Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but THE WORD OF OUR GOD ENDURES FOREVER.”
The BIBLE is:
LIGHT -- Psalm 119:105,
FIRE -- Jeremiah 23:29,
SEED -- Luke 8:11,
BREAD -- Dueteronomy 8:3,
MILK -- 1 Peter 2:2,
HONEY -- Psalms 19:7,
MEAT -- Hebrews 5:14,
GOLD -- Psalm 19:10,
SWORD -- Hebrews 4:12,
HAMMER -- Jeremiah 23:29,
Psalm 95 1. O COME, LET US SING TO THE LORD, LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION. 2. LET US COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH THANKSGIVING, AND MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO HIM, 3. For the LORD IS A GREAT GOD and great King above all gods. 4. In His hand are the depths of the earth; the peaks of the mountains are also His. 5. The sea is His, and He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.
6. O COME, LET US WORSHIP AND BOW DOWN; LET US KNEEL BEFORE THE LORD OUR MAKER, 7. For HE IS OUR GOD, AND WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF HIS PASTURE, and the sheep of His hand. TODAY, if you would but hearken to His voice: 8. “HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART AS IN REBELLION, as in the day of temptation in the wilderness, 9. When your fathers tempted Me, tried Me, even though they saw My work. 10. FOR FORT YEARS I WAS GRIEVED WITH THAT GENERATION, and said, ‘IT IS A PEOPLE WHO GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEARTS, AND THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN MY WAYS' 11. To whom I swore in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest.”
COME, LET US WORSHIP & BOW DOWN
OH, COME ALL YE FAITHFUL!
“A FAITHFUL MAN will abound with blessings.”
Proverbs 28:20
[OFFICIAL VIDEO] O Come, All Ye Faithful - Pentatonix
ASHAMED of who?
A family member?
A neighbor, A friend?
Yourself? Me?
The Gospel?
JESUS?
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Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
A
young soldier was in his bunkhouse all alone one Sunday morning. It
was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some
reason hadn't made a noise.
The young soldier knew it was
Sunday, the holiest day of the week. As he was sitting there, he got
out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.
Just
then an Army Sergeant came in and asked, "Why aren't you with
the rest of the platoon?"
The soldier replied, "I
thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord."
The
sergeant said, "Looks like you're going to play cards."
The
soldier said, "No sir, you see, since we are not allowed to have
Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk
to the Lord by studying this deck of cards."
The sergeant
asked in disbelief, "How will you do that?"
"You
see the Ace, Sergeant, it reminds that there is only one God.
The
Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New
Testaments.
The Three represents the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost.
The Four stands for the Four Apostles: Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John.
The Five is for the five virgins, there
were ten, but only five of them were glorified.
The Six is for
the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.
The
Seven is for the day God rested after working the six days.
The
Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and
their wives, in which God saved the eight people from the flood that
destroyed the earth for the first time.
The Nine is for the
lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten but nine never
thanked Him.
The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God
handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.
The Jack is a
reminder of Satan. One of God's first angels, but he got kicked out
of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the Joker of eternal
hell.
The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.
The King
stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.
When I
count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for
every day of the year.
There are a total of 52 cards in a
deck, each is a week, 52 weeks in a year.
The four suits
represents the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
Each
suit has thirteen cards, there are exactly thirteen weeks in a
quarter.
So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just
pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have
to be thankful for." The sergeant just stood there and
after a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he
said, "Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
A Domino Effect is defined as a cumulative effect that is produced when one event starts or initiates a sequence or succession of similar events. Dominos is a game that is believed to have originated in China as early as the 13th century. It consists of 28 pieces of oblong ivory that are plain on the back side, and have a face on the front side. The front side is divided by a black line in the middle, and is indented with dots. In modern times, it has become a popular game, and some people have used dominoes in the competitive play of standing them on end and beginning a toppling sequence that is very interesting to watch. Videos featuring the Domino Effect have replaced dominoes with objects and sequences that range from technical to outrageous.
