Day LXVII
John 6
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate all the loaves of bread you wanted. 27 Do not work for the food that disappears, but for the food that remains to eternal life – the food which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has put his seal of approval on him.”
28 So then they said to him, “What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?” 29 Jesus replied, “This is the deed God requires – to believe in the one whom he sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what miraculous sign will you perform, so that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, just as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the solemn truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but my Father is giving you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread all the time!”
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But I told you that you have seen me and still do not believe. 37 Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never send away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 39 Now this is the will of the one who sent me – that I should not lose one person of every one he has given me, but raise them all up at the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father – for everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him to have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
41 Then the Jews who were hostile to Jesus began complaining about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven,” 42 and they said, “Isn’t this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus replied, “Do not complain about me to one another. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to me. 46 (Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God – he has seen the Father.) 47 I tell you the solemn truth, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that has come down from heaven, so that a person may eat from it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats from this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
52 Then the Jews who were hostile to Jesus began to argue with one another, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood resides in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so the one who consumes me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the bread your ancestors ate, but then later died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.”
Brothers and Sisters as we continue our last conversation about Jesus Christ our savior let us explore what he have said. He said he is the bread of life - bread is a symbol of food to live. We cannot live without bread or FOOD here on earth. In the same context we cannot have life after death without him. God's words are true, real and it lives forever. When God said thousand of years before Christ that someone is going to come and he will be raised from dead - it happened. The scriptures proved and continuously showing its power of reality. If you want to have life, if you need that kind of life and you have faith that there is eternity the only way to that is through Jesus Christ. He said the his body and blood are what we need to have this life. Who ever eats this will gain that life. I asked the Holy Spirit for these interpretation and these are what he said.
The word "EAT" them represents for us to take it in our hearts and be hungry and thirsty for them. Hungry for the greatness of Jesus, to be with him in eternity, to have the need to be like him and to be in us.
The word "Body" represents a lot of meanings - The Human ways how Jesus lived or being like Christ in our ways (his being) - walk, talk, think and act like him. Body represents our imitation of earthly body to be like without defect and perfect like him. We should imitate his character and always take look on his holiness every time to purify us.
The "Blood" represents the words of our God which flows with wisdom, teaching, guidance, praise, love and holiness. We would need these words daily to guide us and to strengthen our faith. Like fluid we need to have a great circulation of great holy spirit in our lives.
Friends Jesus is the real way, truth and life. Have you ever heard of having an IDOL or Mentor or role Model that a person is looking at to become like him/her? May we find a great model without fault and defect. And I am sure all human beings are not perfect enough to be like the Model I believe in. Let us look at Jesus the perfecter of our Faith because through him we can see hope and future. God bless you with hungry and thirst for Jesus and seek for his favor. As he have said - ask and you will receive, seek and you will find and knock and the door will be open. We just need to act and believe.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Choosing Jesus Christ as your Lord
Day LXVI
1 Peter 2
4 So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and priceless in God’s sight, 5 you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.” 7 So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 8 and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, 12 and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.
Dear brothers and sisters as we accepted Christ as our savior let us claim the promise of God to us. We are the chosen ones who would become the HOLY priesthood to proclaim the virtues of the one who called us. We have discussed the holy living in the previous days. Now let us claim that we should act like a priest under the law of God who is very careful in the ways of their living because we have the responsibility to please our GOD. We should live our lives the way the spirit needs to live for the glory of God and not to live in our fleshly desires.
1 Peter 2
4 So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and priceless in God’s sight, 5 you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.” 7 So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 8 and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, 12 and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.
Dear brothers and sisters as we accepted Christ as our savior let us claim the promise of God to us. We are the chosen ones who would become the HOLY priesthood to proclaim the virtues of the one who called us. We have discussed the holy living in the previous days. Now let us claim that we should act like a priest under the law of God who is very careful in the ways of their living because we have the responsibility to please our GOD. We should live our lives the way the spirit needs to live for the glory of God and not to live in our fleshly desires.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
BE HOLY part 2
Day LXV
In relation to our previous message how we can be holy.
In relation to our previous message how we can be holy.
22 You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart. 23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
For all flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of the grass;
the grass withers and the flower falls off,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.
And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
1 Peter 2
1 So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, 3 if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness.
When we accepted our Faith in God and we commit ourselves to be HOLY. Let us remember these things.
- Purify our souls always by obeying the truth in order to show our love to GOD. As Jesus have said if you love me you will obey my commandments.
- Love one another with pure heart because it matters to God. One of the commandment to holy people.
- After our conversion to do right we are like a seed that died in its form and become new being living for GOD.
- Let us keep in mind that this life is temporary and the word of GOD is true and will stay forever.
- 1 So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, 3 if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness.
May our journey to be righteous be guided by our helper - The Holy Spirit. May God bless us with great strength and self-control to be HOLY. Amen!
Monday, June 27, 2011
BE HOLY part 1
Day LXIV
Holiness, flawlessness or righteousness. The words itself is quite a strong word for us to bear. We are always reluctant to accept those words to be part of us cause the enemy give us doubt and suggest fear on those words. We know God is HOLY and its easier to accept that. We acknowledge those saints to be holy, the apostles to be righteous BUT for us to he HOLY is a great question to ponder. Let us read the scriptures and see if we can do it.
1 Peter 1
13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, 15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.” 17 And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence. 18 You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed – not by perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Let us try to digest it one by one. These are the important things to remember in our journey to holiness.
Holiness, flawlessness or righteousness. The words itself is quite a strong word for us to bear. We are always reluctant to accept those words to be part of us cause the enemy give us doubt and suggest fear on those words. We know God is HOLY and its easier to accept that. We acknowledge those saints to be holy, the apostles to be righteous BUT for us to he HOLY is a great question to ponder. Let us read the scriptures and see if we can do it.
