Word of Our Testimony

Today's Little Lesson
Good morning!

Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” John 4:39 ESV

     What strikes home here was that by her testimony many believed on Jesus.  It didn't take the word of Jesus or the word of a minister or even someone saying, "pray this way..."; it only took them hearing about His work and believing it to be true for the Word of God to say, "Many...believed in him..."
     Every person we meet needs the power of God in their lives.  We believe that giving testimony, testifying of what God has done for us, will give opportunity for someone we encounter to believe in the works of God and the love of Jesus Christ.

Application:     "Today, I will give someone my testimony in a public place that they and others that hear might believe."

Prayer:     "Lord God Almighty, I thank You for the mercy and grace to praise you're Holy Name.  You are worthy of all praise, glory, honor, and worship.  Bless You Lord!  My God, have mercy upon my soul and guide me into Your truths.  Lord provide to me the boldness to testify to those who need to believe in You.  Don't let me turn to the side or listen to the enemy's lies of doubt and unbelief.  Place resolve in my heart that You have prepared their hearts to be opened and that the testament of Your work in my life is the key.  Show me clearly the ones You would have me witness to and Lord, bring this to my remembrance.  Lord let this become a natural and every day resolve.  Provide me all the things I need to be a good steward of Your Word and Lord place in me the resolve and boldness to utilize those things to the fullest of the abilities You've provided.  I love You Lord.  Thank You.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen."

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Christ Carries Me Ministries
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Happy Ending!

Happy Ending!

Psalm 5

1 To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. 2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up. 4 For thou [art] not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
n1 in…: Heb. before thine eyes
6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
n1 bloody…: Heb. man of bloods and deceit
7 But as for me, I will come [into] thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: [and] in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
n1 thy holy…: Heb. the temple of thy holiness
8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
n1 mine…: Heb. those which observe me
9 For [there is] no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part [is] very wickedness; their throat [is] an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. (faithfulness: or, stedfastness)(their mouth: Heb. his mouth, that is, the mouth of any of them)
n1 very…: Heb. wickednesses
10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.(Destroy…: or, Make them guilty)
n1 by…: or, from their counsels
11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
n1 defendest…: Heb. coverest over, or, protectest them
12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.
n1 compass: Heb. crown

Faith's "action fuel"

     Okay.  I am working on learning more about the anatomy of the spirit of man (Eccl 12:5-7).  I am being taught that love is the fuel of faith's action in our lives.
     Not love from the head (thinking) or love from the throat (Saying), but love from the heart, the golden bowl.
     " Let us not love in word only but in deed and in truth"
     That's the revelation...  The deed of "faithing" is birthed from loving from the heart.   God fills out hearts, literally, with His Spirit.  That's where the marriage happens and that's our access point to His love which conquers all things. It is where our spirits have access to His Spirit.  It is the joining point!   It is where rivers flow from and out to, encompassing and engulfing the darkness around us! 
     It is a valve to be opened!  It's a Never-ending Supply.  It's where we end and He succeeds!
     Have you ever ministered healing and found yourself in doubt of what to say or hindered in your prayer?  It is this valve open that rushes past ALL that and flows freely from His throne room out to those in need.  Our love to Him, loving Him, being a priest and ministering to Him; THAT is where His ministry is birthed from through us!  It's not us at all but Him.  Christ in me and me in Christ!
     See?

Genuinely.

His Word is of utmost importance

Unless thy law [had been] my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. (Ps 119,92)

God's work

Anne Sherrill - Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind-Rom 12:2-We must allow God to transform our mind to His way of thinking!

Your love is evident

Morning! But if any man love God, the same is known of him. (1 Co 8,3) - when people see you, are they able to see your love for God?

Even now as response comes in, the Lord says, "My Word is telling you that your love is seen by others.  If you love Me, they can see it's evidence.  The same is true with idols; others can see your lack of love for Me too..."

The Downward Ascent

Pray

Eternal One, I ask that You will meet me in Your Word. Settle Your Word in my heart that it may direct me today.

Read

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11

^[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ^[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ^[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ^[8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ^[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ^[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ^[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: "Today we offer words of faithfulness (as in singing hymns, praise songs) as a substitute for sacrificial living" (Lloyd John Ogilvie). That is easy to do!

Think Further:

Graduation at the university where I serve is a splendid affair. Gowns of all colors swish around the town, academics process in order of seniority and new graduates are lauded for their intellectual achievement. This festival of optimism assures parents and patrons that their considerable expenditure is well invested, as future wealth and influence are assured. In a world where you climb the ladder of success, grabbing all you can as you go, these words in Philippians are stark, splendid, subversive and shocking.

Most strikingly, this narrative of Jesus' pre-existence, followed by his earthly life and beyond, is not just a series of propositions to keep Christians, theologians and Jehovah's Witnesses arguing ad
infinitum. We are given a glimpse into the very heart of divinity. Here we are shown in stunning graphic detail what it means to be God. Rob Lacey captures it delightfully: "He took off all the royal bits, cut up his heavenly credit cards, chucked his global contact list, walked off without his bodyguards. He unplugged his airwave connection, left his precious star collection, he gave it all up" (The Street Bible). The self-humbling, self-sacrificial love of Jesus displays God's identity and character. He willingly takes on human limitation and dies a slave's death, cursed by God.

Amazingly, the incarnation has changed the Godhead forever. From the lowest to the highest place, God has vindicated Jesus. He is Lord: Lord of all angelic beings, human beings and the dead, Lord of all Caesars throughout history, Lord of the United Nations and the World Bank, Lord of all Who's Who lists and the Church. We worship him as Lord, not least as we emulate his counter-cultural, self-giving attitude and actions. In letting go of our rights in order to serve each other, we honor the once-shamed Lord.

Apply

Here is a challenging question: Where in my life is Christ calling me to give up my security, safety and comfort, to be offered up on the needs of people and our world?

