jail. We demand that the City of Seattle and the State Government release any prisoner currently serving time for a marijuana-related offense and expunge the related conviction. We demand the City of Seattle and State Government release any prisoner currently serving time just for resisting arrest if there are no other related charges, and that those convictions should also be expunged. We demand that prisoners currently serving time be given the full and unrestricted right to vote, and for Washington State to pass legislation specifically breaking from Federal law that prevents felons from being able to vote. We demand an end to prosecutorial immunity for police officers in the time between now and the dissolution of the SPD and extant justice system. We demand the abolition of imprisonment, generally speaking, but especially the abolition of both youth prisons and privately-owned, for-profit prisons. We demand in replacement of the current criminal justice system the creation of restorative/transformative accountability programs as a replacement for imprisonment. We demand autonomy be given to the people to create localized anti-crime systems. We demand that the Seattle Police Department, between now and the time of its abolition in the near future, empty its “lost and found” and return property owned by denizens of the city. We demand justice for those who have been sexually harassed or abused by the Seattle Police Department or prison guards in the state of Washington. We demand that between now and the abolition of the SPD that each and every SPD officer turn on their body cameras, and that the body camera video of all Seattle police should be a matter of easily accessible public record. We demand that the funding previously used for Seattle Police be redirected into: A) Socialized Health and Medicine for the City of Seattle. B) Free public housing, because housing is a right, not a privilege. C) Public education, to decrease the average class size in city schools and increase teacher salary. D) Naturalization services for immigrants to the United States living here undocumented. (We demand they be called “undocumented” because no person is illegal.) E) General community development. Parks, etc. We also have economic demands that must be addressed. We demand the de-gentrification of Seattle, starting with rent control. We demand the restoration of city funding for arts and culture to re-establish the once-rich local cultural identity of Seattle. We demand free college for the people of the state of Washington, due to the overwhelming effect that education has on economic success, and the correlated overwhelming impact of poverty on people of color, as a form of reparations for the treatment of Black people in this state and country. We demand that between now and the abolition of the SPD that Seattle Police be prohibited from performing “homeless sweeps” that displace and disturb our homeless neighbors, and on equal footing we demand an end to all evictions. We demand a decentralized election process to give the citizens of Seattle a greater ability to select candidates for public office such that we are not forced to choose at the poll between equally undesirable options. There are multiple systems and policies in place which make it impractical at best for working-class people to run for public office, all of which must go, starting with any fees associated with applying to run for public office. Related to economic demands, we also have demands pertaining to what we would formally call “Health and Human Services.” We demand the hospitals and care facilities of Seattle employ black doctors and nurses specifically to help care for black patients. We demand the people of Seattle seek out and proudly support Black-owned businesses. Your money is our power and sustainability. We demand that the city create an entirely separate system staffed by mental health experts to respond to 911 calls pertaining to mental health crises, and insist that all involved in such a program be put through thorough, rigorous training in conflict de-escalation. Finally, let us now address our demands regarding the education system in the City of Seattle and State of Washington. We demand that the history of Black and Native Americans be given a significantly greater focus in the Washington State education curriculum. We demand that thorough anti-bias training become a legal requirement for all jobs in the education system, as well as in the medical profession and in mass media. We demand the City of Seattle and State of Washington remove any and all monuments dedicated to historical figures of the Confederacy, whose treasonous attempts to build an America with slavery as a permanent fixture were an affront to the human race.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxothepoet/Shirley Temple – 8/24/18A is for animal crackers in my Alphabet Soup.It also stands for:All the letters cannot be used.B is for...Okay look...B is for bad planningBecause there are 26 letters in the alphabetAnd right now I’m only 25.C is for countingBecause what happens when 27 creeps up on my shoulders?It’s not 30, I can’t be 29 forever.C is also for sheep.The ones I never countedWhen I walked back from one thousand to get to sleep.D is for daddio.Papa doe.Daring. Dashing. And Dapper.Wearing suits straight out of magazinesMaking every other kid jealous that their dad wasn’t that cool...Or annoying.D is also for dynasty.Or rather legacy.Or more like ancestry.And may I never forget where I came from.E is for exhausted.I’m five letters inAnd if you’d like to see the exitFollow the emergency lights at your feet.F is for Finn.Like a dolphin.Shark’s fin.Aodfin.For being mine twiceAnd for so long afterI am always hereSending you stuffiesDon’t forget to writeOr callPut me on your speed dialG is for GraceAmazing GraceViola GraceGrace with a CMy Gracie Lew WhoMy gloriously gorgeous girlfriendsWho have shaped me more than they knewH is for...HannahAnd hell in a hand basketFor he who will never be mentionedAnd Harry PotterFor my lack of