Although the game might have its origin in China, the essence of a Domino Effect is rooted in the laws of God. It occurs in the chain reactions that God has woven in the way the universe responds to us. One of the most profound instances is in the Law of Reciprocity. This law dictates that giving equals receiving. Jesus Christ spoke of it in Luke 6:38 (NLT), where he said, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
The bible is full of examples of the effects of this law. One such case is in the Book of Ruth, where we can learn a lot about what it means to have a high caliber of manhood and womanhood. In this record, we have a mother-in-law, Naomi, who was widowed, and had also lost her two sons. This was an incredibly harsh situation for a woman to be in, because in those times a woman would be cared for and supported by her husband or her sons. She wasn’t allowed to be independent and call her own shots. If she found herself in the unenviable position of being without a husband or sons, she would most likely have a life of poverty and be dependent on the charity of others.
Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law, was well aware of the dire straits that Naomi faced, but still pledged her allegiance and promised to stick by her mother-in-law no matter what. In Ruth 1:16-17, she said, “16Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” This is a measure of loyalty that we rarely see in anyone. To know the difficult time that laid ahead, and to willingly submit yourself to it demonstrated the quality of commitment that was in Ruth.
Ephesians 3:20 tells us that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think. He is willing to go far above what we can imagine, but there’s a condition. He will do it according to the power that works in us. You and I are responsible for giving God something to work with. We have to create the space in which He can come in, expand, and bless. He’s in the business of multiplying and increasing us, and you and I determine the extent to which we will allow Him to move.
If we are the kind of people that skimp and only give a little bit, then a little bit is what we can expect to receive. In Ruth’s case, she pledged her devotion to Naomi to the point of incredible self-denial. Ruth was a young woman, still able to marry again. She had not birthed any children when she was married to Naomi’s son, and could still hope to do so in her next marriage. She put all of that aside, and instead put Naomi’s welfare above her own. This is the kind of sacrifice and character that gets God’s attention.
Throughout the Book of Ruth, we can see the Domino Effect of Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi. When she and Naomi left Moab and returned to Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem, The Book of Ruth, Chapter 2, verse 3(NLT) says, “So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law,” This was not a coincidence. This was God’s Domino Effect at work. He strategically positioned these individuals because Ruth demonstrated a quality that aligned her with a destiny far greater than she could have imagined.
Her level of commitment was matched by the quality of Boaz’s manhood. He had many opportunities where he might have taken advantage of a woman in Ruth’s position, but he dared not. He behaved honorably at all times, and ultimately made Ruth his wife.
Naomi and Ruth referred to Boaz as their family’s redeemer. This is what Jesus Christ is to us. He’s our Family Redeemer. Romans 8:29 (NLT) tells us, “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” When we give our lives to God through Jesus Christ, a Domino Effect of spiritual transformation begins. One right after the other, blessings chase us down as we experience the reality of Jesus and see the fingerprints of God’s love throughout our lives.
Ruth was a virtuous woman, the kind we should seek as a marital partner and mother of our children. Her commitment to honor God and her allegiance to Naomi created a Domino Effect of blessings that paved the way for the Messiah to enter the earth. Boaz was a great blessing to Ruth and Naomi, and before he made Ruth his wife, he made sure they had plenty of food. In other words, fellas, he demonstrated the caliber of his manhood by making sure Ruth was better off for having met him. Ruth’s loyalty and Boaz’s generosity are a few of the stellar qualities that we should strive to have, because they please Heavenly Father and will cause of Domino Effect of blessings to come our way.■
Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
They don't want what's in your heart and hands to give
mentally, physically, socially, or spiritually as you daily live.
They want to tell you just how much you shall drop
in the pot on the spot.
For there is only one entrance into the kingdom of heaven
Christ the Lord
not baked goods filled with a bunch of leaven!
Not Money that preachers dance to
Nor entertainment that musicians play
each time you enter the door as your feet touch their floor.
