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Friday, May 31, 2013

Jesus Is With Us Always – We Can and Do Find Him When We Seek Him – Come and Drink So Rivers of Living Water May Fill You, God’s Vessel To Others


Today’s Focus Scripture: John 7:33-39

John 7:33-39
33 Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me.
34 You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.”
35 The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He is not intending to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, is He?
36 What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?”
37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”
39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.


Thursday, May 30, 2013

Follow and Trust, and Then Hang On For the Journey of Your Life


Today's Focus Scripture: Luke 9:61 (From "My Utmost For His Highest" daily devotionals by Oswald Chambers)

We also had a special guest with us today on Men’s Life Chat, Sterling Knight.  Call in and listen or click a link for RSS or iTunes on the right.

My Utmost For His Highest – May 30, 2013

Yes – But . . . !

I will follow you Lord, but . . . — Luke 9:61

Luke 9:57-61
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”
60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”
61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”

Supposing God tells you to do something which is an enormous test to your common sense, what are you going to do? Hang back? If you get into the habit of doing a thing in the physical domain, you will do it every time until you break the habit determinedly; and the same is true spiritually. Again and again you will get up to what Jesus Christ wants, and every time you will turn back when it comes to the point, until you abandon resolutely. "Yes, but – supposing I do obey God in this matter, what about . . . ?" "Yes, I will obey God if He will let me use my common sense, but don’t ask me to take a step in the dark." Jesus Christ demands of the man who trusts Him the same reckless sporting spirit that the natural man exhibits. If a man is going to do anything worth while, there are times when he has to risk everything on his leap, and in the spiritual domain Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold by common sense and leap into what He says, and immediately you do, you find that what He says fits on as solidly as common sense. At the bar of common sense Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad; but bring them to the bar of faith, and you begin to find with awestruck spirit that they are the words of God. Trust entirely in God, and when He brings you to the venture, see that you take it. We act like pagans in a crisis, only one out of a crowd is daring enough to bank his faith in the character of God.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Love God, Love People - Freely We Have Received God's Love, Freely We Will Share God's Love With Others

Today's Focus Scripture: Acts 28:2 (From Cross The Bridge Devotional)

We do not "Earn" God's love, His love is a "Free Gift" to us from His heart to ours.

Acts 28:2
"And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold." (NKJV)

From Wednesday, May 29th "Cross the Bridge" devotional by Pastor David McGee


When someone is going through a tough time or tough place, they especially need love and mercy. It could be a waiter or waitress struggling with serving your meal or the cashier having a hard time at the grocery store. Sometimes, just asking someone how they are doing makes all the difference. Believers should be so much more loving and kind than people who do not believe in Jesus. In fact, the comparison shouldn't even be close. Isn't it often though that these folks are more loving, kind, and gracious than those of us who say we follow Jesus? Since we've been shown so much love and mercy, shouldn't we be quick to show that same love and mercy to others? Sometimes though, it all gets lost in the shuffle, doesn't it? I mean, you see someone who is obviously struggling, and you have every intention of walking up to them to comfort and encourage, but then this is going on over there and then that other thing and soon we've forgotten about the person who is struggling. Jesus, in the midst of all that was going on around him, always managed to love and encourage those who were hurting. So should we.

1 John 4:20 "If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen?" (NLT)

1 John 4:20 "If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen." (NASB)

Life Lesson: Love God, love people.
Dear Father,
Thank You for Your love. Please help me to show others the love that You show me. Please give me an attitude of Jesus in seeking to show love and mercy to others. Give me a heart of humility, and forgive me for those times when I have not shown love. 
I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Our King, Our God, Greatly To Be Praised, Merciful, Compassionate, Righteous - We Will Bless Your Name Forever and Ever

Today's Focus Scripture: Psalm 145:1-21

Psalm 145:1-21

1 I will extol You, my God, O King,
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
6 Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
7 They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
9 The Lord is good to all,
And His mercies are over all His works.
10 All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;
12 To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
14 The Lord sustains all who fall
And raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to You,
And You give them their food in due time.
16 You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
And kind in all His deeds.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.
20 The Lord keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Our God Who Abundantly Pardons - He Causes Successful Joy and Peace In Our Lives and Matters by His Fulifilled Word Which Does Not Retreat


Today's Focus Scripture: Isaiah 55:7-13

Isaiah 55:7-13

7 Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
12 “For you will go out with joy
And be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13 “Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up,
And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up,
And it will be a memorial to the Lord,
For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Our King Is Good, Our Lord Is Loving, Our God Is Faithful - He Loves Us With Everlasting Love - Eternal Love


Today's Focus Scripture: Psalm 100

Psalm 100

1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
3 Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.