fists fightsMy plethora of harsh wordsBut my comfortable hugs afterI is for IFor meFor hello I’m queer and I’m hereAnd you’re not stopping me todayOh noNot todayI’m on my wayI’m Dr. Seuss at this rateGive me a book deal I’m rollingJ is for JadeLike the gemstoneMy middle nameMy bisyllabic middle beginningThe only thing ET could pronounce right at Disney WorldMy sparkling shining JWith its loops and curves and...K is for Kimberly and KentMy parentsMy...Tough loveWork hardGet your shit done parentsWho split at age 10And finalized it after 11More yearsThey did what they planned reallyAnd I don’t blame themL is for love.An unconditional lather of lavender soap bubbles from laughterFor Brooke with an E from SeattleBlowing bubbles wands in traffic jamsAnd men picking fightsWith a woman they wouldn’t have a chance with...I mean against.M is for...Did you know in 2015 they said I could marry?The queers cried happy tears that day.N is for the n wordThe negroThe night skyCarrying us homeFollow the drinking gourd they sayFollow the drinking gourd.O is for optimismMy forever the extroverted optimist outlookSomehow hiding around the corners of my mindOstracizing itself from my overall outrageous outgoing state of beP is forPersonally I will not get offended if you walk out those doorsBut you’ve made it this farI promise there’s only a little moreQ is for quiltsThe ones etched in my memoriesThe ones I clutched so dearlyCrafted by my great grandmothers fingersHer love sewn into each and every stitchR is for rainbowBy Jessie JFor RadioactiveRelient KOneRepublicLana del RayS is for Sister10 years10 months1 day14 hoursAnd 14 minutesMy sisterOlderWiserBut I’m funnierS is for the brother I gainedAnd the children I will always adoreS is also for my SDGThe one my heart first yearned forLate night talksAnd agreeing to disagree90 percent of the timeT is for tyrannyFor big headsAnd little armsAm I talking about people?Or dinosaurs?That’s up to UFor U.For remember when chat speak was popularAnd we didn’t use our ultimately untimely interruptions ofYou’re and your.Their there they’re, my friends.It was once characteristicWut up?U there?I’ll brb my posJk I’ll ttylThere’s the dial toneRing ring ringGuess who’s on the phone?I hope y’all are old enough to rememberEuphorically engaging in chat logs with friendsBack when Dial Up was the only thing in your @ mentionsV.Like violetsGeraniumsAnd the chrysanthemum I had tattooed on my back.For vivacious and vividFor verily merely dancing down sidewalks and side streetsW.11:11For when I whimsically wish for my wicked wretched weakness in my limbs to go away.For everything to be okay.But before you begin whining while your eyes are wiltingX.Marks the spot.Goonies never say die.Treasure PlanetAnd Atlantis.Y.As in, I’ve lied. 25 is too damn close to 26 and I enjoy yearning for the end.Z is for thank you.For the zany adventure.The black and white zebras.The white and black zebras.And everything read all over.Now you know my ABCs. The ones that make up me. Let’s go again, shall we?Geronimo and Allons-y.
What is the purpose of power? This Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Eric shares a message about the power of the Holy Spirit.Scriptures referenced in today’s message:· Acts 2:1-4· John 14:16· Acts 5:3-4· John 16:7· Psalms 139:7-10· 2 Cor 13:14· John 14:26· Acts 1:8· Matthew 10:8· John 10:10· John 14:27· Mark 1:9-11For more information about Destiny Church, visit us online.Real | Relevant | Relationship
Some people are not ever taught to be God dependent and to put all of their eggs in His basket. He created us and gave us this life. Without God, nothing in your life will be solid or have a strong foundation. Your future becomes built on weakness and has no Godly guidance.It all starts with our parents. My parents had us in church, bible study and bible camp. It built a strong, faith based outlook of hope for the future. I had been introduced to God by my parents and knew that I had a Heavenly Father, God. I was taught about Jesus, how He sacrificed his life and died on the cross to save us from our past, present and future sins. Knowing, trusting and believing in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, made a significant difference in my life. It provided me with spiritual direction and carved out a journey to begin planning for an eternal future.I have met and known so many kids in school and young adults in college that had no idea what the true meaning of salvation or knowing and Loving God meant. I have heard many of them say that they believed in a higher power. The first time I heard that phrase it sounded weak and clueless. It sounded like a poor explanation for the fact that they really did not know what they believed in. It made me feel sad when I heard people say this growing up and it still makes me feel that way today.There are actually parents that truly believe that they have brought their children up in a Loving home without God. They have taken them on vacations, to the movies, helped them study, allowed them to have slumber parties and spent time with their children. None of the aforementioned, means much at all without introducing and teaching your children about God and His Son, Jesus Christ. God is the eternal Heavenly Father for all of us. Earthly parents can only live on this earth for a limited amount of time. Then, the cycle starts again when the next generation has their children. Our toolbox of eternity has to contain the most powerful, righteous, Heavenly tool of all; God! Parents, teach your children about God. 1 Corinthians 3:11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. To learn more about Dr. Billie J. Minton's ministries within her Blue Ridge Moment book series, please visit her author website at BlueRidgeMoments.com. Dr. Billie J. Minton's Blue Ridge Moments books; Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and Volume 2, subtitled, "Celebrating Footsteps of A God Dependent Life," and Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's book series may be found at Amazon.com and BlueRidgeMoments.com.
