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2019 Archived Blogs
1st Quarter Blogs
Week of 12/31 - 1/4 (B1;19)
Matthew 24:1-14 (NKJV)
Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and the end of the age?" And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earth- quakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."
Lord, THANK YOU for revealing crucial Truths to the world living in the very last of days. Thank You for the protective Counsel You so graciously give as a result of Your loving care for humanity. Thank You for warning us as You have. Please help us rightly understand Your pertinent insights whereby we not only safely navigate these end-time waters but also shine on Your behalf to a world still needing Your salvation through Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. It's in His name we pray, amen.
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Week of 1/7-11 (B2;19)
Matthew 24:15-31 (NKJV)
Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Lord God, even so, please COME Lord Jesus! AMEN
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Week of 1/14-18 (B3;19)
Matthew 24:32-44 (NKJV)
Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near - at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will be no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. [ omission ours ]
Father God, please help us to be ready as Your Word so outlines, NOT as some incorrect end-time teachings (which contribute to ill-preparedness) so danerously promote through their faulty, unbiblical positions. Help us discern end-time views which do not faithfully represent Your Truth. Please help us apply wisdom by going to Your Word for strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Because You are faithful to Your Word, may Your Spirit lead us in walk of humility as we seek to honor You in these days before Your Son's precious appearing. As in the days of Lot, so will be Your return. Take us out of this dark earth, dear Lord, we pray. Until then precious Father, help us be Your loving lights, beacons of Truth to a dark world. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.
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Week of 1/21-25 (B4;19)
Matthew 24:45-51 (NKJV)
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Lord: HELP, please! We so quickly embrace compromise today but Your Word speaks to the dangers therein - some even bringing eternal consequence! May we rightly divide Your Word by affirming what You've said. And THANK YOU once again for Your precious Holy Spirit who guides us as He indwells. Blessed be Your holy name YHVH God. In Jesus Christ's - Your Son's - dear name we pray.
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Week of 1/28 - 2/1 (B5;19)
John 16:1-4, 33 (NKJV)
These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. ... These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
LORD Jesus, as one with the Father, You express sweet Counsel toward our enduring to the end. May Your Church nurture enduring faith perspective so as to endure the trouble ahead, end-time trouble which You have clearly outlined will be directed against Your people. Lord Jesus, have mercy on us, we pray. With a view of perseverance resolve, Lord, may we count it all joy as we partake in the sufferings of Christ. Thank You for Your resources - including Your precious Holy Spirit - to live in this victorious mindset, dear precious Shepherd. Amen
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Week of 2/4-8 (B6;19)
Mark 13:1-13 (NKJV)
Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! " And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled? And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I an He,' and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled, for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginning of sorrows. But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will detray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Holy Father God, we exalt Your name. You alone are worthy of worship and praise. Oh giver of breath and life, we thank You for being willing to lovingly forewarn mankind about that which is unfolding today and concerning that which will take place before Your Son's glorious initial appearing. THANK YOU for Mark 13. As we heed Your Son's Counsel while submitting to Your precious Spirit, dear Lord, please use us to further Your Kingdom purposes. We exalt You dear God, in Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen.
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Week of 2/11-15 (B7;19)
Mark 13:14-27 (NKJV)
So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter. For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, he shortened the days. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.
Alleluia! We PRAISE You Lord. Your kind revelation to your children so reflects Your loving nature: You care for us such that You're willing to Counsel those who follow ... those who are still listening to You. Father God, thank You so! In the name of Your precious Son we pray. Allelu Yah! Amen
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Week of 2/18-22 (B8;19)
Mark 13:28-37 (NKJV)
Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near - at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming - in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning - lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!
Kind Father God, we are SO grateful for Your Son. In addition to His eternal provision through His atoning sacrifice, He extends crucial insight for living today. THANK YOU for your Holy Spirit's indwelling (in those that are Yours). Holy God, help us to faithfully represent You and Your full Counsel while here on earth. Lord, as we abide in Your Vine, may the fruit of Your dear Son through us be a pleasing sacrifice unto Your glory and praise. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen. And Lord, as You've promised, do make a short work of the earth. May this be the generation spoken about above. Help us endure to the end. Help us to come out from her - fallen Babylon. Yes Lord, thank You for Your kind Counsel to us in Revelation 18:4.
