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FAITH three Fight the good fight of the Faith – 1 Timothy 6:12. Note it's not, fight the good fight against the devil, or your opposition. NO. You see when FAITH wins everything wins. Fight: The Opportunity of succeeding by great effort. Many Christians want to succeed by NO EFFORT or little effort. “The devils' number 1 tool is not an active sinner, but an inactive Christian. English proverb: “The devil tempts some, but an idle man tempts the devil.” Matthew 12:43-45 (Amp) – 43But when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through dry [arid] places in search of rest, but it does not find any. 44Then it says, I will go back to my house from which I came out. And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, put in order and decorated. 45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked then itself. “Be sure to keep busy doing what's right, so that the devil may always find you occupied.” We are weakest when we try to get something for nothing, taking shortcuts to success. Trying to live an overcoming life without faith. Why are we at our weakest? Because there is no strength or growth in nothing or in shortcuts. We're not in a motorboat; we're in a rowing boat!! It takes a committed Faith that works. Proverbs 28:19 (LB) – “Hard work brings prosperity; playing around brings poverty.” There is no shortcut to a faith-filled life. Here's another aspect with extreme importance: Prayer is very important - but hear me out now…! My experience is, so many Christians think after praying, ALL will be okay – now I have done my share – it's over to you God. Example - looking for work: Send out a CV, get a newspaper and look at the job column. After you've prayed, Begin to speak faith WORDS over your situation, speak the promises speak life. Prayer should never be an excuse for inaction. As God said to Moses as they came out of Egypt: Exodus 14:15 (LB) - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Quit praying and get the people moving. Forward march!” It's time for faith in action!! “A faith that works” The fact is most prayers are only going to be answered when you attach action to them. Israel with Joshua – around the walls of Jericho. God said not to speak. Why? They would have spoken faithless, negative words. NB: Prayer is the fuel; Faith is the engine. Real faith – the Bible kind of strong faith we must fight for. Hear me!! It takes more than good intentions. (People judge us by our actions not our intentions.) It's not what we say we want to accomplish for Jesus, BUT what we actually do. James 2:17 – Faith without actions is dead. Your life will shrink or expand in proportion to your Faith. We live by Faith, or; We don't live at all – our faith is NOT a WISHBONE, it's a BACKBONE. Our “Faith” cannot be hidden. It has to be obvious, open, effective and producing: Change in us Change in a lost world And it will always be an encouragement to the church (ARE YOU a FAITH INSPIRING person?) Here is a wonderful example 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (LB) - We never forget your loving deeds (ACTIONS) as we talk to our God and Father about you, and your strong “Faith” and steady looking forward to the return of our Lord Jesus. Fruit of faith is: Determination, hard work, endurance, steadfastness, perseverance. Real faith may get knocked down, but it's never ever knocked out. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (LB) - And now the word of the Lord has spread out from you to others everywhere, far beyond your boundaries, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your remarkable “Faith” in God. Question: What do people say about your Faith SO!!! Why all this talk about faith? Is it really all that important? Just remember, you decide, Hebrews 11:6 - Without FAITH it's IMPOSSIBLE to please GOD Listen to Jesus' own Words: Luke 18:8b – However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find (persistence*) in faith on the earth. *Persistence: Continue firmly in one's action despite persuasion. Matthew 24:10 (NIV) – At that time many will turn away from the faith and betray and hate each other. Our whole life is encapsulated (ingekapsuleer) in FAITH. Habakkuk 2:4 is repeated in Romans 1:17 – The just shall live by faith. We tend to look at the big outer signs of Jesus' coming. Aids, tsunamis, earthquakes, wars etc. It's about time we start looking at the signs closer to home – the man in the mirror. How is your faith? Is it just talk or is it alive and active, full of passion and enthusiasm? 1 Timothy 4:1a (Amp) – But the (Holy) Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn from the Faith, giving attention to deluding(Mislei) and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach. Christians are going to be challenged to turn away from the real faith to a counterfeit. This warning is for the church NOT the unsaved world. Here's the answer to stay in a good faith fighting spirit: 1 Corinthians 16:13a – Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Amp) – “Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you-unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected.” examine and 2.test and 3.evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your Faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Here's my heart's desire for each of us: Close: Ephesians 3:16-18 (Amp) – “16May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. 17May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love. 18That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]. Revelation 14:12 (Amp) – Here [comes in a call for] the steadfastness of the saints [the patience, the endurance of the people of God], those who [habitually] keep God's commandments and [their] faith in Jesus.
Pastor Jon Verwey At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. — Mark 1:12–13 (NIV) At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness… (v.12) …and he was in the […]
Pastor Damaris Solis brings this week's message, “This is My Confidence." Key Verses: John 16.33 NIV: ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” Mark 5:.25-34 NIV: “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?' ” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”” Job 1.20-22 NIV: “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Job 2.3-6 NIV: “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.”” Job 2.9-10 NIV: “His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” Mark 2.3-5, 10-12 NIV: “Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”” Daniel 3.15-18, 25NIV: “Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”” Sermon Topics: Anxiety, Perseverance, Confidence If you enjoyed the podcast, please subscribe and share it with your friends on social media. For more information about PNEUMA Church, visit our website at mypneumachurch.org. Connect with Us: Instagram: https://instagram.com/mypneumachurch YouTube: https://youtube.com/mypneumachurch Facebook: https://facebook.com/mypneumachurch Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Welcome 02:11 - John 16.33 NIV 03:40 - This is My Confidence
On Sunday, October 6, 2024, VLC gathered in person and also broadcasted online via YouTube. Pastor Stuart Nice shared a message about when Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem, and some Pharisees warned him that Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus replied by reiterating his purpose and his necessity to go to Jerusalem. From this, Pastor Stuart exhorted us to get bold about living, focusing our faith on our calling, and reconnecting with the Lord's longing through us. Luke 13:31-35 (NIV)At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'”https://bit.ly/Luke13_31-35NIV
Preacher: Pastor Femi Paul Sermon Title: God's Help, Day-by-Day! Key Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:22 (NIV) At today's midweek service, Pastor Femi Paul shared a message titled "God's Help, Day-by-Day!" He emphasized how, day after day, men came to help David until he had a great army, like the Army of God. Pastor Femi prayed that God's help would manifest in our lives not just occasionally, but consistently—day-by-day and year-after-year. He also challenged us to reflect on what David did to attract such divinely orchestrated, non-stop help.
Closer, Pt. 4 | August 25, 2024Pastor Wes Morris John 1:1-14 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ✓ Truth: God's standard.John 17:17 (TLB) Make them pure and holy through teaching them your words of truth.✓ Grace: God's favor.✓ Without truth, we become worldly. Without grace, we become judgmental. ✓ Truth without grace is mean. Grace without truth is meaningless. ✓ Grace invites us to be free so the truth can set us free. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God... THE BALANCE OF GRACE AND TRUTH John 8:9-11 (NIV) At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”I. WALK IN HUMILITY.John 8:6 (TLB) They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.Philippians 2:3 (ESV) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.II. SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE.Ephesians 4:15 (TLB) We will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his body, the Church.
