Early Christianity A Cheerful Religion.
"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" Romans 2:4
"Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18
"So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:46-47
In the Bible, God's Justice is God's Power to save.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin." Psalm 51:1
"When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.'" Psalm 126:1-2
Says Matthew Arnold: "Christ professed to bring in happiness. All the words that belong to His mission: Gospel, kingdom of God, Savior, grace, peace, living water, bread of life, are brimful of promise and joy. And His cheerful, joyful religion at once won its way by its messages of peace and tranquillity, and for a while its converts were everywhere characterized by their joyfulness and cheerfulness." Acts 2:47
"When men were thus overborne with the gloom and horror of error and sin, into their night of darkness came the religion of Christ. Its announcements were all of hope and cheer. Its language was, 'Come unto me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.' 'Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.' 'We rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.' Men were invited to accept the tidings of great joy." Matt. 11:28; Phil. 4:4; 1 Peter 1:8
In the Book of Revelation the theme of the Heavenly Throne Room appears again and again. John is telling us that events are not out of God's hands. Yes, Christians are suffering. Yet Christ is on His heavenly throne. In the vision the 24 elders worship Christ saying: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16. The Jews of that day surely understood these words. The language is from the Old Testament description of God. The Kingdom of God lay within the vocabulary of every Jew. It was something they understood and longed for desperately. Christ is the King, the High Priest, the Lamb who takes away sin - our Man in Heaven.
"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men!" Luke 2:13-14
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world". John 16:33
"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To preach deliverance to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed, To preach the acceptable year of the LORD." Luke 4:18-19
"to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' Acts 26:18
"Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:47
Wisdom from Patrick Mead.
Don’t worry about what God’s Big Plan is for you today. We already know far more about what He wants from us than we are living up to so why add to that burden? Instead, start each day with a determination to:
1. Honor God
2. Be available to Him wherever you are
3. And look for Him in each situation you face
Oh, and talk to Him along the road. Not just formal prayers with "Thee’s and Thou’s" but conversational prayers. That is God’s will for your life.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
"And knowing that it is in pursuance of an eternal "purpose" of love that they have been "called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 1:9), they naturally say within themselves, "It cannot be that He 'of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things,' should suffer that purpose to be thwarted by anything really adverse to us, or that He should not make all things, dark as well as light, crooked as well as straight, to cooperate to the furtherance and final completion of His high design." —Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
"Christians sin-less - but only ONE was SINLESS!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
IT'S A BOY!!!
Isaiah 9:6-7 Unto Us A Son Is Given
"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)
What does the Bible say?
God has spoken in many ways but gave His final word through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-3.
It's a Boy! And He's ours!
He'll grow up to carry the government.
His Titles will include:
Wonderful Wise One,
Awesome God,
Father Who Stays Forever,
Prince of Peace.
His rule/kingdom will just keep spreading -
right on into Eternity!
1. God's anger. As Isaiah writes, the only thing burning is God's anger and the ruins of destroyed Jerusalem. Jews are slaves in Babylon. But again God counters despair with hope! A remnant of Israel will come back and rebuild.
> But leap forward in time - The Messiah is Coming! <
a) Salvation is of the Jews.
John 4:22 "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews."
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17 (NKJV)
b) Flesh & blood.
"Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me." Heb 10:5 (NKJV)
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." Gal 4:4 (NKJV)
2. God's Highway. Isaiah 40:1-10
"O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God!" Isaiah 40:9 (NKJV)
What's that Voice drifting in from the wasteland?
Give us a motorway, a straight line of lanes.
An Interstate for God to travel on.
Flatten those dips and valleys.
Cut through those mountains.
Clear the way for God's cavalcade!
See the Salvation coming down from God!
[Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:4-6]
3. Reign of Christ The Savior.
A vision - A Man coming down on a cloud.
He walks straight up to Eternal God.
He's given absolute influence, fame & distinction,
and total control over peoples and nations.
Everyone everywhere celebrates Him -
celebrates in every way they can!
His control is total and permanent!
[Daniel 7:13-14; Rev. 1:7]
"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,' says the Lord, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" Rev 1:7-8 (NKJV)
"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)
What does the Bible say?
