Saturday, October 31, 2015
Stand with GOD!
Daniel 3:17-18 (NASB)
17 "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
18 "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
+++++++++++++++++++
The three Hebrews refused to worship the king's image, at the threat of death. They were confident God could deliver them from the fire, but even if He did not, they refused to bow to the image. They trusted God to do what was right! They did not know what God would do. They just knew that the commandment was not to worship idols! So they stood fast!
--- This should bring us a searching question! Will we stand for Him in the face of opposition and possible death?
--- Many of our brothers and sisters around the world are doing just that today! One report says there have been thousands of martyrs just since 2000!
--- Would I stand? I hope so, but only through His power. Decide now to stand. Such decision cannot be made when we are facing the fire.
17 "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
18 "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
+++++++++++++++++++
The three Hebrews refused to worship the king's image, at the threat of death. They were confident God could deliver them from the fire, but even if He did not, they refused to bow to the image. They trusted God to do what was right! They did not know what God would do. They just knew that the commandment was not to worship idols! So they stood fast!
--- This should bring us a searching question! Will we stand for Him in the face of opposition and possible death?
--- Many of our brothers and sisters around the world are doing just that today! One report says there have been thousands of martyrs just since 2000!
--- Would I stand? I hope so, but only through His power. Decide now to stand. Such decision cannot be made when we are facing the fire.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Running the race of life!
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding
us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily
entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for
the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
++++++++++++++++++++++
The writer sees life as a race. In the grand stands are all the saints
who have gone before us. Can you see them cheering you on? Jesus has
also gone before us as He took our sin to the cross. He has sat down, in
recognition that His work is complete. For a while that is! He is coming
again to welcome us to our heavenly home. Until then, we are to fix our
gaze on Him and lay aside the sin that tempts us along the way.
Indeed, life is a process, with cheers from the past and a focus for the
future, but lived out in the present with power from the LORD!
So, keep your eye on Him and bring Him the glory He deserves!
In Him we are blessed! Let us move ahead and bless others!
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding
us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily
entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for
the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
++++++++++++++++++++++
The writer sees life as a race. In the grand stands are all the saints
who have gone before us. Can you see them cheering you on? Jesus has
also gone before us as He took our sin to the cross. He has sat down, in
recognition that His work is complete. For a while that is! He is coming
again to welcome us to our heavenly home. Until then, we are to fix our
gaze on Him and lay aside the sin that tempts us along the way.
Indeed, life is a process, with cheers from the past and a focus for the
future, but lived out in the present with power from the LORD!
So, keep your eye on Him and bring Him the glory He deserves!
In Him we are blessed! Let us move ahead and bless others!
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Give God the glory!
Daniel 2:23, 27-28, 30 (NASB)
23 "To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king's matter."
...
27 Daniel answered before the king and said, "As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians nor diviners are able to declare it to the king.
28 "However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. ...
...
30 "But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than in any other living man, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind."
+++++++++++++++++++
All the wise men of the kingdom were under a death sentence because they had not interpreted the kings dream. When Daniel heard of it, he asked time to pray. He called his friends to prayer and God gave him the dream and interpretation.
When Daniel went before the king, he did not take credit, but gave the credit to God who had chosen to reveal the future to the king.
God has given us the privilege of prayer. Prayer is communing with God and in this way we can hear God's direction for us and sometimes for others. When He speaks, lets be quick to give Him the glory.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH GOD, AND PRAISE HIM FOR ALL HE DOES!
23 "To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king's matter."
...
27 Daniel answered before the king and said, "As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians nor diviners are able to declare it to the king.
28 "However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. ...
...
30 "But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than in any other living man, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind."
+++++++++++++++++++
All the wise men of the kingdom were under a death sentence because they had not interpreted the kings dream. When Daniel heard of it, he asked time to pray. He called his friends to prayer and God gave him the dream and interpretation.
When Daniel went before the king, he did not take credit, but gave the credit to God who had chosen to reveal the future to the king.
God has given us the privilege of prayer. Prayer is communing with God and in this way we can hear God's direction for us and sometimes for others. When He speaks, lets be quick to give Him the glory.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH GOD, AND PRAISE HIM FOR ALL HE DOES!
Friday, October 23, 2015
Please God -- walk by faith!
2 Corinthians 5:7-0 (NASB)
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight ---
8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him!
++++++++++++++++++
Walk by faith, trust Him, and please God!
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight ---
8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him!
++++++++++++++++++
Walk by faith, trust Him, and please God!
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
God cares for me!
Psalm 94:17-19 (NASB)
17 If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
18 If I should say, "My foot has slipped,"
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.
++++++++++++++++++
Just another reminder of God's care and provision for our needs!
Remember to give Him glory!
17 If the LORD had not been my help,
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.
18 If I should say, "My foot has slipped,"
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up.
19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.
