God Is Like Jesus
If you want to know what the unseen Almighty God is like --
look at Jesus Christ in the pages of the New Testament.
Everything Jesus said and everything Jesus did was the exact
will of God -- and perfectly revealed God to us.
JOHN 1:18 TEV
18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as
God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
COLOSSIANS 2:9 PHILLIPS
9 Yet it is in him that God gives a full and complete
expression of himself in bodily form.
Don't be satisfied listening to what someone else believes God
is like -- read the New Testament and see for yourself. Watch
Jesus of Nazareth in action and know that everything He did
perfectly pleased the Father God and perfectly revealed the
Father God.
JOHN 14:7-9,11 NKJ
7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also;
and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."
8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is
sufficient for us."
9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you
have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the
Father; so how can you say, `Show us the Father'?
11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or
else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
JOHN 12:44-45 NKJ
44 . . .Jesus. . .said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in
Me but in Him who sent Me.
45 "And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
SAY THIS: Jesus fully and completely reveals God to me.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Focus
"The great majority of the Christian world is still weeping at the foot of the cross. The consciousness of man is fixed on the Christ Who died, not the Christ Who LIVES. They are looking back to the Redeemer Who was, not the redeemer who IS." - John G. Lake
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Jesus revealed God to us - from the www.churchforall.org
Jesus Revealed God To Us
2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 ICB
4 The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those
who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News
-- the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like
God.
What is God like?
Before Jesus of Nazareth came on the scene, the human concept
of God was a bit fuzzy. (It still is for those who have not
understood this truth.)
But Jesus perfectly revealed to us what God is like. He was
(and is) Heaven's perfect representative.
COLOSSIANS 1:15 ICB
15 No one has seen God, but Jesus is exactly like him. Christ
ranks higher than all the things that have been made.
COLOSSIANS 1:15 WEYMOUTH
15 Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God,
the Firstborn and Lord of all creation.
HEBREWS 1:3 WEYMOUTH
3 He brightly reflects God's glory and is the exact
representation of His being, and upholds the universe by His
all-powerful word. After securing man's purification from sin
He took His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
The scriptures above should have made it clear that God is like
Jesus. Now let's look at a verse summarizing the life of Jesus
on earth.
ACTS 10:38 NKJ
38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Notice that Jesus went about DOING GOOD -- not doing bad. Not
hurting people, but helping people. That is what God is like.
SAY THIS: God is good and likes to help people.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 ICB
4 The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those
who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News
-- the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like
God.
What is God like?
Before Jesus of Nazareth came on the scene, the human concept
of God was a bit fuzzy. (It still is for those who have not
understood this truth.)
But Jesus perfectly revealed to us what God is like. He was
(and is) Heaven's perfect representative.
COLOSSIANS 1:15 ICB
15 No one has seen God, but Jesus is exactly like him. Christ
ranks higher than all the things that have been made.
COLOSSIANS 1:15 WEYMOUTH
15 Christ is the visible representation of the invisible God,
the Firstborn and Lord of all creation.
HEBREWS 1:3 WEYMOUTH
3 He brightly reflects God's glory and is the exact
representation of His being, and upholds the universe by His
all-powerful word. After securing man's purification from sin
He took His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
The scriptures above should have made it clear that God is like
Jesus. Now let's look at a verse summarizing the life of Jesus
on earth.
ACTS 10:38 NKJ
38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and
with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Notice that Jesus went about DOING GOOD -- not doing bad. Not
hurting people, but helping people. That is what God is like.
SAY THIS: God is good and likes to help people.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
From the www.churchforall.org
Words Bring Success
JOSHUA 1:8 NKJ
8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but
you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to
do according to all that is written in it. For then you will
make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
God's Word never changes. What God promised would work for
Joshua will work for you, also. The problem with most of us is
that we are just too busy to put God's Word first like we
should. But we are not too busy to work trying to get ahead.
Explain that.
God never lies. Follow His instructions given above and you
WILL have prosperity and good success. Maybe not in 10 minutes.
Maybe not even for 10 years. But you will. God promises it.
Notice that Joshua 1:8 does not just say to think about God's
Word. No -- the Word must continually be in your mouth! Words!
1 PETER 3:10 NKJ
10 For "He who would love life and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile;
Speaking and thinking in line with God's Word will cause you to
prosper and succeed. If you would like to see good days, the
Bible admonishes you to watch your words!
Never confess defeat. Confessing Jesus as Lord of every
situation brings glory to God.
SAY THIS: I will keep God's Word in my thoughts and in my
mouth. Then I will have good success in life.
JOSHUA 1:8 NKJ
8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but
you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to
do according to all that is written in it. For then you will
make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
God's Word never changes. What God promised would work for
Joshua will work for you, also. The problem with most of us is
that we are just too busy to put God's Word first like we
should. But we are not too busy to work trying to get ahead.
Explain that.
God never lies. Follow His instructions given above and you
WILL have prosperity and good success. Maybe not in 10 minutes.
Maybe not even for 10 years. But you will. God promises it.
Notice that Joshua 1:8 does not just say to think about God's
Word. No -- the Word must continually be in your mouth! Words!
1 PETER 3:10 NKJ
10 For "He who would love life and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking guile;
Speaking and thinking in line with God's Word will cause you to
prosper and succeed. If you would like to see good days, the
Bible admonishes you to watch your words!
Never confess defeat. Confessing Jesus as Lord of every
situation brings glory to God.
SAY THIS: I will keep God's Word in my thoughts and in my
mouth. Then I will have good success in life.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
From the www.churchforall.org
The Difference Between Jesus and The Devil
John 10:10 NIV
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have
come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
There is a stark contrast between the Lord Jesus Christ and the
devil.
Jesus is for you. He loves you and desires the best for you. He
loves you even more than He loves Himself. He proved it by
dying in your place. His desire is for you to have life in its
fullness -- life as God planned it to be -- both now and for
all eternity.
The devil is the opposite of Jesus. The devil is against you
and is always trying to steal from you, kill you, and destroy
everything that is good. The devil is selfish and does not care
about you or anyone else but himself.
Can you trust the devil? Yes . . . to be the devil. You can
depend on him lying and trying to always deceive you. The
purpose of this deception is always to draw you away from God
and His Word because that is your only source of help and
deliverance from the devil's strategies -- which are stealing,
killing, and destroying.
Can you trust Jesus? The answer should be obvious. Anyone who
cares for you enough to die in your place, suffering for you,
so you won't have to suffer, is trustworthy. Jesus promised to
never forsake you. He will never quit loving you and trying to
help you.
The trouble is, too many people hinder Jesus from helping them.
They believe and follow what the devil says, and turn away from
Jesus and the Word of God.
You need to invite and welcome Jesus Christ into your life --
in every area. He wants to help you, but will not force His
help on you. If you don't -- the devil may get into those areas
of your life and wreak havoc.
SAY THIS: God is a good God and the devil is a bad devil.
John 10:10 NIV
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have
come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
There is a stark contrast between the Lord Jesus Christ and the
devil.
Jesus is for you. He loves you and desires the best for you. He
loves you even more than He loves Himself. He proved it by
dying in your place. His desire is for you to have life in its
fullness -- life as God planned it to be -- both now and for
all eternity.
The devil is the opposite of Jesus. The devil is against you
and is always trying to steal from you, kill you, and destroy
everything that is good. The devil is selfish and does not care
about you or anyone else but himself.
