Saturday, December 21, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Are You Following The True Shepherd?
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Be careful of
whom you take Godly counsel from. For if
anyone comes to you teaching a Gospel other than Jesus the Christ crucified and
resurrected they are a thief and a robber, attempting to steal your faith and
thus your eternal reward and promise.
That is why it
is important to study the word for yourself, so you can know when someone is
preaching or teaching a distorted doctrine.
The bible says study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth – 2 Timothy 2:15.
There are many
that God has appointed to be under shepherds of His flock and there are many
who have called themselves to the position. I thank God
for all those Pastors, Preachers and teachers who preach and teach the unadulterated (complete and total, having nothing added, mixed or diluted) Word
of God from sincere hearts of love and reverence for the Lord!
Prayer – Lord thank you for the true shepherd Jesus
the Christ who has given us a spirit of discernment that we will not fall prey
to those who come for reasons other than your authentic call.
To God Be The Glory
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah.Thursday, December 19, 2013
AMAZING GRACE, AMAZING LOVE
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Isn’t it comforting to know that even on your worst day, the God who created heaven and earth loved you so much that He willingly suffered so you wouldn't have to. Willingly died so you could live!
In this present day and age where people are more selfish than selfless, more self-centered than self-sacrificing, that kind of love is unheard of, that kind of sacrifice birthed from love is simply A‑M‑A‑Z‑I‑N‑G!
PrayerLord you are truly amazing . . . to think a God like you could love a person like me is simply amazing. Thank you for your love, teach me not to ever take it for granted.
To God Be The Glory
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah.Wednesday, December 18, 2013
It's Coming . . . Look For It!
And visit Outreach.com to see how your Church can use the Son of God movie to reach others for Christ!
Son Of God | "O Holy Night" by Jewel
Son of God comes to theaters February 28, 2014. Now, the larger-than-life story of The New Testament gets a larger-than life treatment in the stand-alone feature SON OF GOD. Told with the scope and scale of an action epic, the film features powerful performances, exotic locales, dazzling visual effects and a rich orchestral score from Oscar®-winner Hans Zimmer. Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado portrays Jesus as the film spans from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection. It marks the first motion picture about Jesus's life since Passion of the Christ, released ten years ago.
Son Of God | "O Holy Night" by Jewel
He Will Be Called Wonderful
by Billy GrahamBilly Graham, the world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist has delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and has ministered on every continent of the world; millions have read his inspirational classics.
First, Jesus was wonderful in His pre-existence. As the perfect man who was also God, He existed from all eternity. Only He is equally at home in Heaven and on Earth.
Jesus was wonderful in His birth. To right the wrongs of the world and redeem a fallen race, God sent not angelic armies but a tiny baby, His Son, to accomplish this majestic purpose — born not of man but of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was wonderful in His life. His enemies could not find a single flaw in His character. His miracles and His teaching both testified to His divine authority.
Christ was also wonderful in His death. He died for others just as He had lived for others: to make our salvation possible. And this death led to the wonderful, glorious resurrection, opening for us the door to Heaven and eternal life.
Jesus is wonderful indeed!
* * *
Reflection
In your daily life, is Jesus “so unusual or magnificent that (He) causes wonder and amazement”? Draw close to Him! Be amazed! Come share on our blog what wonderful things the Lord is doing that fill you with wonder and awe! We’d love to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily
To God Be The Glory
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah.Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Mary’s Song is Our Song Too!
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
This text comes after the angel Gabriel has informed Mary, that although still a virgin, she is indeed pregnant and will give birth to a son, and this Son will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The text comes after Mary visits her relative Elizabeth who is also pregnant by a miracle of God, and the baby Elizabeth is carrying leaps in her womb to testify to the presence of the Son of God in Mary's womb. And at this time Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cries out Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
It is after these things that Mary's Song is documented in Luke 1:46-55, where Mary testifies the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name! But in truth, this great thing was not just for Mary but for ALL humanity. Jesus, God incarnate, took on flesh to dwell among us, to take our sins, past, present and future upon Himself, bear the burden and punishment of them so that we could be FREE.
We are reading this text after Jesus has already come in the flesh, and after He has already paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, and after we have believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to us, of cleansing us of all unrighteousness; so we can and should sing as Mary did ... for the Mighty One has done GREAT things for me—holy is his name!
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah. Monday, December 16, 2013
A satirical look at the impact of fear in our lives
Great discussion starter for small groups, youth AND adults! Something many experience internally and no one discusses out loud. Great to follow-up with biblical preventative tips for re-training our mind and experience true freedom in Christ ... for whom the Son set free is FREE! Thanks #BlimeyCow
A quick look at how David combated his Fears with Trust in the Lord!
Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 56:11 In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalm 25:1-2 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Psalm 86:4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
Let Your Life Speak for You!
1 John 1:4-7 (New International Version)
We write this to make our joy complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
This is a strong no nonsense message from the Apostle John, the Disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23). It cuts right to the heart of the matter to enable persons to discern if they have a real and healthy relationship with God, or if they are just playing church, pretending to know the one God sent. John begins this pericope by declaring his authority in speaking this message, for he shares that everything he is communicating about the person of Jesus is not based on second hand information or hearsay but on up close and personal experience with the Master.
In the text John declares to those who have a spiritual ear to hear that God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
LIGHT implies every essential excellence, especially wisdom, holiness, and happiness.
DARKNESS implies all imperfection, and principally ignorance, sinfulness, and misery. The Adam Clarke Commentary on 1 John 1
The Apostle John goes on to state the simple truth that IF we claim to know Jesus, if we claim to be Christians, if we claim to be saved, sanctified and Holy Ghost filled and yet keep on perpetually, repeatedly and purposely sinning, then we LIE and the truth, the Word of God, is not in us. John is speaking here about a continuous, unrepentant, pattern of behavior that is contrary to God’s will.