Pray

Lord, today's Scripture really presses in on me. Search me and guide me in my response.

Fast food

Matthew 6:16... "When ye fast..." Some things are only broken through by fasting and prayer.  Even in warfare (Mark 9:29) there are times when spiritual growth depends on a denied flesh.  If all seems wrong, His presence has wisdom and revelation in Him.  Since we are in a place that seems to require His presence and His power because ours DOESNT work, then we have to seek THAT from Him.   Jesus loves His own!  You must tell yourself that you're not giving the devil any more authority to torment you.   Forgive where you haven't forgiven, love where you've refused to love and wait upon the Lord.

Getting motive?

17And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of [mine] hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day. 19And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.
DEUTERONOMY 8:17-20

5Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day. 6For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. 7If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, [in that] which he wanteth. 9Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.(thought: Heb. word)
n1 wicked: Heb. Belial
10Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
DEUTERONOMY 15:5-10

Don't be selfish in giving

Don't give to receive

Don't greave after you give

Release the things of this world and the selfishness it entails.

Purify your motive of giving, ready, glorifying God and exemplifying God's nature in this earth

The Heir Presumptive

Pray

Loving Father, as I breathe the very air that sustains me, I am reminded of Your love that has given me new life.

Read

1 KINGS 1:1-27

^[1] Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. ^[2] Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat. ^[3] So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. ^[4] And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not. ^[5] Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. ^[6] And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom. ^[7] And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him. ^[8] But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah. ^[9] And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by Enrogel, and called all his brethren the king's sons, and all the men of Judah the king's servants: ^[10] But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not. ^[11] Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not? ^[12] Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. ^[13] Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? ^[14] Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words. ^[15] And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. ^[16] And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? ^[17] And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. ^[18] And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: ^[19] And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. ^[20] And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. ^[21]Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders. ^[22] And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. ^[23] And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. ^[24] And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? ^[25] For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. ^[26] But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. ^[27] Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him? 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: "In the midst of the incredible mess these kings are making of God's purposes, God continues to work his purposes, and uses them in the work--doesn't discard them or detour around them. They are part of his sovereign rule" (Eugene Peterson). A cause for heart-felt thankfulness!

Think Further:

There are a lot of situations in the world at the moment where it seems impossible to work out what the right course of action could be or to distinguish between the goodies and the baddies. Which of several fallible leaders should we support? When should we be proactive and when should we just wait and see? How long should we allow an unacceptable situation to continue? The writer of Kings is very well aware of this kind of dilemma. It is a challenge for readers to identify the different layers of interest lying behind the apparently straightforward account of events.

Without actually using the word "incompetent," we are shown clearly that David was no longer fit to rule, but he had made no attempt to appoint a successor. He had never been a good father, and the spoiled prince Adonijah, the eldest of David's remaining sons, could not be blamed for presuming that he should be the next ruler. His fault, if any, was in acting presumptuously--trying to manipulate the nation into accepting his leadership. Nathan and Bathsheba then conspire together to ensure that it will be Solomon rather than Adonijah who will take over from David. It is not clear whether David's promise to Bathsheba was a reality or an invention--David would not be able to remember either way, and his statement in verse 30 may simply reflect an idea planted in his mind. It is interesting that Nathan told Bathsheba what to say, but made no reference to that promise himself. It is also interesting that there is no mention anywhere in this section of seeking God's way forward. Apparently neither Adonijah nor Solomon had been appointed or anointed by Yahweh. At this stage we are presented simply with a story of political intrigue, with two parties trying to ensure that the situation works out to their own advantage.

Apply

Have you ever resorted to the kind of manipulation described in today's passage? How did it make you feel? Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 and reflect on the implications.

Pray

Lord, give me wisdom to know whom I should support and courage to offer such support without ever resorting to manipulation or deceit.

Ephesians 2 - Alive and Redeemed! How?

1 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
n1 desires: Gr. wills
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; )
n1 by…: or, by whose grace
6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
n1 ordained: or, prepared

Loose lips sink ships...

Good morning!  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man´s religion [is] vain.  James 1:26 --  There is no "try", only "do" or "do not".

Be ready

MATTHEW 25:1-13

^[1] Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. ^[2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ^[3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: ^[4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ^[5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. ^[6] And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. ^[7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. ^[8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. ^[9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. ^[10] And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. ^[11]Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. ^[12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. ^[13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 

Stewardship, Oct 2015 General Correspondence

October 25, 2015
My Dearest Brother in the Lord:
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
I wanted to share a word with you.  Let me begin by saying that I am “confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” and also that he will complete that same work in me. 
Heard a message today from Pastor James McMinnis from Word of God Ministries in Shreveport, LA about the steward.  His text was from Luke 16:1-3. 
1  And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2  And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. 3  Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed
He began the sermon by defining the words steward and lord.
•Steward – Manager
•Lord – Owner
Just with this one revelation he could have stopped.  “Jesus is the owner of my life.”  He taught well the position of steward and the fallacy of taking ownership and of living in abundance and/or lack.  He said that a steward never lives in either abundance or lack, that he is always supplied what is needed to be stewarded.  He began to explain how we always look to what’s missing: “When I get this job, I’ll tithe.”  “When we pay this off, I’ll spend more time with my family.” and that we miss it entirely when we do...  Our fulfillment is not in the things we don’t have, it’s in the stewardship of what we do have. 

“You cannot manage what you don’t have.  Pointing to what you don’t have shifts the responsibility you should take from yourself to the thing you don’t have.”  That’s unfaithful stewardship. 
Luke 16:10: 
10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Spiritual Law of Stewardship.  This is true for any one at any time!  More is not the answer, management is!