Can you trust the devil? Yes . . . to be the devil. You can
depend on him lying and trying to always deceive you. The
purpose of this deception is always to draw you away from God
and His Word because that is your only source of help and
deliverance from the devil's strategies -- which are stealing,
killing, and destroying.
Can you trust Jesus? The answer should be obvious. Anyone who
cares for you enough to die in your place, suffering for you,
so you won't have to suffer, is trustworthy. Jesus promised to
never forsake you. He will never quit loving you and trying to
help you.
The trouble is, too many people hinder Jesus from helping them.
They believe and follow what the devil says, and turn away from
Jesus and the Word of God.
You need to invite and welcome Jesus Christ into your life --
in every area. He wants to help you, but will not force His
help on you. If you don't -- the devil may get into those areas
of your life and wreak havoc.
SAY THIS: God is a good God and the devil is a bad devil.
Monday, March 22, 2010
From a Smith Wiglesworth Devotional
God-.-.-.-cause his face to shine upon us .‑.‑.‑That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. —Psalm 67:1–2
Some people talk about God being pleased to put disease on His children. "Here is a person I love," says God. "I will break his arm. In order that he should love me more, I will break his leg. In order that he should love me still more, I will give him a weak heart. And in order to increase that love, I will make him so that he cannot eat anything without having indigestion."
The whole thing won't stand daylight. Is it right now to say, "You know, my brother, I have suffered so much in this affliction that it has made me know God better"? Well, now, before you get up, ask God for a lot more affliction, so you will get to know Him better still. If you won't ask for more affliction to make you purer still, I won't believe that the first affliction made you purer; because if it had, you would have more faith in it. It appears you haven't faith in your afflictions. Language doesn't count unless it works out a fact. But if the people can see that your language is working out a fact, then they have some grounds for believing in it.
I have looked through my Bible, and I cannot find where God brings disease and sickness.
It isn't God at all, but the devil that brings sickness and disease.
In Jesus' name, I rebuke disease and sickness.
Lord God, You are the Great Physician.
I declare healing in Your
mighty name. Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26507-god-doesnt-bring-disease#ixzz0iu2sp9ZA
Some people talk about God being pleased to put disease on His children. "Here is a person I love," says God. "I will break his arm. In order that he should love me more, I will break his leg. In order that he should love me still more, I will give him a weak heart. And in order to increase that love, I will make him so that he cannot eat anything without having indigestion."
The whole thing won't stand daylight. Is it right now to say, "You know, my brother, I have suffered so much in this affliction that it has made me know God better"? Well, now, before you get up, ask God for a lot more affliction, so you will get to know Him better still. If you won't ask for more affliction to make you purer still, I won't believe that the first affliction made you purer; because if it had, you would have more faith in it. It appears you haven't faith in your afflictions. Language doesn't count unless it works out a fact. But if the people can see that your language is working out a fact, then they have some grounds for believing in it.
I have looked through my Bible, and I cannot find where God brings disease and sickness.
It isn't God at all, but the devil that brings sickness and disease.
In Jesus' name, I rebuke disease and sickness.
Lord God, You are the Great Physician.
I declare healing in Your
mighty name. Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26507-god-doesnt-bring-disease#ixzz0iu2sp9ZA
From the www.churchforall.org
You Are Righteous In Christ
ROMANS 5:1,9 YLT
1 Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace
toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
9 much more, then, having been declared righteous now in his
blood, we shall be saved through him from the wrath;
Not much preaching has been done telling believers they are
righteous. But the Bible clearly teaches it. It becomes even
clearer when you realize that often the same word that is
translated "righteous or made righteous" is instead translated
"just or justified."
(The Bible is full of rich truths, but they are not always on
the surface. It can take a little digging and study to realize
the riches available to you.)
"But I thought the Bible said there is no one righteous,"
someone may say.
Yes, it does say that in Romans 3:10, but it is quoting an Old
Testament passage to prove that both Jews and Gentiles were
guilty before God and needed salvation. It immediately goes on
to say in the next few verses (see below) that now we can be
righteous through faith in Jesus Christ.
ROMANS 3:21-22 NKJ
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is
revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God which is through faith in
Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. For there is no
difference;
ROMANS 3:24 YLT
24 being declared righteous freely by His grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
SAY THIS: Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I am
righteous before God.
ROMANS 5:1,9 YLT
1 Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace
toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
9 much more, then, having been declared righteous now in his
blood, we shall be saved through him from the wrath;
Not much preaching has been done telling believers they are
righteous. But the Bible clearly teaches it. It becomes even
clearer when you realize that often the same word that is
translated "righteous or made righteous" is instead translated
"just or justified."
(The Bible is full of rich truths, but they are not always on
the surface. It can take a little digging and study to realize
the riches available to you.)
"But I thought the Bible said there is no one righteous,"
someone may say.
Yes, it does say that in Romans 3:10, but it is quoting an Old
Testament passage to prove that both Jews and Gentiles were
guilty before God and needed salvation. It immediately goes on
to say in the next few verses (see below) that now we can be
righteous through faith in Jesus Christ.
ROMANS 3:21-22 NKJ
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is
revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God which is through faith in
Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. For there is no
difference;
ROMANS 3:24 YLT
24 being declared righteous freely by His grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
SAY THIS: Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I am
righteous before God.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
from the www.churchforall.org
The Gift of Righteousness
ROMANS 5:17 NIV
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned
through that one man, how much more will those who receive
God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of
righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
The New Testament reveals the good news that God offers
righteousness as a free gift to everyone who receives the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Righteousness means right-wise-ness, or being right. So
righteousness is right standing, or good standing with God.
Righteousness is a GIFT from God -- not something you can earn
or achieve. God simply declares that you are innocent, as far
as He is concerned, because you believe in Jesus.
You are righteous if Jesus is your Lord. In fact, Jesus is your
righteousness. So, you are really as righteous as God is --
because He IS your righteousness. As a believer in Jesus, you
will never be more righteous -- no matter what you do.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 NIV
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has
become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness,
holiness and redemption.
SAY THIS: I receive the gift of right standing with God through
my Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You Father God for this wonderful
gift.
ROMANS 5:17 NIV
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned
through that one man, how much more will those who receive
God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of
righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
The New Testament reveals the good news that God offers
righteousness as a free gift to everyone who receives the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Righteousness means right-wise-ness, or being right. So
righteousness is right standing, or good standing with God.
Righteousness is a GIFT from God -- not something you can earn
or achieve. God simply declares that you are innocent, as far
as He is concerned, because you believe in Jesus.
You are righteous if Jesus is your Lord. In fact, Jesus is your
righteousness. So, you are really as righteous as God is --
because He IS your righteousness. As a believer in Jesus, you
will never be more righteous -- no matter what you do.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 NIV
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has
become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness,
holiness and redemption.
SAY THIS: I receive the gift of right standing with God through
my Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You Father God for this wonderful
gift.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
From Wigglesworth
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. —Matthew 9:22
More and more I see that day in which the Lord's visitation is upon us so that the presence of the Lord is here to heal. We should have people healed in meetings in which I speak while they are under the unction of the Holy Spirit.
I have been preaching faith so that you may definitely claim your healing. I believe if you listen to the Word and are moved to believe, and if you stand up while I pray, you will find healing virtue loosed in you.
When you were saved, you were saved the moment you believed. You will be healed the moment you believe.
Lord, I desire a touch from You that will shake
the foundation of all my weakness. Grant me
the faith to receive the healing You have
for me in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26505-faith-and-healing#ixzz0ijYlGaRT
More and more I see that day in which the Lord's visitation is upon us so that the presence of the Lord is here to heal. We should have people healed in meetings in which I speak while they are under the unction of the Holy Spirit.