God has spoken in many ways but gave His final word through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1-3.
It's a Boy! And He's ours!
He'll grow up to carry the government.
His Titles will include:
Wonderful Wise One,
Awesome God,
Father Who Stays Forever,
Prince of Peace.
His rule/kingdom will just keep spreading -
right on into Eternity!
1. God's anger. As Isaiah writes, the only thing burning is God's anger and the ruins of destroyed Jerusalem. Jews are slaves in Babylon. But again God counters despair with hope! A remnant of Israel will come back and rebuild.
> But leap forward in time - The Messiah is Coming! <
a) Salvation is of the Jews.
John 4:22 "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews."
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17 (NKJV)
b) Flesh & blood.
"Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me." Heb 10:5 (NKJV)
"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." Gal 4:4 (NKJV)
2. God's Highway. Isaiah 40:1-10
"O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God!" Isaiah 40:9 (NKJV)
What's that Voice drifting in from the wasteland?
Give us a motorway, a straight line of lanes.
An Interstate for God to travel on.
Flatten those dips and valleys.
Cut through those mountains.
Clear the way for God's cavalcade!
See the Salvation coming down from God!
[Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:4-6]
3. Reign of Christ The Savior.
A vision - A Man coming down on a cloud.
He walks straight up to Eternal God.
He's given absolute influence, fame & distinction,
and total control over peoples and nations.
Everyone everywhere celebrates Him -
celebrates in every way they can!
His control is total and permanent!
[Daniel 7:13-14; Rev. 1:7]
"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,' says the Lord, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" Rev 1:7-8 (NKJV)
SAVING HOPE
The Message of Saving Hope
[adapted from The Word On The Street by Rob Lacey by RDI]
An awesome scene - a Huge White Throne!
JESUS THE CHRIST is sitting on it.
POWER - earth and sky try to flee!
But there's no where to hide!
See the dead. Some famous, some nobodies,
movers & shakers, all of them,
they're spread out before this Throne.
The files of the Record are opened.
The file marked LIFE is opened.
The dead are evaluated by what they've done.
The sea coughs up its dead.
Death hands over the keys to hell.
The Devil who agitates things and
the beast and his minister of propaganda
get thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone.
But, is your name in the LIFE Files? YES!
Praise JESUS THE LAMB for His Salvation!
Then! Everything changes! New! Brand new!
All heaven, all earth - brand new!
All of the old burned up.
Whoa! This pure, perfect City - New Jerusalem -
is floating down out of heaven - direct from God!
A LOUD SHOUT - coming from the Throne.
From now on God's living here with His People.
They'll be His kind of People.
Death is canceled. No tears, no crying, no pain.
Write this down, word for word.
Done. Dusted. Complete. Finished.
I am the A and I am the Z. The First and the Last.
Gasping of thirst? Pure water from the Spring.
Free! No charge! The water of ETERNAL LIFE!
[adapted from The Word On The Street by Rob Lacey by RDI]
An awesome scene - a Huge White Throne!
JESUS THE CHRIST is sitting on it.
POWER - earth and sky try to flee!
But there's no where to hide!
See the dead. Some famous, some nobodies,
movers & shakers, all of them,
they're spread out before this Throne.
The files of the Record are opened.
The file marked LIFE is opened.
The dead are evaluated by what they've done.
The sea coughs up its dead.
Death hands over the keys to hell.
The Devil who agitates things and
the beast and his minister of propaganda
get thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone.
But, is your name in the LIFE Files? YES!
Praise JESUS THE LAMB for His Salvation!
Then! Everything changes! New! Brand new!
All heaven, all earth - brand new!
All of the old burned up.
Whoa! This pure, perfect City - New Jerusalem -
is floating down out of heaven - direct from God!
A LOUD SHOUT - coming from the Throne.
From now on God's living here with His People.
They'll be His kind of People.
Death is canceled. No tears, no crying, no pain.
Write this down, word for word.
Done. Dusted. Complete. Finished.
I am the A and I am the Z. The First and the Last.
Gasping of thirst? Pure water from the Spring.
