tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38394596490066677372024-03-14T02:38:35.809-07:00Light of ScripturesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839459649006667737.post-63584819959927958002012-12-08T10:24:00.000-08:002012-12-08T10:28:18.292-08:00By Faith we shall stand!By faith we will conquer and overcome many obstacles in our way. By faith we will not lose hope for in us is something greater than us, greater than anything. By faith we have received God's free gift of salvation, we have become God's children and we will see his glory. By faith we can stand strong and we will not dare give up but by faith we will carry on and be part of his story. However, none of this can be done without faith. So therefore have faith! because it is through your faith you will be able to do amazing things even through your most difficult times. Yes! especially in your most difficult times, for in your darkest hour your light will shine brighter than ever before. Your faith in Christ will carry you through anything. But if you have no faith, what will become of you? Jesus said <span style="color: blue;">"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matt. 7:24-27)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">If you are weak, pray for strength! If you are foolish, pray for wisdom! If sin is creeping back into your life, repent and put on Jesus! If you are confused, pray for clarity! If you have been hurt, pray for healing and it will come. Who other than God can heal a broken heart? If envy and bitterness has found it's way in you, get rid of it and put on Jesus! Yes clothe yourselves in Christ and may his word serve as a shield against the enemy. Remember, by faith you can do all things. </span><span style="color: blue;"> "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matt. 19:26) </span><span style="color: black;">If you feel you lack anything in your spiritual walk with God, then </span><span style="color: blue;">"....he/she should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him/her." (James 1:5) </span><span style="color: black;">Have Faith!! Love and Peace to you all!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839459649006667737.post-59961729218461550382012-05-15T08:24:00.000-07:002012-05-15T08:24:21.455-07:00The Blessings Of Psalm 23<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">None can fathom the treasures of His word unless He chooses
to reveal it, for in His word exists springs of living water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His word is light and His word is life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us read the blessings of Psalm 23.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>1 “ The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Lord Jesus Christ is my shepherd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shall not want nothing more than to follow
Him, for if He is my shepherd then I am His sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I belong to Him and He belongs to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He makes me lie
down in green pastures”</strong> He brings me to brighter places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in my worse days, I am in a better place
when I am with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>2-3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“he leads me
beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong>He calms the storm in me and quiets my
soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heals the core of my heart and overwhelms
me with His perfect peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His word
always guides me in the right path and brings glory to His name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are
with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I live in the world in the midst of
darkness, I will fear no one for His light is in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Father, you bring me comfort through your
word and through your everlasting love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You prepare a
table before me in the presence of my enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong>You pour many blessings upon me for all to
see the goodness of your name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Furthermore, you generously pour your Holy Spirit upon your humble
servant, so much so I can barely contain it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>6. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Surely goodness
and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong>Now that I am one
with my Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ, the Lord’s goodness and His
love will also be with me for as long as I live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shall go to my Father’s house and He will
make His home my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At last, I shall
live with Him in peace covered in His love forever and ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Author’s note:</strong> The Lord has given me a greater appreciation
for this scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He inspired me to
write the blessings of Psalm 23. As I read each verse, His word spoke to me. May it be a blessing to you as it has been to me.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839459649006667737.post-13105058625118685152012-03-30T08:06:00.000-07:002012-03-30T08:06:08.565-07:00The gifts and the fruits of the Spirit<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let us first read about the gifts of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 Corinthians 12:4-11 reads <span style="color: #e36c0a; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nine spiritual gifts can be categorized under two major spiritual gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gift of truth, can also be referred to as the gift of knowing, given by the Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other is the gift of faith which beautifully displays God’s power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gift of truth are the gift of wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues for truth is revealed in every one of these gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gift of faith is first of all faith, then healing and miracles for faith is needed in every one of these gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From these two major spiritual gifts, God gives them as He pleases, in the quantity He wants to give and in the area that He wants to give. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us not be foolish and think that these gifts come from anywhere else, James 1:17 reads <span style="color: #e46c0a; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #E46C0A; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“every good and perfect gift is from above…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>He gives them for the soul purpose of doing good in His name, for His glory, uplifting the body of Christ (the people) and a sign to believers and unbelievers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, receiving the gift of the Spirit is not a sure sign of our salvation for Jesus says in Matthew 7:21-23 <span style="color: #e36c0a; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, ’Lord, <u>did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles</u>?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Away from me, you evildoers!’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(In other versions it might say ‘away from me you who break God’s laws.’)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us quickly examine this scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is basically telling us it is great they have shared the gifts that were given to them, however <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they have neglected what was more important “God’s will.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what is God’s will?