I have been preaching faith so that you may definitely claim your healing. I believe if you listen to the Word and are moved to believe, and if you stand up while I pray, you will find healing virtue loosed in you.
When you were saved, you were saved the moment you believed. You will be healed the moment you believe.
Lord, I desire a touch from You that will shake
the foundation of all my weakness. Grant me
the faith to receive the healing You have
for me in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26505-faith-and-healing#ixzz0ijYlGaRT
From Jerry Baysinger
Published by Jerry Baysinger on 19 Mar 2010 at 08:00 am
HAVE YOU MADE PLANS?
While praying last night, I heard in my spirit, Have you made plans for tomorrow? I said, Not really, why? I thought perhaps the Lord had an assignment for me or somewhere He wanted me to go. Then I heard, Because if YOU’VE made plans for tomorrow, then you can’t say Jesus is your Lord, YOU are. That kind of shocked me for a moment, but He certainly knows how to get my attention. I realized something very important: if Christ Jesus is indeed my Lord and Savior, then He should be the one planning my life, not me.
Most of the time we all have a pretty good idea of what we’re expecting to do, such as getting up in the morning and going to work, or mowing the grass, or going shopping. But have you ever seriously thought of just handing over your schedule to God and saying, Here is my day, Lord, what do you want me to do? I mean, what if the Lord said, I’d like you to stay home today and spend the whole day studying My Word. If you replied, I’d like to, Lord, but I have to go to work, then, He isn’t your Lord, your job is. And He will know where He stands with you. Think about it, this life is only a test to determine where you will spend eternity when your life on earth is over. Material things we humans think are so very important mean nothing at all to God. Whatsoever you need, He is not only able to provide it for you, He is willing as well. On the other hand, you could work hard your whole life and not have the things you need by your own efforts. It’s all about a relationship with God: remember, it isn’t just about you seeking God, He is also seeking YOU. He wants you to know you can trust Him. But He also needs to be able to trust YOU. When He calls, are you busy doing your own thing?
The point I’m trying to make is this, you need to know exactly who is in charge of your life. You may fool me, but you won’t fool God. He knows who is running the show even before He asks. But maybe YOU don’t know. You may truly desire to live for God, but unless you are asking Him each day what He wants you to do, then how do you know if you are living for God? It is written in John 5:19-20,
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
Jesus always had a plan for the day, because He spent time in prayer seeking the Father’s will. If we would do the same thing, we would marvel at how blessed our life is, because the Lord has a plan for our lives, and it is a GOOD plan. It is written in Jeremiah 29:11-13, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
It isn’t enough to just want to know the Lord’s will for your life, you have to seek Him until you know that you know, and then do exactly as He instructs you. It means giving up your plans and saying, Not mine, but YOUR will be done. That’s hard to do when you’re used to things being done YOUR way. At least I know it was hard for me. But here’s the payoff: when you make yourself available to the Lord twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, don’t be surprised when He says, Let’s do such-and-such today. It will be the Lord and you, and it will be so goooooood!
So, have you made plans? If so, don’t worry, the Lord won’t interfere with them. But if you truly want Jesus to be your Lord, then you’ll want to cancel your plans, for His are far better than anything you could come up with. If you’re saying I don’t know how to hear from God, so how can I know His plan for my life? then you’ve been living according to your own plan. You know, sometimes you just have to ask! Father God, I want to live according to Your plan, so I’m asking You to make it plain for me right now. Give me wisdom to know what You want me to do today and every day. You take over my schedule and plan out my life, and I’ll obey, Lord, hour by hour, day by day. I’ve been doing it my way, but from now on, by the grace You give me, I’ll do things YOUR way from now on. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
HAVE YOU MADE PLANS?
While praying last night, I heard in my spirit, Have you made plans for tomorrow? I said, Not really, why? I thought perhaps the Lord had an assignment for me or somewhere He wanted me to go. Then I heard, Because if YOU’VE made plans for tomorrow, then you can’t say Jesus is your Lord, YOU are. That kind of shocked me for a moment, but He certainly knows how to get my attention. I realized something very important: if Christ Jesus is indeed my Lord and Savior, then He should be the one planning my life, not me.
Most of the time we all have a pretty good idea of what we’re expecting to do, such as getting up in the morning and going to work, or mowing the grass, or going shopping. But have you ever seriously thought of just handing over your schedule to God and saying, Here is my day, Lord, what do you want me to do? I mean, what if the Lord said, I’d like you to stay home today and spend the whole day studying My Word. If you replied, I’d like to, Lord, but I have to go to work, then, He isn’t your Lord, your job is. And He will know where He stands with you. Think about it, this life is only a test to determine where you will spend eternity when your life on earth is over. Material things we humans think are so very important mean nothing at all to God. Whatsoever you need, He is not only able to provide it for you, He is willing as well. On the other hand, you could work hard your whole life and not have the things you need by your own efforts. It’s all about a relationship with God: remember, it isn’t just about you seeking God, He is also seeking YOU. He wants you to know you can trust Him. But He also needs to be able to trust YOU. When He calls, are you busy doing your own thing?
The point I’m trying to make is this, you need to know exactly who is in charge of your life. You may fool me, but you won’t fool God. He knows who is running the show even before He asks. But maybe YOU don’t know. You may truly desire to live for God, but unless you are asking Him each day what He wants you to do, then how do you know if you are living for God? It is written in John 5:19-20,
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
Jesus always had a plan for the day, because He spent time in prayer seeking the Father’s will. If we would do the same thing, we would marvel at how blessed our life is, because the Lord has a plan for our lives, and it is a GOOD plan. It is written in Jeremiah 29:11-13, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
It isn’t enough to just want to know the Lord’s will for your life, you have to seek Him until you know that you know, and then do exactly as He instructs you. It means giving up your plans and saying, Not mine, but YOUR will be done. That’s hard to do when you’re used to things being done YOUR way. At least I know it was hard for me. But here’s the payoff: when you make yourself available to the Lord twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, don’t be surprised when He says, Let’s do such-and-such today. It will be the Lord and you, and it will be so goooooood!
So, have you made plans? If so, don’t worry, the Lord won’t interfere with them. But if you truly want Jesus to be your Lord, then you’ll want to cancel your plans, for His are far better than anything you could come up with. If you’re saying I don’t know how to hear from God, so how can I know His plan for my life? then you’ve been living according to your own plan. You know, sometimes you just have to ask! Father God, I want to live according to Your plan, so I’m asking You to make it plain for me right now. Give me wisdom to know what You want me to do today and every day. You take over my schedule and plan out my life, and I’ll obey, Lord, hour by hour, day by day. I’ve been doing it my way, but from now on, by the grace You give me, I’ll do things YOUR way from now on. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
God gives us richly all things to enjoy :- ) from the www.churchforall.org
God Gives You Ability To Get Rich
DEUTERONOMY 8:18 ICB
8 But remember the Lord your God! It is he who gives you the
power to become rich. He keeps the agreement he promised to
your ancestors. So it is today.
I don't want to be critical, but so many preach, using this
verse, that God wants to prosper people for one sole purpose:
to give the money to God so He can afford to proclaim the
Gospel to all the world. But I just don't buy it.
I do believe God desires His people to be givers. And clearly
we should proclaim the Gospel to everyone. Being selfish is the
worst thing you can do. And usually the biggest enjoyment you
can get from something is to give it away to someone who is
thrilled with it.