If you didn't come in by the Holy Spirit calling
Run - for you came in the wrong way
and you must not stay
for they are leading you astray!
If your entered a building that's all about
Nickels, Noises, and Numbers
you will eventually end up in a spiritual slumber!
Worn out -- completely drained
as you become buried under the world of work's pain
from all their demands and commands
that are not even God birthed plans.
FOLLOW JOY, HOPE, GRACE, AND FAITH
THEY ALL KNOW WHERE YOU NEED TO GO
TO FULFILL YOUR EMPTY SOUL.
FYI:
There is only one entrance gate to heaven (hint it's not works) it's JESUS -- the Living Word (according to John 1:1) the True source of all Godly wisdom. If we call our self a CHRISTIAN we must not be ashamed of complete gospel truths.
TRUTH is TRUTH! It does not matter if you believe it or not. Not believing it has nothing to do with the fact that it is TRUTH, and it therefore will not change it remaining being TRUTH just because you choose not to believe that it is TRUTH. Don't base TRUTH on what you or others think TRUTH is but on what scripture declares.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and THE TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Matthew 10: 5 Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them: “Do not go among the Gentiles, and do not go into a city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take gold, or silver, or [even] copper money in your money belt, 10 or a provision bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker deserves his support. 11 Whatever city or village you enter, ask who in it is worthy [who welcomes you and your message], and stay at his house until you leave [that city]. 12 As you go into the house, give it your greeting [that is, ‘Peace be to this house’]. 13 If [the family living in] the house is worthy [welcoming you and your message], give it your [blessing of] [e]peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God]. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14 Whoever does not welcome you, nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or city, [f]shake the dust[of it] off your feet [in contempt, breaking all ties]. 15 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of [g]Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city [since it rejected the Messiah’s messenger].
1 Timothy 4 A Good Minister’s Discipline
6 If you point out these instructions to the [brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished [through study] on the words of the faith and of the good [Christian] doctrine which you have closely followed.
7 But have nothing to do with irreverent folklore and silly myths. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit].
8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.
9 This is a faithful and trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance and approval.
10 It is for this that we labor and strive [often called to account], because we have fixed our [confident] hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe [in Him, recognize Him as the Son of God, and accept Him as Savior and Lord].
11 Keep commanding and teaching these things.
12 Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.
13 Until I come, devote yourself to public reading [of Scripture], to preaching and to teaching [the sound doctrine of God’s word].
14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, [that special endowment] which was intentionally bestowed on you [by the Holy Spirit] through prophetic utterance when the [c]elders laid their hands on you [at your ordination].
15 Practice and work hard on these things; be absorbed in them [completely occupied in your ministry], so that your progress will be evident to all.
16 Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
James 2:14-26 Amplified Bible (AMP) Faith and Works
14 What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.] 15 If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do? 17 So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].
18 But someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].” 19 You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]! 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish [spiritually shallow] person, that faith without [good] works is useless? 21 Was our father Abraham not [shown to be] justified by works [of obedience which expressed his faith] when he offered Isaac his son on the altar [as a sacrifice to God]? 22 You see that [his] faith was working together with his works, and as a result of the works, his faith was completed [reaching its maturity when he expressed his faith through obedience]. 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and this [faith] was credited to him [by God] as righteousness and as conformity to His will,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man (believer) is justified by works and not by faith alone [that is, by acts of obedience a born-again believer reveals his faith]. 25 In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works too, when she received the [Hebrew] spies as guests and protected them, and sent them away [to escape] by a different route? 26 For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead.
GOOD WORKS OR GOD WORKS
Hebrews 6:1-3
Therefore let us get past the elementary stage in the teachings about the Christ, advancing on to maturity and perfection and spiritual completeness, [doing this] without laying again a foundation of repentance from dead worksand of faith toward God,
2 of teaching about washings (ritual purifications), the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. [These are all important matters in which you should have been proficient long ago.]