Sermon Title: Unflourished - How Vices Stop Us from Accessing God's Greatness Preacher: Inioluwa Oke Lead Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV) At today's Teens Celebration service, Inioluwa Oke delivered a powerful message on the theme "Unflourished - How Vices Stop Us from Accessing God's Greatness." She highlighted four vices that hinder us from fulfilling God's full plan for our lives: Procrastination, Pride, Dishonesty, and Jealousy. Inioluwa encouraged everyone to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to overcome these obstacles and lead lives that manifest God's greatness for generations to come.
Journey Church Sunday Worship Gathering Audio - Bozeman, Montana
Logan & Cayla Holloman | NextGen Pastor & Licensed Professional Counselor | May 26, 2024 What if our posture is the beginning of listening, understanding, and loving those around us? What’s my posture?Am I fully present or distracted?Am I loving or judging?Am I open or closed to being changed?Am I trying to fix or offer solutions?Am I uncomfortable with empathy or what they're saying?Is it easier for me to just get to the next thing I need to say? “The state you’re in is the state you give to others” — Pete Scazzero Jesus’ example:Pace (not running from village to village; always walking)Unhurried (Mark 5, Luke 19)Limits (taking time to pray, rest, eat, sleep) Mark 5:30-34 (NIV)At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Luke 19:3-6 (NIV)He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. “Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable. When I want to genuinely love someone, the best gift I can give is to listen authentically.”— David Augsburger Proverbs 18:2,13 (NIV)Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. Listening: Attunement vs Agreeing Reflection Questions: Who might be someone God is asking you to listen to today?What might be one practical way you can slow down in order to love someone in the next 24 hours?Imagine what the Gallatin valley would look like if Journey Church was known for our radical commitment to listening to others, what might be the effects of that?What would you say is your greatest obstacle or challenge to being fully present and engaged with others (i.e. distracted, uncomfortable with emotion, etc)? Next Steps: Complete the Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any question: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcardWant to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/giveDownload our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week: https://facebook.com/groups/JourneyChurchBozemanGet your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/childrenOur Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/studentsSubscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozemanNotes Page:
Good Friday 2024 Isaiah 53:4-6 (NKJV)Surely He has borne our griefsAnd carried our sorrows;Yet we esteemed Him stricken,Smitten by God, and afflicted.But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,And by His stripes we are healed.All 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. Galatians 3:13 (ESV)“Christ 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'” Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)“'He himself bore our sins' in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live to righteousness;” Matthew 27:51 (NIV)“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."Hebrews 10:1-10 (NLT)“The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared. But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, ‘You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.' First, Christ said, ‘You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them' (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will.' He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.”
Mark 13:21-37 NIV - At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!' or, ‘Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.“But in those days, following that distress,“‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'”
Mark 13:21-37 NIV - At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!' or, ‘Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.“But in those days, following that distress,“‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'”
Mark 13:21-37 NIV - At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!' or, ‘Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.“But in those days, following that distress,“‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'”
Mark 13:21-37 NIV - At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!' or, ‘Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.“But in those days, following that distress,“‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'”
3 Qualities of Healthy Relationships | February 11, 2024Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 (NIV) There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.✔ A CRITICAL SPIRITLuke 6:45 (NLT) A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.✔ A STUBBORN HEARTExodus 8:29-32 (NLT) Moses answered, “As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the Lord, and tomorrow the swarms of flies will disappear from you and your officials and all your people. But I am warning you, Pharaoh, don't lie to us again and refuse to let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”So Moses left Pharaoh's palace and pleaded with the Lord to remove all the flies. And the Lord did as Moses asked and caused the swarms of flies to disappear from Pharaoh, his officials, and his people. Not a single fly remained. But Pharaoh again became stubborn and refused to let the people go.Proverbs 29:1 (GNT) If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover.Proverbs 19:20 (NIV) Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. 3 QUALITIES OF HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPSI. FIERCELY COMMITTED.Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.II. CONSISTENT IN COMMUNICATION.Mark 1:9-11 (NIV) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”√ IDENTIFICATION (You are my Son)√ VALIDATION (Whom I love)√ AFFIRMATION (With You I am well pleased)Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.III. SECURE IN CHRIST.Colossians 2:9-10 (TLB) For in Christ there is all of God in a human body; so you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ.
In our journey through Colossians, Paul takes aim at setting a vision for what Biblical family should look like. Paul is not defining specifics of gender roles, but pointing to our intended design. God has made us as men and women equal and at the same time distinct in the way we function individually and together. God has a distinct vision for the order of the Christian household that is helpful and applicable for all people at all times. “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”Colossians 3:18-19 (NIV)“At the same time, Genesis shows us that men and women were created with absolute equality. Both are equally made in the image of God, equally blessed, and equally given “dominion” over the earth. This means that men and women together, in full participation, must carry out God's mandate to build civilization and culture. Both men and women are called to do science and art, to build families and human communities.”Kathy Keller - Meaning of MarriageTo plug into our daily bible study, text "DLR" to 501-200-3122 and follow the link to sign up. For more information on how to get connected at New Life Church - Downtown Little Rock, follow us on Instagram @nlcdowntownlittlerock or visit our website at newlifechurch.tv
Sermon Notes Have you ever asked God for something and ended up with something different than what you had in mind? Luke 7:18-19 NIV John's disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" Luke 7:20 NIV When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?'" John's situation has him wondering what Jesus' ultimate plan is. Matthew 11:2-3 NIV When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" Luke 7:21 NIV At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. In seasons where you're struggling to see the hand of God in your life – look for it in the lives of others. Luke 7:22 NIV So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor." Isaiah 35:5-6 NIV Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Miracles on Earth point us to the power and faith we are to have in the Miracle Worker, Jesus. Acts 2:22-24 NIV "Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Wonders don't erase wrestling. Luke 7:23 NIV "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." Stumble = skandalizó: to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to stumble. Luke 7:24-25 NIV After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces." Luke 7:26-27 NIV "But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'" Luke 7:28 NIV "I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." Giving your life to Jesus is a sacrifice always worth making. "Faith is living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God's grace make you happy, joyful, and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures." – Martin Luther
By Rev Trevor Adams | Isaiah 53: 1-7, Matthew 26: 57-58 and 63b-67, Matthew 27: 11-31,Luke 23: 26-27 and 32-43, Matthew 27: 45-52a, 54, 57-60Isaiah 53: 1-7, Matthew 26: 57-58 and 63b-67, Matthew 27: 11-31,Luke 23: 26-27 and 32-43, Matthew 27: 45-52a, 54, 57-60 (NIV)At night he was arrested, instantly tried and falsely found guilty, spat upon! Sentenced to death, he was tortured and executed in horrific pain. As he died, sky and ground resembled a cyclonic lightning and thunder 15min. Queensland rainstorm. Unexpected people affirmed him as Son of God! What are your feelings and thoughts?