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Week of 2/25 - 3/1 (B9;19)
I Timothy 4:1-5 (NKJV)
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanks- giving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Praise be to You dear Creator God. As God alone, we worship and bow down. Lord, may we discern the deceiving spirits today, those which bring terrible bondage when allowed their free rule. Help us by opening our eyes through Your sweet Holy Spirit as we walk in Him. All blessings be Yours as You alone are worthy of all praise. Thank You for Your Son - Jesus Christ our Lord - in whose name we pray.
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Week of 3/4-8 (B10;19)
II Timothy 3:1-12 (NKJV)
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will proress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra - what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Oh most dear and precious Father, we once again praise You for your kindness to us. Thank You for being willing to Counsel us during this dark time. May we be wise and heed the principle of separation from the world. Yes, Lord, help us come out from among them. Unto our spiritual safety and unto Your glory and praise ... in Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.
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Week of 3/11-15 (B11;19)
Romans 13:11-14 (NKJV)
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewd- ness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Lord, the cult of unbiblical grace often downplays Your call to us to be holy. Please expose this terrible false-hope deception within some churches today. That You are willing to help us live out the Bible quote above through the help of Your indwelling Spirit is yet another manifestation of Your kind grace dear generous YHVH God. Thank You! We are sincerely grateful. In Your Son's precious name we pray, amen.
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Week of 3/18-22 (B12;19)
I Corinthians 15:51-58 (NKJV)
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Lord, only in You does one find victory over death. Father, the world has been lied to such that it rarely considers, today, what eternaldeath is - conscious existence away from You in the Lake of Fire ... f o r e v e r ! Lord, have mercy. Lord, please come quickly. We LONG for Your final trumpet rapture gathering whereby we'll be gloriously changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. We praise You dear one true God. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.
April 1 Mark 1 April 2 Mark 2 ... etc. ... April 15 Mark 15 April 16 Mark 16 April 17 Hebrews 1 April 18 Hebrews 2 April 19 Hebrews 3 April 20 Hebrews 4 April 21 Hebrews 5 April 22 Hebrews 6 April 23 Hebrews 7 April 24 Hebrews 8 April 25 Hebrews 9 April 26 Hebrews 10 April 27 Hebrews 11 April 28 Hebrews 12 April 29 Hebrews 13 April 30 Psalm 119
May 1 Daniel 1 May 2 Daniel 2 ... etc. ... May 11 Daniel 11 May 12 Daniel 12 May 13 I Timothy 4 May 14 II Timothy 3 May 15 II Timothy 4 May 16 Jude May 17 I Peter 1 May 18 I Peter 2 May 19 I Peter 3 May 20 I Peter 4 May 21 I Peter 5 May 22 II Peter 1 May 23 II Peter 2 May 24 II Peter 3 May 25 James 5 May 26 Matt. 24 May 27 Matt. 25 May 28 Mark 13 May 29 Luke 12 May 30 Luke 17 May 31 Luke 21
June 1 Revelation 1 June 2 Revelation 2 ... etc. ... June 21 Revelation 21 June 22 Revelation 22 June 23 Romans 8 June 24 Romans 9 June 25 Romans 10 June 26 Romans 11 June 27 Romans 12 June 28 Romans 13 June 29 Romans 14 June 30 Romans 15
Precious Most High God, THANK YOU for Your Counsel to us. As we seek Your face in quiet time with You and Your Word, please grace us with fruit. We move forward knowing Your Word will not return void. Use it in our lives, we pray, to wash us, cutting out remnants of our old nature. Please do so through Your two- edged sword. And Father, thank You for sending it forth so as to accomplish that for which You send it. In our lives, Lord, be glorified, be glorified today. In Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen.