1 Peter 1
13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, 15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.” 17 And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence. 18 You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed – not by perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifested in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you now trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Let us try to digest it one by one. These are the important things to remember in our journey to holiness.
- Be ready for Action and be fully sober - we should be aware of what to do and be prepared for the battle ahead.
- Our hope should be not on ourselves because we cannot do it alone - we should focus on the Grace given by our Lord Jesus Christ that purify our souls to be holy, sinless and flawless for he died for to save us from our sins.
- Becoming obedient we should always FIGHT not to do the evil desires in us.
- We should keep in mind that we should be HOLY because our Father is Holy, Jesus Christ is Holy and we have the HOLY Spirit in us - our body is the temple of HOLINESS we should keep it sacred.
- WE know that our Father is in heaven and this life is just a temporary residence of our being.
- Jesus Christ Died on the cross even when he is without defect/sin - paid the price of life for us - he suffered for our salvation to make us clean - let us do our part to continue to be clean and HOLY.
- OUR faith and trust should always be in GOD for he know us even before the creation of the world and we should always keep our faith strong and be sure that when we die righteous he would raise us just like what he did to Jesus.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Praise to God for a Living Hope
Day LXIII
1 Peter 1
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. 7 Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 because you are attaining the goal of your faith – the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully. 11 They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory.12 They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things angels long to catch a glimpse of.
In day LXII we talked about the reward of helping the lost children of God find righteousness. Today we will look into other things God stores for those who work for righteous living. For us who seek for holy living these are the words of GOD. That even we are suffering in our short stay here on earth we have a great future in heaven. That our suffering shows how our character of faith and belief in Jesus Christ as our savior.
May we read the words with open heart and may the overflowing greatness of this message goes in our inner man and be food for our souls. Amen.
1 Peter 1
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. 7 Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 because you are attaining the goal of your faith – the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully. 11 They probed into what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified beforehand about the sufferings appointed for Christ and his subsequent glory.12 They were shown that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things now announced to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things angels long to catch a glimpse of.
In day LXII we talked about the reward of helping the lost children of God find righteousness. Today we will look into other things God stores for those who work for righteous living. For us who seek for holy living these are the words of GOD. That even we are suffering in our short stay here on earth we have a great future in heaven. That our suffering shows how our character of faith and belief in Jesus Christ as our savior.
May we read the words with open heart and may the overflowing greatness of this message goes in our inner man and be food for our souls. Amen.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Reward of Leading to God
Day LXII
James 5
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Greatness of helping another. My dear friends today's scripture talks about our reward when we help a wicked find light. We were sinners, reason why Jesus died on the cross because of YOU and Me and THEM!
God wanted his lost children be found and live a righteous life. WE have our responsibility to proclaim God is real, to tell others about God and their salvation and save them from wicked ways of this world. Great reward awaits us when we do that wholeheartedly. We should admit that we are sinners, we are always been tempted and we still sin. Because we want salvation and forgiveness we would do anything to be saved. Right? This is one of the great way for us to be forgiven for our multitude of sins - save souls for Jesus. Let us find the lost children of God and lead them to the light. For them to have the life of heaven and gain the blessing of our LORD. Amen!
James 5
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Greatness of helping another. My dear friends today's scripture talks about our reward when we help a wicked find light. We were sinners, reason why Jesus died on the cross because of YOU and Me and THEM!
God wanted his lost children be found and live a righteous life. WE have our responsibility to proclaim God is real, to tell others about God and their salvation and save them from wicked ways of this world. Great reward awaits us when we do that wholeheartedly. We should admit that we are sinners, we are always been tempted and we still sin. Because we want salvation and forgiveness we would do anything to be saved. Right? This is one of the great way for us to be forgiven for our multitude of sins - save souls for Jesus. Let us find the lost children of God and lead them to the light. For them to have the life of heaven and gain the blessing of our LORD. Amen!
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Prayers of Faith
Day LXI
Today is an exploration of the word Prayer. What are the things that you prayed? Wish? Forgiveness? Asking for Help? Protection?
Well in today's teaching Apostle James reminded us about how we do pray.
James 5
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up – and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months! 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land sprouted with a harvest.
My dear brothers and sisters prayer is one or I can say the ONLY powerful tool we can have to live. Our Faith is done by prayer. When we suffer we do pray for help - that God may give us peace of mind and make things better. When we are sick - we prayed for healing. When we are happy - we pray praises. When your in doubt you pray for wisdom. When we are lost we pray for guidance.
Have you tried to pray? Or never? How do you pray? Do you read prayer manuscript because you know it will help you? Or you memorized a prayer and recite it when you need to?
God teaches us how to pray - just like The Our Father prayer. But how do we pray? Do we recite it just for us to say every word in it? May it not be!
Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters God wants our heart in prayer and our soul in it. How do we do it, pray what you feel, pray whats in side you. When you feel happy sing praises and pray for thankfulness. When you feel sad say it, when your angry tell it to God. God has feelings too he listens to our hearts and wanted HONEST PRAYERS from us. Genuine prayer comes from our honest heartfelt prayers. If you wanted to say the prayer you memorized please feel every word in it. Our prayer is powerful and let us make it holy because we pray to our Holy Father.
Today is an exploration of the word Prayer. What are the things that you prayed? Wish? Forgiveness? Asking for Help? Protection?
Well in today's teaching Apostle James reminded us about how we do pray.
James 5
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up – and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months! 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land sprouted with a harvest.
My dear brothers and sisters prayer is one or I can say the ONLY powerful tool we can have to live. Our Faith is done by prayer. When we suffer we do pray for help - that God may give us peace of mind and make things better. When we are sick - we prayed for healing. When we are happy - we pray praises. When your in doubt you pray for wisdom. When we are lost we pray for guidance.
Have you tried to pray? Or never? How do you pray? Do you read prayer manuscript because you know it will help you? Or you memorized a prayer and recite it when you need to?
