Friday, March 11, 2016
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
We Are To Be Different
If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we are no longer of the world, we are not to think and agree with the world.
Romans 12:1-2 NLT
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Paul is admonishing believers, " in light of all that God has done for us, we are to give our bodies to serve God and offer them to Him as living sacrifices." In Old Testament, once a year a dead sacrifice was offered to God by the high priest. An animal was killed and laid upon the altar. Its blood covered or atoned for the sins of the people. In the New Testament times which we are in, our sacrifice for sin has already been made once and for all through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is then our decision , our choice, to offer our bodies to God as living sacrifices. No one else can present our bodies to God. We as individuals have to do that.
The "world" has a lifestyle, mannerisms, and morals distinctly different from born-again believers. Unlike the world, a believer's lifestyle, morals mannerism, thoughts, words, actions are to be patterned after Jesus Christ, and His Words to us, is that we as His disciples are to follow Him, and we as Christians are .. His disciples. We can't accept the parts we like, and ignore the part we don't agree with, and go along with the world's way of thinking. We are admonished from God, not to be squeezed into the world's mold, that is ruled by Satan.
It has been said, " if some people were on trial for being Christians, there wouldn't be enough evidence to convict them." When we are born again, there is to be evidence of change in our lives. Transformed means "changed, altered, or rearranged. We renew our minds by reading, studying, applying the Word to situation that come up in our lives. We fill our minds with God's thoughts, (His Word) His nature, His information given to us to be our guide. Following His standards, then we will "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2) Until we follow his Word and renew our minds, we will not fulfill the will of God for our lives.
Thank You Father, for Your Word and guidance that You have clearly laid out for us to follow so that we will have all of Your Blessings. In Jesus' name Amen.
A. H.
If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we are no longer of the world, we are not to think and agree with the world.
Romans 12:1-2 NLT
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Paul is admonishing believers, " in light of all that God has done for us, we are to give our bodies to serve God and offer them to Him as living sacrifices." In Old Testament, once a year a dead sacrifice was offered to God by the high priest. An animal was killed and laid upon the altar. Its blood covered or atoned for the sins of the people. In the New Testament times which we are in, our sacrifice for sin has already been made once and for all through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is then our decision , our choice, to offer our bodies to God as living sacrifices. No one else can present our bodies to God. We as individuals have to do that.
The "world" has a lifestyle, mannerisms, and morals distinctly different from born-again believers. Unlike the world, a believer's lifestyle, morals mannerism, thoughts, words, actions are to be patterned after Jesus Christ, and His Words to us, is that we as His disciples are to follow Him, and we as Christians are .. His disciples. We can't accept the parts we like, and ignore the part we don't agree with, and go along with the world's way of thinking. We are admonished from God, not to be squeezed into the world's mold, that is ruled by Satan.
It has been said, " if some people were on trial for being Christians, there wouldn't be enough evidence to convict them." When we are born again, there is to be evidence of change in our lives. Transformed means "changed, altered, or rearranged. We renew our minds by reading, studying, applying the Word to situation that come up in our lives. We fill our minds with God's thoughts, (His Word) His nature, His information given to us to be our guide. Following His standards, then we will "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2) Until we follow his Word and renew our minds, we will not fulfill the will of God for our lives.
Thank You Father, for Your Word and guidance that You have clearly laid out for us to follow so that we will have all of Your Blessings. In Jesus' name Amen.
A. H.
IN THE SHELTER of THE MOST HIGH
The key here is; (IF)
Psalms 91:1-16 NLT
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the lord : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
For thousands of years, this psalm has been an inspiration, comfort, and promise for warriors in harm’s way. It is amazing to read the ancient descriptions of warfare described by the psalmist, and compare it to what we see in the global war on terror today. Insurgency, snipers, suicide bombers, IEDs, environmental terrorism—they seem to fit into the words “fowler’s snare”, “deadly pestilence”, “terror of night”, “arrow that flies by day”, “pestilence that stalks in the darkness”, “plague that destroys at midday.” What does God have to say in Psalm 91 that can calm our fears and help us to face the challenges?
