1Samuel 18:6 says, “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.” Joy, joy joy erupted at the hero’s welcome ceremony following victories over their oppressors. A cause for great joy. 1Kings 1:40 teaches, “And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.” The occasion? Solomon anointed king in Israel. Joy at the inauguration of a great king and defender of the people. 1Chronicles 12:40 shows us, “Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat,…
Healing at the Cross Posts
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:1-6 Jason Gray wrote a song about Christmas : “They’re dressing up the city in a brightly lighted gown, They’re singing in the streets when Christmas comes to town. So let the spirit find you where ever you have been,…
Traveling this week to Africa for missions trip. I will be gone for two weeks. Many thoughts accompany me as I prepare. I think of Moses famous line in Exodus 33: “…If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” Exodus 33:15 Moses had the assuring Word of God’s presence from the previous verses, nevertheless, he repeated back to God how much His grace was desired and needed. Moses was seeing that to have found grace in God’s sight means that God would surely accompany them on the journey. Something undeserving to Moses could not be compromised — otherwise — not going! I wondered about how much of this sense formed my mindset. Did I expect this grace? Could I leave without it? Funny that I would compare my little adventure with the great Moses. Regardless, deeply worked into Moses psyche, appeared a desparation — “without…
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils…” “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron, ” 1Timothy 4:1-2 Sometimes I am taken mentally with a bombardment of regret. It seems, in these times, that I could easily emote remorse for every conversation, every activity of yesterday, even the day before or many days before that. Soon I am reviewing my whole life with a hyper-critical evaluation. The “over-run” results in one sad person. I slowly descended from carefree liberty in my thought life to an inward-turned mindset which reeks with inadequacy. I am being seduced. But, somehow the critical eval bears the flavor of truth; indeed some of it may actually measure up as accurate. O no! Friends, what has gone wrong? Perilous times, brothers and sisters, perilous…
“For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:19-21 Let’s be honest, the Law excluded us from it’s righteousness, which righteousness is the reward for perfectly following it. That Law could never make those coming with sacrificial offerings perfect, being weak through our fleshly nature. See Hebrews 10:1-3 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Better Hope? “…(the law)…
“Now all the tax-collectors and notorious sinners were crowding around Him to listen to Him. And so the Pharisees and scribes continually grumbled, and said, “This fellow is welcoming notorious sinners, and even eating with them.”” Luke 15:1-2 “This man receiveth sinners.” KJV “He gives a welcome to notorious sinners, and joins them at their meals!” Weymouth translation Despised of the religious leaders, Jesus nevertheless persisted to company with those hated. Unintentionally, these uppity Scribes and Pharisees provided for current readers a precious commentary — “This man receives sinners.” Jesus invited sinners into His presence. The simplicity of Jesus’ actions provides definition to our application going forward. We are to tell how, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not charging men’s transgressions to their account, and that He has entrusted to us the Message of this reconciliation” .2Corinthians 5:19 Think about it: “Christ was the offended party,…
“Never go to bed mad. Stay up and fight.” ― Phyllis Diller A joke? Yes. By a famous comedian and told laughingly. However, anger reveals a huge plague in the souls of many. It’s a pit which drags us in to it over and over. Some Bible verses are telling: “A soft answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs_15:1 “A meek tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.”- Proverbs_15:4 “A wrathful man stirs up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.”- Proverbs_15:18 Here’s some outside the Bible quotes: “The best fighter is never angry.”― Lao Tzu “Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.”― Ambrose Bierce “Anger … it’s a paralyzing emotion … you can’t get anything done. People sort of think it’s an interesting, passionate, and igniting…
We have received grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 By faith we have access into this “gift of Christ” wherein we stand. Romans 5:2 This “gift of Christ,” in us, equals the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 The life that we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God…Gal 2:20 Herein is our love made perfect, because as He is so are you in this world. 1 John 4:17 Paul said this in Colossians 3:4 “Christ, who is our life.” And again, “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 Is Christ the source of everything we do in life? As a born again believer, yes. We are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Friends, we want to think in these terms, “without Him we can do…
“The sky shall unfold, preparing His entrance. The stars shall applaud Him with thunders and praise. The sweet light in His eyes shall enhance those awaiting. And we shall behold Him, then face to face. “ Can we imagine? Can we wait? Revelation 1:7 explains, “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, …Even so, Amen. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 The song continues, “And the angels shall sound, the shout of His coming. and the sleeping shall rise from their slumbering strain.” “And those who remain shall be changed in a moment. and we shall behold Him, face to face.” Friends, we shall behold Him in all of His glory. In Revelation 1 He is: ” …clothed with a garment down to the foot,…
From Merriam-Webster “attitude” is defined: A. a mental position with regard to a fact or state — as a helpful attitude. B. A feeling or emotion toward a fact or state– as a negative attitude — an optimistic attitude. David prays a prayer for attitude, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 Preceding verses list: The law of the Lord the testimony of the Lord The statutes of the Lord the commandment of the Lord The fear of the Lord the judgments of the Lord And these, “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” But if these are sweet, more so these, James 2:12-13 “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of…