3 And we will do this [that is, proceed to maturity], if God permits.
4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the powers of the age (world) to come,
6 and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace.
7 For soil that drinks the rain which often falls on it and produces crops useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God;
8 but if it persistently produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.
"Godly Works
The words work or works are translated from the Greek word ergon. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words defines ergon in the context of believers as “a deed, act” (pp. 683-684). Godly works are deeds or actions that God accepts. Such works are the result of faith and putting the 10 Commandments into action in our lives.
The book of James defines godly works, the deeds or actions God accepts, as obedience to His law as defined in the Scripture (James 1:21-27; 2:8-26). James specifically defines “works” as actions or deeds—and tells us to be a “doer of the work” (James 1:25). He clearly refers to godly works as living by the 10 Commandments and other godly principles as they are amplified throughout the Bible.
Jesus taught His disciples to set a good example by letting their lights shine before all men (Matthew 5:16). Their examples were defined as “good works,” that is, obedience to God’s law.
Paul expounds the concept of good works as the “fruit of the Spirit”—thoughts and actions that are opposite of the “works of the flesh.” These good works produced by God’s Spirit in us are “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Ungodly works
Ungodly works are actions that God does not accept. They are deeds that break His law.
Paul uses the term “works of the flesh” to define unacceptable works: “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like” (Galatians 5:19-21). These actions are the carnal thoughts and actions of the flesh.
Paul also uses the word works to correct those who believed they could be justified by their actions. Paul shows that obedience to ritual law or, for that matter, any law could not make them upright before God. Paul uses the phrase “works of the law” to describe such attitudes and actions. He explains that the only way to be justified (forgiven of sins so one may be upright before God) is by faith in the sacrifice of Christ. Only the blood of Christ can remove sins—obedience to law cannot do that. Dead works
Now that we understand how the word works is used in the New Testament, we can analyze the expression “dead works.”
Clark’s Commentary defines dead works as “such works as deserve death—works of those who were dead in trespasses, and dead in sins, and dead by sentence of the law, because they had by these works broken the law” (emphasis added).
This comment agrees with Paul’s statement in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” The apostle John defines sin: “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Sin is breaking God’s 10 Commandments and the penalty is everlasting death if the sinner refuses to repent of the sins.
Other versions of the Bible translate “repentance from dead works” in other ways, such as “repentance from acts that lead to death” (New International Version) and “repentance from the deeds which led to death” (J.B. Phillips New Testament).
Repentance from dead works is ongoing
Every human being, excluding Jesus Christ, has sinned. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The apostle John warns Christians: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10).
Therefore, due to sin, everyone has “dead works” that must be repented of and forgiven by God. Dead works (ineffectual and vain works) preceded conversion. Works that lead to death must be continually repented of and overcome after conversion."
Repentance From Dead Works
by Don Waterhouse
“Repentance from dead works” is listed as a fundamental doctrine in the New Testament. What are “dead works”? Must we repent of those works today?
Bill Johnson - The Resting Place - VERY POWERFUL MESSAGE
"Traditional Works
Now before I get started I don’t want to imply that I’m disregarding the traditional view of works. There are things we do that are destructive to ourselves and those around us. These things are certainly not life giving by any means. And there are things we do that are obviously good because they lift up others and edify people as well.
This is how most people view works if you ask them about it, whether they are believers or not. I’m not saying this view is wrong. Rather I think it’s missing something crucial. Dead Works
In the Bible the phrase “dead works” is only found in the book of Hebrews.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.— Hebrews 6:1-3
Repentance from dead works is a foundational thing. Repentance means to change the way we think. We need to change the way we think about dead works.
From the outside looking in we can’t tell the difference between dead works and good works. They can look very much the same outwardly. They can be the same works, but they have different motives.
Praying can be a dead or good work.
Attending church can be a dead or good work.
Reading the Bible can be a dead or good work.
Telling others about Jesus can be a dead or good work.