Sermon Notes Luke 4:31-32 NIV "Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority." Luke 4:33-34 NIV "In the synagogue, there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 'Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!'" What are demons? "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." - CS Lewis Revelation 12:9 NIV "The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." Luke 4:35 NIV "'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him." Jesus has authority over all created things because He is the creator. Colossians 1:16-17 NIV "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together." Luke 4:36-37 NIV "All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!" And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area." Luke 4:38-39 NIV "Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them." Jesus heals completely and with authority. Luke 4:40 NIV "At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them." Luke 4:41 NIV "Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, 'You are the Son of God!' But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah." Luke 4:42 NIV "At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him, and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them." Q: Why did Jesus silence the demons and leave the hurting? A: Because Jesus has profound clarity about why He is here and what He is supposed to do. John 14:30-31a NIV "I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me." Luke 4:43-44 NIV "But he said, 'I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also because that is why I was sent.' And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea." Do you have that same kind of clarity and commitment?
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS Message by Anita Giardina Lee – March 5, 2023 “Every passage of the Gospel of John is about Jesus. Not us. Not you. Not me. Jesus.” – Scot McKnight, Bible Scholar, Author John 8:2-11 NIV At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him,… Read more...
The Finished Work of the Cross John 19:17-30 (NLT) “Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews' to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.'” Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let's throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did. Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” What did Jesus finish on the cross? 1. The curse of sin. Isaiah 53:4-6 (NKJV) Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Galatians 3:13 (ESV) Christ 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”— Isaiah 43:25 (NIV) "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live to righteousness;” 2. Mankind's separation from God. Matthew 27:51 (NIV) “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 3. Our shame. Hebrews 10:1-10 (NLT) “The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared. But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.'” First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” Ephesians 1:7, 9-10 (ESV) “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
A Bigger Life Prayer and Bible Devotionals with Pastor Dave Cover
A Christian Meditation that Your Father Is Lord of Heaven and Earth from Matthew 11:25. This kind of Christian meditation brings the transcendent experience of God into your mind and into your body so that you can replace anxiety, insecurity, stress and tension with the better and truer imagination of God's infinite and intimate presence and love for YOU.If your podcast app is set to skip silent sections, disable that for this podcast.Body MeditationIn this Christian meditation we start with a body meditation to recalibrate our body with our mind's awareness. Of course our body is always responding to our mind and feeling our mind's beliefs in the moment. Our tension and anxieties, insecurities, anger and grievances. We're just usually not aware of it. But our body always is.Body meditation reintegrates our mind's focused awareness back with our body so that we can intentionally recalibrate our mind and our awareness and our beliefs and our body with the reality of God‘s presence and intimate involvement in our lives.To begin, lie flat on your back if possible or otherwise sit comfortably in a chair. Try to sit in a way where your mind can easily calibrate with your body. Uncross your legs. Try to keep your body symmetrical. Close your eyes if you can.And begin to take deep breaths through your nose into your belly.Breathing in. Feeling calm and relaxed. Breathing out. Letting go of any areas of tension as you feel your body dropping a little deeper now. Releasing. Muscles softening. Begin to mindfully inhabit your body fully. To intentionally focus your attention on the inner condition of your body. To feel your entire body from within. Body awareness helps you embrace your body — recalibrate your body — with the reality of God's life-giving presence and love. And with each breath out use your imagination to feel God‘s presence inside you and outside you. Giving life to every cell in your body. Acts 17:28 says “In him we live and move and have our being.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “…Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you…” which means that Christ has made your body holy. The apostle Paul says in Galatians 2:20, “Christ lives in me and the life I now live in the body…” The way the resurrected Jesus inhabits our body is by the Holy Spirit. Use your imagination to feel this biblical truth throughout your entire body.Bible MeditationMatthew 11:25 (NIV)At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. …One of the principles all throughout the Bible is this — God hides himself from the proud and reveals himself to the humble. He's wired things in such a way where the gospel looks like foolish ignorance to those who pride themselves on their educated intelligence.But what I am interested in here for our meditation his who Jesus declares the Father to be — “Lord of heaven and earth.“ Jesus is God who became human and he's praying to God as a human. I want to have the same view of God that Jesus had. Not just that he is my Father.He is Lord of heaven and earth. Someone is in charge of the chaos. Your Father is in charge of all the chaos. He has an eternal plan and purpose. “He will cause all things to work together for good for his children” (Rom 8:28-30). “Not even a sparrow will fall to the ground apart from the will of your father in heaven.” “And you're much more valuable to God than sparrows.“ “He has numbered the very hairs of your head” (Matt 10:29-31). He has “ordained the number of my days before one of them even came to be” (Ps 139:16).The God Jesus taught us and the Bible teaches us is a God who is in complete control of everything. This is why Jesus could confidently and calmly take a nap in a boat in the middle of a storm. And then when the disciples woke him up he simply spoke and calmed the storm and the waves.Remember that anxiety and fear and insecurity and anger block us from seeing God's presence and his love for us in the moment. And they also block us from seeing God in control of every moment.Christian meditation reminds us to believe what we already believe is true. To believe in the God that Jesus revealed to us. And I want to have the same view of the the Bible that Jesus had.Evil might be mighty in our world, but it's not Almighty. Chaos might be mighty right now, but it's not Almighty. Yahweh — HE IS — is the Almighty. And that's true for every evil and every chaos in your life right now.As you focus your meditation on becoming more aware of your body, also become more aware of this reality and feel it into your body.Where there is anxiety, tension, insecurity, self protection, clenched muscles – replace it with trust and a calm confidence in this truth. Your father is Lord of heaven and earth. Use your imagination to see this reality right now. Whatever it is you don't think is under his control, see it now as completely under his control. Use your imagination to become mindfully aware of this reality right now. God's presence with you — Christ in you by the Holy Spirit. Whatever and wherever it is you you have let anxiety and insecurity and anger take control, see it now as completely under God's control. And find rest in that truth. Feel your body become more calm and quiet and at rest as you become more and more mindfully aware of this reality using your imagination.Timestamps:Body Meditation 01:18 - 18:03Bible Meditation: Mathew 11:25 18:09 - 28:19Prayer 28:25 - 30:12Who can you share this podcast with? If you found this episode helpful, consider sharing it on social media or texting it to a friend you think might benefit from it.Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecoverFollow A Bigger Life on Twitter @ABiggerLifePodOur audio engineer is Diego Huaman.This podcast is a ministry of The Crossing, a church in Columbia, Missouri, a college town where the flagship campus of the University of Missouri is located.
