Good ole John

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. [2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.]

1 John 3:1 [2]



- We're all one in Christ

Word of the day

...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

--Matthew 20:26-28



- We're all one body in Christ

Life's Report Card

If we make a parallel between all the religions of the world and school, all the worlds religions offer the way, the means, and the methods for getting an A. Sept one. Christianity. Jesus Christ is not just our way to good grades. He is our report card.


- We're all one in Christ

Back to the basics

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.


- We're all one in Christ

My Toolbox

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. --2 Chronicles 16:9


Psalm 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Matthew 6:33-34 NIV
[33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. --Psalm 55:22

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? --Romans 8:31-32

...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. --1 John 4:4

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. --James 1:4

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. --James 1:12

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. --John 14:2-3

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. --1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Revelation 21:4-7 NIV
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. --2 Timothy 1:7

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. --Joshua 1:9

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. --Isaiah 41:10

..."Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..." --Isaiah 43:1-3

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. --Psalm 118:5-8

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. --Psalm 86:11

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. --Psalm 37:23-24

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. --1 Timothy 1:15

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. --Philippians 1:21

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. --Lamentations 3:31-33

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. --Psalm 34:1-3

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. --Psalm 23:5-6

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. --Psalm 139:6-8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. --Ephesians 2:8-10

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! --Romans 5:9-10

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. --Psalm 79:9

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. --Romans 8:33-34

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. --Romans 8:35-37

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. --Psalm 9:9-10

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. --1 Corinthians 10:13

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. --Romans 8:28

Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. --Psalm 77:13-14



- We're all one in Christ

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. --Psalm 139:23-24

Spirit

It is the work of the Holy Spirit from the moment we are saved to take us from self-sufficiency to God-sufficiency, self reliant to God reliant.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.



- We're all one in Christ

Thank You Lord!

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”


Luke 10:21-24 NIV
21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”




- Have Hope! Revelation 21:1-5 -

Promises

1 John 5:18-19 NIV
[18] We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. [19] We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
"Protect us Lord!"




---
1 John 5:14-15 NIV
[14] This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. [15] And if we know that he hears us---whatever we ask---we know that we have what we asked of him.
"Please speak truth to us through your Spirit, guard our hearts, and multiply our faith"
- We're all one in Christ

Merciful God

My God has mercy on me. He knows that I came from dust.

Psalm 62:5-7 [8]
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. [Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.]


- We're all one in Christ

Watching and Waiting

Mark 13:33 (NIV)
Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come.
Every morning, as soon as my eyes open, I climb atop the wall. Because I know Him and miss Him walking through my city and encouraging my kids and those I love, I am Eagerly watching and waiting for his return. I know he is close because He told me before He left things to watch for that would signal His soon return. Besides the "signs of the times", the words that speak to me most and let me know that He is on his way are;
Luke 21:29-32 (NIV)
He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. [30] When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. [31] Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. [32] “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
The fig tree Jesus is speaking of is a reference to Israel. When he spoke these words over 2000 years ago, Israel was still a nation. So this parable probably confused the disciples. When Jesus stoke these words, the Jews had their temple and occupied Isreal.
About 40 years later, Rome would come to Jerusalem to squash a revolt and tear down the Jewish temple..
(See Luke 21:6 (NIV)
“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”)
... and disperse the Jews.
....
......
The rebirth of Israel as an independent nation in 1948 is one of the most significant events in world history. Never before has an entire race of people been without a homeland for so long without assimilating into surrounding populations.
In 1948, the Fig Tree was planted. Israel has been blossoming ever since!
Read this again..
Luke 21:29-32 (NIV)
He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. [30] When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. [31] Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. [32] “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Mark 13:28-30 says the same.
Wake up people! Our Lord is returning soon! Keep watch and be ready to welcome him. When he arrives there will be two groups, those who celebrate, and those who mourn. Which group will you be in?
- We're all one in Christ
- Have Hope! Revelation 21:1-5 -

Speechless.....almost

My Lord and my God!
Thank You! I.. am.. so.. sorry..! If I would have lived in Jesus' day, I pray that I would have recognized Him. But I know without the Holy Spirit, it is doubtful. Lord, thank you.... I love you and I try to follow you and thank and praise you daily for what you did, and that you didn't leave us at the cross, but came back to encourage us and let us know that we are forgiven, and that through Your Spirit, you walk with us daily and give us the strength and power to walk with You. I don't know how you made it to the finish, but I thank you. When I look at why You came, and how we treated you, and how you maintained to the end, I fall to my knees with thankfulness and humility. Thank You Lord Jesus is all I can say. Search my heart and know how grateful I am and how I want to know You more and more. I know that I walk in the Spirit that you sent to me. I ask you to reveal yourself to me day after day. You formed Adam from dust, I am Your clay. Mold me to the shape you want me to be. Make me more like you. Thank you Lord Jesus! Thank you!
Isaiah 52:13-15 NIV
[13] See, my servant will act wisely ; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. [14] Just as there were many who were appalled at him---his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness--- [15] so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Isaiah 53:1-12 NIV
[1] Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? [2] He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. [3] He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. [4] Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. [6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. [8] By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. [9] He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. [10] Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. [11] After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
- Have Hope! Revelation 21:1-5 -

Keeping Watch

Isaiah 17:1-3 NIV
[1] A prophecy against Damascus: “See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins. [2] The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid. [3] The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim, and royal power from Damascus; the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites,” declares the Lord Almighty.