Continued:  Happiness is not locked up in what you don’t have.  That is the message of the enemy.  Matthew 14 the disciples said “We don’t have enough.”  WRONG FOCUS!  Jesus said, “What do you have?” – HE MADE WHAT THEY HAD ENOUGH!
13  When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15  And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16  But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17  And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18  * He said, Bring them hither to me. 19  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 20  And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21  And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Stop waiting for better and be faithful where you are!  There are 2 positions (perceptions) here that keep people from honoring God:
1.Insufficiency (lack) – “I ain’t honoring God, He don’t do NOTHIN for me!”
2.Abundance (surplus) – “I have all I need, what do I need to honor God for?”
Stewards don’t live in either Insufficiency or Abundance, nothing is theirs, nothing is owned, what they have is sufficient.
Ref Proverbs 13:22:
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
And Job 27:16, 17:
16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; 17 He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.
In Matthew 21:1-3 we see the Lord (owner) in action.  The Lord sent for an ass and colt that were tied, one who somebody thought they owned.  Imagine that you had an ass and a colt and had it tied outside while you took a break from your work.  Now imagine some men coming up to them and untying them!  That man thought he owned those animals but the owner had sent a Word:
1  And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2  Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3  And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say , The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
We are always quoting Philippians 4:13:
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
And we forget the context:
12  * I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul said that there’d been times when he had steak and there were times when he had mayonnaise sandwiches and that at BOTH times he had found how to be content.
Pastor McMinnis closed with I Corinthians 4:2:
2  * Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Genuinely,
Jasper D. Pierce
President
Christ Carries Me Ministries

Morning! Alert and Ready

Pray

Heavenly Father, may Your holy Word speak clearly to me today, and may I willingly go forth to obey it.

Read

MATTHEW 24:45-51

[45] Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? [46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. [47] Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. [48] But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; [49] And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; [50] The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, [51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: We must always be ready to give an account of ourselves to God.

Think Further:

It is intriguing that the book of Acts begins with the story of bewildered disciples being asked: "Why do you stand here looking into the sky?" (Acts 1:10-11). The implication? Jesus is coming back, but there is work to be done.

Today's parable continues Jesus' teaching about the fact that his return will be unexpected and speaks of the need for faithful stewardship. The master leaves home, entrusting the care of the household to two servants. One is responsible, honoring his master--even in his absence--by sustained and undistracted service. The wicked servant, in contrast, thinks quite differently, with no urgency or sense of accountability; only the exploitation of others motivated by self-interest. Being ready for Jesus' return does not mean passively waiting: it is an energetic commitment to good stewardship, obediently serving others. Being faithful leads to higher responsibilities, but being unfaithful leads to punishment (51; Matt. 8:12; 13:42, 50) The unfaithful servant is condemned, just as the hypocrites of the previous chapter heard Jesus' repeated "woe" of condemnation.

Our calling is to live our lives faithfully, acting responsibly towards the Master and being ready for the day of his return. It might be the way we carry out our responsibilities in our business life or the challenges of living according to God's kingdom in a secular environment; the way we do the menial tasks which have been entrusted to us or the way we handle difficult relationships, serve as a parent or caregiver--in all of these ways we must serve with steady faithfulness in the light of Jesus' return.

Apply

In addition to your own areas of service, pray for those close to you who carry responsibility, that the joy of the Lord's return might energize both them and you.

Pray

Gracious God, I long to serve faithfully and to wait expectantly. Infuse me with Your strength to serve and Your patience to wait.

Do you believe?

Good morning!  Today we are dwelling on the idea of inheritance according to Scripture.  The word inheritance is in the KJV 203 times!  The message today is about the inheritance that Jesus afforded those who believe through the cross:  Do you believe?

Eph 1:11 "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
n1 trusted: or, hoped
13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

The Holy Spirit is like a check written by God, by His Hand, signed in His Blood, that is stored folded in your breast pocket.  You KNOW the check is good! When we finish out this life, God will even cash it for you!  Check your pocket.  Do you have one?

2 Peter 1:10 "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall."  ( Read 5-11)

Bro. Billy Shoffner

His Blog

Overcoming the World

Good morning!  Many days have come and gone and all of them we've been able to look upon as a whole with some sense of accomplishment (survival at the least...).  Remember that as you keep your focus on the Lord and your faith is being tried, you are growing in Him.  If you are  not meeting resistance in telling others about Jesus Christ of Nazareth then you simply aren't doing it enough.  Jesus promised us that the world would balk but He also said He had overcome the world.  Where are you in this process?  How much more Christ needs to be formed in you to get there?  Personally, the don't have a measuring tape long enough to measure the distance between me now and the perfection that God sees thru the Blood.  Thank God He is faithful because we would NEVER be without Him.  
Philippians 1:6, John 16:33

No Doubts

Testimony of God's covering!  These guys were driving to a prison to minister with a big truck and trailer.  Check it out.

ChristCarriesMe.org/NoDoubt

Doubting Towards Faith

INTRODUCTION

Doubt is not a Christian problem. Doubt is a human problem. We are all at some point going to deal with doubt. It is where you let those doubts lead you that matters most.

Doubt means to be in two minds. Doubt never stays put, it’s always going somewhere. It pulls you in two different directions. Which direction do you follow? Do you follow your doubts toward unbelief or do you follow them toward faith?

For Christians, doubt can either serve us or sink us. It can drive us to seek truth or it can drown us in despair, hopelessness, and confusion. If ignored or left unchecked, it can bore into our brain, releasing a virus of unbelief, infecting and eventually destroying every healthy thought about God. It can take us to the place where nothing else matters. Where we find ourselves loathing even life itself. If left unchecked, intellectual doubt metastasizes, seeping its way into our emotions and collecting a wide array of fears, worries, anxieties, anger, confusion, depression, and ultimately despair at the thought of being played or duped or envisioning a life without our once “cherished belief” in God.