2nd Quarter Blogs
Week of 4/1-5 (B14;19)
Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV ; emphasis ours)
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard, 'Behold. the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Lord Jesus, You have been so clear on essential matters for Your Church today. THANK YOU for helping us discern the many false teaching within the Christian community. Lord, in Your mercy and grace, continue helping us discern these false appeals and help us to respond in the way You have outlined: Speak the Truth in love. Thank You, Lord, for all aspects of Your love, including truth as declared in I Corinthians 13. May You, oh God most high, be exalted above the heavens. Even so, please come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen
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Week of 4/8-12 (B15;19)
Matthew 25:14-30 (NKJV)
For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Lord Jesus, You have clearly given each member of humanity talents to be used for Your glory and praise. Help us thrive by active service toward the end of fruitful activity in Your Kingdom things. Help us better understand that You will reject those who say they are Yours but who live to the contrary. Help us discern the full Counsel of Your Word concerning what it actually means to be saved. Thank You for the conditional cautions in Your Word, ones which encourage us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. As we abide in Your Spirit, may God-honoring fruit be the result. Yes, Lord, thank You for Your teaching in the 15th chapter of the Gospel of John - including verses 1 - 8. Help us discern those who would bring interpretation which is in denial of what You have graciously Counseled therein. In Your holy name we pray, amen
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Week of 4/15-19 (B16;19)
Matthew 25:31-46 (NKJV)
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, and thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You ?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the ever- lasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Holy Father God, we sincerely bow in worship. Thank You for allowing us the privilege and honor of being Your redeemed. We praise You for Your gracious and merciful adoption of us, sinners needing forgiveness. Thank You for sending Your Son to die on our behalf. Thank You for expressing so powerfully Your Victory in His Resurrection which we especially ponder this precious holy week. Lord God Most High: We do indeed CELEBRATE. We also submit to Your call to live out our salvation as we abide in Your Son and walk in Your Spirit. Thank You for Your full Counsel on salvation, oh God of glory, God of grace. In Jesus Christ's glorious name we pray, amen.
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Week of 4/22-26 (B17;19)
II Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NKJV)
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ [ some English versions read, "Day of the Lord" ] had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all un- righteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (notation in [brackets] ours)
The "Day of the Lord" is a crucial end time doctrine. CLICK HERE to view a BIBLE-BASED definition thereof.
Oh holy, most merciful and gracious Father of lights, THANK YOU for the love of the truth - Jesus Christ our Savior - Your holy Word. Help those whose eternal destiny continues in the balance. Help them receive Your love expresssed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ - the Lord of lords and King of kings. THANK YOU for the celebration at hand as we especially ponder His death and resurrection. Open the eyes of the needy whereby we see Your kind provisions out of the eternal Lake of Fire. Thank You for rescuing us from dark bondage through Your Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Help those still needing regeneration - new birth - to receive Your loving, forgiving provision. It's in His great name we pray, amen.
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Week of 4/29 - 5/3 (B18;19)
I Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NKJV)
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Alleluia - Praise to Yah! YHVH God, we praise You for Your kind and generous revelation to us. Help us rightly divide Your Word of Truth. Thank You for equipping us so as to even minister during the early days of the Day of the Lord before Your wrath is poured out on the earth. Yes, thank You for gathering us together before Your bowls of wrath. And thank You for sparing us from Your eternal wrath in separation from You in the Lake of Fire. Father God, we so thank You for Your precious Son. We take comfort in these things, oh God of glory, God of grace. In Your Son - Jesus Christ - I pray. Amen
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Week of 5/6-10 (B19;19)
II Thessalonians 1:3-12 (NKJV ; emphasis ours)
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen Lord God. Even so, please come quickly Lord Jesus.
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Week of 5/13-17 (B20;19)
II Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:6 (NKJV)
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will estab- lish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
Father God, we praise and thank You for Your generous good- ness to mankind. Lord, may Your kind Counsel be received in this day of unusual darkness. May the light of Your Word bring glorious fruit in both our lives and as Your Word returns having accomplished that for which You sent it. In our lives, Lord, be glorified, be glorified today. In Your holy Son's wonderful name we pray, amen.
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Week of 5/20-24 (B21;19)
II Timothy 3:12 - 4:4 (NKJV)
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have know the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is pro- fitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Precious Lord Jesus, as the incarnate, eternal Word of God, we also thank You for Your written Word to us. Lord, help this generation discern the NEED for all to honor Your Word of doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness. This includes a growing number of contemporary churches who choose not to submit to these aspects of Your Word. Rebuke them, oh God of Truth and Holiness. As LORD over Your Church, help us discern the false churches today who willfully put themselves under the authority of dark culture and who reject Your Word in so doing. Lord, may we endure to the end unto Your glory and praise. Amen
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Week of 5/27-31 (B22;19)
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NKJV)
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Caring Creator and loving Shepherd, we once again praise You for your Counsel in these days of great deception. Lord, may we be wise enough to discern how darkness has penetrated churches today, ones who would discard Your protective Counsel as we find ourselves in harm's way. Lord, in contrast, please shine through Your Bible-honoring churches today as their participants walk in Your Spirit and abide in Your Vine. Yes, Lord, may we press on in being beacons of Your light in this evil day before Your Son makes His initial appearance after the time of war against Your Saints. And please help Your people in Jesus Christ to further bow to Your full Counsel Lord. We thank and praise You, oh Darling of Heaven. In Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen.