Psalm 90:17May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands.Psalm 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton
“A relaxation technique ... something I have done for years.”Each day, sometimes more than once a day, close your eyes and imagine holding a bunch of colored balloons on strings.Next, put a word on each balloon such as happy, sad, a person's name, a concern or prayer or anything you would want the balloon to express.Then, when you are ready, let go of the strings so all of the balloons will float away slowly, at the same time and with different velocities.It is very relaxing to watch all of the different colored balloons in your mind, float away into the sky until they are out of sight.Anything that you have written on these balloons has also faded out of sight.Will you remember this relaxation technique the next time you feel stressful?1 Corinthians 3:11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.To learn more about Dr. Billie J. Minton's ministries within her Blue Ridge Moment book series, please visit her author website at BlueRidgeMoments.com. Dr. Billie J. Minton's Blue Ridge Moments books; Volume 1, subtitled, "Your Life Is Only As Good As Your Connection With Jesus," and Volume 2, subtitled, "Celebrating Footsteps of A God Dependent Life," and Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's book series may be found at Amazon.com and BlueRidgeMoments.com.
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11For more information on all the great stuff happening at PVUMC, check out pvumc.org, and/or join the "PVUMC Ignite" Facebook group.
Use this simple strategy to unpack your sexual and emotional triggers at a deeper level.Get the full video at husbandmaterial.com/11For daily advice, follow me on Instagramor Text me! 805-881-3673
James 2:1-5 (NIV) 1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here's a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? James 2:7-13 (NIV) 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
James 2:1-5 (NIV) 1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here's a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? James 2:7-13 (NIV) 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
Like A Boss: Working Myself To Death Exodus 16:29-30 They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” 30 So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day. (NLT) 6 Gifts The Sabbath Provides For Your Life 1. The gift of obedience Exodus 31:14 Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. (NIV) Exodus 16:27–28 Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. 28 The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? (NLT) Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (NIV) 2. The gift of blessings Genesis 2:2–3 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (NIV) Exodus 20:11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (NIV) Exodus 16:22-26 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” 24 So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor.25 Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. 26 You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.” (NLT) 3. The gift of refreshing Exodus 31:16–17 The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. 17 It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’” (NLT) 4. The gift of time management Exodus 16:22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. (NIV) Proverbs 21:5 Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind. (The Message) 5. The gift of priorities Luke 4:16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. (NLT) 6. The gift of worship Exodus 20:8–11 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (NIV) Ezekiel 20:12 And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy. (NLT)
Like A Boss: Working Myself To Death Exodus 16:29-30 They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” 30 So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day. (NLT) 6 Gifts The Sabbath Provides For Your Life 1. The gift of obedience Exodus 31:14 Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. (NIV) Exodus 16:27–28 Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. 28 The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? (NLT) Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (NIV) 2. The gift of blessings Genesis 2:2–3 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (NIV) Exodus 20:11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (NIV) Exodus 16:22-26 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” 24 So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor.25 Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. 26 You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.” (NLT) 3. The gift of refreshing Exodus 31:16–17 The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. 17 It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’” (NLT) 4. The gift of time management Exodus 16:22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. (NIV) Proverbs 21:5 Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind. (The Message) 5. The gift of priorities Luke 4:16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. (NLT) 6. The gift of worship Exodus 20:8–11 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (NIV) Ezekiel 20:12 And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I am the Lord, who had set them apart to be holy. (NLT)