In this study, based on the new book "Doubting Toward Faith" by Bobby Conway, we will dive deeper into where doubt comes from and how it affects each one of us. By the end you will have a better understanding of your doubts and how to deal with them.

Join me as we learn to DOUBT TOWARD FAITH.

Reflection

Take time to identify the doubts that you struggle with the most. Ask God for guidance and wisdom as you learn to address your doubts in a way that will lead you closer to Him.

For additional video content visit,OneMinuteApologist

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Romans 1:16-17 KJV 

http://bible.com/1/rom.1.16-17.KJV

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:11 KJV

http://bible.com/1/gal.3.11.KJV

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

http://bible.com/1/2co.5.7.KJV

A Different Kind of King

Pray

Living God, refine the dross of my life and this day into gold. May my life be a worthy gift to You.

Read

MATTHEW 21:1-11

^[1] And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, ^[2] Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. ^[3] And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. ^[4] All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, ^[5] Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. ^[6] And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, ^[7] And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. ^[8] And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. ^[9] And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. ^[10]And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?^[11] And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: "'Safe?' said Mr. Beaver, 'Who said anything about safe? Course he isn't safe, but he's good. He's the King, I tell you'" (C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe).

Think Further:

Jericho to Jerusalem was no afternoon stroll--15 miles and a climb of 3,500 feet--but the hardest part lay ahead. Jesus' journey was moving to a climax. Jerusalem would be physically challenging, but the spiritual challenge would be even greater. Jesus' request for a donkey (2) has nothing to do with the tiring journey. His carefully prepared entrance into the city (the only recorded instance of him riding) was intentionally conspicuous. It was an acted parable, like those of the Old Testament prophets.

Although Mark and Luke also record this incident, only Matthew refers to two animals. The mention of a king "riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (5; Zech. 9:9) is an example of parallelism--only one animal--but it was common for a colt which had not yet been ridden to travel with its mother, possibly explaining Matthew's account. Again, Matthew points to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (4). The upside-down kingdom was predicted long before: "See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey" (5). That's not how kings usually entered cities. This will be no triumphal procession.

Meanwhile the crowds (had they travelled with him from Galilee?) are clear about what they think. Recognizing the symbolism, they prepare the way for his entrance, cutting branches from the trees, spreading them in the road along with their cloaks (8). For them this is the Messiah, arriving in Jerusalem to begin his reign (9). For those in the city it is much less clear (10). The scene is being set. Adulation won't last for long. So our own priorities are challenged. Are we ready to worship a king who is "gentle and riding on a donkey"? Or would we prefer a different kind of kingdom?

Apply

How is Jesus' example being followed by you? By the leaders in your church? Pray for "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:1).

Pray

Lord Jesus, release Your power in me. Take my ordinary life to do extraordinary things through me.

Now

Lol.  Carpe diem!  Sieze the day!  I am learning (from yesterday's alone time with me and my grill) that my happiness is dictated by my perception.  It's kind of like our reality is set up by how we see things.  If I see things bitter, they are to me bitter, even though they may be anything I choose: Sweet, Sour, bland, but to me they are as I say they are.  My thoughts create my reality.    God governs it all and to Him it is good but to me it is what it is.

Kingdom Economics

Pray

Loving Lord, in sorrows and anguish, in life and in death, You are with me. That is enough.

Read

MATTHEW 20:1-16

^[1] For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. ^[2] And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. ^[3] And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, ^[4]And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. ^[5] Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. ^[6] And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? ^[7] They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. ^[8] So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. ^[9] And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. ^[10] But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. ^[11] And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, ^[12] Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. ^[13]But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? ^[14] Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. ^[15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? ^[16] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: "Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me" (John Newton, 1725-1807).

Think Further:

"It's not fair!" Imagine the media frenzy: the employee who works one hour is paid the same as those who do the same job all day. Kingdom economics, however, are different: "The last will be first" (16). This very Jewish story builds on Jesus' previous teaching: God's bias to the poor and lowly (14) and his overwhelming generosity and grace (15; Eph. 2:8), which do not depend on what we do but on who he is.

Peter's question, "What then will there be for us?" (Matt. 19:27),  shows that he hasn't yet understood that God's kingdom doesn't work on a consumer model. Jesus tells this story in response. In those times, workers without permanent jobs would stand in the marketplace available for work. In this story, the landowner agrees the usual day's wage with the first people he employs (2). Subsequently, he simply says, "I'll pay you whatever is right" (4). Those who started work later probably assumed they'd be getting less, especially those hired at 5 pm whom no one else had wanted all day. The ones who'd worked through the heat of the day certainly thought so (12)! Imagine their surprise when, having seen the last employed being given a denarius, they were then given the same (10).

It seems wrong. I have been serving God all my life--yet God welcomes the person who has ignored him most of their lives with the same generous grace as me (Luke 23:39-43)! Kingdom economics don't depend on anything we can do. This story upends our understanding of what is right and just (4; 13-15). Jesus wants our lives to be characterized by his grace, which attributes dignity and worth to those our society (we?) may regard as lowly, ignorant and unworthy. Yes, in the kingdom, before God our King, we are all equal (12).

Apply

What does this parable teach us about ourselves? What does it teach us about God's generous grace?

Pray

Merciful God, sometimes I get things mixed up. Help me to accurately see my life through Your eyes.

Capacity and Credibility

Pray

Mighty One, You are the God of this and every world, of this and every time. I glorify Your name.

Read

ECCLESIASTES 1:12-18

^[12] I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. ^[13] And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. ^[14] I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. ^[15] That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. ^[16] I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. ^[17] And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. ^[18] For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: "Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise... But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom" (Charles Spurgeon, 1834-1892).

