Posts Tagged ‘book of john’
Just recently my beloved unbelieving husband brought me an article from the Tulsa World newspaper. The title of the article is, Priest: Stealing is OK at times. The priest from northern England made a statement that reflects Man’s Ways vs. God’s Ways. His statement caused a disturbance in the congregation, fellow clergy, shop owners and police. The priest told his congregation that it is “sometimes acceptable for desperate people to shoplift – as long as they do it at the large national chain stores, rather than small, family businesses.” The priest also said that, “Shoplifting could help people who are legally entitled to welfare benefits but have them delayed for bureaucratic reasons.”
When man depends on his own reasoning of what is right or wrong, he rejects God’s Ways, “thou shalt not steal.” (Deuteronomy 5:19 [show] [19]"'And you shall not steal. (ESV)
) The Holy Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our Instructor, our Guide and the One who reveals the wisdom of God to us as our sensitive Counselor. (John 14:16, 26 [show] [16]And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (ESV)
[26]But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (ESV); 16: 7-13.)
Some might agree with what appears to be a “compassionate” priest, when they read his reasoning to why he said what he did. But again, Man’s Ways are not God’s Ways and to ignore what God says can cause another to stumble, and in this case those that are struggling with the hardships of life or those that are young in their faith. (Psalm 119:9, 165 [show] [9]How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
[165]Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.) We in the end know that those in authority as in the priest’s case, distort what Scripture says and in the end brings about destruction. (II Peter 3:16 [show] [16]as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (ESV))
We as God’s people have a responsibility not only to observe God’s Law but to obey God’s Word and then to teach other’s God Ways. God’s children are nourished by His Words through faith. It brings delight to their spirits when they receive it and produces growth, so that they might live a righteous life before God and others. One way we can teach others to live out their faith is to teach them the importance of giving to others in need. This in itself will help those that are facing difficult times and show them the love of Christ in a practical way through the offering of money and the overflow of our abundance.
God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. It is changeless and all powerful. When we apply it in our lives to do things God’s Way, we see that our circumstances as a time to lean on God for His direction and strength. We also learn to be interdependent on one another in the body of Christ for accountability and receive their support and encouragement.
Take time today to read the amazing Scriptures posted and be encouraged of God’s continuous faithfulness, power and hope of years past. Let it encourage you as you look at your circumstances and the purpose and hope God has in store for you and your life. (Joshua 1:8 [show] [8]This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (ESV); Psalm 19:7-11, 119 [show] [7]The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
[8]the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
[9]the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
[10]More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
[11]Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.:160; Isaiah 55:11 [show] [11]so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.; Matthew 24:35 [show] [35]Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (ESV); I Peter 1:24-25 [show] [24]for
"All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
[25]but the word of the Lord remains forever."
And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (ESV); Hebrews 4:12 [show] [12]For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV); Romans 15:4 [show] [4]For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (ESV))
Let me ask you, what is your opinion of what this Priest said to his congregation? Do you see the importance of God’s Way vs. Man’s Way? What could this priest have instructed his congregation that would have lined up with God’s Word? We can see there is a reason God has set His rules and regulations before us. It is up to us to appropriate what He instructs us and He will surely bless us. (James 1:22-24 [show] [22]But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23]For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. [24]For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (ESV); Luke 11:28 [show] [28]But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (ESV); John 13:17 [show] [17]If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (ESV): James 1:25 [show] [25]But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV))
Have a blessed day!!
Here you are still on the road, time is passing, and your job’s security is ebbing away. Your Foolish Feelings are beginning to foster fear and dictate to you that your future is bleak and the driver in front of you is at fault.
Your blood is boiling, your heart is racing, and you’re feeling more hopeless by the minute. Your mind is racing with Stinken Thoughts of how to get the driver in front of you to move. Your Foolish Feelings wash over you and flood you with fear, anger, and panic. You begin to feel tightness in your chest and a need to escape this discomfort overtaking you. Read the rest of this entry »
A pastor and his wife were out in the waiting room, waiting for the pastor’s name to be called for his routine physical exam. While the pastor and the doctor were visiting, a nurse came in and asked the pastor, “Does your wife have a black and white sweater on?” He answered, “Yes.” The nurse said, “You need to come with me, it appears your wife is having a problem.” As the pastor entered the waiting room, four doctors were working on his wife. The doctors told the pastor, “Your wife is dead. We tried to bring her back, but she did not respond. ”
Let me ask you, “If you were like this woman, who died in an instant for no apparent reason, with no warnings, and no goodbyes; Are You Ready To Die and meet God your Creator? Read the rest of this entry »
The most amazing day arrived one Sunday morning, as my family made a trip to a little white church that had something I did not, Jesus. In fact the story the pastor told was so astonishing and amazing it even made him cry. He said that this man Jesus had come from heaven, lived among us, and then died on an old rugged cross, so that we might have hope in a hopeless and sinful world.
As the pastor continued to speak my heartstrings were pulled longing for the hope that he spoke about. My life had taken such a toll for a young lady of 14. Serious problems loomed through my home, abuse, sadness, confusion and no one to help me. Was it true what this man was saying, that hope was restored by an old rugged cross, and this man Jesus would heal my broken heart and restore hope again? Upon pondering this truth my eyes filled with tears and I admitted within me that I needed Jesus and what He did for me at the cross.
We left that day and returned for two more Sundays of God’s remarkable Word that I so desperately desired and needed. With hunger for His truth, and a thirst that only Jesus could quench, I sat like little child waiting for the Savior to come and take care of me. The message was so clear, Jesus died for my sins on that old rugged cross, and He would restore my hope by washing away my sins, and would take me to be with Him one day. I left the church that day clinging to the old rugged cross and Jesus who died for me.
Many years passed with troubles galore. My heart again was filled with despair, hopelessness and nowhere to go. I cried out for help when no one was around and that sweet soft voice of my Lord Jesus Christ spoke to me that dark day. He said to me go and pick up the bible that laid on a stand. I did as He asked and yet wondered how that might help. Jesus knowing my thoughts, and being faithful and true, brought to my mind that little white church and the hope restored by an old rugged cross.
I cried as I recalled the days of old, of the young girl so alone and yet Jesus so near. Yet another request came from His lips, ‘Turn to John 3:16 [show] [16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV),
“For God so loved Miriam (put your name in where mine is) that He gave His only begotten Son, that if Miriam would believe on Him, she would not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 [show] [16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
My heart leaped with joy and hope everlasting as the Savior gathered me in His arms for evermore.
My life changed and so can yours. Hope is restored by the old rugged cross. My beloved friend, don’t let another day go by but what you allow our Lord Jesus Christ to give you hope eternal. God bless you on your journey as you walk with the Lord of lords, the King of kings, Jesus Christ who is faithful and true. Always remember what Isaiah 55:11 [show] [11]so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. says,
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 [show] [11]so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