Free! No charge! The water of ETERNAL LIFE!
CHINA
China Legally Recognizes Church
The Gospel Advocate paper has this headline in their December 2007 issue. A new Church of Christ will begin meeting August 3, 2008, in Beijing, China, in the 21 Century Hotel, sponsored by the Peachtree City Church of Christ in Georgia. http://beijingchurchofchrist.com/ In the rented facilities there will be space for 500 worshipers. And plans are for simultaneous translation during worship into at least 10 languages. The world will be coming to Beijing! "
Christians who have been gathering underground in house churches in China for many years will for the first time meet in a government-sanctioned congregation in August 2008." This is a political move on their part preparing for the Olympic Games. Chairman Mao had forced the Chinese to learn to read & write so they could read his propaganda. But this also made the Bible available to everyone. A "house- church" movement has involved millions. This will bless them - if it is true. [China has a long history of opposing all religions. But recently Christianity has been making huge inroads.]
China now has over one billion people. By 2033 they are expected to have 1½ billion people. India has over one billion. Each of these is a soul for whom Christ died & rose again.
Imagine a congregation where people come an hour and a half early just to get a good seat. A congregation which holds 7 services each Lord's Day in order to get all the people in. And their place of worship holds 17,000. This congregation has a full-time staff of more than 120, including 16 preachers and a number of full-time elders. During worship, simultaneous translation provides four major languages for the racially mixed congregation. The membership is divided into 20,000 'zone groups' of 10 to 15 members. Each zone group becomes an 'extended family' and meets for Bible study on week nights. New people - non believers - are constantly being brought into the local zone groups, not to be 'preached at,' but to be influenced by loving examples of what Christianity is all about.
Then on Sunday (the Lord's Day) the extended congregation comes together for a big celebration of praise and devotion to their Lord and Savior. As one of their preachers said: "It is then that we demonstrate the power of the Gospel and the strength of the church."
"It can't be scriptural" you say? Yet this was the church at Jerusalem. With 3,000 converts on Pentecost, 5,000 men by Acts 4:4, the church in Jerusalem was probably 100,000 members when they were scattered by persecution in Acts 8. They were a true church, guided by the Apostles themselves. They met together in the Temple every day Acts 2:46 and in small groups from house to house.. Wasn't this some sort of pattern? But, you say, "The Jerusalem Church was unique." Perhaps so, in some respects. But what about the church in Antioch which sent out Paul and Barnabas? And others?
Sin And Salvation
Did God know that Adam & Eve would sin before He put them in the Garden? Yes. He is never "surprised." He gave them freewill desiring them to love Him because they chose to do so.
1. God knows the end from the beginning. "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" Isaiah 46:10
2. Jesus prepared to come as Savior before the foundation of the world. "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" Ephes. 1:4
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 2 Tim. 1:9
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:" 1 Cor. 2:7
3. God's Eternal Plan. "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" Ephes. 3:4-6
The Gospel Advocate paper has this headline in their December 2007 issue. A new Church of Christ will begin meeting August 3, 2008, in Beijing, China, in the 21 Century Hotel, sponsored by the Peachtree City Church of Christ in Georgia. http://beijingchurchofchrist.com/ In the rented facilities there will be space for 500 worshipers. And plans are for simultaneous translation during worship into at least 10 languages. The world will be coming to Beijing! "
Christians who have been gathering underground in house churches in China for many years will for the first time meet in a government-sanctioned congregation in August 2008." This is a political move on their part preparing for the Olympic Games. Chairman Mao had forced the Chinese to learn to read & write so they could read his propaganda. But this also made the Bible available to everyone. A "house- church" movement has involved millions. This will bless them - if it is true. [China has a long history of opposing all religions. But recently Christianity has been making huge inroads.]
China now has over one billion people. By 2033 they are expected to have 1½ billion people. India has over one billion. Each of these is a soul for whom Christ died & rose again.