Think Further:

The second part of The Teacher's introduction is about capacity. Ecclesiastes is written at a time of limited literacy. Education is only available to the wealthy--those with access to learning or the scope to pursue it. Most people are too busy staying alive--fighting poverty, disease and misfortune--to have time for book learning. The writer provides an alternative. Here is a man who has the time, the money and the opportunity to look at life. Solomon has access to all kinds of learning. He has traveled. The world's best and brightest have come to visit him. He has the capacity to devote himself to learning (13). He is well-placed to share with us his reflections on life.

Not only that but he is also committed to it. He has dedicated his wealth and freedoms to the quest for wisdom (13,17). Where other kings might indulge in wearisome wars and pointless parties, this king is determined to gain wisdom. This reflects the prayer on which Solomon's throne was founded (1 Kings 3:9) and represents a leap forward in human civilization. Solomon aspires to move away from a warrior culture in which might alone is right to a peaceful society governed by the rule of law. His is a civilized approach to kingship.

All of this helps to establish the credibility of The Teacher. He is trustworthy because, like his reader, he is determined to find wisdom--but, unlike his reader, he has had the opportunity to do so. This makes his initial, very negative conclusion easier to bear (18). Increased knowledge brings increased sorrow. Why? Because we need something more. Wisdom is not simply knowledge multiplied. It is knowledge lived out in righteousness. "Trust me," Solomon says, "I've studied all the knowledge in the world. I know it's not enough."

Apply

What do you make of verses 16-18? How can a better education (greater wisdom) lead to more pain and difficulty?

Pray

All-Knowing God, although I do not always understand what is going on around me, as Your child I am determined to trust You.

Zoe life

  It is mighty humbling to think that the LORD has brought to me an opportunity to bring counsel to others here in this land.  Many times have we found counsel from God coming from the mouths of those we'd not noticed or from someone He'd used us to raise up.  It is in these moments when they speak the softest that he speaks the loudest.
  There is something about the Word of God that causes life to stir.  If you have ever read the Word and given any attention to the content, you may have experienced a bit of understanding that came along with a realization that there is something here that you couldn't touch, something intangible...  That something is Life (Greek:Zoe c. John 10:10).  This "Zoe" (zow-ee)  life is something that cannot be purchased, it cannot be grabbed, it cannot be attained by the ways we keep.  This "Zoe" life is given to us.  It's passive, it's something that is done in and for us as we cannot get it on our own.  It is a gift from God and His example thru Christ for us is all about it!  
  Learning to be independently dependant upon Christ has taught many what this "Zoe" life is.  It contains a peace that truly passes understanding.  It takes us and makes us dead to the sin and death of this world and alive to life itself.  It is a realization that the next life isn't next.  It's knowing that we have been called into the eternal, the ever existing, the past, present, and future, LIFE.  The realization and transformation that occurs here in revelation brings us to a place that holds no guile, guilt, or shame, only peace, only freedom.
  Realize that there were two trees in the Garden.  They were given a choice that we have to make everyday.  Will you judge your circumstances or those around you and fall prey to the labors of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?  Won't you simply miss the drama and partake from the tree of life?  God gave opportunity to be reconciled  to Him by Christ.  He gave you an opportunity to take back the mistake of the garden.  He gives you his light, the Sword, His Word and that gives you access to the Tree of Life.  What are you waiting for?

Genuinely,

Jasper D. Pierce
ChristCarriesMe.org
Christ Carries Me Ministries
PO Box 354 
Carthage, TX 75633-0354

Jesus' Teaching for His Disciples

Luke 6: 17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed [them] all. 20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [be ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed [are ye] that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are ye] that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man´s sake. 23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24But woe unto you that are rich ! for ye have received your consolation. 25Woe unto you that are full ! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now ! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you ! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. 27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Do you know grace?

Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, & I forgive him? Matt 18:21

I can forgive because I am forgiven. I know grace firsthand.

Sermon on Seeking God

Strong sermon audio on Prayer.  Intro of Stephen, Stephen speaks, then the sermon.  Prepare to be blessed!

Click here for the audio stream

Zeke

http://bible.com/1171/ezk.16.8.MEV

Expect and do

"Who through faith...out of weakness were made strong"
Heb 11:33-34

Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.

There aren’t enough hours in a day.

“There aren’t enough hours in a day.”

Have you ever said something like that? I totally understand. Sometimes life feels like you’re running on a treadmill while someone keeps pushing the button to increase the speed faster and faster.

Twenty-four hours never feels like enough. If only we had more time! A couple extra hours a day would make all the difference! Or maybe an extra week to be able to catch up, right? (How do I know your thoughts? Because I have the exact same thoughts myself.)

The truth is that God will accomplish through you what he needs to accomplish in the time available. Our almighty God is the one who came up with 24-hour days after all. If God thinks that’s good enough, it is. I love the end of the book of Job when God challenges Job’s frustrations and puts him in his place for questioning God: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. . . . Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place?” (Job 38:4,12).

In other words, God’s the boss man and he knows what he’s doing. You can wish for more time, but you’re not going to get it. You can’t make your days longer. What you can do is your best and leave the rest in God’s hands. After all, if everything in life depended on us, no amount of hours would ever, ever be enough.

My busyness pleases God. Bible.com

"My busyness pleases God.”

Look at my calendar and you’ll see a lot of stuff--deadlines, commitments, responsibilities. I’m sure some people would be impressed at all the “important” things I keep myself busy with.

In the United States, our society prizes busyness. “How are you doing?” our friends ask us. “Busy!” we reply, waiting for the sympathy or gold medal we think we deserve as a result of the chaotic life we’ve built for ourselves. Who cares if other people are impressed though? The question is, Does our Creator approve?

Why are you busy? What’s the point of it all? Psalm 39:6 sums up one of my greatest fears for us Christians in our hectic world: “We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing” (Psalm 39:6 NLT). Doesn’t that almost give you chills? Merely moving shadows. Busy rushing that ends in nothing. The last thing I want is for most of my life to be pointless in the scope of eternity, but the truth is that much of my busy rushing is pretty pointless.