That’s why Jesus said:
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’— Matthew 7:22-23
Prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles in the name of Jesus are all outwardly good things. But Jesus will reject “many” who do those things. Why? Because their hearts are wrong. These people have the wrong motivations for the things they do.
Dead works – Any attempt to find favor, earn acceptance or be made righteous before God by one’s own effort, ability or willpower.
Religion puts the emphasis on doing right. In contrast, Jesus and the apostles put the emphasis on believing right, because when we believe right we will naturally do right as a consequence.
If we can’t tell outwardly, then how do we know what a good work is?
A good work is when we do the will of God as a response to his love, mercy and our new identity of righteousness in Jesus Christ. In our New Covenant with God, grace is the ruling factor.
Grace and truth have come to us through Jesus. (John 1:17) Truth is the law. And the problem with the law is our flesh, our fallen nature.
Grace – Godly ability, the divine influence which works in the heart of man making him able. It is God’s perfect provision for man’s every need.
It takes both truth and grace for good works. We need truth to know what the action of good works are. And we also need grace in order to have the proper motivation for good works.
The term “fallen from grace” doesn’t mean that someone has fallen from sin. Rather it means they no longer have access to God’s ability in them. They have left grace and are fixated on truth alone, and are trying to do good works in their own ability.
"Twice in Paul’s epistles he refers to “dead works”. In Hebrews 6:1 he writes about “repentance from dead works”, while in Hebrews 9:14 he declares that the blood of Christ avails to “purge the conscience from dead works to serve the living God”.
Mark well, these references are not to wicked works but to dead works. These “dead works” are the so-called “good works” (whether moral or ceremonial) which men did — and still do — to make themselves acceptable to God. They are “dead” because they are not the product of regeneration or spiritual life, but the mere attempt on the part of unregenerate sinners to justify themselves before God.
Paul himself, once zealously religious, but wholly unsaved, had to repudiate his “dead works” and count them “loss” to find salvation in Christ, through whom alone he could produce good works which God could accept. (See Philippians 3:4-9).
This is why he later declared by divine inspiration: “For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast, for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…” (Eph.2:8-10).
“Dead works” are not only unacceptable to God, but an evil substitute for the faith He desires, “for without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb.11:6). But “he that believeth on the Son of God hath life” and this life is bound to bear fruit— the good works with which God is truly pleased.
The difference between the “good works” of the unregenerate man and the “good works” of a true believer, then, is that the former are “dead works” while the latter are the precious fruit of life possessed.
No man can please God while he denies the truth of His Word or rejects His Son, so graciously given to die on the cross as our Saviour. To try to win His favor by “good works” while rejecting Christ is like sending a gift to a man whose beloved son you spurn and despise.
“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hands. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:35,36)."
Ezekiel 34 Amplified Bible (AMP) Prophecy against the Shepherds of Israel
34 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, the [spiritual] shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Woe (judgment is coming) to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? 3 You eat the fat [the choicest of meat], and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the best of the livestock, but you do not feed the flock. 4 You have not strengthened those who are weak, you have not healed the sick, you have not bandaged the crippled, you have not brought back those gone astray, you have not looked for the lost; but you have ruled them with force and violence. 5 They were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the predators of the field. 6 My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the face of the earth and no one searched or sought them.”’”
7 Therefore, you [spiritual] shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 “As I live,” says the Lord God, “certainly because My flock has become prey, My flock has even become food for every predator of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but ratherthe shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; 9 therefore, you [spiritual] shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My flock from them and make them stop tending the flock, so that the shepherds cannot feed themselves anymore. I will rescue My flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.”’”
The Restoration of Israel
11 For thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd cares for his sheep on the day that he is among his scattered flock, so I will care for My sheep; and I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries and bring them to their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the streams, and in all the inhabited places of the land. 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and their grazing ground will be on the mountain heights of Israel. There they will lie down on good grazing ground and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed My flock and I will let them lie down [to rest],” says the Lord God. 16 “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bandage the crippled, and strengthen the weak and the sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong [who have become hard-hearted and perverse]. I will feed them with judgment and punishment.