Acts 11:19 ESV 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. Acts 11:20 ESV 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. Acts 11:21-24 ESV 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Matthew 12:1-4 NIV At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” 3 He answered, “Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Exodus 25:30 NIV 30 Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times. Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 2 Timothy 1:9a NIV 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 3:10-11 NASB 10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 NIV … Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Acts 11:25-26 ESV 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Colossians 1:28-29 NIV 28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. Acts 11:27-30 ESV 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). Which helps us date things 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. 1 John 4:1 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
(English) In this message Ps Rod talks about how Jesus is with you even in the fire in these 3 points: (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Isaiah 43:2 NIV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 7:9 NIV) The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son. If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. (1 Peter 5:10 NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. Daniel's 3 Friends In the Fire 3 Points & Questions 3 Friends in Trouble Q: Do bad things happen to good people? (Daniel 3:1 NIV) King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. (Daniel 3:4-6 NIV) Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do:As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (Daniel 3:8 NIV) At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. (Daniel 3:12 NIV) But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” 3 Friends Stand Up to the Fire Q: What do we do in the moment of fire? (Daniel 3:16-19 NIV) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 3 Friends Joined by “The Son of God” Q: Is Jesus really there in the fire with us? (Daniel 3:24-30 NIV) Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province...
Día 20: ¡Probarlo! 40 Días de la Palabra.Recuerda que para este método debes tener en cuenta el acrónimo P.A.P.A.M.E.V.E.S.Cada palabra de ese acrónimo te va a ayudar a recordar las preguntas que debes hacerte para analizar este pasaje bíblico.Puedes encontrar está lista en nuestra página de Facebook: Hogares de Pacto Devocional.Vamos a leer esta historia y después la vamos a pasar por las diferentes pruebas y así analizar las diferentes enseñanzas que podemos aplicar a nuestras vidas personales.Hoy vamos a estudiar el evento en el que Jesús entregó su vida, específicamente cuando expiró, después de haber sufrido todo dolor y haber cumplido su misión como el Cordero que quita los pecados del mundo.
Revelation 1:17-20 NIV “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” Revelation 2:1 - 3:22 The church of: Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22 NIV “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” Matthew 25:1-13 NIV ““At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' “ ‘No,' they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,' they said, ‘open the door for us!' “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don't know you.' “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” 2 Timothy 3:8 NKJV “Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;” Romans 1:29-32 NKJV “being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Exodus 20:2-17 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (V3) You shall have no other Gods before me. 2.(V4) You shall make no idols. 3.(V7) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. 4.(V8) Keep the sabbath day Holy. 5.(V12) Honor your father and your mother. 6.(V13) You shall not murder. 7.(V14) You shall not commit adultery. 8.(V15) You shall not steal. 9.(V16) You shall not bare false witness against your neighbor. 10.(V17) You shall not covet anything that belong to your neighbor. Job 22:25 NIV “Yes, the Almighty will be your gold And your precious silver;” Matthew 13:14-15 NKJV “And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” Book: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Call-Ruth-Boyce-ebook/dp/B08D8NWN9N/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+last+call+ruth+boyce&qid=1630939238&sr=8-1 Website: https://www.thelastcallministries.weebly.com Blog: https://www.lastcallministriesintl.wordpress.com Instagram: @thelastcallintl Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raptureready17
Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life with Pastor Dave Cover
In the Bible, repetition is always used for emphasis. And the most repeated phrase in Psalm 116 is “call upon the name of the LORD.” God's people learn to call upon the name of the I AM as a lifestyle. That's what makes them different. And that's what this podcast is really all about. And to help you remember all that that means, you just need to remember the letters C.A.L.L. We do that in this episode. Psalms 116:2 (ESV) Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. Psalms 116:4 (ESV) Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!” Psalms 116:13 (ESV) I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. Psalms 116:17 (ESV) I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. Calling upon the name of the Lord is one of the Bible‘s favorite phrases to describe what it means to walk with God. For God to be your God. To be one of God's people. Genesis 4:26 (NIV) “At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD.” Genesis 5:22-24 (NIV) After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV) To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours. C.A.L.L. — Come confidently through Christ. Awaken my awareness of God's always 100% presence Lift up my eyes to see the glory and wisdom and love of the I AM Lift up my cares because he cares for me Come to God confidently through Christ. Jesus says pray “in my name.” Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 10:19-23 (NIV) Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Awaken to an awareness of God's always 100% presence with you. The I AM is always in the present tense. Psalms 139:7-8 (ESV) 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NIV) “Am I only a God nearby, ” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. Matthew 6:6 (NIV) But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists (“he is”) and that he rewards those who seek him. Walk and talk with him Matt 28:20, Jesus said to his disciples, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Rather than...
A Bigger Life Prayer and Bible Devotionals with Pastor Dave Cover
In the Bible, repetition is always used for emphasis. And the most repeated phrase in Psalm 116 is “call upon the name of the LORD.” God's people learn to call upon the name of the I AM as a lifestyle. That's what makes them different. And that's what this podcast is really all about. And to help you remember all that that means, you just need to remember the letters C.A.L.L. We do that in this episode. Psalms 116:2 (ESV) Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. Psalms 116:4 (ESV) Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!” Psalms 116:13 (ESV) I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. Psalms 116:17 (ESV) I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. Calling upon the name of the Lord is one of the Bible‘s favorite phrases to describe what it means to walk with God. For God to be your God. To be one of God's people. Genesis 4:26 (NIV) “At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD.” Genesis 5:22-24 (NIV) After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV) To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours. C.A.L.L. — Come confidently through Christ. Awaken my awareness of God's always 100% presence Lift up my eyes to see the glory and wisdom and love of the I AM Lift up my cares because he cares for me Come to God confidently through Christ. Jesus says pray “in my name.” Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 10:19-23 (NIV) Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Awaken to an awareness of God's always 100% presence with you. The I AM is always in the present tense. Psalms 139:7-8 (ESV) 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NIV) “Am I only a God nearby, ” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. Matthew 6:6 (NIV) But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists (“he is”) and that he rewards those who seek him. Walk and talk with him Matt 28:20, Jesus said to his disciples, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Rather than...