But surely God is not waiting around till we get enough money
to finance Him. And surely God is not worse than normal earthly
parents. What earthly parent would give their children toys on
Christmas, then tell them the ONLY reason they were given those
gifts is so they could give them away to the neighbor kids?
I already said selfishness is wrong. If you are not a giver,
you are not in God's will. But God does not give you things
only for the purpose of giving them all to someone else.
Deuteronomy 8:18 is simple: it says God is the One making you
rich, and He is doing it because He said He would -- not
because we deserve it!
I especially like:
1 TIMOTHY 6:17 NKJ
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be
haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living
God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
God is not the kind of being who will make you just barely
scrape by -- He gives us RICHLY all things to ENJOY. God gives
to us because He enjoys it and because He keeps His word!
SAY THIS: I trust in the living God, Who gives me richly all
things to enjoy. He gives me the power to prosper because He
said He would.
DEUTERONOMY 8:18 ICB
8 But remember the Lord your God! It is he who gives you the
power to become rich. He keeps the agreement he promised to
your ancestors. So it is today.
I don't want to be critical, but so many preach, using this
verse, that God wants to prosper people for one sole purpose:
to give the money to God so He can afford to proclaim the
Gospel to all the world. But I just don't buy it.
I do believe God desires His people to be givers. And clearly
we should proclaim the Gospel to everyone. Being selfish is the
worst thing you can do. And usually the biggest enjoyment you
can get from something is to give it away to someone who is
thrilled with it.
But surely God is not waiting around till we get enough money
to finance Him. And surely God is not worse than normal earthly
parents. What earthly parent would give their children toys on
Christmas, then tell them the ONLY reason they were given those
gifts is so they could give them away to the neighbor kids?
I already said selfishness is wrong. If you are not a giver,
you are not in God's will. But God does not give you things
only for the purpose of giving them all to someone else.
Deuteronomy 8:18 is simple: it says God is the One making you
rich, and He is doing it because He said He would -- not
because we deserve it!
I especially like:
1 TIMOTHY 6:17 NKJ
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be
haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living
God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
God is not the kind of being who will make you just barely
scrape by -- He gives us RICHLY all things to ENJOY. God gives
to us because He enjoys it and because He keeps His word!
SAY THIS: I trust in the living God, Who gives me richly all
things to enjoy. He gives me the power to prosper because He
said He would.
Monday, March 15, 2010
A nice article.
http://wigglesworth.born-again-christian.info/smith.wigglesworth.temptation.trials.htm
From a Smith Wigglesworth devotional
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. —Isaiah 53:5
I went to visit a sick woman whose address was given to me in Belfast. At her house, a young man met me at the door and pointed me to go up the stairway. When I got up onto the landing, there was a door wide open, so I walked right into the doorway and found a woman sitting up on the bed. As soon as I looked at her, I knew she couldn't speak to me, so I began to pray.
She was moving backward and forward, gasping for breath. When I prayed the Lord said to me, "Read Isaiah 53." When I got to the fifth verse, the woman shouted, "I am healed!"
"Oh," I said, "Woman, tell me."
She said, "Three weeks ago I was cleaning the house. I moved some furniture, strained my heart and moved it out of its place. The doctors examined me and said I would die of suffocation. But last night, in the middle of the night, I saw you come into my room. When you saw me you knew I couldn't speak, so you began to pray. Then you opened to Isaiah 53 and read until you came to the fifth verse. When you read the fifth verse, I was completely healed. That was a vision. Now it is a fact."
I know that the Word of God is true!
Jesus, by Your stripes
I am healed. Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26444-healed-by-his-stripes#ixzz0iFDTX3A1
I went to visit a sick woman whose address was given to me in Belfast. At her house, a young man met me at the door and pointed me to go up the stairway. When I got up onto the landing, there was a door wide open, so I walked right into the doorway and found a woman sitting up on the bed. As soon as I looked at her, I knew she couldn't speak to me, so I began to pray.
She was moving backward and forward, gasping for breath. When I prayed the Lord said to me, "Read Isaiah 53." When I got to the fifth verse, the woman shouted, "I am healed!"
"Oh," I said, "Woman, tell me."
She said, "Three weeks ago I was cleaning the house. I moved some furniture, strained my heart and moved it out of its place. The doctors examined me and said I would die of suffocation. But last night, in the middle of the night, I saw you come into my room. When you saw me you knew I couldn't speak, so you began to pray. Then you opened to Isaiah 53 and read until you came to the fifth verse. When you read the fifth verse, I was completely healed. That was a vision. Now it is a fact."
I know that the Word of God is true!
Jesus, by Your stripes
I am healed. Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26444-healed-by-his-stripes#ixzz0iFDTX3A1
Friday, March 12, 2010
From the churchforall.org
God Is A Father
EPHESIANS 3:15 AMPLIFIED
15 For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named --
[that Father] from whom all fatherhood takes its title and
derives its name.
I have included these different translations, with the notes
from the margin, to show that the Bible says that all
fatherhood derives from God. In other words, God is the
original Father. Everything good that fathers are, was in God
first. All earthly fatherhood is but a replica of what was
first in God.
EPHESIANS 3:14-15 NIV
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives
its name.
NIV NOTE: Or whom all fatherhood
EPHESIANS 3:14-15 NRSV
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its
name.
NRSV Note: Gk fatherhood
One mission of Jesus on earth was to show us what God was like,
to reveal Him to us. Jesus introduced the concept of God as
Father. The Jews did not know God as Father because the Old
Testament does not teach it. No other religion had looked to
God as a Father. Instead God was generally thought of as a
judge at best, and often as a despicable character who could
only be trusted to let you down; someone who would play tricks
on you just for his amusement, and delight in disappointing
you.
Concepts of God haven't really changed much, have they!
But Jesus revealed to humanity that God was not like they
thought -- He was a good Father. Not someone who would do them
wrong, but someone who would take care of them with their best
interest always at heart. Someone who would love them more than
they loved themselves.
How do you think of God?
SAY THIS: God, I am glad to know You are a Father. Please help
me to always remember that.
EPHESIANS 3:15 AMPLIFIED
15 For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named --
[that Father] from whom all fatherhood takes its title and
derives its name.
I have included these different translations, with the notes
from the margin, to show that the Bible says that all
fatherhood derives from God. In other words, God is the
original Father. Everything good that fathers are, was in God
first. All earthly fatherhood is but a replica of what was
first in God.
EPHESIANS 3:14-15 NIV
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives
its name.
NIV NOTE: Or whom all fatherhood
EPHESIANS 3:14-15 NRSV
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its
name.
NRSV Note: Gk fatherhood
One mission of Jesus on earth was to show us what God was like,
to reveal Him to us. Jesus introduced the concept of God as
Father. The Jews did not know God as Father because the Old
Testament does not teach it. No other religion had looked to
God as a Father. Instead God was generally thought of as a
judge at best, and often as a despicable character who could
only be trusted to let you down; someone who would play tricks
on you just for his amusement, and delight in disappointing
you.
Concepts of God haven't really changed much, have they!
But Jesus revealed to humanity that God was not like they
thought -- He was a good Father. Not someone who would do them
wrong, but someone who would take care of them with their best
interest always at heart. Someone who would love them more than
they loved themselves.
How do you think of God?
SAY THIS: God, I am glad to know You are a Father. Please help
me to always remember that.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
from the churchforall.org
God Really Does Love You
1 JOHN 3:1 NIV
1 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.