God's Love To Us Is "An Act of God."  Tornadoes are not an act of God.

Your Majesty, we pray for the families in Oklohoma as rebuilding begins. Give them wisdom, understanding, patience, guidance, and mostly Lord love and comfort for their lives and futures now after the storms.

In Jesus' name we make this request to you Father,

Amen!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Our Faith is Perfected By Our Deeds, Our Works, Our Labour - Open Our Eyes Lord to See What Needs "Doing" and Give Us the Strength and Courage To Labour


Today's Focus Scripture: Acts 26:20

Acts 26:19-20

19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 
20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.

Today we discussed "What We Do," as opposed to "What We Do Not Do." 

We utilized the daily devotional "Cross The Bridge with David McGee," dated Sunday May 19, 2013

Acts 26-19-20 

We often describe our Christian walk by the things we don't do. We don't drink. We don't smoke pot. We don't cuss. In fact, for some of us, not doing these things is an incredible testimony of God's supernatural work in our lives. But we should also consider the things that we do.

In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus told us that we should love God and love others. Friend, you are not an accident; you were created with a divine purpose to be a blessing to others. You were created to hear the call, respond and be fruitful. In short, you were created to help God change the world. We know the things we shouldn't do because we would be ashamed of them. But why are we not ashamed of the things we don't do? Jesus called the man who did not use his talent wicked and lazy. If you fail to do something, you choose to fail at God's plan for your life.


In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus told us that we should love God and love others. Friend, you are not an accident; you were created with a divine purpose to be a blessing to others. You were created to hear the call, respond and be fruitful. In short, you were created to help God change the world. We know the things we shouldn't do because we would be ashamed of them. But why are we not ashamed of the things we don't do? Jesus called the man who did not use his talent wicked and lazy. If you fail to do something, you choose to fail at God's plan for your life.

James 2:17-18 "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." NKJV

(James 2:21-22 ~ “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected…”)

James 4:17 "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin [offence]." NKJV

Take a moment and reflect. What are you doing?

Life Lesson: It is what we 'do' that shows we are followers of Jesus, as well as what we 'don't' do.

PRAYER:

Dear Father,
I love You and want to serve You by serving others. Please give me eyes to see where and how I may be a blessing to others. Give me love for those around me. Please forgive me for times when I've done nothing. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Monday, May 13, 2013

We Are Loved By A Forgiving God, No Longer Strangers To the Covenants of Promise, (The Created Bundle of Mess) Whose Workmanship We Are - Built Together Into A Dwelling of God In the Spirit


Today's Focus Verses: Ephesians 2:1-14

Ephesians 2:1-14
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 
3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 
6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 
12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall...

To clarify the title of today, I am including Ephesians 2:22 here. ~ "... in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."


LAGNIAPPE:

  • People that knew us before Christ will see a different creation than they were acquainted with prior to us knowing Christ.
  • People that knew us when we were dead in our trespasses and children of wrath; they will see the newness of life that exists within you which gives glory to God.
  • People that knew us before Christ will see in us the richness of God's mercy, the greatness of His love that He loves us with, and they will see the life that lives in us because of the grace that saved us. 

God's Laws are more than a line or a point, they are much, much more.  See "Further Reading" below.

CAN I FORGIVE ONLY ONCE? "BUT THAT'S WHERE THE LINE IS DRAWN!"
We are not to be the judge of anyone while there is a Living, Loving God extending forgiveness and love to all who are in need of it, whether we agree with Him or not about who should and should not receive His grace just as we ourselves receive His grace.  Amazing Grace! It's even more amazing when we are able to share that same grace with those who do not deserve it any more than we ourselves do.  How often should we forgive?  Then where do we draw the line?  Demand, "Pay back what you owe!Will we be unwilling to forgive at some point? Does God ever come to a point where He would not forgive us?


Matthew 7:3-5
3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.