Luke 14:1–14 1One Sabbath, when [Jesus] went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 2And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. 5And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” 6And they could not reply to these things. 7Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 12He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Hey, Mommas! Scripture reference list below: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Hebrews 10:35-36 5 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise 1 corinthians 9-11. Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.… Habakkuk 2:2-3 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Be encouraged, Momma! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Growing in Grace to Maturity – November 18, 2018 – Steve MillerWe watched a video clip of a football defensive lineman who fell down and stayed lying on the turf while the play kept going around him. His team gave up a touchdown because he wasn't chasing the quarterback.Would you lie down on the road? No, that's dangerous. You keep upright and alert in case a car comes through.In the same way, God wants us to walk uprightly before Him. Living by His Word will keep us upright. Some Christians today might say, “Oh, that's the Law. We're saved by grace, so we don't need to teach that.” Well, no, actually, it is grace. Grace goes much deeper than just being our ticket to heaven.Titus 2:11-15 – 11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.15These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.How does grace teach us self-controlled, upright, godly behavior? Stephen built a great scriptural foundation for us last week about the work of the Holy Spirit through His love that manifests in our lives.Matthew Henry explains it this way in his commentary on Titus 2:12: “He loved us, and gave himself for us; and what can we do less than love and give up ourselves to him! Redemption from sin and sanctification of the nature go together, and make a peculiar people unto God, free from guilt and condemnation, and purified by the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is profitable. Here is what will furnish for all parts of duty, and the right discharge of them. Let us inquire whether our whole dependence is placed upon that grace which saves the lost, pardons the guilty, and sanctifies the unclean. And the further we are removed from boasting of fancied good works, or trusting in them, so that we glory in Christ alone, the more zealous shall we be to abound in real good works.”Unfortunately, in many Christian circles today, it has become unpopular to teach about saying “No” to ungodliness. Some churches avoid Bible doctrine (which means Scriptural teaching) because they view it as divisive. Many churches don't teach the function of grace as our inward teacher that empowers us to grow into maturity – living self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. Hebrews 5:11-6:3Christian author John R.W. Stott, who spent much time traveling has been quoted as saying the greatest need of the Church around the world is maturity. He said we are 16 million miles wide and about a sixteenth of an inch thick.God is our Father, so those of us who have children, either physically or spiritually, can identify with His feelings and desires for us, His children. He wants us to be victorious in this life, not defeated.Chip Ingram, from his teaching series Living on the Edge: “God has a dream for your life that is right and good and wonderful, and it grows out of His kindness, His love and His goodness and His concern for you. And He wants to develop everything about you, but at the heart of what He wants to develop is your character. He wants to make you like His Son. That's the big agenda. More than where you were, more than specifics about how this turns out or that turns out, that's the heart of God.”Christian psychologists Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend, in their book Raising Great Kids, echo God's dream in their teaching about human parenting: “Good kids are a product of the real goal of parenting: mature character. When children grow up with mature character, they are able to take their place as adults in the world and function properly in all areas of life. Character growth is the main goal of child rearing.”So what is their definition of character?“We view character as the structures and abilities within ourselves that make up how we operate in life. In other words, character is the sum of our abilities to deal with life as God designed us to.”They outline five aspects of character: · Attachment – the ability to form relationships· Responsibility – taking ownership· Reality – dealing with sin, loss, failure, and evil· Competence – developing God-given gifts and talents· Conscience – an internal sense of right and wrong· Worship – spiritual growth, right relating to GodThis definition of character is not Scripture, but God's Word has much to say about these aspects of mature character, and urges us to work on developing them in our lives. The good news is that it is the Holy Spirit's work in us that does it, and in fact, He even causes us to want to grow to be like Jesus.Philippians 2:12-16 - 12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. God wants us to immerse ourselves in His Word, and we will gain wisdom, which will guard us, lead us, and keep us on the right path. His love for us keeps us off of paths that lead to death.Proverbs 2 Cloud and Townsend say that the ingredients that God has provided that produce growth in children are grace, truth, and time. We, His children, have His grace at work teaching, motivating, and empowering us to walk uprightly. His Word leads us in truth, which keeps us on right paths. And His Spirit is walking with us daily – it's a process – as we go through our lives, using our experiences to help us grow to maturity as beloved daughters and sons formed in the likeness of Jesus.