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Week of 6/3-7 (B23;19)
Acts 1:9-11 (NKJV)
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
What a wonderful promise, dear Lord! Thank You for returning Your Son whereby Your work on earth is short as You've promised. Until that day, please help us walk uprightly with You as we abide in Your Son. May Your/His Holy Spirit guide our daily steps. As we walk in Your provisions, may You be honored and glorified in and through our lives. May they be living sacrifices which are indeed pleasing to You. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.
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Week of 6/10-14 (B24;19)
Titus 2:11-15 (NKJV)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Holy Father, You call us to seek to be like You. As holy God, we seek righteousness and godliness as we abide in Your Vine. Thank you for being willing to exhort, rebuke and correct us given who we are - sheep-like children who tend to wander. Thank You for Proverbs 3:1-12. Thank You for the other places in Your Word where You highlight one aspect of Your love: Fatherly discipline. In humility, oh Lord Most High, we confess we need it! All praise to Your matchless name. In Jesus Christ's - Your Son's - holy name we pray, amen.
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Week of 6/17-21 (B25;19)
Isaiah 6:1-13 (NKJV)
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!" And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said, "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged." Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' "Make the heart of this people dull; and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and under- stand with their heart, and return and be healed." Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered: "Until the cities are laid wast and without inhabitant, the houses are without a man, the land is utterly desolate. The LORD has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. But yet a tenth will be in it, and will return and be for consuming, as a terebinth tree or as an oak, whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump."
Oh holy, holy, holy God Most High, the whole earth is full of Your glory! May Your plan for mankind, before Your Son's return, unfold. Please come quickly Lord Jesus, thus making a short work of this earth. And Lord, may Your Ambassadors in Christ Jesus Your Son be faithful proclaimers of Your eternal Truths forever settled in heaven. Unto Your glory and praise we declare and ask these things. And Lord, receive this prayer, in Jesus Christ's holy name:
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
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Week of 6/24-28 (B26;19)
Luke 8:4-15 (NKJV ; [bracket] inclusion ours)
And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He [Jesus Christ] spoke by a parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?" And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Lord God, may we look to You for wisdom to avoid the dangerous paths leading to apostasy. Lord, help us steer clear of the cares, riches and pleasures of life which choke fruitfulness. In contrast, Lord, help us be good ground which produces fruit unto Your glory and praise. In Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen.
3rd Quarter Blogs
Week of 7/1-5 (B27;19)
Ezekiel 3:16-27 (NKJV)
Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the right- eous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul." Then the hand of the LORD was upon me there, and He said to me, "Arise, go out into the plain, and there I shall talk with you." So I arose and went out into the plain, and behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, like the glory which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. Then the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and spoke with me and said to me: "Go, shut yourself inside your house. And you, O son of man, surely they will put ropes on you and bind you with them, so that you cannot go out among them. I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and not be one to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house. But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.
Holy Father, thank You for the examples of the godly who have gone before us. Help us to learn more about Your Kingdom things as we contemplate the attributes they model. Help us to be Your New Covenant Ambassadors who correctly represent You - even warning against walking in the ways of wickedness - as You have so clearly outlined in Your illuminating Word. And THANK YOU for Your Spirit who indwells Your people in Christ Jesus Your Son. His supernatural empowering - unto fruitfulness - is indeed pleasing unto Thee. Help us, Lord GOD, to walk therein. Help us to abide in Your Vine. In Jesus Christ's precious name we pray, amen.
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Week of 7/8-12 (B28;19)
Hosea 14 (NKJV)
O Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; take words with you, and return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, 'You are our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy." "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall grow like the lily, and lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; his beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall be revived like grain, and grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. "Ephraim shall say, 'What have I to do anymore with idols?' I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; your fruit is found in Me." Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
LORD, in the context of Your New Covenant, please help Your people in Jesus Christ Your Son walk in humility. Help us to do so, in part, by being willing to confess our sins when we turn from Your Counsel. Help us to discern You still call Your people to walk in righteousness as we abide in Your precious Holy Spirit. Help us to avoid the mistakes of the past. We call on You to lead us in YOUR ways as we abide in Your holy Vine, the Lamb of God. Father, thank You for Your Spirit of Christ within us. Please, oh Father God, hear this prayer* as it's sincerely sung: "Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me." In Jesus Christ's wonderful name we pray, unto Your glory and praise, amen.