The reality is, we don’t have to walk around with a large bible under our arms, christianese on our tongues and a cross around our neck to declare we are saved and set apart; the reality is, we need simply let our everyday living speak for us. If we are walking in the Light as our Father in Heaven is Light, it will be evident in our daily living. We won’t be perfect, we will make mistakes, but we will still give off a glow, a reflection of the Light. We won’t have to tell the world, we’re saved, sanctified and Holy Ghost filled, we can simply let our life speak for us!
To God Be The Glory
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah.
We write this to make our joy complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
This is a strong no nonsense message from the Apostle John, the Disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23). It cuts right to the heart of the matter to enable persons to discern if they have a real and healthy relationship with God, or if they are just playing church, pretending to know the one God sent. John begins this pericope by declaring his authority in speaking this message, for he shares that everything he is communicating about the person of Jesus is not based on second hand information or hearsay but on up close and personal experience with the Master.
LIGHT implies every essential excellence, especially wisdom, holiness, and happiness.
DARKNESS implies all imperfection, and principally ignorance, sinfulness, and misery. The Adam Clarke Commentary on 1 John 1
The Apostle John goes on to state the simple truth that IF we claim to know Jesus, if we claim to be Christians, if we claim to be saved, sanctified and Holy Ghost filled and yet keep on perpetually, repeatedly and purposely sinning, then we LIE and the truth, the Word of God, is not in us. John is speaking here about a continuous, unrepentant, pattern of behavior that is contrary to God’s will.
The reality is, we don’t have to walk around with a large bible under our arms, christianese on our tongues and a cross around our neck to declare we are saved and set apart; the reality is, we need simply let our everyday living speak for us. If we are walking in the Light as our Father in Heaven is Light, it will be evident in our daily living. We won’t be perfect, we will make mistakes, but we will still give off a glow, a reflection of the Light. We won’t have to tell the world, we’re saved, sanctified and Holy Ghost filled, we can simply let our life speak for us!
To God Be The Glory
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Are You a Trailblazer for Jesus?
Isaiah 40:3-5 (NIV)
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Blazing a Trail Through the Wilderness — by Mike Ford
Isaiah begins with the voice of one crying in the wilderness. The voice prophesied was that of John the Baptist. Who would John be speaking to, proclaiming his message of repentance? To all who would "hear" him! Those "who have ears to hear", which would be all those with whom God is working, His firstfruits!
What did that "voice" say? What did he call on his audience to do? Prepare the way of the LORD. The instruction becomes more specific: ". . . make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill shall be made low, the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth." Filling up valleys and removing the tops of mountains seems like a lot of work for one man. This is where the firstfruits come in. Why are we to do this? So that "the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."
Albert Barnes, in his commentary on Isaiah written in 1851, remarks on these verses:
John the Baptist was one man "crying in the wilderness," yet he prepared the way for the Son of God. Each of us, in our daily lives, interacts with family, coworkers, neighbors, and others who may know little or nothing of God and His Word. Our words and deeds could well pave the way for any of them to answer God's call at another time. Each of us has opportunities to set an example that will affect their lives, hopefully in a positive way. In this way, each of us is a forerunner, marking and improving the trail through the conduct of our lives. — Mike Ford. Click the link to read the entire Devotional -- Blazing a Trail Through the Wilderness
Prayer
Eternal God, help us to let our light shine before humanity daily, so that we properly represent who You are; and so when people see the good we do and the love we share; You get the glory!
To God Be The Glory
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah.
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Blazing a Trail Through the Wilderness — by Mike Ford
Isaiah begins with the voice of one crying in the wilderness. The voice prophesied was that of John the Baptist. Who would John be speaking to, proclaiming his message of repentance? To all who would "hear" him! Those "who have ears to hear", which would be all those with whom God is working, His firstfruits!
What did that "voice" say? What did he call on his audience to do? Prepare the way of the LORD. The instruction becomes more specific: ". . . make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill shall be made low, the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth." Filling up valleys and removing the tops of mountains seems like a lot of work for one man. This is where the firstfruits come in. Why are we to do this? So that "the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."
The idea is taken from the practice of Eastern monarchs, who, whenever they entered on a journey or an expedition, especially through a barren and unfrequented or inhospitable country, sent harbingers [forerunners] or heralds before them to prepare the way. To do this, it was necessary for them to provide supplies, and make bridges, or find fording places over the streams; to level hills, and construct causeways over valleys, or fill them up; and to make a way through the forest which might lie in their intended line of march.Those who went before, to mark and improve the route, were the forerunners. They were "the scouts, the pioneers, the ones sent before a king to prepare the way," as forerunner is defined. Recall Daniel Boone and his party of thirty expert woodsmen laying out a 200-mile-long route. Over time, as more people came over the trail, it was improved, widened, and smoothed. It all began, however, with one man. That man then led others, and it multiplied from there.
John the Baptist was one man "crying in the wilderness," yet he prepared the way for the Son of God. Each of us, in our daily lives, interacts with family, coworkers, neighbors, and others who may know little or nothing of God and His Word. Our words and deeds could well pave the way for any of them to answer God's call at another time. Each of us has opportunities to set an example that will affect their lives, hopefully in a positive way. In this way, each of us is a forerunner, marking and improving the trail through the conduct of our lives. — Mike Ford. Click the link to read the entire Devotional -- Blazing a Trail Through the Wilderness
Prayer
Eternal God, help us to let our light shine before humanity daily, so that we properly represent who You are; and so when people see the good we do and the love we share; You get the glory!
To God Be The Glory
The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some time during the holiday season to reflect on our faith. The Bible readings we will read echo the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, hope, and the coming of the promised Messiah.
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