++++++++++++++++++
Just another reminder of God's care and provision for our needs!
Remember to give Him glory!
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 67:5-7 (NASB)
5 Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
6 The earth has yielded its produce;
God our God, blesses us.
7 God blesses us,
That all the ends of the
earth may fear (respect) Him.
+++++++++++++++
God has provided our needs.
We praise Him,
and others will know His love and kindness!
5 Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
6 The earth has yielded its produce;
God our God, blesses us.
7 God blesses us,
That all the ends of the
earth may fear (respect) Him.
+++++++++++++++
God has provided our needs.
We praise Him,
and others will know His love and kindness!
Monday, October 12, 2015
Obey God!
Daniel 1:8-9,11-12,15 (NASB)
8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,
...
11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hannaniah, Mischael and Azariah,
12 "Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.
...
15 At the end of the ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the kings choice food.
++++++++++++++++++
Daniel had a conviction against eating certain foods (ie. pork, etc), and knowing that some of the king's food had been sacrificed to idols, he determined not to eat the king's food. But instead of out right defiance, he proposed a test. God provided!
Have you determined to do what God says, regardless of your circumstances? Daniel is a good illustration that God will provide when we stand for Him.
In the weeks ahead our Sunday School lessons are from Daniel, so I will probably share more lessons from Daniel.
--- Commit yourself to God's leadership. Trust Him to provide in times of testing! Give Him the glory when He does!
8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials,
...
11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hannaniah, Mischael and Azariah,
12 "Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink.
...
15 At the end of the ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the kings choice food.
++++++++++++++++++
Daniel had a conviction against eating certain foods (ie. pork, etc), and knowing that some of the king's food had been sacrificed to idols, he determined not to eat the king's food. But instead of out right defiance, he proposed a test. God provided!
Have you determined to do what God says, regardless of your circumstances? Daniel is a good illustration that God will provide when we stand for Him.
In the weeks ahead our Sunday School lessons are from Daniel, so I will probably share more lessons from Daniel.
--- Commit yourself to God's leadership. Trust Him to provide in times of testing! Give Him the glory when He does!
Saturday, October 10, 2015
God loves you!
Isaiah 30:18 (NASB)
"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him."
++++++++++
This was written to a people in rebellion against God, but promised His compassion on those who would receive it. Most of you who read this are following His Son as Savior. Sometimes we miss out on His blessing, because we get caught up in our circumstances. Don't forget, He is always there to minister to your need, including forgiveness.
Some of you who read this have not come to the point in your life to trust Jesus as your Savior. If not, you may not understand this promise. But I want to assure you that God is willing to forgive and extend forgiveness to you who ask. He is indeed gracious and compassionate to all who call upon Him.
So whoever you are, remember God loves you and wants the best for you! Will you accept it?
"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him."
++++++++++
This was written to a people in rebellion against God, but promised His compassion on those who would receive it. Most of you who read this are following His Son as Savior. Sometimes we miss out on His blessing, because we get caught up in our circumstances. Don't forget, He is always there to minister to your need, including forgiveness.
Some of you who read this have not come to the point in your life to trust Jesus as your Savior. If not, you may not understand this promise. But I want to assure you that God is willing to forgive and extend forgiveness to you who ask. He is indeed gracious and compassionate to all who call upon Him.
So whoever you are, remember God loves you and wants the best for you! Will you accept it?
Friday, October 09, 2015
Christ in you
Galatians 5:22-26 (NASB)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
+++++++++++++++++++
Christ lives in those who follow Him. Therefore this is a description of our character as God produces in us the life of Christ. We cannot boast, and we need not envy. God is doing it all!
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
+++++++++++++++++++
Christ lives in those who follow Him. Therefore this is a description of our character as God produces in us the life of Christ. We cannot boast, and we need not envy. God is doing it all!
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Saved by GRACE!
Titus 3:4-7 (NASB)
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 Whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
++++++++++++++
Indeed, it is by the grace of GOD that we are saved unto eternal life. And it is by His grace that we walk day by day through this world, before we move to the next!
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 Whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
++++++++++++++
Indeed, it is by the grace of GOD that we are saved unto eternal life. And it is by His grace that we walk day by day through this world, before we move to the next!
Monday, October 05, 2015
Trust in the LORD
Proverbs 3:3-6 (NASB)
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Saturday, October 03, 2015
God is at work!
Romans 8:28 (NASB)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
+++++++++++++
For followers of Jesus Christ, we can find comfort in the fact that God is always at work in our lives, regardless of the situation! To Him be glory!
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
+++++++++++++
For followers of Jesus Christ, we can find comfort in the fact that God is always at work in our lives, regardless of the situation! To Him be glory!
Thursday, October 01, 2015
Eternal Life!
I John 5:11-13 (NASB)
11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
++++++++++++++++
ETERNAL LIFE: You can know.
11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
++++++++++++++++
ETERNAL LIFE: You can know.