Verse one begins with a great truth written in the third person. . . that he who dwells, or abides, in the shelter that God provides will be resting in His shadow. The psalmist then makes this personal and speaks in the first person. . . stating clearly that God is his refuge, his fortress, his God whom he trusts. This is a magnificent testimony! Was this David writing to his son, Solomon? Some have suggested this—but we do not know. Certainly a warrior like David would have much to share about the faithfulness of God in battle—things that he might want to pass on to others as means of encouragement and wisdom.
The description of God’s shelter in verse four is the image of God’s wings which surround, cover, protect. . . with His faithfulness as a shield. Within that bunker of strength the reader will be separated from the devastation around him. Is this physical protection or spiritual protection? We need both—not just in our physical battles but also in the realm of spiritual battles.
Verse nine begins with another great truth. . . that he who makes God his dwelling will be protected and guarded. The statement of verse one now becomes the challenge of verse nine with the word “if.” That is always the challenge. . .and the choice. Will we choose to dwell (abide) in the dwelling place of God?
If the reader chooses to allow God to be his shelter, as the psalmist proclaims that he has done, then the LORD speaks the greatest truth of all in verses 14-16. He tenderly, yet powerfully proclaims that those who love Him, who name His name. . . He will rescue. Our cries for help, in the form of prayer, He will answer and His protection is sure even in the midst of battle.
And how does the LORD provide and protect? With His presence, His peace. We can trust His faithfulness knowing that He loves us, has a plan for our lives, and desires for us to live eternally with Him. It is fitting that the psalmist ends this beautiful poem with the great truth, “and show him my salvation.” Do you know his salvation? His salvation was provided by the ultimate warrior, Jesus Christ. In the past, two thousand years ago, He faced the all-time champion of evil at Calvary and shed His blood in death on the cross for our victory. In the present we continue in battle with the enemy, but have His armor with which to stand and fight. And in the future day He will return, fight the last battle, and reign victorious over all the earth.
How can we, in this modern age, personalize Psalm 91, this “warrior’s psalm”? In any verse where you see the word “you”, insert “me” or “I”. For example: “If (I) make the Most High (my) dwelling—even the LORD, who is my (the psalmist’s) refuge—then no harm will befall (me), no disaster will come near (my) tent. For He will command His angels concerning (me) to guard (me) in all (my) ways.” vs. 9-11
And for the loved ones at home, on the home front. . . how can you personalize this psalm in order to pray for your dear one deployed in harm’s way? Put his or her name where you read “you” or “your”. For example: “Surely He will save (name) from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover (name) with His feathers, and under His wings (name) will find refuge; His faithfulness will be (name’s) shield and rampart.” vs. 3-4
If anyone reading this, which most likely only God's children would read it,
please take Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and to personalize John 3:16 in declaration that you have believed and trusted in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, “For God so loved (me), that He gave His only Son, that if (I) believe in Him, (I) will never perish but have eternal life.” It is then that you have made the decision to not only dwell in the shelter of the LORD, but to make Him your dwelling place, for all of eternity.
A. H.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID
The key here is; (IF)
Psalms 91:1-16 NLT
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the lord : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
For thousands of years, this psalm has been an inspiration, comfort, and promise for warriors in harm’s way. It is amazing to read the ancient descriptions of warfare described by the psalmist, and compare it to what we see in the global war on terror today. Insurgency, snipers, suicide bombers, IEDs, environmental terrorism—they seem to fit into the words “fowler’s snare”, “deadly pestilence”, “terror of night”, “arrow that flies by day”, “pestilence that stalks in the darkness”, “plague that destroys at midday.” What does God have to say in Psalm 91 that can calm our fears and help us to face the challenges?
Verse one begins with a great truth written in the third person. . . that he who dwells, or abides, in the shelter that God provides will be resting in His shadow. The psalmist then makes this personal and speaks in the first person. . . stating clearly that God is his refuge, his fortress, his God whom he trusts. This is a magnificent testimony! Was this David writing to his son, Solomon? Some have suggested this—but we do not know. Certainly a warrior like David would have much to share about the faithfulness of God in battle—things that he might want to pass on to others as means of encouragement and wisdom.