Imaginative prayer uses scripture and our God-given imaginations to bring us into the presence of God. The purpose of this practice is to not only hear God’s word but to experience him. Imaginative prayer helps us to visualize a gospel story and worship God as he really is. John 13:1-17 (NIV) 1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Today Myra Jean Will Talk About:THE TRUTH FROM THE BEGINNING vs. DECEPTIONTHAT HAS BROUGHT DESTRUCTION andDEVASTATION THEN, and NOW THROUGHTHE WRONG LEGALIZATION OF ABORTION,WHICH IS THE DAILY QUIVALENT OF 9/11FOR 45 YARS!
Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service and hear the sermons live and in person Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Readings for this WeekFirst ReadingAmos 7:7-157This is what [the Lord God] showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. 8And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; 9the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.” 10Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the very center of the house of Israel; the land is not able to bear all his words. 11For thus Amos has said, ‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land.’ ”12And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; 13but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.” 14Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, 15and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ ”PsalmPsalm 85:8-138I will listen to what the Lord| God is saying; for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their | hearts to you. 9Truly, your salvation is very near to | those who fear you, that your glory may dwell | in our land. R 10Steadfast love and faithfulness have | met together; righteousness and peace have | kissed each other. 11Faithfulness shall spring up | from the earth, and righteousness shall look | down from heaven. 12The Lord will indeed | grant prosperity, and our land will | yield its increase. 13Righteousness shall go be- | fore the Lord and shall prepare for | God a pathway. RSecond ReadingEphesians 1:3-143Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.GospelMark 6:14-2914King Herod heard of [the disciples’ preaching,] for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 15But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. 18For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 22When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” 23And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” 24She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.
1 THESSALONIANS 2:1–12: 1 FOR YOU YOURSELVES KNOW, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. AFTER RECOUNTING the trials that had occurred as they passed through Macedonia on the way to Thessalonica, Paul speaks of their mission to preach the gospel to Thessalonica as if nothing could stop it. At the same time, a familial tone rings aloud in this passage. The boldness of proclamation was tempered with a mother’s gentleness, and their teaching was motivated and enhanced like a father’s caring words to children. Here lies a portrait of an apostle, a “sent one,” and by inference, the character of the Thessalonian church in Paul’s imagination.
1 THESSALONIANS 2:1–12: 1 FOR YOU YOURSELVES KNOW, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. AFTER RECOUNTING the trials that had occurred as they passed through Macedonia on the way to Thessalonica, Paul speaks of their mission to preach the gospel to Thessalonica as if nothing could stop it. At the same time, a familial tone rings aloud in this passage. The boldness of proclamation was tempered with a mother’s gentleness, and their teaching was motivated and enhanced like a father’s caring words to children. Here lies a portrait of an apostle, a “sent one,” and by inference, the character of the Thessalonian church in Paul’s imagination.
Phil 4:4 Rejoice and again I say rejoice On a day 2000 Year’s ago Jesus walked into his home town and almost got killed for what he said. This is what he said...Isaiah 61 Exaltation of the Afflicted1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;I have good news for the afflicted The ones having trouble of some kindThe poorThe meekThe humbleTo bind up the broken-hearted The ones broken in pieces He will put you back togetherHe will hold your disparate pieces together All the prisoners go freeA divine get out of jail free cardHe will open the doors for the ones who want outHe will go in and carry out the ones who cannot remove themselves 2To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfortall who mourn,To tell you the time is NOW! WAITING IS OVER!To comfort all who mournAll that is lost will be returned All that has been stolen returned!3To grant those who mourn [in] Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.No longer a time for sadness Celebration not sorrowYou thought all chance at happiness was over but this is the beginning not the end!You will do a victory dance not the walk of shame not giving up but winning Towering sumbols of life and stability Unshakable Deeply rootedPeople will wonder if you ever weren’t strong 4Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up the former devastations; And they will repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.Then the restoration will move backward Restoring what past generations have lostRebuilding dreams that have died5Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.6But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of [as] ministers of our God.You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast.7Instead of your shame [you will have a] double [portion], And [instead of] humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double [portion] in their land,Everlasting joy will be theirs.8For I, the LORD, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; And I will faithfully give them their recompense And make an everlasting covenant with them.9Then their offspring will be known among the nations, And their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them Because they are the offspring [whom] the LORDhas blessed.10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom deckshimself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to springup, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations.