* Daniel Iverson first penned this prayer almost 100 years ago.
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Week of 7/15-19 (B29;19)
Joel 2:28-32 (NKJV)
And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions, and also on My menservants and on My maid- servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into dark- ness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls.
Precious, holy Heavenly Father, we exalt Your glorious name together. Alleluia - Praise to You dear YHVH God. Thank You for enlightening us through Your Word of Truth. May we, as we walk in Your Spirit, properly divide it. May we correctly discern Your messages therein. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit within to do so. We even exalt and praise You for Your Spirit's help in applying Your eternal Truths which continue to have great sig- nificance today. Lord, some say Your Word is outdated and has nothing to offer mankind. Please show them, Lord God, how wrong they are in this faulty faith belief. Open their eyes if they choose to seek Truth through opening Your Word. May Your merciful Spirit soften their hearts as they read. Lord, may Your merciful Spirit soften our hearts as we read. And yes, Lord, thank You for Your indwelling help to be Your people who live non-hypocritically by being doers of Your Word, and not hearers only. Unto Your glory and praise we pray in Christ Jesus' holy name, amen.
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Week of 7/22-26 (B30;19)
Micah 2:1-11 (NKJV)
Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and seize them by violence, also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. Therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, against this family I am devising disaster, from which you cannot remove your necks; nor shall you walk haughtily, for this is an evil time. In that day one shall take up a proverb against you, and lament with a bitter lamentation, saying: 'We are utterly destroyed! He has changed the heritage of my people; how He has removed it from me! To a turncoat He has divided our fields.'" Therefore you will have no one to determine boundaries by lot in the assembly of the LORD. "Do not prattle," you say to those who prophesy. So they shall not prophesy to you; they shall not return insult for insult. You who are named the house of Jacob: "Is the Spirit of the LORD restricted? Are these His doings? Do not My words do good to him who walks uprightly? "Lately My people have risen up as an enemy - You pull off the robe with the garment from those who trust you, as they pass by, like men returned from war. The women of My people you cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children you have taken away My glory forever. "Arise and depart, for this is not your rest; because it is defiled, it shall destroy, yes, with utter destruction. If a man should walk in a false spirit and speak a lie, saying, 'I will prophesy to you of wine and drink,' even he would be the prattler of this people.
Holy LORD God Most High, Your Counsel is so very contemporary for today. And Lord, thank You for moving Your prophet to include Micah 6:8. Thank You for disclosing Your requirements to man. May we love You by obeying You in these commands which wonderfully express aspects of Your divine qualities. You are just; You are so merciful; You alone are great so help us affirm Your transcendence by walking in humilty before You. Glory to Your name, in Jesus Christ, Your Son's, holy name we pray. Amen
"For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," says the LORD of hosts, "that will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name the Sun of Right- eousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves, you shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this," says the LORD of hosts. "Remember the Law of Moses,* My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."
* And God spoke all these words, saying: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image - any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."
Father God, please receive our prayer:
(sung to the tune, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
God of glory, God of grace, help us Lord to seek Thy face. You who dwell above the earth; You who gave us second birth. God of glory, God of grace, help us Lord to seek Thy face.
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Week of 8/5-9 (B32;19)
Luke 12:1-12 (NKJV ; [ ] insert ours)
In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He [Jesus Christ] began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Father God, thank You for Your kind and generous activity in the lives of those to whom You have given spiritual birth. Thank You for Your clear presence. Lord, the day spoken about above is coming soon. May Your people in Jesus Christ heed Your Counsel on this matter of allowing You to speak through them. We praise You YHVH God. In the name of Your glorious Son, Jesus Christ, we pray, amen.
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Week of 8/12-16 (B33;19)
Luke 12:13-21 (NKJV)
Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abun- dance of the things he possesses." Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Caring Father God, thank You for Your kind revelation as to Your Counsel on these matters of what's really important! Thank You for the clarity You extend through Your Son's teachings. Lord, please grace mankind with open eyes so as to see YourBig Picture whereby we can discern the many dark false teachings today, ones which offer cheap substitutes against Your eternal Truths. May Your people in Jesus Christ heed Your Counsel on these matters of majoring on the majors and minoring on the minor things of life. We sincerely thank and praise You YHVH God, and we do so through the name of Your soon-coming Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
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Week of 8/19-23 (B34;19)
Luke 12:22-34 (NKJV)
Then He [Jesus Christ] said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body; what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kindom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves with money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Father God, thank You for Your full Counsel on these matters. Thank You that you've called us not to worry about these matters while at the same time, through Your beloved Son, have called us to wisely prepare ... even in the context of providing food in due season. Allow us Your wisdom as we walk in Your Spirit during these end of days. And thank You for Your provisions so as to allow us to focus our efforts on Your eternal Kingdom things. Blessed be YHVH God, in Jesus Christ's holy name we pray. Amen
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Week of 8/26-30 (B35;19)
Luke 12:35-48 (NKJV ; [ ] addition ours)
[Jesus Christ speaking] "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people ?" And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask more."