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says in John 6:40 <span style="color: #e36c0a; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proper translation for this scripture according to the message of the gospel that is written in the New Testament is this; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who looks up to Jesus, surrendered their lives to him, believes in him and in his word, follows him and his word <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in <u>everything</u> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(in every area of his/her life) with humility and understanding will be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, God’s laws are exactly what Jesus came to teach us; not rules but more so the matter of the heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s laws are His commandments, however His commandments are not a list of rules as some may think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although a list is given, it is for our own benefit so that we may not be lost in our own path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His commandments points to our heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His commandments are God’s word speaking to our heart in order that we may examine our heart and see where sin has creeped in and be convicted by his word through the Holy Spirit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus answers a question in Matthew 22:36 <span style="color: #e36c0a; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the first and greatest commandment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If these two commandments are truly in your heart then your response will be undeniable and it will be evident in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again Jesus refers to the day that is coming in Matthew 25:31-46 <span style="color: #e36c0a; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>So you see, as great as it may be to have received spiritual gifts, one must not forget what matters most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are told in 1 Corinthians 12:31, 13:1-3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #e36c0a; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet I will show you the most excellent way ( In other vesions it may say ‘But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that <u>I may boast</u>, but do not have love, I gain nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Spiritual gifts are great gifts but one must first strive to receive the fruits of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fruits of the Spirit is listed in Galatians 5:22-26<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #e36c0a; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Against such things there is no law</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep with the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>In conclusion, blessed are all who share their spiritual gifts in the body of Christ for the glory of God and for the good of His people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many more blessings to those whose heart belongs to the Lord, and has allowed his/her heart to be circumcised (spiritually speaking), and transformed by the Holy Spirit, for such a heart is like a precious jewel in God’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you know, we were saved by faith to live in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, we were called by love to live in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is love?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #e36c0a; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“Love is patient, love is kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love never fails….And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the greatest of these is love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span> Blessings to you all!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/iqGUbwfE69Q?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839459649006667737.post-85398471646098777372011-09-12T08:53:00.000-07:002011-09-12T09:02:47.989-07:00Desperately Seeking Jesus: He is willing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-185QFY3CwCc/Tm4W-yK4KCI/AAAAAAAAAA4/cBYtKT1H1i4/s1600/joined+hands.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-185QFY3CwCc/Tm4W-yK4KCI/AAAAAAAAAA4/cBYtKT1H1i4/s320/joined+hands.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Surprisingly, many of us are too afraid to go to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may feel that we’re not good enough or we may be ashamed of the sins we’ve committed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how real those feelings may be, Jesus has proven time and time again that He is willing to forgive us and accept us, no matter who we are and no matter what we’ve done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many scriptures in the bible that reflects His love for us,<span style="color: blue;"> Luke 5:12-13 is one of many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reads “While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am willing,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us review this scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man was covered with leprosy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are covered in sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of his shame, brokenness and hopelessness he fell with his face to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We too must humble ourselves before Him and go to Him with our face to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He begged him. He pleaded his case even out of his shameful and hopeless state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We too must plead must plead our case to Him with a true and repentant heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, ‘Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, Lord, won’t you please have mercy on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cleanse me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take away everything that is keeping me from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the same way, we must say “Lord if you are willing, please forgive me of all my sins, cleanse me and make me a new creation in Christ.” Out of compassion for this poor man’s heartfelt plea, Jesus reached out, touched the man and cleaned him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we cry out to Him with a repentant heart we can be confident that He will have compassion on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Jesus said, ‘I am willing.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is willing to save you from your sins. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is willing to die for you so that whoever believes in Him may be saved, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="color: blue;">(John 3:16) 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'</span> </span>He is willing to love you just as you are, <span style="color: blue;">(John 15:13) Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is willing to forgive you,<span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: blue;">(Matt. 26:28) 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'</span> </span>He is willing to guide you in the right path, <span style="color: blue;">(John 14:6) 'I am the way and the truth and the life.'</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span> </span>He is willing to be your friend, <span style="color: blue;">(John 15:15) 'I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.'</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is willing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you willing to meet Him halfway with your face to the ground, pleading for your case?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you covered with sins that have not been brought out to Him yet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you ashamed of something you’ve done?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you feel broken and hopeless?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be willing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to Him and make your plea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Say, </span>“Lord, if you are willing you can make me clean. Forgive me for I have sinned.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus will reach out, touch you and say "Child, I am willing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be clean! You are forgiven.” Remember the story about the lost (prodigal) son, <span style="color: blue;">Luke 15:11-32.