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 8For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. 10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. I must say that it seems odd to preach on Christmas Eve in a morning worship service, something I’ve never done, and something I’m not sure I’ve actually listened to on Christmas Eve morning in all of the church services I’ve attended since my youth. Interestingly, the last time the Church had both the 4th Sunday of Advent AND Christmas Eve on the same day was in 2006 and that was the first Christmas I spent as Pastor of my former church in Michigan. I checked my files to see if we had a morning service that year – and I found out that we didn’t and I don’t remember why, which again, seems odd that I don’t remember the reasoning for essentially cancelling the 4th Sunday of Advent. Some churches are doing what my former church did some eleven years ago, and I get the reasons why – asking mainline Protestants to come to church twice in one day, that may be a bridge too far for some! As I was mulling what to do with this Sunday, whether or not to propose canceling the morning service or not, I kept thinking that I just couldn’t imagine doing away with the 4th Sunday of Advent – I mean there is a fourth candle on the Advent wreath we need to get lit, for goodness sake! We have to be here to do that, right?! Seriously, though, I did ask myself why that idea didn’t strike me some eleven years ago, why it didn’t seemingly bother me in 2006, when this odd confluence of dates happened? But I’ve been thinking about it for a few days and I’m going to guess that I just think that especially THIS YEAR the more worship of God we can get into the waning days of 2017, probably the better. During these odd and difficult times, when up seems down, and down seems up, and some people claim that up is down and down is up, maybe we do need gather together more often, and listen more often to both music that gives glory to God, and to listen to the Word being preached, and maybe to listen to each other and to the God who calls us into community, even as community seems so strained and impossible in this country right now. Despite the madness of the Iraq War in 2006, 2017 seems so profoundly different and tenuous and frankly scary than even those difficult days. And so we gather this day, before we re-gather again later tonight on Christmas Eve, to hear again, to see again, God’s promises, and God’s hope for the world. And hearing today’s text itself was worth the gathering together again, I think. You have a voice from the prophets speaking to us, on the eve of Christ’s birth, and this voice offers hope to us, as it did the people of Israel when they heard and read it thousands of years ago. The text is likely from the third person who wrote in the name of the great prophet Isaiah, and this third person wrote after the people of Israel had been set free from their captivity by the Babylonian Empire, and were beginning to rebuild after years of captivity in the city of Babylon itself. The policy of this Babylonian Empire was not to just keep your friends close, but to keep your enemies even closer, and so their strategy included deporting the best and brightest of their conquered lands to Babylon itself, believing that keeping the leaders away from their land and the bulk of their people would diminish the possibility of insurrection and rebellion in these places. Isaiah begins his words by pointing out that the spirit of the Lord is upon him, because God has set him apart to tell the good news that God would free the oppress, bind up the wounds of the hurt, and release the prisoners from their captivity. For us Christians, we have read this text as foretelling the kind of Messiah Jesus would be, and the Gospel of Luke has Jesus himself taking on these words for himself at the very beginning of his ministry (Luke 4). So often we American Christians have overlooked that Jesus came not only to save souls, but to save bodies as well, that he cared deeply about making this world a better place, and was not just about shepherding human souls into a better place in the next world. Jim Wallis, the evangelical writer and ministers tells this story, that makes this point especially clear – he writes: One time, while I was in seminary, my friends and I decided to do an experiment. We got an old Bible and a pair of scissors, and we cut out of the Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, every single reference to the poor, every time the poor were named: God is on the side of the poor. The gospel is good news for the poor. We cut all those verses out. When we were done, we had a Bible that was literally in shreds. It would not stay together. I used to go out and preach with that Bible and hold it up high in front of American congregations and say, Brothers and sisters, this is the American Bible, full of holes. - Jim Wallis, How Do We Right the Wrong? Questions of Faith (Philadelphia: Trinity Press International, 1990), 80 Jim Wallis is right, surely, and everything after the first few verses of our text imagines a figure, prophetic or Messianic, depending on whether one sees is through Christian or Jewish eyes, everything after the first few verses is intertwined with that image of this person bringing good news to those who needed some good news, to people who were in need of solace after a time of great injustice. After a season in Babylon, after decades in Babylon, God will provide garlands around their necks rather than ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. After Babylon comes Jerusalem, after a time in prison comes the homecoming, after the destruction of all things comes the time to rebuild. For everything there is a season, writes the wise one who gave us the book of Ecclesiastes, and for those of us awaiting God’s appearing in Jesus both today and in the future, we are surely ready for the justice and goodness and salvation that he surely brings with him. And yet, we must wait, especially during this time, we wait for the spirit of the Lord to arise and alight on someone, somewhere to speak for the Christ, to