#7The Compassion Gift: “People don't care how much know, until they know how much you care” Luke 15:17-24 NIV “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! (18) I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. (19) I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' (20) So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (21) “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' (22) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. (23) Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. (24) For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. Rom 12:3-8 NIV For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (4) For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (5) so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (6) We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; (7) if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; (8) if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Positive: -are greatly concerned for the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of others. -They have desire and ability to help people who are suffering or distressed. -They are happy to help all, and don't cease being happy Need to be aware: -Because people with this gift are so patient and compassionate with those in pain, they will benefit from setting clear boundaries so as to prevent them from burnout. -They need to be in a system of care that helps order their world. -They may not understand others who are not so compassionate as not caring. Old Testament -Moses and God's compassion Exodus 33:19 NIV And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. John 3:16 NIV For 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. -Boaz and Ruth Ruth 2:14-18 NIV At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. (15) As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don't reprimand her. (16) Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her.” (17) So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. (18) She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough. New Testament :-Jesus Matthew 9:35-36 NIV Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease... Support this podcast
Living for God in an Ungodly Culture Message Reference - John 8:1-11 John 8:1-3 (NIV)“At dawn He appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around Him, and He sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.'” John 8:3b-6a (NIV)“They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?' They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing Him.” John 8:6b (NIV)“Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger.” John 8:7a (NIV)“…they kept on questioning Him…” John 8:7b (NIV)“‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'” John 8:10-11 (NLT)“‘Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?' ‘No, Lord,' she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more.'” Three Options to Reach Those in Need of Forgiveness From God 1. Condemn “You are too far gone.” 2. Condone“You are just fine the way you are.” 3. Compassionate confrontation “You are loved by God and in need of forgiveness.” “Now go and sin no more.”- Jesus Christ
Break it down, and present it in bite-size pieces until they get it for themselves 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness Rom 12:3-8 NIV For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (4) For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (5) so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (6) We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; (7) if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; (8) if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Positives: -Make it simple, Keep it simple -Make it accessible and achievable to all. (anyone can have this. Anyone can do this). -Not religious, or trying to build the ‘wow' factor of the teacher. -Reproduce it. “The proof is in the pudding”. -Loves to find a way of taking complex truths and making them simple. Take complex truth, work it, see it, dream it, squeeze it, and let one simple drop of easily receivable truth drop out the bottom. Take it and then serve it hot with an illustration! eg. Jesus with parables. Trinity: St Patrick of Ireland and the 3 leaf clover, Today : H2O (water) in 3 forms etc. -sees in stories, analogies, rhythms and seasons of learning. -No 'secret teaching'. Give it all. Lay it all out for anyone. Needs attention: -Don't blame the people when they don't ‘get it'. Own this problem myself, and help solve it. ( -patience - see where people are getting stuck and don't get annoyed. Instead, find the ‘knowledge gap' and fill it. OT example: Moses - 10 commandments- Proverbs 1:1 TPT Here are kingdom revelations, words to live by, and words of wisdom given to empower you to reign in life, written as proverbs by Israel's King Solomon, David's son. -Proverbs contains thirty-one chapters, each comprised of twenty to thirty-five wise sayings that are each two poetic lines long = > at least 600 teachings in one small book Proverbs 9:9 TPT Teach a wise man what is right and he'll grow even wiser. Instruct the lovers of God and they'll learn even more. NT example: -Jesus- Matthew 7:28-29 NIV When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, (29) because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 18:1-5 NIV At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (2) He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. (3) And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (4) Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew 22:35-40 NIV One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: (36) “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (37) Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' (38) This is the first and greatest commandment. (39) And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' (40) All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” NT example: -Paul- 1.Love Romans 13:9 NIV The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed Support this podcast
Maintaining a Biblical Perspective in the Face of Pressure Daniel 6:10 (NIV)“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:16a (NIV)“So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den.” 1. We are to rest in the sovereignty of God's plan. Daniel 3:17-18 (NIV)“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Acts 4:19-20 (NIV)“Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'” 2. We find comfort in knowing what is impossible with man is possible with God. Daniel 6:14 (NIV)“When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.” Daniel 6:17 (NIV)“A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.” Daniel 6:16b (NIV)“The king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!'” Daniel 6:18 (NIV)“Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.” 3. Your greatest pressure point can become the place of your greatest encounter with God. Daniel 6:19 (NIV)“At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?'” Daniel 6:21 (NIV)“May the king live forever!” Daniel 6:22-23 (NIV)“My God sent His angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty. The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Psalm 46:1 (ESV)“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Daniel 6:24 (NIV)“At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” 4. God will use your refusal to bow to an ungodly culture as a catalyst for revival. Daniel 6:25-27 (NIV)“Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: ‘May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.'”
Living a Life of Integrity in an Ungodly Culture “The blessing of our integrity will outlive us and guide others in the right path long after we are dancing on streets of gold. The impact and influence are eternal.” - Dr. Russ Frase, Fight for integrity Daniel 6:1-3 (ESV)“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” Living a Life of Integrity in an Ungodly Culture 1. Integrity positions you for an increase of influence. “Because an excellent spirit was in him.” 2 Samuel 22:26 (NLT)“To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.” 2. Integrity positions you to be attacked by an ungodly culture. Daniel 6:4a (NIV)“At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs.” John 15:18-20 (NIV)“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” Daniel 6:4b (NIV)“They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.” 3. Integrity can cause evil men and women to try to entrap you. Daniel 6:5-9 (NIV)“Finally these men said, ‘We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.' So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: ‘May King Darius live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions' den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.' So King Darius put the decree in writing.” Matthew 5:11 (NIV)“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” 4. A life of integrity remains faithful to God no matter what. Daniel 6:10-12 (NIV)“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: ‘Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions' den?'” 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV)“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” Steps to help you live a life of integrity: 1. Be brutally honest about your current status of integrity. 2. Take full responsibility for the areas you lack integrity. 3. Remember, integrity is impossible without a life anchored to God and His Word. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)“Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
“Our time on earth is so short, but our prayers are eternal.” What an impact we can make through prayer and through encouraging moms to pray! Today we complete our the Moms in the Bible series looking at the life of Elizabeth. Listen in as Stacy talks with Sally Burke, the president of Moms in Prayer International about the gift of godly mentorship. We all need women like Elizabeth in our lives, but where do we find them? You won’t want to miss a moment as Sally answers this question. About our Guest: Sally Burke, is a dynamic speaker, teacher, author and the President of Moms in Prayer International. She leads a worldwide ministry that equips and encourages women in the transforming power of prayer. As a child growing up in Florida, Sally was fascinated with the space program and began her career as a space shuttle engineer with a Master of Science in Management. After her marriage and the birth of two children, Sally and her husband came to faith in Christ, and Moms in Prayer soon became a top priority. She and her husband Ed now have four grown children, a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren. In her leisure time, you’ll find Sally on a walk/run, curled up with a good book or enjoying the company of friends. Scripture: Scripture on Elizabeth found in Luke 1 Luke 1:39-45 (NIV) At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Books: Unshaken by Cyndie Claypool de Neve and Sally Burke Raise Them Up by Cyndie Claypool de Neve and Sally Burke Start With Praise! by Cyndie Claypool de Neve and Sally Burke Links: To give to the ministry of Moms in Prayer: Support Our Mission | Moms In Prayer International Moms in Prayer International- www.MomsInPrayer.org