</span> In the same way the father received the son he thought he had lost, He will receive you. He will welcome you with open arms. He will say 'My beloved child, I have been waiting for you.' On that day you will surely be like the psalmist who had said,<span style="color: blue;"> "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord'--and you forgave my sin." (psalm 32:5). </span>Hallelujah, for we have a patient and merciful God. He is willing. How about you? God bless you all.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lightofscriptures.blogspot.com/">http://lightofscriptures.blogspot.com/</a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839459649006667737.post-32624133409764919252011-09-10T20:06:00.000-07:002011-09-12T07:14:13.974-07:00Desperately Seeking Jesus: Calling out to Him<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCq7LQ7oL-U/Tmwjc1vXlcI/AAAAAAAAAA0/G2hY6MNi0U4/s1600/phone.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCq7LQ7oL-U/Tmwjc1vXlcI/AAAAAAAAAA0/G2hY6MNi0U4/s320/phone.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you call out to Jesus when things go wrong in your life, or do you pick up the phone and call as many people as you can to tell them about your problems?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you run to a friend right away or do you get down on your knees and call out to Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes it’s true, good friends are good to have, but do you turn to them before turning to Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you run to whatever will make you feel better?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, do you run to a box of chocolate, or ice cream?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you fill yourself with comfort food or reach out for a bottle of wine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps you have tried drugs to numb the pain or have gone gambling hoping for a sum of money that may take your troubles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you have looked for someone other than your spouse to fade away your troubles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> When life gets tough,</span> do you run to whatever will make you feel better?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do we run to things that will only offer us temporary relief when the Lord promises hope, joy, love and healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not call out to the one who calls us to Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="color: blue;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue;">Jesus said,</span> <span style="color: blue;">“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt.11:28-30)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is waiting for your call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you called Him lately?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us read about the blind man who called out to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">Mark 10:46-52 reads, “As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On your feet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s calling you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>His faith rescued him because he called out and did not stop calling until the Lord answered him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the people around him told him to be quiet, he did not listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have people like that in your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They tell you that God will not save you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps they say ‘You make your own luck, or your own destiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe they mock you and your God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe they have pulled you away from God by suggesting other things that may make you feel better?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is the world pulling you away from God and discouraging you from calling out to Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have they convinced you that the problems you are facing in your life are hopeless?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the people around the blind man spoken in the bible told him to be quiet, HE SHOUTED ALL THE MORE!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus heard and saw his faith, He stopped and called him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will always be something or someone trying to pull you away from God and discouraging you from calling out to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the blind man spoken in the bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call out to Jesus ALL THE MORE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call out to Him until He hears you, stops for you, and answers you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a phone ringing from one end to the other, you can call out to Him and He will answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seek Him desperately without ever losing faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God bless you all. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/skzn7D9hasY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839459649006667737.post-19040346834014455772011-09-07T10:41:00.000-07:002011-09-07T10:41:59.550-07:00Desperately Seeking Jesus: Making Him First<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VirfGlZfLwo/TmeqDF4oN9I/AAAAAAAAAAk/mTJfha-VbXE/s1600/numberone1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VirfGlZfLwo/TmeqDF4oN9I/AAAAAAAAAAk/mTJfha-VbXE/s320/numberone1.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you value Jesus more than anything else in your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you make Him first?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it’s true that we all live busy lives, between work, school, projects, errands, family, basic daily activities, spouse/mate, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve become accustomed to our daily schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have somehow programmed ourselves to make certain things first in our daily lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been proven time and time again that your priorities say a lot about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your priorities say a lot about what is most important to you and what you value most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bible points to a very good example of this in <span style="color: blue;">Mark: 10:17-22.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why do you call me good?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No one is good—except God alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ “<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus looked at him and loved him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One thing you lack,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then come, follow me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this the man’s face fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went away sad, because he had great wealth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>How very sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, this also rings true for many of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although this young rich man did all he should do, Jesus spotted one thing he lacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That one thing was essential to his worship, because Jesus knew he worshipped that one thing more than Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could have been anything, but in this case his wealth was more valuable to him than anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With deep sorrow, the young man turned away from Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Jesus more valuable to you than anything else?