Yes, you have heard it before. No, you don't understand it yet.
Ephesians 3 mentions praying that believers would know the love
of Christ -- which is really beyond knowledge. In other words,
you need a divine revelation to understand God's love for you.
EPHESIANS 3:19 ICB
19 Christ's love is greater than any person can ever know. But
I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be
filled with the fullness of God.
Yes, you know that Jesus died for you, that God watches over
you, protects you and provides for you. But that does not
really give you insight into how God feels about you. He could
do all that just because He felt obligated to take care of you
because He created you.
No. That is not the whole story. God LOVES you.
"But why would God love me? I don't even love myself" you may
say. Well, pray for a divine revelation -- that is really the
only way to know.
However, for those of you who are parents, this may help give
you a little insight. Think about the love you have for your
children. Can you adequately communicate how you feel to them?
Well, our human love for our children is just a shadow of God's
love for you, as His child.
SAY THIS: Father God, please help me to understand how much you
love me.
1 JOHN 3:1 NIV
1 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.
Yes, you have heard it before. No, you don't understand it yet.
Ephesians 3 mentions praying that believers would know the love
of Christ -- which is really beyond knowledge. In other words,
you need a divine revelation to understand God's love for you.
EPHESIANS 3:19 ICB
19 Christ's love is greater than any person can ever know. But
I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be
filled with the fullness of God.
Yes, you know that Jesus died for you, that God watches over
you, protects you and provides for you. But that does not
really give you insight into how God feels about you. He could
do all that just because He felt obligated to take care of you
because He created you.
No. That is not the whole story. God LOVES you.
"But why would God love me? I don't even love myself" you may
say. Well, pray for a divine revelation -- that is really the
only way to know.
However, for those of you who are parents, this may help give
you a little insight. Think about the love you have for your
children. Can you adequately communicate how you feel to them?
Well, our human love for our children is just a shadow of God's
love for you, as His child.
SAY THIS: Father God, please help me to understand how much you
love me.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Smith Wigglesworth Devotional
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. —John 19:30
When I was in Cazadero seven or eight years ago, amongst the first people that came to me in those meetings was a man who was stone deaf. Every time we had a meeting, as I rose to speak this man would take his chair from the ordinary row and place it right in front of me. The devil used to say, "Now you're done."
I said, "No, I am not done. It is finished." After the meeting had been going on for three weeks, one night as we were singing this man became tremendously disturbed. He looked in every direction. He became as one that had almost lost his mind.
Then he took a leap. He started on the run and went out amongst the people. He went out about sixty yards away and heard singing. The Lord said, "Thy ears are open."
The man came back, and we were still singing. That stopped our singing. He told us that when his ears were opened, there was such a tremendous noise, he could not understand what it was. He thought something had happened to the world. He ran out of the meeting. As he got outside, he heard the singing.
Lord, by faith we claim Your completed,
miraculous work in our lives.
It is finished! Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26406-it-is-finished#ixzz0hm23qx4M
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. —John 19:30
When I was in Cazadero seven or eight years ago, amongst the first people that came to me in those meetings was a man who was stone deaf. Every time we had a meeting, as I rose to speak this man would take his chair from the ordinary row and place it right in front of me. The devil used to say, "Now you're done."
I said, "No, I am not done. It is finished." After the meeting had been going on for three weeks, one night as we were singing this man became tremendously disturbed. He looked in every direction. He became as one that had almost lost his mind.
Then he took a leap. He started on the run and went out amongst the people. He went out about sixty yards away and heard singing. The Lord said, "Thy ears are open."
The man came back, and we were still singing. That stopped our singing. He told us that when his ears were opened, there was such a tremendous noise, he could not understand what it was. He thought something had happened to the world. He ran out of the meeting. As he got outside, he heard the singing.
Lord, by faith we claim Your completed,
miraculous work in our lives.
It is finished! Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26406-it-is-finished#ixzz0hm23qx4M
From the www.churchforall.org
God Has Already Forgiven You
2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 AMPLIFIED
19 It was God (personally present) in Christ, reconciling and
restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and
holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them];
and committing to us the message of reconciliation -- of the
restoration to favor.
A popular idea is that God is really mad at people and can
hardly wait to punish them for their sins.
The truth is that God has already forgiven people. Now you must
accept His forgiveness to enjoy a restored relationship with
Him.
What a shame it is that people are estranged from God and go
without His help and blessing -- simply because they think God
is against them and would have nothing to do with them.
1 JOHN 2:12 NKJ
12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are
forgiven you for His name's sake.
No matter what you have done -- God has already forgiven you!
More than forgiven -- you are loved!
Forgiving you was God's idea -- you do not have to convince
Him. You must believe God forgave you and thank Him.
Jesus Christ already paid the price for all your sins -- and
God is no longer holding any sin against you! You have been
forgiven.
SAY THIS: Thank You Father God for forgiving me! Thank You Jesus!
2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 AMPLIFIED
19 It was God (personally present) in Christ, reconciling and
restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and
holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them];
and committing to us the message of reconciliation -- of the
restoration to favor.
A popular idea is that God is really mad at people and can
hardly wait to punish them for their sins.
The truth is that God has already forgiven people. Now you must
accept His forgiveness to enjoy a restored relationship with
Him.
What a shame it is that people are estranged from God and go
without His help and blessing -- simply because they think God
is against them and would have nothing to do with them.
1 JOHN 2:12 NKJ
12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are
forgiven you for His name's sake.
No matter what you have done -- God has already forgiven you!
More than forgiven -- you are loved!
Forgiving you was God's idea -- you do not have to convince
Him. You must believe God forgave you and thank Him.
Jesus Christ already paid the price for all your sins -- and
God is no longer holding any sin against you! You have been
forgiven.
SAY THIS: Thank You Father God for forgiving me! Thank You Jesus!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ .....inspiration by mail from David Guzik
Inspiration by E-Mail for the Week of March 7, 2010
BEING FAIR TO EVERYONE
"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory, with partiality." (James 2:1)
The letter of James to the Christian world is somewhat different
from other letters in the New Testament. It is different because the
style is sometimes more like the Book of Proverbs than a single,
directed argument from beginning to end. Instead, under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, James touches on many different
ideas important for Christian thinking and living.
So, after speaking about the nature of true godliness in the
previous words, now James makes an important statement that he
will, in the following words, explain in greater detail. Yet consider
the simple statement: "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality."
Before looking at the main point in these words of James, look at
something he says as a side point. James used strong words to
refer to Jesus Christ, calling Him "the Lord of glory." One Bible
commentator (James Moffatt) said that in the Jewish mind, this
striking phrase described Jesus as the full manifestation of God's
presence and majesty – what the Jewish people called the
shekinah glory of God.
This is especially meaningful because James is widely (and
properly) regarded as one of the first letters of the New Testament
written (perhaps somewhere between A.D. 44 and 48). This means
that the earliest Christians considered Jesus to be God, and said so
in strong and unmistakable words.
Now, for the main idea of James: Simply said, the glorious faith we
have, the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, should never be
associated with partiality (discrimination). The Lord of glory
Himself shows no partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17 and Acts 10:34),
so neither should those who put their trust in Him.
There is no way to misunderstand what James wrote, simply
commanding against partiality in the community of Christians. We
do well to remember that James wrote to a very partial age, filled
with prejudice and hatred based on class, ethnicity, nationality, and
religious background. In the ancient world people were routinely
and permanently rejected and hated because they were Jew or
Gentile, slave or free, rich or poor, Greek or barbarian, or whatever.