‘No matter what’ I choose Jesus. (This must become a daily Faith confession) It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust Him, ‘No matter what’. By Pastor George Lehman I trust you will receive something from this sermon to carry you through every day of your life. What do you choose when you choose Jesus? Real life, eternal life; Victory; Peace; Joy; Abundance; Security; no fear; strength to endure; a sound mind; self-control; someone who really cares; someone who has overcome the world; someone who will never leave nor forsake you. And the list goes on! Story of the man in the desert: There was a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note. The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked, he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work, he would still be thirsty, and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough, and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened, and he got a little scared, but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveler.” The man refilled the jug and added to the note: “Please prime the pump, believe me it works”! Philippians 3:1-3 (NIV) - Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— Paul continues to remind us in Philippians. Philippians 1:17-18 (NIV) - The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV) - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. The word ‘rejoice’ is in the present tense and suggests a continual rejoicing. Rejoice means: To fill with joy. Philippians 3:1 (NIV) - Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Paul is reminding the church ‘no matter what’ the tragedy or hardship, If you know the Lord, you have reason to rejoice. Notice the expressions of rejoice: Deuteronomy 12:7 (NIV) - There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you. In this verse the word rejoice in Hebrew [Shamach] means to fill with joy. This is an inner condition of the heart. Deuteronomy 32:43 (NIV) - Rejoice, O nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people. In this verse the word rejoice in Hebrew [Ranan] is an outer expression – shouting, singing, showing your joy. You may not always be jumping and pumping with Ranan (shouting and singing) but ’No matter what’ you must always be filled with [Shamach] – inner joy. That joy of the Lord which is your strength. Galatians 5:22 says that the fruit of the inner working spirit is joy. Paul’s point in this scripture is ‘No matter what’… Tragedy might befall you. You may have health issues. Your partner may have left you; your children disappoint you. You may have messed up or sinned. You may have been hurt, criticized, and insulted. ‘No matter what’ Your choice is: Rejoice [Shamach] There are so many ‘no matter what’ examples in the Bible. Job 1:20-22 (NIV) - At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (Amp) - 17Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, 18Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! 19The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments. We need to learn that God is in full control. You can put your complete trust in Him ‘No matter what’. Acts 16:23-26 (NIV) - 23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose ‘No matter what, I choose Jesus.’ *****
Mark 15:1-15 (NIV) At this point in Mark, Israel is celebrating the Passover. The celebration of God's liberating the Israelites out from under the thumb of the egyptians. And you might remember back in Exodus chapter 14, the Moses and the people of Israel were at the shore of the red sea with the Egyptian army breathing down their neck, the people were terrified and Moses shouted out…. “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord which will work for you today. The Lord will fight for you; you have only to be silent.” The Hebrew word for Salvation is Yeshua… Which we transliterate as Jesus. He said see the Jesus of the LORD fight for you. Yet, after generations the people of Israel could not trust that God would do it again. Ever Passover Judea would come to a fever pitch with rebellion ready to ignite. And this Kingdom announcement that Jesus has been making throughout Mark is a direct challenge to Israel's violent way of dealing with Israel's bondage under Rome. Over and over Jesus says that it will lead to their destruction. In today's passage, we watch as Jesus literally trades places with a rebellious, murderous Jew. His name is Barabbas which literally means Son of the Father. In Matthew this rebel's given name is Jesus as well. CAN YOU SEE IT? Israel partners with the Empire to kill Jesus of Nazreth, THE son of the Father, in exchange for salvation by their own means as they call for the release of Jesus Barabbas, the rebel. ----------REFLECT---------- 1. What image in this passage struck you? 2. It's difficult to think about, but we are all now quite familiar with the images of a riotous crown threatening insurrection, calling for the execution of leaders. Take a moment to picture the scene around Jesus… as he stands silent, on his way to be murdered. 3. Jesus was the only person in this scene who was not acting out of self-interest. How does this moment in the life of Jesus inspire you towards self-giving love? ----------GO DEEPER---------- Bible Project: Mark Overview >> Bible Project: The Gospel >> Bible Project: Gospel of the Kingdom >> ----------CONNECT---------- Find an InterVarsity Chapter >> Start an InterVarsity Chapter >> Learn More >> --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyread/message
The Forgiven WomanJohn | Week 7June 28, 2020 | Adam Barnett --John 8:2-6a NIVAt dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.John 8:6b-8 NIV But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. John 8:9 NIV At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.John 8:10-11 NIV Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”Forgiveness is the chief gift of the New Testament gospel.Jesus' grace empowers holiness.
Exodus 33:12-18 (NIV) At this point in Exodus, God has heard the cries of his people, he's rescued them from the hands of the Egyptians, and he has brought them out into the wilderness. Their time in the wilderness has been full of moments of disobedience and repentance. God providing, the people failing and God showing mercy. But at this point in Chapter 33 the LORD has instructed them to go ahead into the promise land but has told them that he does not plan to go with them. This causes the Israelites great distress, and Moses goes to the LORD to plead for mercy on their behalf. ----------REFLECT---------- 1. What stood out to you about Moses' posture towards the LORD? 2. What struck you about the LORDs posture towards Moses? 3. Where in your life today are you being called, knowing that if the LORD does not go with you it will be a disaster. Ask the LORD today, to send His presence with you, ask him to give you rest? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyread/message
Luke 12:22-34 (NIV) At this point in Luke's Gospel, Jesus has been calling people to Follow him, he's been sending out his disciples to announce the good news of the Kingdom, and now he's on a long journey to Jerusalem where his Kingdom announcement will create a confrontation with the powers . So along the way, he begins to teach the people around him about what this Kingdom will look like. ----------REFLECT---------- 1. As you listen, allow the holy spirit to draw your attention to a particular word or phrase. And ask the Lord why that word, why that phrase? 2. As the passage is read again, think about what this word or phrase might mean within the context of Jesus' teaching. 3. As you hear the passage one last time, ask the LORD how he might be inviting you to respond to him today. What might need to change? What might need to stay the same? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyread/message
The Babylon Mentality Part 2 – STAND FIRM – LOVE WELL Series How do we live like Jesus in a pagan culture! We'll either set the culture, or reflect the culture we live in. You'll either be a THERMOSTAT or a THERMOMETER. – God has called us to be a thermostat! To set the culture. Matthew 5:16 (KJV) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. We are called to be SALT and LIGHT Salt makes things better, Light makes things brighter. We are here to MAKE an IMPACT! John 17:15-16 (NIV) 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Genesis 11:4 (NIV) Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves.” Genesis 11:9 (NIV) That is why it was called Babel—because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. Revelation 17:5 (NIV) The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT. THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Isaiah 47:8-10 (NIV) “Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.' Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and all your potent spells. You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.'” Babylon's motto: “I am, and there is none besides me.” Elevate self. Self-adoring. Self-building. Self-indulging. Notes: Lower God. God doesn't love me. God isn't for me. God wants too much from me. Notes: Daniel 4:4 (NIV) I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. Daniel 4:22 Your Majesty, you are that tree! Daniel 4:25-26 25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Sanity Restored Daniel 4:34-37 (NIV) At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. 1. I will exalt God. Psalm 145:1 (NIV) I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2. I will acknowledge God. 1 Corinthians 4:7 (LB) What are you so puffed up about? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why act as though you have accomplished something on your own? (If you see a turtle on a fence-post you know he didn't get there by himself). 3. I will humble myself. James 4:10 (NIV) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. THE MAN ON HIS FACE CAN NEVER FALL FROM THAT POSITION. Standing firm in a pride-inflated culture begins with face-down posture.