Once again, precious Father God, You have been so clear to those living in the final generation. Help us to balance the full Counsel of Your Word and live in such a way as to honor and praise Your great name. May Your Spirit guide us during these dark days. Thank You for the similar appeal You gave - also through Your beloved Son - in the book of Revelation (3:1-6). Help us to HEED Your specific Counsel toward watchfulness. Unto our benefit, unto ministry to the lost, unto disciplelship ministry to our Family in Christ, and ultimately unto Your glory and praise. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.
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Week of 9/2-6 (B36;19)
Luke 12:49-59 (NKJV - Jesus Christ speaking)
"I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how dis- tressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming' ; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will be hot weather ' ; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time? Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite."
All-knowing God, we bless You as Most High God. We praise You for seeing the whole picture. Man is so different. Our vision is so limited. Help us accept Your full Counsel regarding Your revelation from Your Word. Thank You that He is the Prince of Peace. Thank You for His peace which passes understanding, even in the midst of a fallen world so opposed to You, Your ways and Your people in Jesus Christ. Thank You for warning us of the fruits of darkness which contribute to betrayals and other forms of division. Thank You for directing us, as much as we are able, to make peace with our (and Your) enemies. May Your kind Spirit lead us each and every one ... each and every day. And thank You for gracing us with foretold signs which precede Your Son's glorious return. Help us watch as You've called us to watch and so be ready for Your Son's initial appearing in glory. And, dear YHVH God, help us live out Your insights. Keep us from rejecting Your sweet, protective Counsel during these end of days. Thank You Father, for new Life in Jesus Christ Your beloved Son, our Savior. Help us live it to the full as we walk in Your Holy Spirit! And Lord, help us better discern the wolves in our midst. It's in Christ Jesus' name we pray, amen.
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Week of 9/9-13 (B37;19)
Luke 17:1-10 (NKJV)
Then He [Jesus Christ] said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once, and sit down to eat' ? But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink' ? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So like- wise you, when you have done all those things, which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do."
Supreme and glorious God of lights, Your ways are surely not our ways! We bow to YOUR standard. Help us submit. Dear Father in heaven, in our efforts to humbly accept this principle which Your exalted Son, Christ Jesus, has taught Your own, be patient with us, we pray. Please help us to better walk under the statute of fear / respect of You. This needed quality is so lacking in Your people today. Please help us be Your adopted sons who are not conformed to this world - in the lacking aspect of fear of God too! - whereby we walk in such a way as to affirm we are but living sacrifices who are called to both positional holiness in Christ and to walk in holy obedience as we abide in our Savior. Help us, in our present state, to walk in humility before You, knowing one day we will experience the glorification You have promised Your own. We praise You Lord. Thus we ask: How can we further serve You TODAY? And Lord, minister to the Jarrid Wilson family in their need. The evil tragedy of losing one to darkness does seem overwhelming and is indeed just that - a great tragedy. Help Julianne, Finch and Denham, oh Lord, we pray. In Jesus Christ's name, amen.
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Week of 9/16-20 (B38;19)
Luke 17:20-25 (NKJV)
Now when He [Jesus Christ] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with obser- vation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." ["in your midst" ; NASB] Then He said to the disciples, "The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, 'Look here!' or 'Look there!' Do not go after them or follow them. For as the lightning that flashes out of one part of heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
Lord Jesus, help us to walk in Your Counsel regarding our days. Help us to keep the first things (Gospel and Disciple- ship) first. Help us to go with first-love passion toward Your great commission mandates. And Lord, as we go, may we discern we are ministering in a different day - the end of days - days which allow for great variety as to our sharing Your requirement of being in You so as to enjoy reconciliation with God Most High. Thank You for Your Spirit's help in the tasks You have given Your Church. May we walk therein. In Your great name we pray, amen.