A significant aspect of the work of Jesus was to break down these
walls that divided humanity, and to bring forth one new race of
mankind in Him (Ephesians 2:14-15).
The unity and openness of the early church was astonished the
ancient world. But this unity didn't come automatically. As this
command from James shows, the apostles had to teach the early
church to never "hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . with
partiality." We should learn and practice what they did.
By David Guzik
For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to:
www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm
BEING FAIR TO EVERYONE
"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory, with partiality." (James 2:1)
The letter of James to the Christian world is somewhat different
from other letters in the New Testament. It is different because the
style is sometimes more like the Book of Proverbs than a single,
directed argument from beginning to end. Instead, under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, James touches on many different
ideas important for Christian thinking and living.
So, after speaking about the nature of true godliness in the
previous words, now James makes an important statement that he
will, in the following words, explain in greater detail. Yet consider
the simple statement: "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality."
Before looking at the main point in these words of James, look at
something he says as a side point. James used strong words to
refer to Jesus Christ, calling Him "the Lord of glory." One Bible
commentator (James Moffatt) said that in the Jewish mind, this
striking phrase described Jesus as the full manifestation of God's
presence and majesty – what the Jewish people called the
shekinah glory of God.
This is especially meaningful because James is widely (and
properly) regarded as one of the first letters of the New Testament
written (perhaps somewhere between A.D. 44 and 48). This means
that the earliest Christians considered Jesus to be God, and said so
in strong and unmistakable words.
Now, for the main idea of James: Simply said, the glorious faith we
have, the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, should never be
associated with partiality (discrimination). The Lord of glory
Himself shows no partiality (Deuteronomy 10:17 and Acts 10:34),
so neither should those who put their trust in Him.
There is no way to misunderstand what James wrote, simply
commanding against partiality in the community of Christians. We
do well to remember that James wrote to a very partial age, filled
with prejudice and hatred based on class, ethnicity, nationality, and
religious background. In the ancient world people were routinely
and permanently rejected and hated because they were Jew or
Gentile, slave or free, rich or poor, Greek or barbarian, or whatever.
A significant aspect of the work of Jesus was to break down these
walls that divided humanity, and to bring forth one new race of
mankind in Him (Ephesians 2:14-15).
The unity and openness of the early church was astonished the
ancient world. But this unity didn't come automatically. As this
command from James shows, the apostles had to teach the early
church to never "hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . with
partiality." We should learn and practice what they did.
By David Guzik
For Bible Study resources by David Guzik, go to:
www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.htm
Friday, March 5, 2010
From the church for all . org
Esteem Others Better
PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NKJ
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but
in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself.
When you start thinking you are better than other people, you
are on dangerous ground. It leads to actions opposite to divine
love.
Be on guard! The Bible warns us, and we should take heed.
Of course it's not just what we think of others that's
important, but how we treat others. However, thoughts always
precede and determine actions. So, we must guard our thoughts.
PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NET
3 . . . treat one another as more important than yourself.
Yes, every one of us is better in some way(s) than some other
person or persons. But not one of us is superior in every way
to everyone else.
Of even more importance is that we should not value a human
being by their looks, abilities or accomplishments, but by
their value to God. God is the true judge of human worth and He
thinks that person you are tempted to look down upon is
valuable enough to die for.
When you judge someone as not valuable, or judge yourself as
more valuable than they are, you are setting yourself up as a
judge with higher authority than God.
JAMES 4:6 NLT
6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil
desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but
favors the humble."
God resists the proud!
Only a fool would want God to oppose them or resist them.
Therefore, only a fool, or an ignorant person, would want to be
proud -- which is thinking you are better than others.
1 PETER 5:5 NKJ
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your
elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be
clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives
grace to the humble."
What do you have that was not given to you? Did you create
yourself? So, what do you really have to boast about?
1 CORINTHIANS 4:7 NKJ
7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have
that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why
do you boast as if you had not received it?
Instead of being proud, be grateful for all God has blessed you
with. And realize God has blessed you so you can also be a
blessing to others -- for they are important to God, too.
1 PETER 2:17 NLT
17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and
sisters.
SAY THIS: I will not fall into the trap of thinking I am better
than others.
----------------------------------------------------------------
To give an offering: http://ChurchForAll.org/give
Devotions in book form: http://CFApublications.com/
Change or unsubscribe information: http://ChurchForAll.org/faq
PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NKJ
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but
in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself.
When you start thinking you are better than other people, you
are on dangerous ground. It leads to actions opposite to divine
love.
Be on guard! The Bible warns us, and we should take heed.
Of course it's not just what we think of others that's
important, but how we treat others. However, thoughts always
precede and determine actions. So, we must guard our thoughts.
PHILIPPIANS 2:3 NET
3 . . . treat one another as more important than yourself.
Yes, every one of us is better in some way(s) than some other
person or persons. But not one of us is superior in every way
to everyone else.
Of even more importance is that we should not value a human
being by their looks, abilities or accomplishments, but by
their value to God. God is the true judge of human worth and He
thinks that person you are tempted to look down upon is
valuable enough to die for.
When you judge someone as not valuable, or judge yourself as
more valuable than they are, you are setting yourself up as a
judge with higher authority than God.
JAMES 4:6 NLT
6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil
desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but
favors the humble."
God resists the proud!
Only a fool would want God to oppose them or resist them.
Therefore, only a fool, or an ignorant person, would want to be
proud -- which is thinking you are better than others.
1 PETER 5:5 NKJ
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your
elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be
clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives
grace to the humble."
What do you have that was not given to you? Did you create
yourself? So, what do you really have to boast about?
1 CORINTHIANS 4:7 NKJ
7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have
that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why
do you boast as if you had not received it?
Instead of being proud, be grateful for all God has blessed you
with. And realize God has blessed you so you can also be a
blessing to others -- for they are important to God, too.
1 PETER 2:17 NLT
17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and
sisters.
SAY THIS: I will not fall into the trap of thinking I am better
than others.
----------------------------------------------------------------
To give an offering: http://ChurchForAll.org/give
Devotions in book form: http://CFApublications.com/
Change or unsubscribe information: http://ChurchForAll.org/faq
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
From the www.churchforall.org
We Know In Part
1 CORINTHIANS 13:9 NKJ
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
The apostle Paul, who was caught up into Heaven, given divine
revelation, and wrote down most of the New Testament, said he
only knew in part.
If he only knew in part -- how much more it must be true for
us.
One problem we have is too many people thinking they know more
than they really do. Just because you have read the Bible does
not make you a Bible expert. Just because you have a degree
from a Bible school does not mean you have all the answers.
Even if you know Hebrew and Greek, so you can read the Bible in
the original languages, it does not mean you understand the
Bible. It can help, but it does not guarantee understanding.
The apostle Paul certainly knew those languages, yet he only
knew in part.
Understanding the Bible does not come through study alone, but
also by divine illumination. Understanding comes from God.
We need to be smart enough to admit, along with the apostle
Paul, that we don't know it all.
It's not a sin to not know everything. We should not feel like
we must have an answer for every question.
God even said there are some things that are secret.
DEUTERONOMY 29:29 NKJ
29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those
things which are revealed belong to us and to our children
forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
God also indicates there are things in His Word we will only
see if we search diligently and work at it, like we were
digging for silver (Proverbs 2:1-7).
