The disciple’s hearts are troubled. Jesus is about to die on a cross. They’ve just learned that one of them will betray Him, and Simon Peter is told that he will deny Jesus three times before morning. On the eve of His death Jesus takes time to encourage them.
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so , I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
I wonder if the disciples grasped the full meaning of the Father’s House and Jesus preparing a place for them there. He would come back after them and take them there. Surely it sparked an eye or perked a smile.
The Father’s house is free from sin, sorrow, suffering, separation or anything that would hinder the glory of Heaven, Rev. 21:4; 27.
Try as I might, I can never adequately describe the glories of that place. I think Paul summed it up pretty well.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
I look forward to going there. You can too if you have believed on Jesus as your personal savior.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
The Old Man Is Dead
Romans 6:6-7 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him , that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
When Jesus died on the cross, God took our old, fallen, wicked natures and put them to death. Through the new birth the old man has no control over us.
Will we sin? Yes. We are not perfect. Just as Jesus came forth from the tomb to a new life, the believer is raised from the deadness of sin to walk a new life by the power of His resurrection.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We are to yield control of our lives to the Lord so that we might be instruments of glory in His hands.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When Jesus died on the cross, God took our old, fallen, wicked natures and put them to death. Through the new birth the old man has no control over us.
Will we sin? Yes. We are not perfect. Just as Jesus came forth from the tomb to a new life, the believer is raised from the deadness of sin to walk a new life by the power of His resurrection.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We are to yield control of our lives to the Lord so that we might be instruments of glory in His hands.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Thorns And Buffetings
The Apostle Paul’s thorn was “in the flesh”. The thorns and buffetings we endure in this life are often physical, some are emotional--- depression, loneliness and heartbreak, and some are spiritual--- doubting our salvation, struggling with holiness or pride. Paul lived with his thorn all the time. Three times he asked God for relief.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
When the path of life is easy we often forget how much we need the Lord. It may take a "thorn in the flesh" to shock us back to reality, to seek God..
“My strength is made perfect in weakness”, means that God gets more glory from using the weak things of the world. Paul took pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions and distresses for Christ’s sake. For when he was weak, then was he made strong in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
When the path of life is easy we often forget how much we need the Lord. It may take a "thorn in the flesh" to shock us back to reality, to seek God..
“My strength is made perfect in weakness”, means that God gets more glory from using the weak things of the world. Paul took pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions and distresses for Christ’s sake. For when he was weak, then was he made strong in the Lord.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Count Your Blessings And Be Thankful
Tomorrow we carry out a tradition that’s as old as America. In 1621, after a terrible year in which half their number died of starvation or disease, the Pilgrims set aside 3 days in December to praise the Lord for a bountiful corn harvest.
Many years later in 1789, President George Washington proclaimed November 26 as a national day of Thanksgiving unto the Lord. This was in response to God's granting American independence from Britain.
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln revived this old tradition of rendering thanks unto the Lord, and finally in 1941, the United States Congress decreed that the fourth Thursday in November was to be a national day of Thanksgiving.
On the Eve of Thanksgiving 2015, count your many blessing. Name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Praise Him.
Psalm 100:4-5 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Many years later in 1789, President George Washington proclaimed November 26 as a national day of Thanksgiving unto the Lord. This was in response to God's granting American independence from Britain.
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln revived this old tradition of rendering thanks unto the Lord, and finally in 1941, the United States Congress decreed that the fourth Thursday in November was to be a national day of Thanksgiving.
On the Eve of Thanksgiving 2015, count your many blessing. Name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Praise Him.
Psalm 100:4-5 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Reasons To Thank God
Psalm 103:2-4 Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Eight spiritual reasons to offer thanksgiving and praise to God.
1. God’s Forgiveness – In Him all sin is gone (1 John 1:7; Col. 2:13-14; Eph. 1:7).
2. God’s Healing – In Him the soul is made whole (Psa. 107:1-22).
3. God’s Redemption – In Him we stand redeemed (Rev. 5:9; Gal. 4:5; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
4. God’s Grace – In Him we have received, grace, mercy, compassion, salvation and eternal blessings.
5. God’s Peace – In Him we have been given spiritual satisfaction, and sufficient strength for the journey (2 Cor. 12:9; Isa. 41:10; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:11).