Busyness by itself isn’t wrong, but busyness requires intention. Pray that God will guard you from pointless busyness and that if you are busy, that you’ll live busy with a purpose.

PS 39:6

GINNY'S PRIVATE GROUP AND TESTIMONY LINKS

MY PRIVATE GROUP AND TESTIMONY LINKS 

9/24/2015 by Ginny Pierce 

Web: Created Imperfect Purposefully Private/Closed Group on Facebook
Email: For the group above
Testimony: My personal testimony given at The Awakening @ Davis Park here in Carthage @ 7pm every Friday night....if you want a Holy Ghost experience....THIS IS the place to be!!!  (just a little plug there ;) lol.......just sayin'.......it's GOOD)
(the links are located in the words web, email, and testimony for those not so comp savvy...like me....my hubby had to show me how...lol)
Hope you enjoy....look forward to seeing y'all in the group and welcome any and all comments from either the group and/or the testimony...much love
Child of The Most High God,
Ginny Pierce

Happy Birthday?

Pray

Mighty God, You are Alpha and Omega, before the beginning and after the ending. I bow before You.

Read

Job 3:1-26

^[1] After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. ^[2] And Job spake, and said,^[3] Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. ^[4] Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. ^[5] Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. ^[6] As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months. ^[7] Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein. ^[8] Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning. ^[9] Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day: ^[10] Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes. ^[11] Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? ^[12] Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck? ^[13] For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, ^[14] With kings and counsellors of the earth, which build desolate places for themselves; ^[15] Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver: ^[16] Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light. ^[17] There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. ^[18] There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. ^[19] The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master. ^[20] Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; ^[21] Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; ^[22] Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave? ^[23] Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? ^[24] For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. ^[25] For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. ^[26] I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: Think back to some good, lovely things that have happened in your life, that cause you to thank God that you were born.

Think Further:

Having no children myself, I derived huge joy from the birth of my first great-niece, and I am of course as biased as any fond mother or grandmother. She is beautiful, clever, full of charm and utterly gorgeous! No doubt Job felt the same--but now with the death of his precious children he can see deep darkness about his existence as he curses the day of his conception and that of his safe arrival in the world.

Note that it is Job who breaks the week's silence, not his friends. He is not cursing God. He is merely giving vent to his pent-up feelings--an activity of which God approves (Job 42:7). This is wonderful poetry; indeed the whole book is poetry except for the introductory chapters and the final few verses. As with the psalms, the way this book has been preserved for us allows us to identify deeply with real human feelings in a way that factual prose could not express so well. It is OK to vent one's feelings before God, as Job did.

It is likely that some readers have at some point in their lives longed for death (21) because their undeserved suffering is so great. Sometimes it is hard to understand why a sufferer cannot just die in their sleep but has to awaken to yet another long day of pain. Job felt that God was hedging him in (23), preventing any escape from his dreadful circumstances, or any help from reaching him. This is ironic, in view of the satan's comment in 1:10 (unheard by Job), where such hedging was seen as keeping Job safe! "To Job it appears that God has locked him into turmoil and thrown away the key" (John E. Hartley). Can you enter into those feelings?

Apply

Be honest before God. If you need to vent your feelings to him, do so [Remember to fear Him tho, don't be disrespectful. That is NOT ok, ever] . That's OK with God!

Pray

Patient One, I can identify with the psalmists and with Job. Thank You for handling my questions and distress.

Worth your time:

G.O.S.P.E.L.
Watch and listen.
https://youtu.be/K48-Li7lIfA

Also see:
https://youtu.be/86eEuq1obdc
This is the first one I saw at Perspectives in DFW (Perspectives.org) and the reason we found the G.O.S.P.E.L.

AND from a minister and friend check out:
https://youtu.be/1IAhDGYlpqY
What do you think of this one? Our congregations need to see this one.

Dying4Life

     We must come to an understanding that no one can help us do what we need to do ourselves:
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?  But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.  Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.  For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.  For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection."
2 Corinthians 13:5-9 KJV
http://bible.com/1/2co.13.5-9.KJV

Thought for today: You cannot get into life except through death to self.

God's blessings and promises.

Good day.  Listen, we were getting ready to travel and the Lord used our conversation on jewlry to teach me something...  when the children of Israel left Egypt they were adorned by God with much glory. Much jewelry bracelets earrings nose rings necklaces, lots of gold lots of symbol lots of glory... What did they do with it? They forgot who God was and made that glory their god. See the Golden Calf in Exodus.

What has our glory that God has given us become? Are His blessings and His promises being made our god? If we are operating to please God for His blessings and promises and not because we fear him, we truly don't know him at all. Now that is a thought for the day.

Allow God to Use You

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."  --II Corinthians 4:7

Read: II Corinthians 4

Thought for today: the Lord Jesus wants those who preach the Word to have the Word in evidence in their lives.

Not by Bread Alone

Pray

Lord God, You are worthy of my praise. Your grace is bestowed upon me, and Your love upholds me each day.

Read

Amos 8:1-14

^[1] Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. ^[2] And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. ^[3] And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. ^[4] Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, ^[5] Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? ^[6] That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? ^[7] The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works. ^[8] Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. ^[9] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day: ^[10] And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day. ^[11] Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: ^[12] And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. ^[13] In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. ^[14] They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: "‘My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34). Is that true of you?