God teaches us how to pray - just like The Our Father prayer. But how do we pray? Do we recite it just for us to say every word in it? May it not be!
Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters God wants our heart in prayer and our soul in it. How do we do it, pray what you feel, pray whats in side you. When you feel happy sing praises and pray for thankfulness. When you feel sad say it, when your angry tell it to God. God has feelings too he listens to our hearts and wanted HONEST PRAYERS from us. Genuine prayer comes from our honest heartfelt prayers. If you wanted to say the prayer you memorized please feel every word in it. Our prayer is powerful and let us make it holy because we pray to our Holy Father.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
May our words be true
Day LX
Today our words are so simple but very important.
Today our words are so simple but very important.
From James 5:12 And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall into judgment.
Have you ever swear to do something and as situations tested you, you failed to deliver? Have you promised something to someone and failed to do it? Are you familiar with "white lies"? When you need to answer yes instead of NO?
Our scriptures for today is about how we use our YES and NO. Sounds easy but is it really?
Come to a stop and think about it. Do we solemnly swear we can do things on our own? Have you always been so perfect in giving your promise and certain that you will be able to deliver? Let us admit the fact that there are things beyond our control a minute from now we do not know what would happen. In an instant our plans may be interrupted because of unexpected situations. We can't even tell what would the future be. As the bible says we cant even know if the hair that would grow in our scalp would be gray or black.
In our passage we are instructed to just say Yes when its yes and say NO when its no. Let us keep that words in mind that when a question is being to us we think first before we utter our Yes or No. We should say Yes or No without any other explanation unless they asked. Can you do that? YES or NO?
May it be done for you and me. Amen!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Patience in Suffering
Day LIX
For this day the word of the lord is about Patience in Suffering. Let us read the words and interact with it after.
James 5
7 So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. 11 Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Patience is a tough word for most of us. Especially for me, these days the greatest learning/test for me is learning PATIENCE. Most of the time we wanted to get things as easy as possible. Most of the time we are impatient in the things we wanted or wished for. Most of all in times of trouble, suffering and challenges we are very concerned when it would end. We seek for better situation and pray earnestly to have a good life. Friends there would be times again and again that the lord would test our patience. He would do it consistently for us to learn it in time and be part of our personality. Patience is a great virtue and it gives us endurance and hope. Let us remember the situation of Job who for the longest time suffered so much, feel abandoned and bitter. Of all people Job is the perfect example of a person who would need patience to endure and to hope for good future. When time seemed so tough and our prayers seemed bouncing off the ceiling let us do what Job did. He still hoped and keep his faith to endure suffering because he knows God is a merciful God and would answer him. As God shows his great compassion to his son and how he return things when he sees that our faith is great we can be sure that our future is clear when we have faith in our Lord.
For this day the word of the lord is about Patience in Suffering. Let us read the words and interact with it after.
James 5
7 So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. 11 Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Patience is a tough word for most of us. Especially for me, these days the greatest learning/test for me is learning PATIENCE. Most of the time we wanted to get things as easy as possible. Most of the time we are impatient in the things we wanted or wished for. Most of all in times of trouble, suffering and challenges we are very concerned when it would end. We seek for better situation and pray earnestly to have a good life. Friends there would be times again and again that the lord would test our patience. He would do it consistently for us to learn it in time and be part of our personality. Patience is a great virtue and it gives us endurance and hope. Let us remember the situation of Job who for the longest time suffered so much, feel abandoned and bitter. Of all people Job is the perfect example of a person who would need patience to endure and to hope for good future. When time seemed so tough and our prayers seemed bouncing off the ceiling let us do what Job did. He still hoped and keep his faith to endure suffering because he knows God is a merciful God and would answer him. As God shows his great compassion to his son and how he return things when he sees that our faith is great we can be sure that our future is clear when we have faith in our Lord.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Teaching - Boasting about Tomorrow
Day LVIII
James 4
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” Luke 12:18; 14 You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. Isa 40:6; 1Cor 7:31; Jas 1:10; 1Pet 1:24; 1John 2:17; 15 You ought to say instead, “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.” Acts 18:21; 1Cor 4:19; Heb 6:3; 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.
James 4
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” Luke 12:18; 14 You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. Isa 40:6; 1Cor 7:31; Jas 1:10; 1Pet 1:24; 1John 2:17; 15 You ought to say instead, “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.” Acts 18:21; 1Cor 4:19; Heb 6:3; 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Submitting ourselves to God
Day LVII
James 4
1 Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you? 2 You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask; 3 you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.
4 Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.5 Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, “The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”? 6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.” 7 So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into despair. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.
11 Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters. He who speaks against a fellow believer or judges a fellow believer speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but its judge. 12 But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge – the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor?
Amen!
James 4
1 Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you? 2 You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask; 3 you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.
4 Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.5 Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, “The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”? 6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.” 7 So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into despair. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.
11 Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters. He who speaks against a fellow believer or judges a fellow believer speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but its judge. 12 But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge – the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor?
Amen!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Warning - Two kinds of Wisdom
Day LVI
Today the scriptures are words of warning and teaching. Words to make us remember the Good and things that does not belong to God.
James 3
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. 18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.
Today the scriptures are words of warning and teaching. Words to make us remember the Good and things that does not belong to God.
James 3
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. 18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Taming the Tongue
LV
This message or scriptures is one of the great revelations for me. This taught me to be in constant watch and cautious in using my tongue. These instructions and learning is a great help in our journey to be righteous with God. One of the best qualities we can have to be called the son of God.
James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. 8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. 11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.
Please note these words:
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. and
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.
May we understand our responsibility to keep our tongue in righteousness.
This message or scriptures is one of the great revelations for me. This taught me to be in constant watch and cautious in using my tongue. These instructions and learning is a great help in our journey to be righteous with God. One of the best qualities we can have to be called the son of God.