Jesus is GlorifiedJesus Is | Week 5April 5, 2020 | Adam Barnett--John 12:12-15 NIV The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”John 12:16-19 NIV At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”John 12:20-28 NIV Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”John 12:23 NIV "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”Glorification was accomplished through Jesus’ death on the cross.Glorification is the result of Jesus loving the Father more than His own life.Glorification demands a response from all disciples of Jesus.John 1:12-13 NIVYet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.Prayer of SalvationFather God, I believe with all my heart that Jesus died on the cross for me. I believe He rose from the dead, and that same power makes me a new creation. I renounce my past and ask you to forgive me of my sins. I receive your forgiveness today. I receive new birth in you. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. I long to be with you all of my days here, and for all of eternity. Through the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.If you prayed that prayer today for the first time and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, please let us know at this form. We would love to connect with you over email or a phone call and celebrate with you!
Bible readings: 1 Kings 19:9-13 (NIV) 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. The Lord Appears to Elijah And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) At the Home of Martha and Mary 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
THE BOOK OF DANIEL – 3 CRAZY THINKING Daniel 4:1-3 (NIV) King Nebuchadnezzar, To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. CULTURE’S CRAZY THINKING WE’RE SELF-SUFFICIENT INSTEAD OF GOD-DEPENDENT. Daniel 4:4 (NIV) I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. OUR PRAYER LIFE WILL SHOW HOW DEPENDENT WE ARE ON GOD. WE GIVE OURSELVES THE CREDIT INSTEAD OF THANKING GOD. Daniel 4:25 (NIV) You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes. MY ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE WILL KEEP MY HEART RIGHT. WE THINK WE KNOW BEST INSTEAD OF ACKNOWLEDGING THAT HEAVEN RULES. Daniel 4:26 (NIV) The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. OUR SURRENDER TO GOD LEADS US DOWN THE RIGHT PATH. GET RID OF CRAZY Daniel 4:34-37 (NIV) At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. 1. Exalt the King of heaven. 2. Acknowledge that God does everything right and all His ways are just. 3. Walk in humility.
FAQ BIO Do you ever sit around wondering about certain spiritual questions like… “Is it wrong to go dancing?” “Should a Christian get a tattoo?” “Will we be married in heaven?” “Do people turn into angels in heaven?” “Is it wrong to trust in horoscopes?” “Is it OK to spank your kids?” “What’s up with the whole dinosaur stuff?” “Is there ‘for real’ an unforgiveable sin?” You’ve got questions? The Bible has the answers. And where the text is unclear, we will give you our opinions and what has formed them. Some of life’s most fun, most interesting, most shocking, and most trivial questions will be discussed with real questions from real people. Q&A RULES: The Bible is the STANDARD OF TRUTH Wherever the BIBLE SPEAKS CLEARLY, I will stand with it and will not waiver a bit Where the BIBLE DOESN’T SPEAK DIRECTLY to an issue, I will look for PRINCIPLES TO APPLY If I CAN’T FIND PRINCIPLES that apply, I will give MY OPINION Let’s do it all with a SPIRIT OF GRACE, compassion, empathy and shared experiences. Nobody is a “STUPID IDIOT!” 1 PETER 3:15 NIV Always be PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with GENTLENESS and RESPECT. 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 NIV All SCRIPTURE is God-breathed and is useful for TEACHING, REBUKING, CORRECTING and TRAINING in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. TOPICS IN FAQ SERIES - FOUR CATEGORIZED TOPICS God’s Love, Salvation & Eternity Bible Interpretation, Faith & Science Church Community & Relationships with Unbelievers Moral Behavior & Sexuality TODAYS MESSAGE - GOD’S LOVE, SALVATION & ETERNITY When a Christian COMMITS SUICIDE do they still go to heaven? ROMANS 5:1-2 NIV Therefore, since we have been JUSTIFIED THROUGH FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom WE HAVE GAINED ACCESS BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE in which we now stand. Will our PETS be in HEAVEN with us? ISAIAH 11:6-8 NIV The WOLF will live with the LAMB, the LEOPARD will lie down with the GOAT, the CALF and the LION and the YEARLING together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The COW will feed with the BEAR, their young will lie down together, and the LION will eat straw like the OX. 8 The infant will play near the hole of the COBRA, and the young child put his hand into the VIPER'S nest. Do our Christian FAMILY MEMBERS who have PASSED WATCH what we are doing? HEBREWS 12:1 NIV Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great CLOUD OF WITNESSES, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us… Will we be able to RECOGNIZE PEOPLE, FRIENDS and FAMILY in heaven? LUKE 16:23 NIV In hades, where (the rich man) was in torment, he looked up and saw ABRAHAM far away, with LAZARUS by his side. What AGE will we be in HEAVEN? 1 JOHN 3:2 NIV Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that WHEN HE (JESUS) APPEARS, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, for we shall see him as he is. Will we be MARRIED in HEAVEN? MATTHEW 22:30 NIV At the resurrection people will NEITHER MARRY NOR BE GIVEN IN MARRIAGE… Will we have “RELATIONS” in HEAVEN? Do we become ANGELS in heaven? HEBREWS 12:22-23 NIV But you have come to Mount Zion, to the HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of ANGELS in joyful assembly, 23 to the CHURCH of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to THE SPIRITS OF RIGHTEOUS MEN MADE PERFECT… Can we PRAY to our LOVED ONES who have ALREADY PASSED? LEVITICUS 20:6 NLT I will also turn against those who commit SPIRITUAL PROSTITUTION by putting their trust in MEDIUMS or in those who consult the SPIRITS OF THE DEAD. I will cut them off from the community. When do people become GHOSTS? Is it permitted to be CREMATED when we die? GENESIS 3:19 NIV …for dust you are and to DUST you will RETURN. Is belief in JESUS as SAVIOR the ONLY WAY to get to HEAVEN? JOHN 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, "I am THE WAY and THE TRUTH and THE LIFE. NO ONE comes to the Father EXCEPT THROUGH ME.” 1 JOHN 4:9 NLT God showed how much he loved us by sending HIS ONE AND ONLY SON into the world SO THAT WE MIGHT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE through HIM. 4 WAYS GOD COMMUNICATES Creation Conscience Holy Spirit Human Conversations
Bible reading: Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) At the Home of Martha and Mary 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