speak of his call to justice and his call for healing of both soul and body – salvation is just another word for wholeness and thus salvation means that what is eternal is saved from sin and despair, and that also means that what is temporary, our bodies, our presence, our world, even our social systems must be also saved from sin and despair. The devil, so to speak, may have his day, or may even have a season, in our lives and in the life of this world, but it is ONLY a day, and ONLY a season. The world and our souls, both of them, they move hesitatingly, sometimes stumbling towards more love, more justice, more wholeness, but still the world moves forward, even now in these odd and difficult times. I know that for the more cynical among us these words might ring hollow, and I have to admit that I have found myself questioning them more now than I have in the past – certainly even more so than I did in, say, 2006. I looked over an old sermon I preached on this text from 2008 to see what I had said about it, and in that sermon I echoed that hope, the hope that seems to be right there in the text, and I wondered if I still believed it, I wondered if I still believed that the world is moving towards more justice, more light, more wholeness, more salvation – that God is still helping us build up the ancient ruins, repairing the ruined cities, still believed that there is still an everlasting covenant with God to lean into, when there is nothing else to keep us upright in this life. And that is when I remember that the world has experienced far darker times than even this, these odd and difficult days, far worst, and after each time in Babylon, God’s people, which is ultimately all of humanity, all of us eventually come home again to Jerusalem, to something better. I’ll never quite understand why God created this kind of world, where moments of progress are then followed by moments of retraction or retreat, or distraction from God’s good purpose. You would think God could have created a different kind of world, but God didn’t and one can argue with that reality, with the world as it is and with the God who created that world, one can argue with that reality all one wants to, but we’ll only lose that argument with reality and the God of that reality 100% of the time. And so we pilgrims, we followers of Jesus, who can look at the birth of Christ as good news, and the death of Christ as good news, we look for wells of hope on the journey, and this season, this Advent is certainly one of them. Just a few minutes ago we baptized two babies, Bailey and Tinsley, both of who are great gifts to their parents and their families, but for us in need of hope, surely they are signs that the world moves forward, and that life goes on and on. Signs of hope are needed in this time of resistance to greed, meanness and cruelty, and we have them all around us, and we’ve got to keep looking for the ways God is present even in Babylon, whatever the Babylon we find ourselves in, personally or collectively. The signs are there, the flashes of God bringing us home are there, the time of rejoicing is possible even now – and surely this day is one of those times of rejoicing, on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, when we lit the Love candle, a reminder that God is love, and that we are loved, and all are loved, both prisoners and prison guards, oppressed and oppressors, the heartbroken and the breakers of hearts. So, friends, maybe in this time, when we are asked to trust these words from Isaiah that there will be a time of rejoicing coming soon, soon and very soon, maybe even tonight, and maybe we need to think about what to do in the meantime, about what to do in the in-between time, the time between cross and resurrection. Whatever our circumstances, individually, or collectively, one of the things that the people of Israel held captive in Babylon never did was to forsake hope, to forsake their faith, forsake their sense that there was a future before them, or at least before their children. They resisted hopelessness, they resisted giving into despair, and that resistance came from a core belief that they were God’s people, people of great worth, and never, ever ultimately abandoned by the Holy, who would someday make a way out of no way. There is short story by Tillie Olson called I Stand Here Ironing, which tells of a poverty-stricken mother who is working at an ironing board while anguishing over a note she has received from school calling her to come in and discuss her daughter, who needs help. The mother contemplates all this as she irons other people’s clothes: She was a child seldom smiled at. Her father left me before she was a year old ... She was dark and thin and foreign-looking in a world where the prestige went to blondness and curly hair and dimples; she was slow where glibness was prized. She was a child of anxious, not proud, love. We were poor and could not afford the soil of easy growth. I was a young mother; I was a distracted mother ...My wisdom came too late. She has much to her and probably little will come of it. She is a child of her age, of depression, of war, of fear. Let her be. So all that is in her will not bloom, but in how many does it? There is still enough left to live by. Only help her to know, help make it so there is cause for her to know, that she is more than this dress on the ironing board, helpless before the iron. (I Stand Here Ironing [New York: Dell Books, 1971], 20-21.) The people of Israel knew that to be true, that they were more than helpless before the iron that was Babylon, that they mattered, and there could be, and would be, another day, a better day, when our whole being shall exult before our God, the same one who has clothed us with the garments of salvation, who has covered us in the robes of righteousness, and with garland, and with jewels. To resist in times of hopelessness, we must remember we are not helpless before the iron, and that hope and justice and love will come again, as it did 2000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem, as it does now for us on the cusp of celebrating that birth this very night. Amen.