Read: Matthew 18:21-35 click here >>>>>  BIBLE 

IS THERE A LINE THAT CAN BE CROSSED WITH GOD?
There is no line, which some may believe is Law, to cross. We don't cross lines, we follow a path, a path of righteousness, and if we stay on that path, that line, then we can never cross it, but will instead be lead further ahead because of it.  If there is a line that can be crossed on this straight and narrow path of righteousness, then that would be the side line of the path itself. To cross over the side line would be to "get off the best path" ahead, and then we have "crossed the line" by getting off the only best line there is to follow, His word.

Psalm 119:105-106 ~ "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances."

Further Reading: PSALM 119
8 synonyms for the Word of God (Torah, Law of Moses, Tanach, Bible, etc.)
  1. Law
  2. Word
  3. Ordinances
  4. Commandments
  5. Precepts
  6. Testimonies
  7. Statutes
  8. Judgments
  1.  Law (vs. 1) – Instructional teaching, how to live
  2.  Word (vs. 42) – Revelation of God’s will
  3. Ordinances (vs. 30) – judgments – legal pronouncements, the way God runs His universe, rules of divine administration, the way He expects us to yield to that
  4. Commandments (vs. 86) – faithful, religious principles, how to live in a religious community with each other, in a community of faith, how to worship, to worship
  5. Precepts (vs. 27) – teach moral obligations before God, to care for the poor, social justice, protect the rights of others, how to live morally in an immoral universe
  6. Testimonies (vs. 2) – ways in which He reveals Himself, by keeping His testimonies; self revelations, we invest ourselves in seeking Him, we come to know who God is by His testimonies,
  7. Statutes (vs. 8) – limitations, walls of orders, civil and religious, these set limitations upon our lives to keep us from getting out of bounds, the walls of the canyon inside which we live
  8. Judgments – see ordinances
Summary - Way – Thy Way of His word, commandments, etc.  The way of God, the scriptural way to live for God, the bible, the way God teaches us how to live, to think, and how to lead.  Thy Way is living the Bible Way.


Points of interest: 

Offering an apology is not always what it seems, as the word literally means to "make and excuse," i.e. "I'm sorry that what I did hurt your feelings."  What about, "Would you forgive me for what I did that hurt your feelings."  Don't offer excuses and justifications with an apology, though that is not what they are entirely about and can be sincere otherwise, but try to see if you need to apologize or if you would be better suited to request forgiveness instead. Apologies are OK, nothing wrong with them, but the definition really sheds light on the actual meaning of the word.

Some definitions of the following words which can help shed some further meaning to their general concepts.
Demand, Apology, Ask, Forgiveness

Demand - 
1. a : an act of demanding or asking especially with authority
b : something claimed as due 
Synonyms
claim, importunity, requisition, ultimatum

Related Words
requirement, stipulation, must, condition

Apology -
1. a : a formal justification : defense
b : excuse 
2. a poor substitute

Synonyms
alibi, excuse, defense, justification, plea, reason

Related Words
color, guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationale, rationalization, vindication, whitewash; cop-out, out; acknowledgment (or acknowledgement), atonement, confession; extenuation, palliation

Ask -
1. a : to call on for an answer 
b : to put a question about
c : speak, utter 
2. a : to make a request of 
b : to make a request for 
5. invite
6. to seek information

Forgiveness - (The act of forgiving)
1. willing or able to forgive
2. allowing room for error or weakness 

Inflected Form(s): for·gave ; for·giv·en
1. a : to give up resentment of or claim to revenge for ... <forgive an insult> 
b : to relieve a debtor of the duty to repay ... <forgive a debt>
2. to stop feeling resentment against ... (an offender) 

Synonyms
absolution, amnesty, pardon, remission, remittal


Related Words
acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication; condonation; exemption, immunity, impunity, indemnity; commutation, commuting, reprieve; clemency, leniency, mercy

Friday, May 10, 2013

There Is Just Something About That Name; The Alpha and The Omega, The Beginning and The End - JESUS


Today's Focus Scriptures: Revelation 21:1-7

Revelation 21:1-7
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.
7 He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

We Are Sacred Priests and Sovereign Kings Because of Him Who Has Released Us From Our Sins By His Own Blood


Today's Focus Scriptures: Revelations 1:1-6

Revelations 1:1-6 - (NASB)
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,
2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood
6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father — to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
Amen.