2018/8/26 Ps Rod Plummer ロド プラマー牧師 Categories: Video: https://osaka.mylifehouse.com/tv/message/the-big-wave-lifehouse-osaka “The Big Wave - Lifehouse Osaka” Japan story: and The First Wave and then ... the Osaka Wave. 1. Jesus' Instructions Matthew 28:18-20 (ISV) Then Jesus approached them and told them, "All they would authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age." Key thought: "make disciples." How? 3 ways. a. after going, 'just jump in the team!'' -Pssst .... You're in the mission already! b. baptising in water ‘For the win' c. teaching people to obey -journalling -simple prayer -clean heart 2. Jesus' message John 3:16 (NIV) For 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. Luke 10:8-9 (NIV) “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. (9) Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 3. Jesus' joy, your joy, my joy! The disciples' joy Luke 10:17 (NIV) The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Heaven's joy Luke 10:18-20 (NIV) He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Jesus' joy Luke 10:21 (NIV) At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 大きな波 - ライフハウス大阪 1.イエスの教え マタイ28:18-20 (ALIVE訳) そして使徒たちの元へ来たイエスは——「俺の手に天地すべての権限がゆだねられた!!!(19)だから行け!全世界のあらゆる人を俺の弟子とし、父と子と神の霊の名によって洗礼を授け、(20)おまえたちに命じたいっさいのことに従うよう指導しろ!!!忘れるな、俺は世の終わりまでおまえたちと共にいるのだ!!!」 鍵となること:「弟子をつくる」 どうやって?3つの方法 ・行った後は「ただチームに飛び込む」 実は既にミッションの一部になってる! ・水の洗礼 「勝利のため」 ・従うように人々を教える -ジャーナル -シンプルな祈り -きれいな心 2.イエスのメッセージ ヨハネ 3:16 (ALIVE訳) 実に神は、一人子をさえ惜しまず与えるほどに、世の人間を愛してくれた。つまり、神の一人子を信じる者が、だれ一人滅びず、永遠の命を得るためだ!!! ルカ10:8-9 (ALIVE訳) おまえたちが入った町の人が歓迎してくれるなら、出されたご飯はありがたく、いただくんだ。町の病人を治し、“神の王国が来た!” と伝えろ! 3.イエスの喜び、あなたの喜び、私の喜び! 弟子たちの喜び ルカ 10:17 (ALIVE訳) それからしばらくして、選りすぐりの72人が満面の笑みで任務から帰ってきた。 「師匠の名を使うと、悪魔でさえ従うんだぜッ!!!」彼らはみな喜びにあふれてイエスに報告を始める。 天国の喜び ルカ 10:18-20 (ALIVE訳) 「そうか、そうか!!俺も悪魔王が稲妻のごとく落ちるのを見た!(19)やつらは、敵だ。だが、自覚しろ!おまえたちには、ヤツを大きく上回る力を授けた!その力は、ヘビやさそりのような恐ろしい敵を軽々と踏みにじる力だ。おまえたちに指一本触れることはできない。(20)そうだ、悪魔でさえおまえたちに服従する。喜べ!この“力”ではなく、おまえたちの名が天の書に刻まれていることをッ!!!」 イエスの喜び ルカ10:21 (ALIVE訳) 神の霊に満たされたイエスは、天にも昇るような思いになった!「天地の王!父さん!!ありがとう!!!俺は感謝でいっぱいだー!!!こんな素晴らしい真理を、知ったかぶりの思い上がりには隠し、子どものように素直な人たちに明かしてくれた!ああ、知ってるさ父さん!これがあなたの望んだ王道だ!!!」
We will either SET culture or REFLECT culture. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. John 17:15-16 (NIV) Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11 (NIV) The name written on her forehead was a mystery: Babylon the great, the mother of prostitutes, and of the abominations of the earth. Revelation 17:5 (NIV) “Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.' Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day: loss of children and widowhood. They will come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and all your potent spells. You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.' Isaiah 47:8-10 (NIV) The Babylon Mentality = “I am and there is none besides me.” I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. Daniel 4:4-5 (NIV) Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth… “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Daniel 4:22-26 (NIV) At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Daniel 4:34-37 (NIV) I will ACKNOWLEDGE God For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3 (NIV) I will EXALT God I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:1-3 (NIV) I will HUMBLE myself Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 (NIV)
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Daniel 1:1-5 (NIV) Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king's service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. Daniel 1:1-5 (NIV) He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service. Daniel 1:1-5 (NIV) He will try to change our identity Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Daniel 1:6-7 (NIV) The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. Daniel 1:6-7 (NIV) Daniel: “God is my Judge” Belteshazzar: “Lady protect the King” Hananiah: “Yahweh is my protector” Shadrach: “I am fearful of God” Mishael: “Who can compare to my God? No one!” Meshach: “I am despised, contemptible, and humiliated” Azariah: “Yahweh has helped” Abednego: “Servant of Nebo” When culture shifts, you have to know who you are. He will challenge our convictions But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8 (NIV) When culture shifts, we must reaffirm our convictions. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” Daniel 1:9-10 (NIV) He will create a confrontation Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days… Daniel 1:11-14 (NIV) When culture shifts, we have to respond the right way. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. Daniel 1:18-20 (NIV) In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. Daniel 1:18-20 (NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) Without truth, we are CORRUPT. Without grace, we are CONDEMNED. Without truth, we become WORLDLY. Without grace we become JUDGMENTAL. Truth without grace is MEAN. Grace without truth is MEANINGLESS. Grace INVITES us to be FREE. Truth SETS us FREE. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. John 8:3-11 (NIV) In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. John 8:3-11 (NIV) But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. John 8:3-11 (NIV) At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. John 8:3-11 (NIV) “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:3-11 (NIV)
American Dreams My American Citizenship Is A Stewardship. It Is Temporary. And, I Am Accountable. Daniel 4:4-5 NIV - I , Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. Daniel 4:17 NIV - “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that THE MOST HIGH IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL THE KINGDOMS ON EARTH AND GIVES THEM TO ANYONE HE WISHES and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ Daniel 4:24-26 NIV - “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you WHEN YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HEAVEN RULES! Daniel 4:29-30 NIV - Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Daniel 4:31 NIV - Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.” Daniel 4:32-33 NIV - You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” 33Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. Daniel 4:34, 37 NIV - At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Daniel 5:17-18, 20-24 NIV - Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. 18“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. 20But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes. 22“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 24Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. Daniel Is Saying... “Belshazzar..., Your Grandfather Understood that His
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) At the Home of Martha and Mary 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Footnotes: Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) At the Home of Martha and Mary 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Footnotes: Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) At the Home of Martha and Mary 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Footnotes: Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed
Join us this week as we start our brand new series, Forgotten Virtues. Lead Pastor, Shane Frazier, tackles the forgotten idea of gratitude in today's society. You don't want to miss this message. (Luke 17:11-13) (NIV) Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us! (Luke 17:14) (NIV) When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. (Luke 17:15) (NIV) One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17:17-18) (NIV) Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Will you be the one? Ungrateful Mindset: 1. I Want it Now (Commercial) (Luke 15:11-12)(NIV) Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.' 2. I Deserve More (Luke 15:29)(NIV) But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. Exposing Any Ungratefulness: 1. Material or Financial 2. Relational 3. Circumstantial How can I develop an attitude of gratitude? 1. Turn blessings into praise (Job 1:20-22) (NIV) At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. 2. Turn resentment into contentment (Philippians 4:13) (NIV) I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) (NIV) I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11) (NIV) …I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (Philippians 4:12) (NIV) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. It's time to stop living with resentment and learn to live with contentment. (Ecclesiastes 6:9) (NLT) …Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have.