So, we all need to remain humble. Humility always accompanies
wisdom. There is much in the Bible that none of us yet knows
completely.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 NKJ
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am
known.
Only when we are face to face with God will we see the whole
picture. Until then we will only know in part. Certainly we can
learn more now, and we should. But we must always remember
that, in this life, none of us will ever know it all.
This is not written to make you doubt the Word of God, but
simply to remind you that we are ALL still learning. We don't
know everything. So we should never forget that our faith
should not rest in ourselves, but in the Living God and His
Word.
Jesus promised He would never leave us, so although we don't
know everything -- He does -- and we can trust Him to help us.
In that way we can overcome whatever we face and walk in
victory.
SAY THIS: I don't know everything yet.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:9 NKJ
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
The apostle Paul, who was caught up into Heaven, given divine
revelation, and wrote down most of the New Testament, said he
only knew in part.
If he only knew in part -- how much more it must be true for
us.
One problem we have is too many people thinking they know more
than they really do. Just because you have read the Bible does
not make you a Bible expert. Just because you have a degree
from a Bible school does not mean you have all the answers.
Even if you know Hebrew and Greek, so you can read the Bible in
the original languages, it does not mean you understand the
Bible. It can help, but it does not guarantee understanding.
The apostle Paul certainly knew those languages, yet he only
knew in part.
Understanding the Bible does not come through study alone, but
also by divine illumination. Understanding comes from God.
We need to be smart enough to admit, along with the apostle
Paul, that we don't know it all.
It's not a sin to not know everything. We should not feel like
we must have an answer for every question.
God even said there are some things that are secret.
DEUTERONOMY 29:29 NKJ
29 "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those
things which are revealed belong to us and to our children
forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
God also indicates there are things in His Word we will only
see if we search diligently and work at it, like we were
digging for silver (Proverbs 2:1-7).
So, we all need to remain humble. Humility always accompanies
wisdom. There is much in the Bible that none of us yet knows
completely.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:12 NKJ
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am
known.
Only when we are face to face with God will we see the whole
picture. Until then we will only know in part. Certainly we can
learn more now, and we should. But we must always remember
that, in this life, none of us will ever know it all.
This is not written to make you doubt the Word of God, but
simply to remind you that we are ALL still learning. We don't
know everything. So we should never forget that our faith
should not rest in ourselves, but in the Living God and His
Word.
Jesus promised He would never leave us, so although we don't
know everything -- He does -- and we can trust Him to help us.
In that way we can overcome whatever we face and walk in
victory.
SAY THIS: I don't know everything yet.
Wigglesworth on Psalm 107:20
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. —Psalm 107:20
You can be healed if you will hear the Word. This Word says it is by faith, that it might be by grace. Grace is omnipotence. It is activity, benevolence, and mercy. It is truth, perfection, and God's inheritance in the soul that can believe.
Grace is God. You open the door by faith, and God comes in with all you want. It cannot be otherwise, for it is, "of faith that it might be by grace" (Rom. 4:16).
This is believing, and most people want healing by feeling. It cannot be.
By Thy Word, not my feelings,
I am healed. Hallelujah!
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26375-healed-by-his-word#ixzz0h6hpcFsf
You can be healed if you will hear the Word. This Word says it is by faith, that it might be by grace. Grace is omnipotence. It is activity, benevolence, and mercy. It is truth, perfection, and God's inheritance in the soul that can believe.
Grace is God. You open the door by faith, and God comes in with all you want. It cannot be otherwise, for it is, "of faith that it might be by grace" (Rom. 4:16).
This is believing, and most people want healing by feeling. It cannot be.
By Thy Word, not my feelings,
I am healed. Hallelujah!
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26375-healed-by-his-word#ixzz0h6hpcFsf
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
From a Smith Wigglesworth devotional
For to one is given by the Spirit-.-.-.-the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. —1 Corinthians 12:8-9
Holy Ghost people have a ministry. I pray that all the people which have received the Holy Ghost might be so filled with the Holy Ghost that, without having the gift, the Holy Ghost within them brings forth healing power.
That is the reason why I love to have people help me when I am praying for the sick. There are people who have a very dim conception of what they possess in God's Spirit.
I deal with the gift, not gifts, of healing. There is a difference. Gifts of healing can deal with every case of sickness, every disease that there is. It is so full, beyond human expression, but you come into the fullness of it as the light of God's healing reveals it to you.
The divine gift of healing is so profound in a person with it that there is no doubt and could not be. Whatever happens would not change the man's opinion, thought, or act. He expects the very thing that God intends him to have as he lays hands on the seeker.
Holy Spirit, use Your gift of
healing in me. Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26374-gifts-of-healing#ixzz0h0tMjKAa
Holy Ghost people have a ministry. I pray that all the people which have received the Holy Ghost might be so filled with the Holy Ghost that, without having the gift, the Holy Ghost within them brings forth healing power.
That is the reason why I love to have people help me when I am praying for the sick. There are people who have a very dim conception of what they possess in God's Spirit.
I deal with the gift, not gifts, of healing. There is a difference. Gifts of healing can deal with every case of sickness, every disease that there is. It is so full, beyond human expression, but you come into the fullness of it as the light of God's healing reveals it to you.
The divine gift of healing is so profound in a person with it that there is no doubt and could not be. Whatever happens would not change the man's opinion, thought, or act. He expects the very thing that God intends him to have as he lays hands on the seeker.
Holy Spirit, use Your gift of
healing in me. Amen.
Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/smith-wigglesworth-devotional-/26374-gifts-of-healing#ixzz0h0tMjKAa
From the www.churchforall.org
What Is Sin?
1 JOHN 3:4 KJV
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin
is the transgression of the law.
Sin is breaking the Law, missing the mark set by God.
The word "sin" is a translation of the Greek word "hamartia"
which means to miss the mark.
ROMANS 3:23 NLT
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious
standard.
Religious tradition labels many things as sin which the Bible
does not. People make up all kinds of rules based on what they
think is right. But God is the judge and only God can decree
what sin is.
MARK 7:9 KJV
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of
God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
God has not left us to wonder what sin is. The Bible reveals it
to us. We don't have to guess, or make it up as we go.
Just because you do something someone else thinks is wrong does
not mean it is a sin. So don't let people condemn you over
things the Bible does not clearly say are wrong. God is the
judge.
COLOSSIANS 2:8 NKJ
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty
deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the
basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Another error is to think being tempted is a sin. Temptation
itself is not sin. You cannot help being tempted. Even Jesus
was tempted -- but He never yielded.
HEBREWS 4:15 NKJ
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with
our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet
without sin.
A common mistake is believing that having bad thoughts is a
sin. It is not a sin to be tempted with bad thoughts. It only
becomes a sin when we embrace those thoughts as our own and
decide to act on them.
JAMES 1:15 NLT
15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is
allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
God is against sin because it is deadly. Sin brings forth
death, not life and blessing. God loves people, so He is
against everything that harms people.
All sin harms people. (Just because you don't see how a sin
would harm anyone, does not mean you know more than God.)
But no human can be right with God by never sinning. We have
all fallen short and need a Savior. It is only by God's grace
and His forgiveness that we can be right with God.
ROMANS 3:20 NLT
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the
law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
We can be glad because Jesus came to save sinners, and He paid
the price for the forgiveness of all sins by shedding His
blood.
EPHESIANS 1:7 NKJ
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace
SAY THIS: Only God has the authority to decide what sin is.
1 JOHN 3:4 KJV
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin
is the transgression of the law.