Think Further:

Amos's fourth vision centers on a play between two similar-sounding Hebrew words. Amos sees some "summer fruit" (qayits); God declares that "the end" (qēts) has come for Israel. The NIV conveys this wordplay by using the word "ripe": "ripe fruits" and "the time is ripe." The vision underlines the certainty of judgment declared in the third vision. The noisy worship songs will turn into loud lamentations when disaster falls (3,10). The following oracle has echoes of the initial condemnation of Israel, but focuses on a new group, businessmen, with their greedy materialism. Instead of addressing the evil of poverty they seek to rid themselves of the poor, even by people-trafficking. "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Tim. 6:10), and that love kept a wealthy young man from following Jesus (Matt. 19:16-22). You do not have to be wealthy to be greedy and materialistic. All of us face such temptations, sometimes aroused by advertising.

The businessmen observe the religious festivals outwardly while inwardly fretting to get back to moneymaking with their false weights and measures and rigged balances. Once again, Amos condemns the separation of sanctuary worship from obedience to God's standards in everyday life. That kind of insincerity can be true of our Christian observances. The terror of God's judgment on Israel is depicted in terms of earthquake and solar eclipse (8-9). God declares that persistent rejection or silencing of those through whom he tries to speak (Amos 2:12; 7:12-13) will result in spiritual famine and drought. There would be no words from prophets or spiritual benefit from the worship at the sanctuaries. Jesus, echoing Isaiah, warned of this kind of danger (Mark 4:12; Isa. 6:9). That is why it is important to take God's Word seriously, understand it and put it into practice (Matt. 7:24-27; Jas. 1:22-25).

Apply

How would you describe your relationship to God's Word (11-13)? In making decisions, is it first choice or last chance? Do you mistake reading it for responding to it? Do you focus on promises rather than challenges?

Pray

Lord, help me not value gaining material "bread" more than discovering and doing Your will through studying Your Word

Understanding God's Sacrifice

Food for thought: God's goodness brings with it repentance...

Acts 2:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

God's Patience Runs Out

Pray

Ever-loving Lord, to You I bring an offering of praise. You hear my cry, and You bring forth new life.

Read

Amos 7:1-17

^[1] Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. ^[2] And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. ^[3] The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD. ^[4] Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part. ^[5]Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small. ^[6] The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD. ^[7]Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. ^[8] And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: ^[9] And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword. ^[10] Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. ^[11] For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. ^[12] Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: ^[13] But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court. ^[14] Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: ^[15] And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. ^[16] Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. ^[17]Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: We do not expect God's love or goodness ever to run out. So, why should it be any different with his patience?

Think Further:

These visions may have been Amos's call to prophesy. If not, they probably came early in his ministry. His response to the judgment depicted in the first two visions shows that he was reluctant to prophesy judgment. As a Judean he might have taken some pleasure in the judgment of Israel, but he did not. Instead, he interceded for the sinful nation and God responded, postponing judgment. This is an example for us to follow, instead of just bemoaning the state of the nation. The respite was temporary. There is no doubt that the plumb line in the third vision is the justice and righteousness of the covenant--a prominent theme in Amos. Finally, God decides that the people have gotten too far out of truth and judgment must fall. He will destroy the sanctuaries with their hateful worship and the leaders who pervert justice and righteousness. God is patient, allowing time for repentance, but his patience is not endless (2 Pet. 3:8-10). If it were, God would not be a good and holy God because he would endlessly condone evil.

Amos states in verse 14: "No prophet am I and no son of a prophet am I, a herdsman am I ..." The phrase "son of a prophet" (NIV, "disciple of a prophet") referred to a member of a group of prophets who lived together and made a living by prophesying (2 Kings 2:1-7; 4:1,38). Amos declares he is not that kind of prophet. When Amaziah orders him out of Bethel, Amos replies, "I'm not one of the sanctuary prophets that you can order around. I'm sent by the Lord on a special prophetic mission." His word against Amaziah may seem severe, but so are Jesus' words against those who lead others into sin (Matt. 18:6).

Apply

Has God given you a specific task to do? Has it become hard going? Ask God for the determination and courage to keep going.

Pray

Heavenly Father, forgive me that my desire to be liked can override my faithfulness to You. I ask for courage to stand strong for You.

A New Day

"Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." --Isaiah 43:19

Read: Rev 21
Thought for the day: Nothing in God is stationary.

Affluence and Arrogance

Pray

Lord God, as this day unfolds, may it not be focused on my desires, but on my willingness to be Your voice, hands and feet.

Read

Amos 6:1-14

^[1] Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! ^[2] Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border? ^[3] Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; ^[4] That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; ^[5] That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; ^[6] That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. ^[7] Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed. ^[8] The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein. ^[9] And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die. ^[10] And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD. ^[11] For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts. ^[12] Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock: ^[13] Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength? ^[14] But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, saith the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath unto the river of the wilderness. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: "There is a blind spot in American Christianity. We often fail to realize we are an affluent people living in an impoverished world. We must spend our lives and our money on that which is most important to the heart of God" (David Platt).

Think Further:

Amos targets the leaders of the nation. As in chapter 2, he includes Judah in his condemnation. The NIV changes around the pronouns (yours/theirs) at the end of verse 2. It is better to keep to the Hebrew text and read verses 1 and 2 as Amos ironically quoting the leaders' view of themselves and their boasting that Israel and Judah are bigger and wealthier than these kingdoms. Their material prosperity has made them self-indulgent and indifferent to the injustices that are leading the nation into ruin. Amos warns that disaster--military defeat--awaits them.

Prosperity has also made them arrogant, trusting in the security of their wealth and the strongholds they have built for themselves. The meaning of verses 9 and 10 is unclear. In the light of what follows they probably expand on the warning of military disaster. This will come as judgment because they have "turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness" (literally "wormwood," the bitterest substance known) (12). There is ironic wordplay in verse 13 as Amos quotes the leaders' pride in recent conquests. They rejoice in conquering a place named "Nothing" and boast of their strength in taking a city called "Two Horns" (the horn being a symbol of strength). In their arrogance there is no thought of need to depend on God. Things will be different when the Almighty God stirs up a nation against them!