17 “And as for you, My flock, thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats [between the righteous and the unrighteous]. 18 Is it too little a thing for you that you [unrighteous ones who are well-fed] feed in the best pasture, yet you must trample down with your feet [of wickedness] the rest of your pastures? Or that you drink clear [still] water, yet you must muddy with your feet [of wickedness] the rest [of the water]? 19 As for My flock (the righteous), they must feed on what you trample with your feet and drink what you muddy with your feet!’”
20 Therefore thus says the Lord God to them, “Behold, I Myself will judge between the [well-fed] fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and gore with your horns all those that have become weak and sick until you have scattered them away, 22 therefore, I will rescue My flock, and they shall no longer be prey; and I will judge between one sheep [ungodly] and another [godly].
23 “Then I will appoint over them one shepherd and he will feed them, [a ruler like] My servant David; he will feed them and be their shepherd.24 And I the Lord will be their God, and My servant David will be a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken.
25 “I will make a covenant of peace with them and will eliminate the predatory animals from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep [safely] in the woods. 26 I will make them and the places around My hill (Jerusalem, Zion) a blessing. And I will make showers come down in their season; there will be [abundant] showers of blessing (divine favor). 27 Also the tree of the field will yield its fruit and the earth will yield its produce; and My people will be secure on their land. Then they will know [with confidence] that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and have rescued them from the hand of those who made them slaves. 28 They will no longer be prey to the nations, and the predators of the earth will not devour them; but they will live safely, and no one will make them afraid [in the day of the Messiah’s reign]. 29 I will prepare for them a place renowned for planting [crops], and they will not again be victims of famine in the land, and they will not endure the insults of the nations any longer. 30 Then they will know [with assurance] that I the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God. 31 “As for you, My flock, the flock of My pasture, you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God.
Satirical Rephrasing of Mathew 25: 31-46 "I was famished and you formed a humanitarian club to discuss my hunger. I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your church to pray for my release. I was naked and you debated the morality of my unseemly appearance. I was sick and you knew it, yet did nothing but thank God for your own health. I was homeless and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God. I was lonely and you left me by myself while you went and prayed for me. You seemed so holy, so close to God; but I'm still very hungry, desolate, and cold!"
Matthew 25:31-46 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The Judgment
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory and majesty and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him [for judgment]; and He will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right [the place of honor], and the goats on His left [the place of rejection].
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 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; 36 I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me [with help and ministering care]; I was in prison, and you came to Me [ignoring personal danger].’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’
41 “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Leave Me, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (demons); 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me [with help and ministering care].’ 44 Then they also [in their turn] will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will reply to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these [my followers], you did not do it for Me.’ 46 Then these [unbelieving people] will go away into eternal (unending) punishment, but those who are righteous and in right standing with God [will go, by His remarkable grace] into eternal (unending) life.”
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Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
IMMANUEL - Emmanuel Some 2000 years ago another infant boy was was named in an unusual way. A young Jewish maiden was visited by the angel Gabriel who told her that she would conceived and have a baby and he would be named Jesus for he would save his people. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua which means "Jehovah saves." Just as the Old Testament Joshua led believers into the promised land of Canaan, so Jesus would lead followers into the promised land of salvation and life eternal. Another angel later appeared to frightened shepherd to reassure them and to bring tidings of GREAT JOY "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) Christ is the Greek word meaning "the anointed one" which speaks of Jesus' priestly role. As priest Jesus is the mediator between God and man. Old Testament priests provided the link that transcended the vacuum between a holy God and sinful man. Names are important to us. Everyone loves to hear their own name, but there is ONE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES - JESUS CHRIST. During this season allow that sweet name to minister the promise and hope to your spirit.