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Week of 9/23-27 (B39;19)
Luke 17:26-37 (NKJV - [ ] content is ours ; omissions ours)
[ Jesus Christ speaking ] "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brinstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will pre- serve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left." And they [ His disciples ] answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."
Lord, please help us think on the things which Your Word high- lights, NOT on immoral things which our ungodly culture desires to push. Thank You for calling us to be ready for Your glorious Son's return as we discern the signs of our times as outlined in Your Word of Truth. Thank You that You'll take Your people from the earth before You pour Your Bowls of Wrath upon the earth just like You took Lot and Noah out of harms way millennia ago. Thank You Lord! And Lord, help us to be willing to lose our lives for You whereby we attain eternal Life. Thank You that Your Son has been clear in His teaching above. Until His rapture gathering of us - Your sheep in Christ Jesus - at the final trumpet, may we abide in Your explicit Word - 1. for our protection, 2. toward our reaching out to the unsaved with Your love message of everlasting Hope in Christ Jesus Your Son, and ultimately, 3. unto Your glory and praise. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.
4th Quarter Blogs
Week of 9/30 - 10/4 (B40;19)
Luke 21:5-19 (NKJV)
Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He [ Jesus Christ ] said, "These things which you see - the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down." So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?" And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them. But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately." Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls."
Thank You Lord, for Your precious Counsel as we walk through these end of days. May we, Your sheep in Christ Jesus Your holy Son - the Son of God - walk in Your statutes. Thank You for graciously providing Your Holy Spirit whereby we have the means to walk as You have so clearly called us to walk. And Father, thank You that we are safe in Your loving embrace no matter what may come! May Jesus Christ be praised. Amen
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Week of 10/7-11 (B41;19)
Luke 21:20-28 (NKJV - Jesus Christ speaking)
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
Father, what can we say but THANK YOU for this pertinent Counsel from Your Son. THANK YOU so for the insights You graciously allow as a result of our walking in light of Your Truths forever settled in heaven. Thank You for blog CB10B;19 and the Truths therein! And Lord, when the day of the heavenly unrest begins to unfold, please help us respond wisely, knowing all of Your Truths are indeed just that: TRUTHS. May we endure to the end as Your holy Son has so commanded Your sheep in Him. In Jesus Christ's precious name we pray, amen.
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Week of 10/14-18 (B42;19)
Luke 21:29-38 (NKJV)
Then He [Jesus Christ] spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the king- dom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day comes on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
Holy Father God, in response we sincerely say, "Please come Lord Jesus!" It's in His precious name we pray, amen.
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Week of 10/21-25 (B43;19)
I Thes. 3:1-13 (NKJV)
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you - therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and per- fect what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
Dear God our Father; dear Lord Jesus: Please open our minds and hearts to the points You make through Your Word. [ Mt. 24:9 ; John 16:1-4 ; Acts 14:22 ; Romans 12:12 ; II Tim. 3:12 ; Hebrews 10:33 ; I Peter 4:13 and others ]
Lord God, allow us to endure in Your strength and love as we press on in abiding in Your Vine - our sweet Hope. And Father, as we walk in Your Spirit, may Your perspective be our peace and joy. Thank You for graciously Counseling us as You have. We praise You for Your kind and generous revelation to us as we walk through these end of days. Thank You, Father, for the example of perfection in our Lord Jesus, Your Son. Lord, in the context of growing persecution, may we keep our eyes on Him and continue enjoying Your fruit in and through our sacrificial lives, unto Your glory and praise. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.
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Week of 10/28 - 11/1 (B44;19)
Hebrews 10:19-25 (NKJV)
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He con- secrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.
Soon-coming King, may our assemblies - where we choose to gather - be settings where Your Word reigns supreme. Father, please help us discern the contexts where Your revelation is not honored. May Your kind Spirit help us to test and discern the spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world. And Lord, as we enter into the precious THANKS- GIVING season, may we express to You our hearts which You have made glad. Blessed be oh Creator, Sustainer, Savior and Coming King. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.