Two of Jesus' parables illustrate the relevance of Amos's message for today: the rich fool, and the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 12:13-21; 16:19-31). Both warn that a measure of prosperity can bring a false sense of security based on our achievements and wealth rather than on trust in God. It can also lead to indifference towards the plight of those less well off than ourselves instead of compassionate concern for them.

Apply

From where does your deepest sense of security in life come? What changes do you need to make?

Pray

Lord, help me not to be arrogant or to trust in material wealth, but to trust you and your provision for me (1 Tim. 6:17).

What does God want to birth in your life?

Good morning!
Read I Samuel 1

12And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
n1 continued…: Heb. multiplied to pray
13Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken ? put away thy wine from thee. 15And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I [am] a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
n1 of a sorrowful…: Heb. hard of spirit
16Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
n1 complaint: or, meditation
17Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant [thee] thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more [sad].

Hannah was asking for a son.  Hannah brings us a strong example of Matthew 7 and Luke 11, ask, seek, knock.

What is it in your life that you need birthed?

Hateful Worship

Pray

Creator God, help me to worship You as I should--with all of my life.

Read

Amos 5:18-27

^[18] Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. ^[19] As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. ^[20] Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it? ^[21] I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. ^[22] Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. ^[23]Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. ^[24] But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. ^[25] Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? ^[26] But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. ^[27] Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts. 

Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version, Public Domain

Meditate

Consider: "If worship is to be acceptable, there must be the intention of giving to the Lord the glory due his name. Drawing near to God with our lips but not with our lives offered in sacrificial obedience, is unacceptable to God" (Stephen Winward).

Think Further:

Amos's hearers longed for the "day of the Lord," when God would enter history to punish the wicked. That would mean destruction of their enemies and Israel would then become top nation. "You've got it wrong," says Amos. "God will punish his enemies, and that includes you because you've broken the covenant." He uses a brilliant cameo to say that there will be no way of escape (19).

To paraphase, God says, "And don't think you can talk me around by your enthusiastic worship and numerous sacrifices. I hate them and won't listen to your noisy songs (21-23). What I want is not Temple worship but justice and righteousness in your everyday life" (24). It is as if God said to us, "Close down your Sunday services and get out into the community and fight for justice and righteousness."

So, what is wrong with worship? The problem is that "worship," understood as what we do in church services, can become an end in itself, an idol. We think it is all that God wants and we ignore God's demands on the rest of our lives. In Israel "keeping the covenant" came to mean enthusiastic Temple worship while the moral life and the social justice it demanded was neglected. It is not that worship in church is wrong in itself, but that "worship" means giving God his due ("worthship") in the whole of our life. The moral and social laws in the covenant set out the framework of what that meant. Ignoring them made Temple worship meaningless and hateful to God. This is probably the point of verse 25, which can be translated, "Did you bring me only sacrifices and offerings for forty years in the desert?" Temple or church, worship was never meant to be the sum total, or even the main part, of worshiping God (1 Sam. 15:22; Isa. 1:10-17; Matt. 9:13; 12:7).

Apply

In the light of Amos's critique, take a look at how you, and the church you attend, understand and practice worship.

Pray

Lord, I know I sing and talk way beyond my heart devotion. Spirit of God, work with me until I am sincere before You and others.

Evangelize those in need...

   In reading Romans 1 this AM and I see many verses that we use to dismiss the responsibility of evangelism by.  Let me explain:  Say you know someone that doesn't know God.  They are living a life that doesn't glorify God (1:21), they think they know everything (1:22), etc...  So since we have an emotional investment in them and we've given one good attempt at loving them through one conversation, one time, they're just lost (v28) and we say "I tried, I give up"!
Then I read Romans 2:1-4.  Ouch...
Time to try again...

Read Romans 1:14-2:4

14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.
n1 in them: or, to them
20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
n1 so…: or, that they may be
21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
n1 more: or, rather
26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (to retain: or, to acknowledge)
n1 a reprobate…: or, a mind void of judgment or, an unapproving mind
29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
n1 without natural…: or unsociable
32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
n1 have…: or, consent with

Chapter 2

1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 2But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God ? 4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance ?

In reading Romans, the revelation is that the people that Paul are describing here is you and me.  Without believing, (Romans 4), and justification, (Romans 5), and the revelation of a need for a savior (7), and the reception of that Savior as He receives us as chosen, (8, 9, 10, 11) and the manifestation of the Christian life (CH 12 on) we are in some fashion a conglomeration of the devices listed here.  The depravity of mankind, without the LORD, exists.  Look at society's standards today and you can see just that.

Receiving the Baptism

"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." - Acts 1:8

Scripture reading: Acts 1: 1-11

Thought for today: There is a fullness of God where all other powers must cease to be.

Wow, so, what now?

Deuteronomy 10 and 8 informs us that the Levites are to stand before the Lord to minister. This part of your job gets to be the very essence of what worship is.
The second most used Greek word in the Bible that means to worship is latreuo, which means to minister to God ... For now it is enough to know that there is not a single word for worship in the Bible, Greek or Hebrew, that includes the idea of ministry to mankind. Worship is simply not for us. It is for God.
If the church would embrace this, we would have a cultural revolution within our own drinks - a conversion from idolatry to the truth. Why do I say idolatry? Because we have marketed to people what was meant as ministry to Jesus.

HOW TO WORSHIP A KING.

Paul' Baptism and Conversion (Part 3)

"He received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized."    Acts 9:18

Scripture Reading: Acts 9:1-9
Also: Acts 9:17; John 7:38; I Corinthians 12:7

Thought for today:  The LORD wants us to be His mouthpieces and to speak as the very oracles of God.

Paul's Baptism and Conversion (part 2)

"He received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized." Acts 9:18

Read: Acts 8:14-40
Also: Acts 9:13-15

Thought for today: Repentant prayer is always heard in heaven.