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “GOD WITH US.” Matthew 1:23
In Western Christianity, Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day, or the Sunday which falls closest to November 30. The season of Advent lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24. When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, it is the last or fourth Sunday of Advent.
In Eastern Orthodox churches, which use the Julian calendar, Advent begins earlier, on November 15, and lasts 40 days, rather than 4 weeks.
Advent Calendar Dates for 2019
December 1 - First Sunday of Advent December 8 - Second Sunday of Advent December 15 - Third Sunday of Advent December 22 - Fourth Sunday of Advent For denominations that celebrate Advent, the holiday marks the beginning of the church's liturgical year. Advent is primarily observed in churches that adhere to an ecclesiastical calendar of liturgical seasons, feasts, memorials, fasts, and holy days. Those churches include Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican / Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian.
The season of Advent is a period of both repentance and celebration. Christians spend time in spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Believers remember not only Christ's first coming to earth as a human baby, but also celebrate his continued presence with us today through the Holy Spirit.
Advent is also a time for worshipers to anticipate his return at the Second Coming of Christ.
The word "advent" comes from the Latin term "adventus" which means "arrival" or "coming," particularly the arrival of something or someone of great significance.
The lighting of an Advent Wreath is a traditional custom that originated in 16th-century Germany.
On the branches of the wreath are four candles: three purple and one pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white candle.
On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple (or violet) candle is lit. This is called the "Prophecy Candle" and recalls the prophets, particularly Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ. It represents hope or expectation of the coming Messiah.
Each Sunday following, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle, called the "Bethlehem Candle," is lit. This candle represents love and symbolizes Christ's manger.
On the third Sunday of Advent, the pink (or rose) candle is lit. This Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word meaning "rejoice." The change from purple to pink signifies the transition in season from repentance to celebration. The pink candle is called the "Shepherds Candle" and represents joy.
The last purple candle is called the "Angels Candle," It is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent and represents peace.
Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, the white center candle is lit. This "Christ Candle" represents the life of Jesus Christ that has come to light the world. It represents purity.
The Angels Cried - Alan Jackson
Let not our HEARTS be busy inns, that have no room for thee,
but cradles for the living CHRIST and his NATIVITY.
Mercyme-God with us
God Is With Us Amy Grant
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CHRISTMAS – Cannot be contained -- I think it is really a gift I get all year round; each time I see someone I love and get their hug, each time I eat a special treat, each time I'm given an opportunity to gift someone in need, each time some one reaches out to me in my grief or sorrow, each time a memory pops into my head, each time I see the beauty in nature, each time I attend church, each time all the bills are paid in full, each time there is a knock at my door, each time I get a phone call, each time a stranger smiles, each time my grandchildren come for a sleep-over, each time I picnic on the beach with my husband, – on and on my list could go for LIFE TRULY IS THE GREATEST GIFT I KNOW so I unwrap it gratefully a bit each day in my work and in my play.
Boney M Feliz Navidad
CARDS – I love hearing from friends and family and the beauty of each card and the loving words written within. CANDY – Candy is the savored and through the years I've truly enjoyed making holiday treats to share and I always remember who gave each special recipe to me. SNOW – I really don't like icy roads or cold days, but I amazingly do love the sparkle of white snow on a sunny winter's day or on a moon lit night. SANTA – The secret part of Christmas that he brings – Giving is just such an enchanting magical thing. SONGS – Christmas music blesses my heart like no others sounds I hear – so pure and peaceful to my ear. MEMORIES – Old times, Old rituals, Old customs, Old friends, all take my mind back through the years sometimes with joy – sometimes with tears. GIFTS – The joy of watching children unwrap anything with awe and appreciation. COLOR – I love the decorations in the stores & homes being so bright, cheery, and colorful. FRIENDS – The faith, the hopes, the fellowship, and the encouragement their time and inspirations brings to me. FAMILY – Indescribable! I love each unique one so extremely much it brings me to tears when I think of my blessed life with them through many wonderful years; be they near or far away they are ever dear to me. JESUS – Nativity sets are everywhere in homes, churches, and in business. They are a beautiful reminder of the one who was once was a baby child who then became a man who so greatly loved (in spite of all our sins). Jesus set forth an eternal plan for life eternal with him as savior and king – He is the answer to everything be it a mental, physical, social, or spiritual need.