Imagine a congregation where people come an hour and a half early just to get a good seat. A congregation which holds 7 services each Lord's Day in order to get all the people in. And their place of worship holds 17,000. This congregation has a full-time staff of more than 120, including 16 preachers and a number of full-time elders. During worship, simultaneous translation provides four major languages for the racially mixed congregation. The membership is divided into 20,000 'zone groups' of 10 to 15 members. Each zone group becomes an 'extended family' and meets for Bible study on week nights. New people - non believers - are constantly being brought into the local zone groups, not to be 'preached at,' but to be influenced by loving examples of what Christianity is all about.
Then on Sunday (the Lord's Day) the extended congregation comes together for a big celebration of praise and devotion to their Lord and Savior. As one of their preachers said: "It is then that we demonstrate the power of the Gospel and the strength of the church."
"It can't be scriptural" you say? Yet this was the church at Jerusalem. With 3,000 converts on Pentecost, 5,000 men by Acts 4:4, the church in Jerusalem was probably 100,000 members when they were scattered by persecution in Acts 8. They were a true church, guided by the Apostles themselves. They met together in the Temple every day Acts 2:46 and in small groups from house to house.. Wasn't this some sort of pattern? But, you say, "The Jerusalem Church was unique." Perhaps so, in some respects. But what about the church in Antioch which sent out Paul and Barnabas? And others?
Sin And Salvation
Did God know that Adam & Eve would sin before He put them in the Garden? Yes. He is never "surprised." He gave them freewill desiring them to love Him because they chose to do so.
1. God knows the end from the beginning. "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:" Isaiah 46:10
2. Jesus prepared to come as Savior before the foundation of the world. "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" Ephes. 1:4
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 2 Tim. 1:9
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:" 1 Cor. 2:7
3. God's Eternal Plan. "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" Ephes. 3:4-6
Thursday, November 29, 2007
RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH
FAITH vs WORKS R.D.Ice
It has been said we should WORK as if everything depended upon us, and it does. Yet we should have FAITH as if everything depended upon God, because it does. Abraham BELIEVED GOD and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous. And Abraham was called God's friend. (James 2:22-24). Faith & works cooperate together. Faith is dead (moribund) without works. And yet it is by faith we are put right with God (Romans 1:16-17' Phil. 3:9-11; Gal. 3:1-3). Note this article from "Gospel Minutes."
ENJOY HEAVEN LESS?
from Gospel Minutes by David Thurman (April 20, 2001):
Q. Dear Brother Thurman: Please explain to me if there will be some people in heaven that have not been as good as others and will not enjoy heaven much as others do who have been more righteous? Our teacher said it would be like this. -A.A., TX
A. "The simplest answer to your first question is that there will be only one kind of person in heaven. That is a person declared righteous by the blood of Christ. "And may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith" (Phil. 3:9). Since we gain His righteousness by becoming a child of God, we will all be as good as Jesus is on the day we enter heaven. Therefore none will be better or worse than others. Some may have lived worse lives and been forgiven more. Others may have served more and accomplished more good for the kingdom of God. But all who are saved will be saved by being made righteous by the blood of Jesus, not by how much work they have done."
"As to how much each will enjoy heaven, I can only speculate. It is difficult to imagine a person who hates singing, praising or worship finding much in heaven to enjoy. But I believe when we are changed to enter eternity, many things will change. Perhaps our joy at being in God's presence and gathered around the throne will dispel any sense of loss or lack of enjoyment. My personal opinion is that heaven will be wonderful and thrilling to all the redeemed."
GOSPEL MINUTES, P.O.Box 50007, Fort Worth Texas 76105-0007
If I really BELIEVE JESUS it will be demonstrated by the works (fruit) of my life But JESUS is the focus. My WORKS must never take the focus & glory away from HIM!!! We sing: "Jesus paid it all! All to HIM I owe! Sin had left a crimson stain. HE washed it white as snow!"
JESUS SPEAKS TO THE PHARISEES
You have your heads in the Bible always.
You studied for degrees in the Sacred Books.
And PhDs in books about the Sacred Books.
And you're convinced this will get you into Heaven.
But you miss The Point: IT'S ALL ABOUT ME!
The Holy Scriptures are jam-packed with
huge stomping clues about ME!