1 John 3:11-15 11For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. 13Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
James 2:1-13 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. Did you have a sibling who was mom's favorite? A teacher who loved the suck up in the class? How about a boss that picked favorites in meetings and at lunch? What about a church that showed partiality to the rich while the poor were passed over? There must have been a serious problem in the surrounding churches for James to be so adamant in his words. Simply put, copy God and God has no favorites. So why and how do we fall into this so often? Join us as we get to the heart of God's love for his children.
James 2:1-13 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. Did you have a sibling who was mom's favorite? A teacher who loved the suck up in the class? How about a boss that picked favorites in meetings and at lunch? What about a church that showed partiality to the rich while the poor were passed over? There must have been a serious problem in the surrounding churches for James to be so adamant in his words. Simply put, copy God and God has no favorites. So why and how do we fall into this so often? Join us as we get to the heart of God's love for his children.
New Hope For Old Habits At Christmas 12.11.16. “Not This Year!” Series Luke 2:1-8 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were much afraid. Hope Delivered Directly From God. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10 Answers Today For My Real Needs. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 Breakthrough Birth From An Unknown, Unexpected, And Unrecognized Source. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:12-14 Initiate Action Now. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:15,16 Transformation Takes Off And Takes Time. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:17, 20
Titus 2:11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
Quran Talk - God Alone, Quran Alone, Submission = True Islam
[8:29] O you who believe, if you reverence GOD, He will enlighten you, remit your sins, and forgive you. GOD possesses infinite grace.Jeremiah 29:11For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not for harm you, to give you a future with hope.[6:132] Everyone will attain a rank commensurate with their deeds. Your Lord is never unaware of anything they do.
Pastor Z. Legend May 4, 2014 Living My Truth 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
THE SUPERNATURALISM OF 2012THE PHYSICS OF THE DARKSIDE WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11TH SHATTER LIVE RADIO BROADCAST 6PM SUPERNATUAL DOCTRINE AND HELLS AUTHORS: Spirit guided words and the massive scope of hells literature. The contrast of supernatural inspiration…. and the powers that can be in and on words. How and why dark entities seek to get published. Introduction News update Shatter update 1. COMMUNICATION, SPEECH AND WRITINGS FROM THE SUPERNATURAL 1) They are there 2) They are speaking 3) They want writings 4) Spirit guided writings..inspiration 5) Spirit guided writings…attachment or animated 6) Books…writings and the authors 2. THE SPIRIT OF GOD CONSTRASTED TO DARK SIDE ENTITIES 1) The language of the Holy Spirit 2) Everything is counterfeited 3) The evidence is in the ‘doctrine’ 3. THE AGGRESSIVE, PROGRESSIVE TASK OF DARK SPIRIT…WRITINGS 1) The Spirit of God says…………LOUDLY 1timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2) ‘Planos’ spirits seek vessels 3) Planos spirits seek to be published 4) Planos spirits WORD OF HOPE FOR TODAY: 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words 1Cor. 2
2 Corinthians 7:2-13 (English Standard Version) 2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. 3I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. 5For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn— fighting without and fear within. 6But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 8For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 12So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. 13Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Titus%202_9_15.mp3 [audio: http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Titus%202_9_15.mp3] Titus 2:9-15 9Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared […]
Romans 7:7-25 (English Standard Version) The Law and Sin 7What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." 8But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Cross references: Romans 7:7 : Romans 3:20 Romans 7:7 : Romans 13:9; Exodus 20:17; Deut 5:21 Romans 7:8 : Romans 7:11; Gal 5:13 Romans 7:8 : 1 Cor 15:56 Romans 7:10 : Romans 10:5 Romans 7:11 : Romans 7:8 Romans 7:11 : Gen 3:13; Heb 3:13 Romans 7:12 : Psalm 19:8, 9; 119:137; 2 Pet 2:21; Romans 7:16 Romans 7:14 : 1 Kgs 21:20, 25; 2 Kgs 17:17; Isa 50:1; 52:3 Romans 7:15 : Romans 7:18, 19; Gal 5:17 Romans 7:16 : 1 Tim 1:8; Romans 7:12 Romans 7:17 : Romans 7:20 Romans 7:18 : Gen 6:5; 8:21; Job 14:4; 15:14; Psalm 51:5 Romans 7:19 : Romans 7:15 Romans 7:20 : Romans 7:17 Romans 7:22 : Psalm 1:2; 112:1; 119:35 Romans 7:22 : 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 3:16; 1 Pet 3:4 Romans 7:23 : Gal 5:17; James 4:1 Romans 7:24 : Romans 6:6; 8:23
click here Visit the Recover In Christ web site. Romans 10 1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
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