James 3
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. 3 And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. 4 Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. 5 So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. 8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. 11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.
Please note these words:
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. and
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.
May we understand our responsibility to keep our tongue in righteousness.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Learning - Listening and Doing
Day LIV
Today brothers and sisters let us learn from the words of Apostle James about listening and doing. Today is another words of encouragement to keep our self control on things that would make us fall.
James 1
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. Prov 17:27; Eccl 5:2; 20 For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. Rom 13:12; Col 3:8; 22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. Matt 7:21; Luke 11:28; Rom 2:13; 1John 3:7; 23 For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. Luke 6:47; 24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does. Matt 5:19; 26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. Ps 34:13; Jas 3:6; 1Pet 3:10; 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Today brothers and sisters let us learn from the words of Apostle James about listening and doing. Today is another words of encouragement to keep our self control on things that would make us fall.
James 1
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. Prov 17:27; Eccl 5:2; 20 For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. 21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. Rom 13:12; Col 3:8; 22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. Matt 7:21; Luke 11:28; Rom 2:13; 1John 3:7; 23 For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. Luke 6:47; 24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does. Matt 5:19; 26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. Ps 34:13; Jas 3:6; 1Pet 3:10; 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Learning - Trials and Temptations
Day LIII
Today brothers and sisters we will go into the book of James one of the Apostle of Jesus Christ our lord. Today the scriptures will give us guidance in finding JOY in our trails and temptations. May these words of wisdom goes to our inner man and be part of our lives. Let us always seek for righteousness and perfect ourselves for our Father is perfect.
James 1
2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. 5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.
9 Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. 10 But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. 11 For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away. 12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. 16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Amen!!!
Today brothers and sisters we will go into the book of James one of the Apostle of Jesus Christ our lord. Today the scriptures will give us guidance in finding JOY in our trails and temptations. May these words of wisdom goes to our inner man and be part of our lives. Let us always seek for righteousness and perfect ourselves for our Father is perfect.
James 1
2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. 5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.
9 Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. 10 But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. 11 For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away. 12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. 16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Amen!!!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Words of encouragements
Day LII
Hebrews 13
1 Brotherly love must continue. 2 Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.3 Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them, and those ill-treated as though you too felt their torment.4 Marriage must be honored among all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. 5 Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” 6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! 9 Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings. For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals, which have never benefited those who participated in them. 10 We have an altar that those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat from. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore, to sanctify the people by his own blood, Jesus also suffered outside the camp. 13 We must go out to him, then, outside the camp, bearing the abuse he experienced. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name. 16 And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.
Brothers and Sisters these scriptures written for us to strengthen our faith. May these words give us encouragement and perseverance in doing good.
Like me you might be having this continuous worry about somethings in life. Thinking what will happen next not knowing. But these words from God that says "He is our helper" I get my confidence because I know this is true and he keep his promise. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Let us pray continually to him to remove our worries and instead of worry let us praise and acknowledge his greatness! This would please him and we are doing what we are suppose to do. Doing these also would give us the blessings!
Hebrews 13
1 Brotherly love must continue. 2 Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.3 Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them, and those ill-treated as though you too felt their torment.4 Marriage must be honored among all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. 5 Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” 6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! 9 Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings. For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals, which have never benefited those who participated in them. 10 We have an altar that those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat from. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore, to sanctify the people by his own blood, Jesus also suffered outside the camp. 13 We must go out to him, then, outside the camp, bearing the abuse he experienced. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name. 16 And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.
Brothers and Sisters these scriptures written for us to strengthen our faith. May these words give us encouragement and perseverance in doing good.
Like me you might be having this continuous worry about somethings in life. Thinking what will happen next not knowing. But these words from God that says "He is our helper" I get my confidence because I know this is true and he keep his promise. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Let us pray continually to him to remove our worries and instead of worry let us praise and acknowledge his greatness! This would please him and we are doing what we are suppose to do. Doing these also would give us the blessings!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Warning Against Refusing God
Day LI
Today let us read this scriptures from Apostle Paul. May these warnings be part of our inner man to depend on our God Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit in living this life.
Hebrews 12
14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord. Rom 12:18; 2Tim 2:22; Matt 5:8; 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled. 2Cor 6:1; Deut 29:18; Acts 17:13; Gal 5:12; 16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; 1Thess 4:3; Gen 25:33; 17 For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears. Gen 27:36; 18 For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind Exod 19:10; Exod 20:21; Exod 19:16; Deut 5:22; 19 and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard begged to hear no more. Exod 20:19; Deut 5:25; Deut 18:16; 20 For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” Exod 19:13; 21 In fact, the scene was so terrifying that Moses said, “I shudder with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly Gal 4:26; Rev 3:12; Rev 21:10; 23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect, Luke 10:20; 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does. Heb 10:22; 1Pet 1:2; Gen 4:10; Heb 11:4;
25 Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns from heaven? Heb 2:3; 26 Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.” Hag 2:6; 27 Now this phrase “once more” indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain. 28 So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe. 1Pet 2:5; 29 For our God is indeed a devouring fire. Deut 4:24;
Today let us read this scriptures from Apostle Paul. May these warnings be part of our inner man to depend on our God Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit in living this life.