But you can't find it in your heart to admit it.
Because then you would have to ask ME
for the eternal life you want so much.
Believe ME and live eternally!
[adapted from Rob Lacey]
[compare 1 John 5:9-13]
It has been said we should WORK as if everything depended upon us, and it does. Yet we should have FAITH as if everything depended upon God, because it does. Abraham BELIEVED GOD and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous. And Abraham was called God's friend. (James 2:22-24). Faith & works cooperate together. Faith is dead (moribund) without works. And yet it is by faith we are put right with God (Romans 1:16-17' Phil. 3:9-11; Gal. 3:1-3). Note this article from "Gospel Minutes."
ENJOY HEAVEN LESS?
from Gospel Minutes by David Thurman (April 20, 2001):
Q. Dear Brother Thurman: Please explain to me if there will be some people in heaven that have not been as good as others and will not enjoy heaven much as others do who have been more righteous? Our teacher said it would be like this. -A.A., TX
A. "The simplest answer to your first question is that there will be only one kind of person in heaven. That is a person declared righteous by the blood of Christ. "And may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith" (Phil. 3:9). Since we gain His righteousness by becoming a child of God, we will all be as good as Jesus is on the day we enter heaven. Therefore none will be better or worse than others. Some may have lived worse lives and been forgiven more. Others may have served more and accomplished more good for the kingdom of God. But all who are saved will be saved by being made righteous by the blood of Jesus, not by how much work they have done."
"As to how much each will enjoy heaven, I can only speculate. It is difficult to imagine a person who hates singing, praising or worship finding much in heaven to enjoy. But I believe when we are changed to enter eternity, many things will change. Perhaps our joy at being in God's presence and gathered around the throne will dispel any sense of loss or lack of enjoyment. My personal opinion is that heaven will be wonderful and thrilling to all the redeemed."
GOSPEL MINUTES, P.O.Box 50007, Fort Worth Texas 76105-0007
If I really BELIEVE JESUS it will be demonstrated by the works (fruit) of my life But JESUS is the focus. My WORKS must never take the focus & glory away from HIM!!! We sing: "Jesus paid it all! All to HIM I owe! Sin had left a crimson stain. HE washed it white as snow!"
JESUS SPEAKS TO THE PHARISEES
You have your heads in the Bible always.
You studied for degrees in the Sacred Books.
And PhDs in books about the Sacred Books.
And you're convinced this will get you into Heaven.
But you miss The Point: IT'S ALL ABOUT ME!
The Holy Scriptures are jam-packed with
huge stomping clues about ME!
But you can't find it in your heart to admit it.
Because then you would have to ask ME
for the eternal life you want so much.
Believe ME and live eternally!
[adapted from Rob Lacey]
[compare 1 John 5:9-13]
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
THIS IS MY BIBLE
This Is My Bible
This is my Bible - my Light and my Guide.
It points me to JESUS the Savior of the world.
It tells me of God's great Love for me,
and spells out the many Promises of Hope
and how He puts people right with Himself
through the kind of Faith that Abraham had.
God's Word is truth and refreshing water to my soul.
Thank You God for teaching me to seek You
in all that I do. I trust You today and choose to
commit my every decision to You so that
I can grow strong like the tree planted by
the water. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This is my Bible, I am what it says I am.
I have what my Bible says I have.
I can do what my Bible says I can do.
I believe I have the Victory which Jesus won.
I believe I can resist the devil and he will flee.
I believe the Holy Spirit has poured
the Love of God into my heart, and that
I can rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory just as Peter wrote.
Thank You, LORD, that my Bible says
You love me and give me the power
to love You and follow You all the way.
Thank You LORD for that eternal home
which my Bible talks about. Thank You!
Romans 5:1-5; 1 Peter 1:7-8; Romans 8:1-39
1. This is my Bible
God has chosen to speak to us through the written word. He created language and He raises up men & women who make the Bible available to every language group.
a) He spoke through the prophets. Luke 24:44. "Then He said to them, 'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.'"
b) He has spoken through The Son. "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." John 12:48
But what did Jesus say? "Red-letter" Bible in which all the words of Jesus Christ are printed in red, in the Gospels and the Book of Revelation.