Does that remind you of anything that 's going on in the world today?  Watchmen, head to the towers.

- Have Hope! Revelation 21:1-5 -

Luke 9:25

Luke 9:25 NIV
[25] What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?



- We're all one in Christ

Word for the day!

Acts 4:10-12 NIV
[10] … It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. [11] Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ [12] Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved .”



- We're all one in Christ

Satan's Judgment and his lie

The power of the Holy Spirit that was/is given to me, is GREATER than the power of Satan. Satan has No Power over us unless we give it to him! We are sealed in Christ Jesus and protected by his spirit. Satan will lie to us and tell us that we are defeated, and try to make us fear, but the power we have to resist him through the Holy Spirit is greater than his. Satan's power is limited, but the power of the Holy Spirit that lives with and within us is unlimited! It is the same power that spoke our universe into existence and raised Jesus from the dead. Those of us in Christ, belong to him. We are sealed an protected by His power.

Don't let Satan deceive you!


- We're all one in Christ

Keep watch

We would be negligent if we didn't study God's word and with diligence and decrement, watch for the things that he told us to be aware of and watch for.
(I don't currently have time to write all that I want to on this topic, but I have a lot on my heart on the subject that I want to talk about, and I figure that I need to start somewhere. I say that in case you are reading this, and it is ruff or incomplete. Please know it is a work in progress. It flows like it does because I probably made a note while in my morning commute. I am more worried about jotting down thoughts 'before I slam into the car in front of me ', I'll go back as I can and tidy things up. Please leave comments! I want to hear from you, whether you disagree or agree. I would love to use your comments and our dialogue in this section.)
---
John 16:2 (NIV)
...in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.

(Does this bring any middle-eastern religion to mind? Hint, sounds like fizbomb.)
---
- We're all one in Christ

Bless them Lord!

“Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breatha enter you, and you will come to life.

Ezekiel 37:4-5 (NIV)

- We're all one in Christ

Will of our Father

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


- We're all one in Christ

Prayer for America

Heavenly Father,

We come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good,," but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We confess:
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.
We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the Name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

(Pastor Joe Wright)


- Have Hope! Revelation 21:1-5 -

Just a thought

There is no trial, adversity, or loss that can compare to the hope that I have in The Lord my God!


- Have Hope! Revelation 21:1-5 -

He is Risen!!!!!

He is Risen!!!!!
Praise to God! Jesus is risen and Lord or all. Lord Jesus, let your Spirit fall like fire from heaven on your people. Thank you for your love and sacrifice. May all things on earth praise and bring glory to Your holy name today above all days!
- We're all one in Christ

Blessed

I am blessed! When I say blessed or blessing, my definition is that God is with me. He is in communion with my spirit (which is His Spirit) and He is physically helping me and physically changing my circumstances and removing obstacles from my (His) path as long as I am living within his will and trying to accomplish his goals.
This is amazing, and it is a true testament to his power and to the fact that He does care and He isn't a passive God. I wanted to write this down as a praise to my Lord and to remind anyone reading this to watch for the ways God blesses you and praise Him and give Him glory when He is working in our lives.
(Gotta run, I'm late for class)


- We're all one in Christ

Holiness

Holiness is to be set apart or uncommon, to be other than the "normal". God calls us all as his people to be holy because he is holy. Father God, thank you for your son Jesus Christ, who through your holy spirit, indwells in us. Through the process of sanctification, He makes us more like our Lord, Jesus the Christ. Over time He calls us to holiness and sets us apart for Himself. Through His Spirit, He helps us to be uncommon in this world and other than the "normal", to be holy for our sake, and for His glory.

Praise you God! Thank you for you Spirit, whom guides, teaches, comforts, and strengthens us until Your return.

NB

- We're all one in Christ

All Praise and Glory

ALL praise and glory belong to the One who Is and Was and Will be. Nothing good can be accomplished apart from His will and Spirit. The Lord has empowered me to be great at what I do, especially in the last few weeks. I wanted to make sure and publicly say that I do nothing in my own power or through myself, but I can only accomplish what my Lord and God does through me for His Glory.
Thank you an all glory and praise are Yours.
- We're all one in Christ

Spiritual Eyes

(inspired by something that happened to my wife this morning - 03/09/2013)


We're too cynical as a Christian people, we're too quick to dismiss or try to explain away acts of God. God is moving in our lives daily. Take a breath and realize it. Thank and praise him! We need to open our eyes, hearts, and mods to the spiritual world, that is our external destination and the home of our Lord and God.
Praise You God!!! May all we are and do glorify your name!

ἔρχου κύριε Ἰησοῦ

I am Redeemed! (not have been, but AM Redeemed)
*Pray to the Father.
*Through the Son.
*By the Spirit.
This IS Eternal Life!




Luke 10:23-24 (NIV)
Then he (Jesus) turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and hear what you hear but did not hear it."

- Have Hope! Revelation 21:1-5 -

ἔρχου κύριε Ἰησοῦ

ἔρχου κύριε Ἰησοῦ

The Greek is from Revelation and it means "Come, Lord Jesus"

Quotes that are important to me:
* "If you don't know where you're going, any road will do"

- We're all one in Christ
NB