6. God’s Intercession – In Him we have One Who pleads our case (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:2).
7. God’s Revelation – In Him we can know Him, fellowship with Him and follow Him. He has revealed Himself in His Word – Heb. 1:1-2; Gen. 1:1; and in His Son – John 1:1, 14, 18; 14:6, 9).
8. God’s Sovereignty – In Him we can rest in His control of all things (Rom. 8:28; Psa. 37:23; Job 23:10).
Other reasons: family, church, Bible, health, food, air, home, good water, clothing, friends, etc.
Eight spiritual reasons to offer thanksgiving and praise to God.
1. God’s Forgiveness – In Him all sin is gone (1 John 1:7; Col. 2:13-14; Eph. 1:7).
2. God’s Healing – In Him the soul is made whole (Psa. 107:1-22).
3. God’s Redemption – In Him we stand redeemed (Rev. 5:9; Gal. 4:5; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
4. God’s Grace – In Him we have received, grace, mercy, compassion, salvation and eternal blessings.
5. God’s Peace – In Him we have been given spiritual satisfaction, and sufficient strength for the journey (2 Cor. 12:9; Isa. 41:10; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:11).
6. God’s Intercession – In Him we have One Who pleads our case (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:2).
7. God’s Revelation – In Him we can know Him, fellowship with Him and follow Him. He has revealed Himself in His Word – Heb. 1:1-2; Gen. 1:1; and in His Son – John 1:1, 14, 18; 14:6, 9).
8. God’s Sovereignty – In Him we can rest in His control of all things (Rom. 8:28; Psa. 37:23; Job 23:10).
Other reasons: family, church, Bible, health, food, air, home, good water, clothing, friends, etc.
Monday, November 23, 2015
About Thanksgiving
Just thinking about the past year and how the Lord has blessed us. Every Tuesday before Thanksgiving our church meets. The lights are turned off and a candle is lit as each person with their family tells what they are thankful for this year. Tears usually mingle, and we agree that it’s the best service of the year.
If not for our annual Thanksgiving service I would probably be delving into a turkey, making cornbread dressing with plenty of sage, preparing cranberry sauce and other Thanksgiving delights without much thought of God’s blessings.
1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
If not for our annual Thanksgiving service I would probably be delving into a turkey, making cornbread dressing with plenty of sage, preparing cranberry sauce and other Thanksgiving delights without much thought of God’s blessings.
1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
We are so blessed by the things You have done
And the victories You've won---What You've brought us through
We are so blessed, take what we have to bring
Take it all, everything, Lord, we give it to You.
When we're empty You fill us till we overflow
When we're hungry You feed us and cause us to know . . . .
We are so blessed by the gifts from Your hands
Just can't understand why You loved us so much.
---William J. Gaither, Gloria Gaither, Greg Nelson
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Training For Service
1 Kings 17:2-4 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
Elijah has just stood before King Ahab of Israel and delivered the message of judgment God had given him. Now God wants to hide him away. His plan is to help Elijah come to the place where he trusts the Lord one day at a time.
I imagine that there was some fear in the prophet's heart that first evening. Would the ravens appear? Would there be flesh and bread in the morning? But, as the days passed and God proved Himself to be faithful and trustworthy, Elijah learned to walk by faith.
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
God wants us to come to the place where we don’t know which step to take next. He wants us to be totally dependent upon Him--- to rest in His arms by faith without fear. Then we are ready for His service.
Whatever God calls you to do or wherever He sends you, it comes equipped with His provisions. Before the dawn breaks tomorrow, He’s already there.
Elijah has just stood before King Ahab of Israel and delivered the message of judgment God had given him. Now God wants to hide him away. His plan is to help Elijah come to the place where he trusts the Lord one day at a time.
I imagine that there was some fear in the prophet's heart that first evening. Would the ravens appear? Would there be flesh and bread in the morning? But, as the days passed and God proved Himself to be faithful and trustworthy, Elijah learned to walk by faith.
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
God wants us to come to the place where we don’t know which step to take next. He wants us to be totally dependent upon Him--- to rest in His arms by faith without fear. Then we are ready for His service.
Whatever God calls you to do or wherever He sends you, it comes equipped with His provisions. Before the dawn breaks tomorrow, He’s already there.
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