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only we would seek Him desperately, we would make Him first in everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would make Him Lord of our pockets and Lord of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be Lord of our marriage and Lord of our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be Lord of everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would make Him first every morning through prayer and meditation of His word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would consult with Him in prayer and in everything we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would give thanks and praise Him for all blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would put His word first before our own judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would live by His word and teach others to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would follow Him without any hesitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us all seek Him desperately and make Him first. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> For w</span>e know that our worship is not in vain but it is for our own good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the young rich man left (spoken in the bible) Jesus had more to say concerning this matter. <span style="color: blue;">Mark 10:23-30 reads; Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Heaven awaits! God is calling us home. Are you making Him first in your life? </span>Let us learn this important lesson from the rich young man and let us make Jesus first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God bless you all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839459649006667737.post-24104228626287016442011-09-06T15:23:00.000-07:002011-09-06T15:24:54.798-07:00Desperately Seeking Jesus: Meeting Him<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04FpFNUG-dA/TmadTunFbnI/AAAAAAAAAAQ/KYF2ZDAByH4/s1600/path.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04FpFNUG-dA/TmadTunFbnI/AAAAAAAAAAQ/KYF2ZDAByH4/s320/path.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>Are you willing to go the extreme to be with Jesus? Going the extra mile is never easy, but are you willing to do just that for the One who gave up everything to save mankind. He gave up Heaven to live on earth, life for death, and comfort for pain. Are you seeking Him enough to go to the extreme? What would that look like exactly? Let's read about a man who went to the extreme for Jesus. <span style="color: blue;">In Mark 2:3-5 reads, Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." </span><span style="color: black;">This paralytic man truly went the extra mile to be with Jesus. Such faith is commendable, wouldn't you say? Without a doubt, Jesus was amazed at their faith. He was so taken by their act of faith he said, "Son, your sins are forgiven." As if to say "You believe in me that much!! Child, I am yours and you are mine." If you read further along you will see that not only did Jesus forgive his sins, He also healed him. How joyful for the one who sought Him so desperately. How much more joyful would it be if we sought Him so desperately. If only we were to seek Him with all our heart, we would go the extra mile to be with Jesus. We would repent from all of our sins, spend more time with Him through prayer, forgive others, receive His word fully, and we would follow Him all the way. Go to the extremes! Go the extral mile! Be with Jesus! May we all be like that paralytic man and seek Jesus desperately. God bless you all.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839459649006667737.post-55418383304491435512011-09-06T15:05:00.000-07:002011-09-06T18:52:37.668-07:00Desperately Seeking Jesus: Giving ourselves to Him<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00Hyrk78LnM/Tmah2QeTXJI/AAAAAAAAAAc/6MuxS81QEas/s1600/up+a+tree.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00Hyrk78LnM/Tmah2QeTXJI/AAAAAAAAAAc/6MuxS81QEas/s320/up+a+tree.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How much of ourselves do we give to the Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most of us, we give what we feel comfortable giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each day we wake up and we give all of our time and attention to the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, we only give maybe 10-20 minutes (if even) to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s worse, we’re o.k. with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if we gave more?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think God would notice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think He would be pleased?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s take a look at <span style="color: blue;">Mark 12:41-44.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many rich people threw in large amounts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, reading this you may think that this is about money, but quite the contrary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is about seeking Jesus so deeply that you are willing to give all of yourself and all that you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we give to the Lord with all of our heart even out of our poverty?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of us have very little time to ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much time are we willing to give to the Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What sacrifices would we be willing to make in order to give our time even out of our poverty?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many ways we can give to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only we were to seek Him with all of our heart, we would give more of ourselves, our time, our attention, our hearts, our everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord watched the widow give out of her poverty. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was amazed and He was pleased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He certainly noticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all be like that poor widow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of her poverty, she gave all that she had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you be willing to give all of yourself to the Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you be willing to give yourself to the Lord as a living sacrifice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we all surrender ourselves fully to the Lord and may we seek Jesus desperately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God bless you all.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839459649006667737.post-10268885643202982492011-09-05T17:42:00.000-07:002011-09-06T15:47:58.565-07:00Desperately Seeking Jesus: Reaching out to Him<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHJJt5ondro/TmaegcQma7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/AeIoeKyc7DE/s1600/hand+reaching+out.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PHJJt5ondro/TmaegcQma7I/AAAAAAAAAAU/AeIoeKyc7DE/s320/hand+reaching+out.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">How great is your need for Jesus? When was the last time you reached out to Him with faith? We say we believe, but do we really? Some of us have been misled and swayed to other things such as drugs, alcohol, sexual affairs and other harmful addictions. However, this is not so to those whose heart truly belong to God. Unfortunately for the most of us, it is only when we have reached rock bottom we truly seek Him and reach out to Him. Let's read about a woman who desperately reached out to Jesus. <span style="color: blue;">Mark 5:25-34 reads; A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?" But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." </span><span style="color: black;">How beautiful! How even more beautiful to the one who reached out desperately in need of Him with faith. If only we reached out and believed! If only we prayed and believed! If only we followed Him and believed! If only we surrendered and believed! What miracles would the Lord do through us! What testimonies would we have to give! What power and good works would He do through us! Oh, if only we reached out with such faith, we would undoubtedly live a victorious Christian life. May we all reach out to Him with great faith, desperately seeking Jesus. God bless you all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PH-snsXw1as?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0