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Week of 11/4-8 (B45;19)
Hebrews 6:1-8 & 10:26-39 (NKJV)
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "Vengence is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Precious God Most High, may we not be like the party of the first covenant - a group which You clearly found lacking. Thank You for Hebrews 8:7, 8. Thank You for the eternal New Covenant in Jesus Christ Your Son. In this setting, LORD God, may we honor Galatians 6:7-10. May we affirm Your full Counsel and accept Heb. 10:14, discerning it's those who are truly in Your Vine that are being sanctified for salvation when Your Son comes again. [Heb. 9:28] Lord, hear our sincere prayer: Help us not to cast away our confidence which has great reward. We confess we have need of endurance Lord - endurance unto God-given obedient faith whereby we receive Your promise. Lord, we long for You as we eagerly await Your Son's glorious return. Even so, please come quickly Lord Jesus. Until then, help us to continue in the journey of faith lest we draw back to the extent that Your soul no longer has pleasure in us. Thank You, Lord, for Your full Counsel. May we balance the reality of apostasy andperseverance of belief to the saving of our souls. Holy Spirit of the Living God: Fall afresh on us. In Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen.
P.S. Ecc. 12:13, 14, Phil. 2:12, 13 & Heb. 10:31
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Week of 11/11-15 (B46;19)
Hebrews 11:1-16 (NKJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude - in- numerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Lord, we believe. In Your mercy and grace, help our unbelief ! In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.
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Week of 11/18-22 (B47;19)
Hebrews 11:17-31 (NKJV)
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," con- cluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he for- sook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
Father, what can we say but amen to the above, especially as it is clarified by Your holy Word in this passage: "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith s a v e him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ... But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father j u s t i f i e d by works when he offered his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (see James 2:14-26 ; quote from the NKJ version ; emphases ours) Father God, thank You for the insights You have graciously given in our "Faith and Works" handouts.* May Your people enjoy the BALANCE of the full Counsel of Your Word as we walk in Your Spirit and abide in Your Vine unto good works - works pleasing to You because they are wrought (done) in You ! Yes Lord, thank You for John 3:16-21. In Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen!
* Click Here for these insights - scroll down to view the handouts listed under #30. May we apply Matthew 15:1-20 and cast off our own traditions which conflict with God's authoritative Word!
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Week of 11/25-29 (B48;19)
Hebrews 11:32-40 (NKJV)
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued king- doms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverence, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wondered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented - of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided someting better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
Lord God, Your ways are not our ways. Thank You for the light of Your Word to Counsel us through these end of days. May we take note to the extent we obey your Word through our faith actions! Please delight Yourself in Your living sacrifices who walk in Your precious Holy Spirit. Be honored and praised through Your people in Christ Jesus Your Son. And thank You for providing the full pro- cess of salvation for Your adopted children - for initial new birth and forgiveness of sins through the blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus Your Son, for ongoing life in Christ - including both justification and sanctification unto Your glory and praise, and, for the sure promise of our glorification. You indeed are our Savior - not we ourselves! Even so, come Lord Jesus. It's in Your holy name we pray, amen.
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Week of 12/2-6 (B49;19)
Hebrews 12:1-11 (NKJV)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Father in heaven, Your glorious Son, our Savior, continues to be our focus and affection. Lord, help us walk rightly with You as we press on in being Your Ambassadors to a wicked world. Help us shine Your light to souls bound by great dark- ness. And may Your Holy Spirit work wonders in their lives, even saving them out of the Lake-of- Fire pit they're heading toward. And Lord, thank You for loving us to the extent You're willing to discipline us. We confess we need it. Yes Lord, may judgment unto correction begin with us as Your servant Peter penned under the inspiration of Your Spirit long ago. We love You Lord. Thank You for first loving us. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
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Week of 12/9-13 (B50;19)
Hebrews 12:18 - 13:6 (NKJV)
For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. (For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow." And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.") But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assumbly and church of the firstborn who are regi- stered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shall not only shake the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kindgom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also. Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can men do to me?"
Lord God Most High, we exalt You this Christmas season. Exalted Mediator of the New Covenant, receive our praise. Immanuel - God with us - we bless Your glorious name. In Jesus Christ's holy and precious name we pray, amen.
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Week of 12/16-20 (B51;19)
Hebrews 10:35-39 (NKJV)
[ In context, the following Counsel is given after Hebrews 1:1 - 10:34 ... ]
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
Thank You, Father, for Galatians 3 where You call Your people in Jesus Christ to continue in gracious faith even after our new birth. Thank You for being willing to reside in us after regeneration. May we yield to Your precious Holy Spirit whereby we have the means to live the sweet, abudant life Your Son promises to those who abide in Him. In Jesus Christ's holy name we pray, amen.
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Week of 12/23-27 (B52;19)
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NKJV)
[ In light of God's full Counsel ... ]
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Father God, we praise you for being so faithful through 2019. Even so, please come Lord Jesus. Amen