2. I am what it says I am
a) I am created in the image of God. "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Gen 1:27
b) I am reconciled to God (made acceptable to Him) through Jesus Christ. "Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18-19; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17
"That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." 2 Cor 5:19
3. I have what it says I have
a) As a Christian I have access to the throne of God.
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Heb 4:15-16
b) Even before I ask, He hears me. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matt 6:8
4. I can do what it says I can do
a) As Paul wrote: "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:12-13
Paul is saying: By the power of the sacrifice of Christ, I can go in His strength.
b) I can be brave in the tribulations of life because He Overcame The World. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:7-9
"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Phil 3:10-11
c) I can receive His generosity. "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38
This is my Bible - my Light and my Guide.
It points me to JESUS the Savior of the world.
It tells me of God's great Love for me,
and spells out the many Promises of Hope
and how He puts people right with Himself
through the kind of Faith that Abraham had.
God's Word is truth and refreshing water to my soul.
Thank You God for teaching me to seek You
in all that I do. I trust You today and choose to
commit my every decision to You so that
I can grow strong like the tree planted by
the water. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This is my Bible, I am what it says I am.
I have what my Bible says I have.
I can do what my Bible says I can do.
I believe I have the Victory which Jesus won.
I believe I can resist the devil and he will flee.
I believe the Holy Spirit has poured
the Love of God into my heart, and that
I can rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory just as Peter wrote.
Thank You, LORD, that my Bible says
You love me and give me the power
to love You and follow You all the way.
Thank You LORD for that eternal home
which my Bible talks about. Thank You!
Romans 5:1-5; 1 Peter 1:7-8; Romans 8:1-39
1. This is my Bible
God has chosen to speak to us through the written word. He created language and He raises up men & women who make the Bible available to every language group.
a) He spoke through the prophets. Luke 24:44. "Then He said to them, 'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.'"
b) He has spoken through The Son. "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." John 12:48
But what did Jesus say? "Red-letter" Bible in which all the words of Jesus Christ are printed in red, in the Gospels and the Book of Revelation.
2. I am what it says I am
a) I am created in the image of God. "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Gen 1:27
b) I am reconciled to God (made acceptable to Him) through Jesus Christ. "Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18-19; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17
"That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." 2 Cor 5:19
3. I have what it says I have
a) As a Christian I have access to the throne of God.
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Heb 4:15-16
b) Even before I ask, He hears me. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matt 6:8
4. I can do what it says I can do
a) As Paul wrote: "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:12-13
Paul is saying: By the power of the sacrifice of Christ, I can go in His strength.
b) I can be brave in the tribulations of life because He Overcame The World. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls."
1 Peter 1:7-9
"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Phil 3:10-11
c) I can receive His generosity. "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38
THANKSGIVING PRAYER
MY PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Almighty GOD, Father of all mankind,
You created me and gave me life. (Genesis 2:7)
I thank You that I am a citizen of Heaven
as well as a citizen of this present world. (Phil. 2:20-21)
I am trying to follow Your Golden Rule, (Matt. 7:12)
and I pray that my efforts, though feeble,
may bring praise and honor to You, LORD!
I am trying to let my light shine. (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:15)
Thank You, LORD,
for my health which You have given me. ( 3 John 2)
for my eyes that see,
for my ears that hear,
for my heart that beats,
for my legs that walk,
for blood and bones and strength.
For all the blessings You give me daily,
I thank You.
I thank You, LORD,
that I am able to work and prosper,
that I can help support my family,
that I am still able do things and
feel that I am worth something,
that I can add to the common good,
and be able to help others also.
I thank You and praise You, LORD,
for all my family,
for my mother and father,
for my sisters and brothers,
for aunts, uncles, cousins,
for grandmothers, grandfathers,
for children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren.
I thank You for friends and neighbors too.
I thank You, LORD,
for the Written Bible, a light of truth
to guide me through this world.
For the Church, my family of faith,
for the Lord's Supper - Holy Meal -
we celebrate the Cross & Resurrection
of JESUS - LAMB of GOD!