Revelations 1:1-6 - (NKJV)

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
6 and [He] has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.
Amen.

WORD STUDY:
Verse 6, looking up the words, "made," "kings," and "priests"

Verse 6: "Hath Made" - "Has Made" - "Made"
Strong's G4160 - poieō - ποιέω - poy-eh'-o
1) to make
a) with the names of things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.
b) to be the authors of, the cause
c) to make ready, to prepare
d) to produce, bear, shoot forth
e) to acquire, to provide a thing for one's self
f) to make a thing out of something
g) to (make i.e.) render one anything
1) to (make i.e.) constitute or appoint one anything, to appoint or ordain one that
2) to (make i.e.) declare one anything
h) to put one forth, to lead him out
i) to make one do something
1) cause one to
j) to be the authors of a thing (to cause, bring about)
 2) to do
a) to act rightly, do well
1) to carry out, to execute
b) to do a thing unto one
1) to do to one
c) with designation of time: to pass, spend
d) to celebrate, keep
1) to make ready, and so at the same time to institute, the celebration of the Passover
e) to perform: to a promise

SYNONYMS:
See Definition for poieo G4160 
See Definition for prasso G4238
G4160 to designate performance, G4238 intended, earnest, habitual, performance; G4160 to denote merely productive action, G4238 definitely directed action; G4160 to point to the action result, G4238 to the scope and character of the result.


Verse 6: "kings"
Strong's G935- basileus - βασιλεύς - bas-il-yooce'
Probably from G939 (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively or figuratively): - king.

Strong's G939 - basis - βάσις - bas'-ece
From βαίνω bainō (to walk); a pace (“base”), that is, (by implication) the foot: - foot. (through the notion of a foundation of power)

Verse 6: "priests"
Stong's G2409 - hiereus - ιερεύς - hee-er-yooce'
From G2413; a priest (literally or figuratively): - (high) priest.

Strong's G2413 - hieros - ιερός - hee-er-os'
Of uncertain affinity; sacred: - holy.
1) sacred, consecrated to the deity, pertaining to God
     a) sacred Scriptures, because inspired by God, treating of divine things and therefore to be devoutly revered









Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Love the Brethern, Not Neglecting To Show Hospitality To Strangers, So Let Our Hearts Be Established With Grace


Today's Focus Scriptures: Hebrews 13:1-9

Hebrews 13:1-9
1 Let love of the brethren continue. 
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. 
3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. 
4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 
5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” 
6 so that we confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 
9 Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

WORD STUDY:
verse 2 - "angels"


Strong's G32 - ἄγγελος - aggelos - ang'-el-os

From ἀγγέλλω aggellō (probably derived from G71; compare G34; to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication a pastor: - angel, messenger.


Stong's G34 - ἀγέλη - agelē - ag-el'-ay
a drove: - herd.

Stong's G71 - ἄγω - agō - ag'-o
A primary verb; properly to lead; by implication to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specifically) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce: - be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.

Pastors lead - Pastors are Messengers - Pastors are definitely our angels



Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Desire for God's Blessings and Presence In Our Lives - Worshipping, Sacrificing, and Serving Are Blessings


Today's Focus Scriptures: 2 Samuel 6:7-19

2 Samuel 6:7-19

7 And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. 
8 David became angry because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day. 
9 So David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” 
10 And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 
11 Thus the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.
12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.” David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. 
13 And so it was, that when the bearers of the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 
14 And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. 
15 So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.
16 Then it happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.
17 So they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. 
18 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offering, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. 
19 Further, he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread and one of dates and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed each to his house.

LAGNIAPPE:

FROM: JewishEncyclopedia.com - The unedited full-text of the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia

OBED-EDOM (Worshipper of Edom).
    
Table of Contents
—1. Biblical Data:
—In Rabbinical Literature: 2, 3, 4

1. Biblical Data:
A Gittite to whose house the Ark was taken when removed from that of Abinadab in Gibeah. It remained with Obed-edom three months before it was carried to the City of David; and God "blessed Obededom and all his household" (II Sam. vi. 10-11).