Christmas The only time of the year in which one can sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of socks.
CHRISTMAS CASUALTY It was almost evening of the day after Christmas, and the night watchman of a large department store was setting out on his usual rounds. Floor after floor presented the same wild disorder. Piles of mixed up goods, boxes, and cartons of all shapes and sizes uncovered and tipped indeed a miniature cyclone could not have left a worse jumble behind.
But a bigger shock awaited the watchman when under one of the counters he found a man who apparently have been PUSHED ASIDE AND TRAMPLED IN THE MAD RUSH of shoppers on Christmas Eve.
THE MAN WAS AN ABSOLUTE STRANGER, AND NO ITEM OF HIS CLOTHING PROVIDED A SINGLE CLUE OF HIS IDENTITY. BUT WHEN HIS BODY WAS EXAMINED FOR MARKINGS, NAIL PRINTS WERE FOUND IN THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS.
The
miracle GIFT of this one birth
Brings
mankind together
In
Spirit and Truth
While
the price of the Cross
Becomes
the Eternal Promise
Of
Hope for those who Believe
Their
souls shall not be Lost.
BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT less attitude more gratitude
The gifts I would leave for you The gifts I'd leave beneath your tree, Aren't those that you can touch or see, Not wrapped in Christmas tissue gay But gifts to bless you every day. The gift of friendship warm and true, Is one that I would leave for you Good health and happiness and cheer To keep you smiling through the year. The gift of peace that comes from God, With prayer to guide each path you trod And when your heart has lost it's song The gift of hope to cheer you on. These are the gifts I'd leave for you. To bring you joy your whole life through. by Kay Hoffman
HIS KINGDOM SHALL HAVE NO END
Luke 1: 33
LIFT UP THINE EYES
Psalm 121
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
The angel said unto them, “FEAR NOT; for behold, I bring you GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY which will be TO ALL PEOPLE. Luke 2: 10
JOY is not feeling sad or happy – Neither is it getting what you want. JOY describes our connection with God. No other emotion can take that away from us. JOY runs deeper than the emotional rivers of happy or sad. JOY is the vast ocean where all rivers flow.
MAY YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF FAITH THE BLESSING OF ETERNAL HOPE THE PEACE OF HIS LOVE AND JOY OVERFLOWING
MERRY CHRISTMAS
The kid in the manger
is out of the straw,
He's a ruling King
who guides us from afar,
One day he will Come
Quickly like a twinkling Star.
The
shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a
symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus.
The
red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ.
The
white leaves represent his purity.
The
Legend of the Poinsettia
The
legend of the poinsettia comes from Mexico. It tells of a girl named
Maria and her little brother Pablo. They were very poor but always
looked forward to the Christmas festival. Each year a large manger
scene was set up in the village church, and the days before
Christmas were filled with parades and parties. The two children
loved Christmas, but were always saddened because they had no money
to buy presents. They especially wished that they could give
something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they had nothing.
One
Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the
service. On their way they picked some weeds growing along the
roadside and decided to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in
the manger scene. Of course they were teased by other children when
they arrived with their gift, but they said nothing for they knew
they had given what they could. Maria and Pablo began placing the
green plants around the manger and miraculously, the green top
leaves turned into bright red petals, and soon the manger was
surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers and so we see them today.
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Disclosure: Much of what is in my posts are things I have compiled through the years and I do not know if they have copyrights. What I do know about origin or website I give credit and have tried to always post a link to the origin. I do not market anything in any way on this blog -- I merely hope it will encourage and inspire others.