Hebrews 12
14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord. Rom 12:18; 2Tim 2:22; Matt 5:8; 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled. 2Cor 6:1; Deut 29:18; Acts 17:13; Gal 5:12; 16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; 1Thess 4:3; Gen 25:33; 17 For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears. Gen 27:36; 18 For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind Exod 19:10; Exod 20:21; Exod 19:16; Deut 5:22; 19 and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard begged to hear no more. Exod 20:19; Deut 5:25; Deut 18:16; 20 For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” Exod 19:13; 21 In fact, the scene was so terrifying that Moses said, “I shudder with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly Gal 4:26; Rev 3:12; Rev 21:10; 23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect, Luke 10:20; 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does. Heb 10:22; 1Pet 1:2; Gen 4:10; Heb 11:4;
25 Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns from heaven? Heb 2:3; 26 Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.” Hag 2:6; 27 Now this phrase “once more” indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain. 28 So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe. 1Pet 2:5; 29 For our God is indeed a devouring fire. Deut 4:24;
Monday, June 13, 2011
God Disciplines His Son
Day L
Brothers and Sisters today we will have this message about how God Loves his Children. You might have heard a saying "Parents discipline their children to correct their attitude because they love them". Likewise let us always understand that our father in heaven is our mighty father who always wanted the best for us. We might not understand what is happening to our lives BUT let us always remember that God knows better. In the scriptures we will have today - may we find how God love US. May these words go to our inner man and get the wisdom of God about this life.
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,1 we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed in your struggle against sin.5 And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons?
“My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline
or give up when he corrects you.
6 “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.”
7 Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. 9 Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? 10 For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness. 11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.
Brothers and Sisters today we will have this message about how God Loves his Children. You might have heard a saying "Parents discipline their children to correct their attitude because they love them". Likewise let us always understand that our father in heaven is our mighty father who always wanted the best for us. We might not understand what is happening to our lives BUT let us always remember that God knows better. In the scriptures we will have today - may we find how God love US. May these words go to our inner man and get the wisdom of God about this life.
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,1 we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed in your struggle against sin.5 And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons?
“My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline
or give up when he corrects you.
6 “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.”
7 Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. 9 Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? 10 For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness. 11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Faith
Day XLIX
Today brothers and sisters let us read this scriptures that give us encouragement to have FAITH. Apostle Paul gives us insights and stories about faith. May these give our inner man confidence in our God and strengthen our faith.
Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. 2 For by it the people of old received God’s commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible. 4 By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead.5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverent regard constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land as though it were a foreign country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with firm foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old, he received the ability to procreate, because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy. 12 So in fact children were fathered by one man – and this one as good as dead – like the number of stars in the sky and like the innumerable grains of sand on the seashore. 13 These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth. 14 For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, yet he was ready to offer up his only son. 18 God had told him, “Through Isaac descendants will carry on your name,” 19 and he reasoned that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense he received him back from there. 20 By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped as he leaned on his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions about his burial.
23 By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months, because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. 26 He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed up. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after the people marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets. 33 Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, gained what was promised, shut the mouths of lions,34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, put foreign armies to flight, 35 and women received back their dead raised to life. But others were tortured, not accepting release, to obtain resurrection to a better life. 36 And others experienced mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.37 They were stoned, sawed apart, murdered with the sword; they went about in sheepskins and goatskins; they were destitute, afflicted, ill-treated38 (the world was not worthy of them); they wandered in deserts and mountains and caves and openings in the earth. 39 And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. 40 For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.
Friends in the scriptures we were given numerous examples of people who showed FAITH. They were stories we are familiar with even with one. May we find this message an encouragement to YOU and me. In times of our doubt or when our faith is falling let just remember the story of some people who showed their faith and reap the harvest of righteousness. May you always be blessed and may others be blessed by you. Amen.
Today brothers and sisters let us read this scriptures that give us encouragement to have FAITH. Apostle Paul gives us insights and stories about faith. May these give our inner man confidence in our God and strengthen our faith.
Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. 2 For by it the people of old received God’s commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible. 4 By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead.5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverent regard constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land as though it were a foreign country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with firm foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old, he received the ability to procreate, because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy. 12 So in fact children were fathered by one man – and this one as good as dead – like the number of stars in the sky and like the innumerable grains of sand on the seashore. 13 These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth. 14 For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 In fact, if they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, yet he was ready to offer up his only son. 18 God had told him, “Through Isaac descendants will carry on your name,” 19 and he reasoned that God could even raise him from the dead, and in a sense he received him back from there. 20 By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped as he leaned on his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions about his burial.
23 By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months, because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. 26 He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed up. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after the people marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient, because she welcomed the spies in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets. 33 Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, gained what was promised, shut the mouths of lions,34 quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, put foreign armies to flight, 35 and women received back their dead raised to life. But others were tortured, not accepting release, to obtain resurrection to a better life. 36 And others experienced mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.37 They were stoned, sawed apart, murdered with the sword; they went about in sheepskins and goatskins; they were destitute, afflicted, ill-treated38 (the world was not worthy of them); they wandered in deserts and mountains and caves and openings in the earth. 39 And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. 40 For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us.
Friends in the scriptures we were given numerous examples of people who showed FAITH. They were stories we are familiar with even with one. May we find this message an encouragement to YOU and me. In times of our doubt or when our faith is falling let just remember the story of some people who showed their faith and reap the harvest of righteousness. May you always be blessed and may others be blessed by you. Amen.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Warning Against Falling Away
Day XLVIII
Hebrews 5
11 On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing. 12 For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God’s utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 6
1 Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, 2 teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this is what we intend to do,1 if God permits. 4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6 and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt. 7 For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is useless and about to be cursed; its fate is to be burned. 9 But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints. 11 But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.
Amen
Hebrews 5
11 On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing. 12 For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God’s utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 6
1 Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, 2 teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this is what we intend to do,1 if God permits. 4 For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, 6 and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt. 7 For the ground that has soaked up the rain that frequently falls on it and yields useful vegetation for those who tend it receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is useless and about to be cursed; its fate is to be burned. 9 But in your case, dear friends, even though we speak like this, we are convinced of better things relating to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints. 11 But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.
Amen
Friday, June 10, 2011
Jesus the Great High Priest
Day XLVII
Today brothers and sisters let us remember how great our Jesus Christ is. Here on earth some of us would respect the priest, pastor and religious elders very much because we know they are righteous and can help us in our burdens.