In Rabbinical Literature:
From I Chron. xxvi. 4-8, where Obed-edom is mentioned together with the Levites, it is concluded that he was himself a Levite. His name is interpreted thus: "Obed" = "the servant who honors God in the right way"; "Edom" (lit. "red")= "one who causes to blush." He made David blush for shame because the latter was at first afraid to receive the Ark, whereas Obededom took it into his house without hesitation (Num. R. iv. 21). During the time that the Ark was with him Obed-edom used to light a candle beforeit twice daily, early in the morning and again at evening (ib.).

The blessing with which God blessed Obed-edom consisted in children. His wife and eight daughters-in-law bore children twice every month during the three months that the Ark remained with him (ib.). According to another version, each of them bore six children at once (Ber. 63b).

2. Korahite; one of the guards appointed to march before the Ark of the Covenant when it was taken from the house of Obed-edom the Gittite to Jerusalem. He was commissioned also, with five of his companions, to play on the harp of eight strings (I Chron. xv. 18, 21, 24). During the regency of Solomon, in David's old age, Obed-edom belonged to the second division of the guard in the provisional Temple; and the sixty-two male members of his family, including his eight sons, were all detailed for duty at the Temple and kept guard on its southern side (I Chron. xxvi. 4, 8, 15).

3. Son of Jeduthun, and, like Hosah, a porter at the Temple in the reign of David (I Chron. xvi. 38).

4. Temple guard; flourished during the reign of Amaziah, King of Judah; under his care were all the gold, silver, and vessels which were carried off by Jehoash to Samaria.

Monday, May 6, 2013

God Is Our Witness - We Are Sincere and Blameless, Filled With Courage and The Fruit of Righteousness To Speak The Word of God Without Fear


Today's Focus Scripture: Philippians 1:8-17

Philippians 1:8-17
8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,
13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,
14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 
15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;
16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

LAGNIAPPE:


Striking Facts: Philippians 1:6. It is Christ Who begins the good work in us; it is Christ Who carries it on in us—Philippians 2:12-13; it is Christ Who will ultimately complete that work by transforming us into His own likeness—Philippians 3:21.  -- Summarized Bible; Complete Summary of the Bible By KEITH L. BROOKS, Copyright 1919


COMING:  -- Pastor Ben's definition of "Discernment" from his sermon on 5/5/13.

Hebrews 13:6 ~ So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Matthew 10:28 ~ "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."


DISCERNMENT, n. The act of discerning; also, the power or faculty of the mind, by which it distinguishes one thing from another, as truth from falsehood, virtue from vice; acuteness of judgment; power of perceiving differences of things or ideas, and their relations and tendencies. 

-- Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of American English

Friday, May 3, 2013

God Announced In Ancient Times To Us About His Will - Let Us Persist With One Another, Filled With Hope and Encouragement - REJOICE!


Today's Focus Scriptures: Romans 15:4-14

Romans 15:4-14
For whatever was written [announced, prescribed] in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 
so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers,
and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written,

“Therefore I will give praise to You among the Gentiles,
And I will sing to Your name.”

10 Again he says,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord all you Gentiles,
And let all the peoples praise Him.”

12 Again Isaiah says,

“There shall come the root of Jesse,
And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles,
In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish [to caution or reprove gently: - admonish, warnone another.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Our God Is Faithful, Trustworthy, And Loving - His Word Is Truth


Today's Focus Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:23-29

2 Samuel 7:23-29
23 And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do a great thing for You and awesome things for Your land, before Your people whom You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods?
24 For You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and You, O Lord, have become their God.
25 Now therefore, O Lord God, the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house, confirm it forever, and do as You have spoken,
26 that Your name may be magnified forever, by saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel’; and may the house of Your servant David be established before You.
27 For You, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made a revelation to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’; therefore Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.
28 Now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.
29 Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord God, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever."

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Examined By The Lord, Having Confidence To Claim By Faith “We Are Godly Men.” – True, Humble Intimacy With God



Today's Focus Scripture: Psalm 86:1-17

Psalm 86:1-17
Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy.
Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long.
Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; And give heed to the voice of my supplications!
In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, For You will answer me.
There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours.
All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name.
10 For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.
13 For Your lovingkindness toward me is great, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
14 O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, And a band of violent men have sought my life, And they have not set You before them.
15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your handmaid.
17 Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.