The description of God’s shelter in verse four is the image of God’s wings which surround, cover, protect. . . with His faithfulness as a shield. Within that bunker of strength the reader will be separated from the devastation around him. Is this physical protection or spiritual protection? We need both—not just in our physical battles but also in the realm of spiritual battles.
Verse nine begins with another great truth. . . that he who makes God his dwelling will be protected and guarded. The statement of verse one now becomes the challenge of verse nine with the word “if.” That is always the challenge. . .and the choice. Will we choose to dwell (abide) in the dwelling place of God?
If the reader chooses to allow God to be his shelter, as the psalmist proclaims that he has done, then the LORD speaks the greatest truth of all in verses 14-16. He tenderly, yet powerfully proclaims that those who love Him, who name His name. . . He will rescue. Our cries for help, in the form of prayer, He will answer and His protection is sure even in the midst of battle.
And how does the LORD provide and protect? With His presence, His peace. We can trust His faithfulness knowing that He loves us, has a plan for our lives, and desires for us to live eternally with Him. It is fitting that the psalmist ends this beautiful poem with the great truth, “and show him my salvation.” Do you know his salvation? His salvation was provided by the ultimate warrior, Jesus Christ. In the past, two thousand years ago, He faced the all-time champion of evil at Calvary and shed His blood in death on the cross for our victory. In the present we continue in battle with the enemy, but have His armor with which to stand and fight. And in the future day He will return, fight the last battle, and reign victorious over all the earth.
How can we, in this modern age, personalize Psalm 91, this “warrior’s psalm”? In any verse where you see the word “you”, insert “me” or “I”. For example: “If (I) make the Most High (my) dwelling—even the LORD, who is my (the psalmist’s) refuge—then no harm will befall (me), no disaster will come near (my) tent. For He will command His angels concerning (me) to guard (me) in all (my) ways.” vs. 9-11
And for the loved ones at home, on the home front. . . how can you personalize this psalm in order to pray for your dear one deployed in harm’s way? Put his or her name where you read “you” or “your”. For example: “Surely He will save (name) from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover (name) with His feathers, and under His wings (name) will find refuge; His faithfulness will be (name’s) shield and rampart.” vs. 3-4
If anyone reading this, which most likely only God's children would read it,
please take Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and to personalize John 3:16 in declaration that you have believed and trusted in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, “For God so loved (me), that He gave His only Son, that if (I) believe in Him, (I) will never perish but have eternal life.” It is then that you have made the decision to not only dwell in the shelter of the LORD, but to make Him your dwelling place, for all of eternity.
A. H.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Our Nation
A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.
Alexander Fraser Tytler
A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.
Alexander Fraser Tytler
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Acts of the Apostles 4:11-12 NLT
For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Many people react negatively to the fact that there is no other name than that of Jesus to call on for salvation. Yet, this is not something the church decides; it is the specific teaching of Jesus himself (John 14:6) if God designated Jesus to be the Savior of the world, no one else can be His equal. Christians are to be opened minded on many issues but not how we are saved from sin. No other religious teacher could die for our sins; no other religious teacher came to earth as God's only Son; no other religious teacher rose from the dead. Our focus should be on Jesus, whom God provided as the way to have eternal relationship with Himself, there is no other way. Thank you father for Jesus, Your holy Son, our Savior.
For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Many people react negatively to the fact that there is no other name than that of Jesus to call on for salvation. Yet, this is not something the church decides; it is the specific teaching of Jesus himself (John 14:6) if God designated Jesus to be the Savior of the world, no one else can be His equal. Christians are to be opened minded on many issues but not how we are saved from sin. No other religious teacher could die for our sins; no other religious teacher came to earth as God's only Son; no other religious teacher rose from the dead. Our focus should be on Jesus, whom God provided as the way to have eternal relationship with Himself, there is no other way. Thank you father for Jesus, Your holy Son, our Savior.
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