In the scriptures that we will read someone - higher, flawless, humble and Lord himself does a self sacrifice for our cleansing and salvation.
Picture this - during the old times when people have sin they go to the priest and confessed their sins. The priest needs to do some sacrifice (birds, animals or others) to God for the forgiveness. However, that priest even today they are also human who are subject to sin. Even to this day we often ask priest, pastor to pray for us for God's forgiveness and blessings.
Hallelujah! Because of God's grace he gave us his only Son. As a loving Father even painful to see his innocent son suffering under this world both of them endure for YOU and me. God given us that gift of salvation while we are still sinners. That alone is something that due our faith to God and to Jesus.
Picture this - admitting all our mistakes/sins in the judgement day we are guilty. But here comes someone we don't know saying to the Judge "I will take his debts because I love that person so much, do your punishments to me. YES even to death". HOW would you feel that in the end of the judgement when you were pronounced guilty and bound to death someone SAVED you? Would you not acknowledge? Would you not love that person? How foolish is the person saved but not return respect and give his acceptance.
Jesus Christ Loves YOU and me.
Hebrews 4
14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.
Hebrews 5
1 For every high priest is taken from among the people and appointed to represent them before God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness, 3 and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 4 And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God, who said to him, “You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,” 6 as also in another place God says, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During his earthly life Christ offered both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion.8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered. 9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 and he was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Brothers and Sisters if we only open our hearts to Jesus. If we can only see the things that he did we would never have any doubt to accept him as our savior. He is so great and he given us our helper to guide us in our living here on earth until we see him face to face. May our hunger to salvation be filled with joy when we come to Jesus the perfecter of our faith. Amen.
Today brothers and sisters let us remember how great our Jesus Christ is. Here on earth some of us would respect the priest, pastor and religious elders very much because we know they are righteous and can help us in our burdens.
In the scriptures that we will read someone - higher, flawless, humble and Lord himself does a self sacrifice for our cleansing and salvation.
Picture this - during the old times when people have sin they go to the priest and confessed their sins. The priest needs to do some sacrifice (birds, animals or others) to God for the forgiveness. However, that priest even today they are also human who are subject to sin. Even to this day we often ask priest, pastor to pray for us for God's forgiveness and blessings.
Hallelujah! Because of God's grace he gave us his only Son. As a loving Father even painful to see his innocent son suffering under this world both of them endure for YOU and me. God given us that gift of salvation while we are still sinners. That alone is something that due our faith to God and to Jesus.
Picture this - admitting all our mistakes/sins in the judgement day we are guilty. But here comes someone we don't know saying to the Judge "I will take his debts because I love that person so much, do your punishments to me. YES even to death". HOW would you feel that in the end of the judgement when you were pronounced guilty and bound to death someone SAVED you? Would you not acknowledge? Would you not love that person? How foolish is the person saved but not return respect and give his acceptance.
Jesus Christ Loves YOU and me.
Hebrews 4
14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.
Hebrews 5
1 For every high priest is taken from among the people and appointed to represent them before God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness, 3 and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 4 And no one assumes this honor on his own initiative, but only when called to it by God, as in fact Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God, who said to him, “You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,” 6 as also in another place God says, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During his earthly life Christ offered both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion.8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered. 9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 and he was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Brothers and Sisters if we only open our hearts to Jesus. If we can only see the things that he did we would never have any doubt to accept him as our savior. He is so great and he given us our helper to guide us in our living here on earth until we see him face to face. May our hunger to salvation be filled with joy when we come to Jesus the perfecter of our faith. Amen.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Observance of Sabbath-Rest for the People of God
Day XLVI
Today the message is about our observance of rest day. Have you thought about this seriously?
Hebrews 4
1 Therefore we must be wary that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’” And yet God’s works were accomplished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,” 5 but to repeat the text cited earlier: “They will never enter my rest!” 6 Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience. 7 So God again ordains a certain day, “Today,” speaking through David after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, “O, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken afterward about another day. 9 Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God. 10 For the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works. 11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
If you believe in God, if you love Jesus Christ you will obey his commandments. God rested on the 7th day and he commanded the people to observe that day as a rest day. Would it be hard? It will if we have number of reasons but I hope we could have that obedience to what God wanted without doubt and complain. Just do it.
One thought - God wanted us to rest on the seventh day for us to gather our strength for the week ahead. To stop and think of the things we have done on that week, evaluate them, pray for forgiveness, ask for guidance for the week ahead, and have a conversation with God about the things that happened and things to come. Think about it - it is for our own good. Guaranteed if we give time to God and have a constant conversation with HIM we will be guided on our week to come.
Today the message is about our observance of rest day. Have you thought about this seriously?
Hebrews 4
1 Therefore we must be wary that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For we had good news proclaimed to us just as they did. But the message they heard did them no good, since they did not join in with those who heard it in faith. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my anger, ‘They will never enter my rest!’” And yet God’s works were accomplished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,” 5 but to repeat the text cited earlier: “They will never enter my rest!” 6 Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience. 7 So God again ordains a certain day, “Today,” speaking through David after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, “O, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken afterward about another day. 9 Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God. 10 For the one who enters God’s rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works. 11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
If you believe in God, if you love Jesus Christ you will obey his commandments. God rested on the 7th day and he commanded the people to observe that day as a rest day. Would it be hard? It will if we have number of reasons but I hope we could have that obedience to what God wanted without doubt and complain. Just do it.
One thought - God wanted us to rest on the seventh day for us to gather our strength for the week ahead. To stop and think of the things we have done on that week, evaluate them, pray for forgiveness, ask for guidance for the week ahead, and have a conversation with God about the things that happened and things to come. Think about it - it is for our own good. Guaranteed if we give time to God and have a constant conversation with HIM we will be guided on our week to come.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Doing what is Good
Day XLV
This day may the words from the letter of Paul to Titus speak to our inner man. May our understanding be at work thus give us this wisdom to use them.