I thank You, LORD,
that You have blessed our Nation (Psalm 33:12-15)
with great prosperity and freedom,
that I am free politically and religiously,
and not harassed or persecuted,
free to worship You in spirit and truth.
I thank You, LORD,
for faith, hope and love, (1 Cor. 13:13)
for the promise of the eternal future (Rev. 7:9-17)
which I can see by the eye of faith.
I look for the Eternal City called Home
as did faithful Abraham. (Hebrews 11:9-10)
I want to live in Your House forever! (Psalm 23)
Bless America, dear LORD,
preserve every one of us
in this time of world crisis. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Wash us and cleanse us (Isaiah 1:16-20)
and turn our hearts back to You! (Luke 1:17)
Send us revival and renewal! (Romans 7:6)
We lift up holy hands to You (1 Timothy 2:8)
in praise and joy and thanksgiving! (1 Peter 1:8; 1 Cor. 2:9)
In Jesus' Name, Amen. (John 16:23-24)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
GOD OF THE HOLY PROMISE
(Heb. 10:21-24)
For God ever deals with mankind
through His Word of promise.
We in turn cannot deal with God
otherwise than through faith
in the Word of His promise.
We consider Him faithful in His promises,
and patiently wait in this belief.
Promise and faith must go together.
For without the promise there is nothing
to be believed; while without faith
the promise is useless, since it is
established and fulfilled through faith.
Almighty GOD, Father of all mankind,
You created me and gave me life. (Genesis 2:7)
I thank You that I am a citizen of Heaven
as well as a citizen of this present world. (Phil. 2:20-21)
I am trying to follow Your Golden Rule, (Matt. 7:12)
and I pray that my efforts, though feeble,
may bring praise and honor to You, LORD!
I am trying to let my light shine. (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:15)
Thank You, LORD,
for my health which You have given me. ( 3 John 2)
for my eyes that see,
for my ears that hear,
for my heart that beats,
for my legs that walk,
for blood and bones and strength.
For all the blessings You give me daily,
I thank You.
I thank You, LORD,
that I am able to work and prosper,
that I can help support my family,
that I am still able do things and
feel that I am worth something,
that I can add to the common good,
and be able to help others also.
I thank You and praise You, LORD,
for all my family,
for my mother and father,
for my sisters and brothers,
for aunts, uncles, cousins,
for grandmothers, grandfathers,
for children, grandchildren,
great-grandchildren.
I thank You for friends and neighbors too.
I thank You, LORD,
for the Written Bible, a light of truth
to guide me through this world.
For the Church, my family of faith,
for the Lord's Supper - Holy Meal -
we celebrate the Cross & Resurrection
of JESUS - LAMB of GOD!
I thank You, LORD,
that You have blessed our Nation (Psalm 33:12-15)
with great prosperity and freedom,
that I am free politically and religiously,
and not harassed or persecuted,
free to worship You in spirit and truth.
I thank You, LORD,
for faith, hope and love, (1 Cor. 13:13)
for the promise of the eternal future (Rev. 7:9-17)
which I can see by the eye of faith.
I look for the Eternal City called Home
as did faithful Abraham. (Hebrews 11:9-10)
I want to live in Your House forever! (Psalm 23)
Bless America, dear LORD,
preserve every one of us
in this time of world crisis. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Wash us and cleanse us (Isaiah 1:16-20)
and turn our hearts back to You! (Luke 1:17)
Send us revival and renewal! (Romans 7:6)
We lift up holy hands to You (1 Timothy 2:8)
in praise and joy and thanksgiving! (1 Peter 1:8; 1 Cor. 2:9)
In Jesus' Name, Amen. (John 16:23-24)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
GOD OF THE HOLY PROMISE
(Heb. 10:21-24)
For God ever deals with mankind
through His Word of promise.
We in turn cannot deal with God
otherwise than through faith
in the Word of His promise.
We consider Him faithful in His promises,
and patiently wait in this belief.
Promise and faith must go together.
For without the promise there is nothing
to be believed; while without faith
the promise is useless, since it is
established and fulfilled through faith.
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