Sin is breaking the Law, missing the mark set by God.
The word "sin" is a translation of the Greek word "hamartia"
which means to miss the mark.
ROMANS 3:23 NLT
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious
standard.
Religious tradition labels many things as sin which the Bible
does not. People make up all kinds of rules based on what they
think is right. But God is the judge and only God can decree
what sin is.
MARK 7:9 KJV
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of
God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
God has not left us to wonder what sin is. The Bible reveals it
to us. We don't have to guess, or make it up as we go.
Just because you do something someone else thinks is wrong does
not mean it is a sin. So don't let people condemn you over
things the Bible does not clearly say are wrong. God is the
judge.
COLOSSIANS 2:8 NKJ
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty
deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the
basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Another error is to think being tempted is a sin. Temptation
itself is not sin. You cannot help being tempted. Even Jesus
was tempted -- but He never yielded.
HEBREWS 4:15 NKJ
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with
our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet
without sin.
A common mistake is believing that having bad thoughts is a
sin. It is not a sin to be tempted with bad thoughts. It only
becomes a sin when we embrace those thoughts as our own and
decide to act on them.
JAMES 1:15 NLT
15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is
allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
God is against sin because it is deadly. Sin brings forth
death, not life and blessing. God loves people, so He is
against everything that harms people.
All sin harms people. (Just because you don't see how a sin
would harm anyone, does not mean you know more than God.)
But no human can be right with God by never sinning. We have
all fallen short and need a Savior. It is only by God's grace
and His forgiveness that we can be right with God.
ROMANS 3:20 NLT
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the
law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
We can be glad because Jesus came to save sinners, and He paid
the price for the forgiveness of all sins by shedding His
blood.
EPHESIANS 1:7 NKJ
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace
SAY THIS: Only God has the authority to decide what sin is.
Monday, March 1, 2010
A quote from Gandhi
"You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside down, and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of good literature." - Mohandas Gandhi
From the www.churchforall.org
Are You A Pharisee?
MATTHEW 16:6,12 NKJ
6 Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven
of the Pharisees and the Sadducees."
12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of
the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and
Sadducees.
Why did Jesus warn His disciples to beware of the Pharisees?
What did they do wrong?
(An entire chapter of the Bible (Matthew 23) is Jesus' teaching
against the Pharisees.)
The Pharisees were conservative, faithful "church" members.
They accepted the Bible as the written Word of God. They paid
tithes. They believed in miracles (at least in days past). They
wouldn't dream of stealing, committing adultery, or such
things. You would like living next to a Pharisee as they were
model citizens.
But instead of having a living relationship with God, the
Pharisees took the Word of God and made just another dead
religion out of it.
The Pharisee way of thinking is: keep up appearances. "It
doesn't matter so much what you are on the inside, as long as
you keep the rules (at least publicly)."
Notice that Jesus likened their teaching to leaven, or yeast.
Why? Yeast spreads easily and rapidly. Humans are very
susceptible to approaching God in this manner, "Keep the rules.
Just do these 10 things and you are OK."
Different groups may have different rules, but we all
accumulate them. It may be how many times each week you must
attend church meetings, or what kind of clothes you must wear,
or how you must wear your hair. Or, it may be a list of things
you cannot do. But, as long as you meet these requirements, you
are in good standing with your group (or denomination).
But, good standing with God is based on only one thing
according to the New Testament: faith in what Jesus did for us.
That alone is what makes us right with God. Not our works, but
Jesus' work.
LUKE 12:1 NKJ
1 ... He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of
the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
The Pharisees were hypocrites. That is, they put on an act.
What they pretended to be in public was not really what they
were like in private. They claimed to be perfect in keeping
God's law, but as humans they were all sinners, just like the
rest of the people were. Yet, in public, they insisted that
others keep the Law perfectly, or be condemned.
They were quick to pass judgment on others, and slow to extend
mercy or help. The Pharisees had a legalistic view of God's
Word and did not realize that God was merciful and wanted to
help people.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:6 NKJ
6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant,
not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but
the Spirit gives life.
Using God's Word to "kill" instead of using it to minister life
is wrong. God's Word is meant to help people and lift them up,
not place such hard demands on them that they cannot ever
measure up. When we load people down with heavy loads of rules
to keep in order to be right with God, we are ministers of
death.
MATTHEW 23:1-5 NLT
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 "The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the
official interpreters of the law of Moses.
3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow
their example. For they don't practice what they teach.
4 They crush people with impossible religious demands and never
lift a finger to ease the burden.
5 "Everything they do is for show. . . .
If your "Christianity" is nothing more than a list of "do's and
don't's" then you are missing real Christianity, which is a
living relationship with Jesus Christ.
SAY THIS: Jesus does not want me to act like a Pharisee.
MATTHEW 16:6,12 NKJ
6 Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven
of the Pharisees and the Sadducees."
12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of
the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and
Sadducees.
Why did Jesus warn His disciples to beware of the Pharisees?
What did they do wrong?
(An entire chapter of the Bible (Matthew 23) is Jesus' teaching
against the Pharisees.)
The Pharisees were conservative, faithful "church" members.
They accepted the Bible as the written Word of God. They paid
tithes. They believed in miracles (at least in days past). They
wouldn't dream of stealing, committing adultery, or such
things. You would like living next to a Pharisee as they were
model citizens.
But instead of having a living relationship with God, the
Pharisees took the Word of God and made just another dead
religion out of it.
The Pharisee way of thinking is: keep up appearances. "It
doesn't matter so much what you are on the inside, as long as
you keep the rules (at least publicly)."
Notice that Jesus likened their teaching to leaven, or yeast.
Why? Yeast spreads easily and rapidly. Humans are very
susceptible to approaching God in this manner, "Keep the rules.
Just do these 10 things and you are OK."
Different groups may have different rules, but we all
accumulate them. It may be how many times each week you must
attend church meetings, or what kind of clothes you must wear,
or how you must wear your hair. Or, it may be a list of things
you cannot do. But, as long as you meet these requirements, you
are in good standing with your group (or denomination).
But, good standing with God is based on only one thing
according to the New Testament: faith in what Jesus did for us.
That alone is what makes us right with God. Not our works, but
Jesus' work.
LUKE 12:1 NKJ
1 ... He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of
the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
The Pharisees were hypocrites. That is, they put on an act.
What they pretended to be in public was not really what they
were like in private. They claimed to be perfect in keeping
God's law, but as humans they were all sinners, just like the
rest of the people were. Yet, in public, they insisted that
others keep the Law perfectly, or be condemned.
They were quick to pass judgment on others, and slow to extend
mercy or help. The Pharisees had a legalistic view of God's
Word and did not realize that God was merciful and wanted to
help people.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:6 NKJ
6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant,
not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but
the Spirit gives life.
Using God's Word to "kill" instead of using it to minister life
is wrong. God's Word is meant to help people and lift them up,
not place such hard demands on them that they cannot ever
measure up. When we load people down with heavy loads of rules
to keep in order to be right with God, we are ministers of
death.
MATTHEW 23:1-5 NLT
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 "The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the
official interpreters of the law of Moses.
3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow
their example. For they don't practice what they teach.
4 They crush people with impossible religious demands and never
lift a finger to ease the burden.
5 "Everything they do is for show. . . .
If your "Christianity" is nothing more than a list of "do's and
don't's" then you are missing real Christianity, which is a
living relationship with Jesus Christ.
SAY THIS: Jesus does not want me to act like a Pharisee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)