Titus 3
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and1 authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. 2 They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,note 5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”
8 This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. These things are good and beneficial for all people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty. 10 Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. 11 You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself.
Amen
This day may the words from the letter of Paul to Titus speak to our inner man. May our understanding be at work thus give us this wisdom to use them.
Titus 3
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and1 authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. 2 They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, misled, enslaved to various passions and desires, spending our lives in evil and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared,note 5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”
8 This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. These things are good and beneficial for all people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the law, because they are useless and empty. 10 Reject a divisive person after one or two warnings. 11 You know that such a person is twisted by sin and is conscious of it himself.
Amen
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Perseverance in our journey to Righteousness
Day XLIV
From the letter of Paul to Timothy let us set these words of encouragement to give us strength in going through the battle of Faith in God.
2 Timothy 2
1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well. 3 Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned! 10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy:
If we died with him, we will also live with him.
12 If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we deny him, he will also deny us.
13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.
From the letter of Paul to Timothy let us set these words of encouragement to give us strength in going through the battle of Faith in God.
2 Timothy 2
1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well. 3 Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned! 10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory. 11 This saying is trustworthy:
If we died with him, we will also live with him.
12 If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we deny him, he will also deny us.
13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Encouragement to be Faithful
Day XLIII
Words for today brothers and sisters is from the letter of Paul to Timothy. May we put ourselves in the part of Timothy when Apostle Paul is giving his message. May the words of Paul from the Holy Spirit speak to our inner man and guide us in our journey of Faith.
2 Timothy 1
6 Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel. 9 He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel! 11 For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. 12 Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do, But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day. 13 Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
Words for today brothers and sisters is from the letter of Paul to Timothy. May we put ourselves in the part of Timothy when Apostle Paul is giving his message. May the words of Paul from the Holy Spirit speak to our inner man and guide us in our journey of Faith.
2 Timothy 1
6 Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel. 9 He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel! 11 For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. 12 Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do, But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day. 13 Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Warning in the Last Days
Day XLII
This day the words were given to warn us and keep us alert about the days to come. From the letter of Paul to Timothy he given these words for us to also remember the words of God.
2 Timothy 3
1 But understand this, that in the last days difficult1 times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.note 5 They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. 6 For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.7 Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people – who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith – also oppose the truth. 9 But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone,
The message for this day is how we observe our lives today. If we look at these signs, these things are happening these days. The words for today brothers and sisters are warning to be alert. May this warning give us the need to walk straight and seek righteousness.
This day the words were given to warn us and keep us alert about the days to come. From the letter of Paul to Timothy he given these words for us to also remember the words of God.
2 Timothy 3
1 But understand this, that in the last days difficult1 times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.note 5 They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. 6 For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.7 Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people – who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith – also oppose the truth. 9 But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone,
The message for this day is how we observe our lives today. If we look at these signs, these things are happening these days. The words for today brothers and sisters are warning to be alert. May this warning give us the need to walk straight and seek righteousness.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Lord's Grace to ANYONE including you
Day XLI
Brothers and Sisters you may think that you may be the worst person that do not deserve forgiveness and grace of our God. I believe that everyone of us would go to this idea and we might not able to think WHY? It has been said "everything happens for a reason". Sometimes our worst experiences including ourselves, our personality is being used by God for Good.
In the bible there was this person who was considered once enemy of God because of his works. He persecute people who have faith in Jesus and does blasphemy. Until one time God called him for his purpose - because of his personality he was able to preach effectively and turn thousands of people to believe in Jesus. His name is Saul also known as Paul.
In his letter to Timothy he pronounced the grace given to him despite his sins. May his story be our testimony that ANYONE deserves grace from God. God is so great that he even send his only Son to die for me and for YOU. May Paul's testimony gives us confidence that our being is prepared to be used by God. We just need to admit and surrender ourselves to God for his purpose.
1 Timothy 1
12 I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! 16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever!3 Amen.
Like Paul may we be used by God to demonstrate the Greatness of our Lord to everyone. Amen
Brothers and Sisters you may think that you may be the worst person that do not deserve forgiveness and grace of our God. I believe that everyone of us would go to this idea and we might not able to think WHY? It has been said "everything happens for a reason". Sometimes our worst experiences including ourselves, our personality is being used by God for Good.
In the bible there was this person who was considered once enemy of God because of his works. He persecute people who have faith in Jesus and does blasphemy. Until one time God called him for his purpose - because of his personality he was able to preach effectively and turn thousands of people to believe in Jesus. His name is Saul also known as Paul.
In his letter to Timothy he pronounced the grace given to him despite his sins. May his story be our testimony that ANYONE deserves grace from God. God is so great that he even send his only Son to die for me and for YOU. May Paul's testimony gives us confidence that our being is prepared to be used by God. We just need to admit and surrender ourselves to God for his purpose.
1 Timothy 1
12 I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus. 15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them! 16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. 17 Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever!3 Amen.
Like Paul may we be used by God to demonstrate the Greatness of our Lord to everyone. Amen
Friday, June 3, 2011
Change for the better
Day XL
From several quotations -
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson
All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. ~Anatole France
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl
When you are through changing, you are through. ~Bruce Barton
Growth is the only evidence of life. ~John Henry Newman, Apologia pro vita sua, 1864
Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer
If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing. ~Saint Augustine
Brothers and Sisters today let us look into ourselves, to the world we are in and in the circumstances we are facing. Are you happy with it? Do we see contentment on our daily lives? Do you see great peace on our way of living?
As the quotation have said, things do not change but we need to change to make things right. Like a seed it needs to die to form a new life of plant and grow.
Luke 13:18 Thus Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the wild birds nested in its branches.”
Brothers and Sisters this is my 40th day, after my conversion and encounter with God. It was a great experience with trials and challenges to keep my faith strong, to keep my self clean and to always be on guard to be righteous. I was not able to perfect it either (being honest), Sins took me time to time, and again and again I asked God for forgiveness. Time and Time, as we go to that same test again and again we get reminded and learned from it. I hope that like me you would also be in constant fight to do the right thing. Even if we fail again and again let us always strive to do right to correct our mistake and to change ourselves to be righteous. Let us keep our temptations, sins and all other things that bring us down as a stepping stone to bring us to the light.
It is said we die daily, we must pray continually and always be alert. Let us change again and again to perfect ourselves so that when we are presented to our God he can see us flawless. Amen.
From several quotations -
He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery. ~Harold Wilson
All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. ~Anatole France
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl
When you are through changing, you are through. ~Bruce Barton
Growth is the only evidence of life. ~John Henry Newman, Apologia pro vita sua, 1864
Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline R. Kezer
If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing. ~Saint Augustine
Brothers and Sisters today let us look into ourselves, to the world we are in and in the circumstances we are facing. Are you happy with it? Do we see contentment on our daily lives? Do you see great peace on our way of living?
As the quotation have said, things do not change but we need to change to make things right. Like a seed it needs to die to form a new life of plant and grow.
Luke 13:18 Thus Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the wild birds nested in its branches.”
Brothers and Sisters this is my 40th day, after my conversion and encounter with God. It was a great experience with trials and challenges to keep my faith strong, to keep my self clean and to always be on guard to be righteous. I was not able to perfect it either (being honest), Sins took me time to time, and again and again I asked God for forgiveness. Time and Time, as we go to that same test again and again we get reminded and learned from it. I hope that like me you would also be in constant fight to do the right thing. Even if we fail again and again let us always strive to do right to correct our mistake and to change ourselves to be righteous. Let us keep our temptations, sins and all other things that bring us down as a stepping stone to bring us to the light.
It is said we die daily, we must pray continually and always be alert. Let us change again and again to perfect ourselves so that when we are presented to our God he can see us flawless. Amen.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Righteous Instructions
Day XXXIX
Today we will get encouragement and teaching form the letter of Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian.
1 Thessalonians 5
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16 Always rejoice, 17 constantly pray 18 in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. 22 Stay away from every form of evil.
Brothers and Sisters let us stop and think of these instructions. 1. Let us acknowledge the work of those who are doing things for God - let us always respect them. For me no matter what religion they are in they deserve our respect - we do not know what is in their heart and how God would use them for his purpose. Let us remember that whoever is for God should be our brother. Also let us not judge them for we should not be tempted to sit on a judgement seat and decide what is wrong or right. Our judgement is base on our standards which is limited. Only God can judge our work and theirs.
2. Let us help the weak, comfort the discouraged and be patient to all. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Remember the commandment - Love thy neighbor as you love yourself.
3. Worship always! In worship we praise God, give highest respect to God, give thanks, we constantly pray and we do things as if we are doing it for God.
4. Let us live by the work of the spirit - Love, patience, self-control, perseverance, trust, gentleness etc. See other post that teaches us to live by spirit.
5. Let us always in focus to do Good and avoid evil.
May these words be written in our hearts and guide us in our journey to righteousness. Amen!
Today we will get encouragement and teaching form the letter of Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian.
1 Thessalonians 5
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16 Always rejoice, 17 constantly pray 18 in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. 22 Stay away from every form of evil.
Brothers and Sisters let us stop and think of these instructions. 1. Let us acknowledge the work of those who are doing things for God - let us always respect them. For me no matter what religion they are in they deserve our respect - we do not know what is in their heart and how God would use them for his purpose. Let us remember that whoever is for God should be our brother. Also let us not judge them for we should not be tempted to sit on a judgement seat and decide what is wrong or right. Our judgement is base on our standards which is limited. Only God can judge our work and theirs.
2. Let us help the weak, comfort the discouraged and be patient to all. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Remember the commandment - Love thy neighbor as you love yourself.
3. Worship always! In worship we praise God, give highest respect to God, give thanks, we constantly pray and we do things as if we are doing it for God.
4. Let us live by the work of the spirit - Love, patience, self-control, perseverance, trust, gentleness etc. See other post that teaches us to live by spirit.
5. Let us always in focus to do Good and avoid evil.
May these words be written in our hearts and guide us in our journey to righteousness. Amen!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Stay focus and Alert
Day XXXVIII
Brothers and Sisters as we keep our path straight let us focus on our Goal. As I have explained, let us have our mission and vision that would lead us in our journey. Let us have our Goal - To be with Jesus Christ in heaven forever.
As we write our goal in our hearts and live with it we should rejoice in the day of his coming. This scriptures will explain to us how we should perceive the day when the lord comes.
1 Thessalonians 4
13 Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians. 15 For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night. 3 Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.note 5 For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness. 6 So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation. 9 For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep we will come to life together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.
We should be glad and look forward on that day. We choose to live in the light, we serve our master in heaven and we are the children of the light. Let us always be on guard on our faith so that when the time comes (whether Christ came to meet us or our last day here on earth) we are confident that we will live with God in the new heaven. So again, let us focus and be alert.
Brothers and Sisters as we keep our path straight let us focus on our Goal. As I have explained, let us have our mission and vision that would lead us in our journey. Let us have our Goal - To be with Jesus Christ in heaven forever.
As we write our goal in our hearts and live with it we should rejoice in the day of his coming. This scriptures will explain to us how we should perceive the day when the lord comes.
1 Thessalonians 4
13 Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians. 15 For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night. 3 Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.note 5 For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness. 6 So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation. 9 For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep we will come to life together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.
We should be glad and look forward on that day. We choose to live in the light, we serve our master in heaven and we are the children of the light. Let us always be on guard on our faith so that when the time comes (whether Christ came to meet us or our last day here on earth) we are confident that we will live with God in the new heaven. So again, let us focus and be alert.
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