Hola! Como esta? man, getting back from Guatemala I have learned so much spanish it isn't even funny! Well, I had a good time seeing the seenery and the people there, and especially with God.
Pastor Lee has recorded videos of him and I talking about Colossians 1-4 while we were in Guatemala, and I'm not sure when he will manage to put them on here, because I know he is very busy, since he has been away from his work office form more than 10 days.
For now, I will just put up Jude, the book right before Revelation.
Jude 1
1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
The whole passage seems like a general recap of the whole bible, reminding everyone that Christ is the way to eternal life, and people who don't have him will face judgement. 2 main reasons people don't want Christ is: Bitterness, and pride. Those 2 traits are of our flesh, so it is why sometimes even us Christians get like that sometimes ( I hope not ) And people who do accept Christ have come down to the decision of crumpling their pride up and shooting it into the trash, and shedding the layer of bitterness on them.
Two traits that keep us from Christ: bitterness, and pride. If you have them, GET RID OF THEM, they act like you best friend and then turn their back on you!
-Michael
MONDAY, June 29th, 2009
2 Timothy 2
1: Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2: And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4: No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5: And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6: The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7: Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8: Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10: Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11: It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14: Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16: But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17: And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18: Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22: Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23: But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25: In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26: And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Oakie-Doakie, This whole chapter is telling us to remain faithful to God and Jesus and to also stay away from sins. The verse I like the best is verses 3 and 10. In verse 3 it says we should be strong like a soldier and stay faithful to Jesus. Have you ever encountered a non-believer at school or somewhere else that is saying why they don't believe? Well that is a perfect time to be strong in what you believe in: Jesus Christ!! And at the same time it also states in verse 2 (Kind of reminds you of a Pastor) that we should share God's grace with all around us, and thas is what being a Christian is all about-sharing God's word with others.
Verse 16 and 22 are telling us that we need to not say prideful or rude things because that is leading to the path of ungodliness and so is youthful lusts. So stay away from things that you know is wrong! We've all made bad decisions on things...BUT The Holy Spirit helps us decide what is right from wrong by the feeling of Guilt or unsure-ness about certain situations. Remaining faithful is what I want to do forever!! And remember: like proverbs 27:17 states, when we hang out with certain friends, they can sometimes influence us on decision making, so trying to stay wise about those you hang out with is also an important aspect that relates to a few of the verses from this chapter.
~Victoria!
1: Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2: And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4: No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5: And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6: The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7: Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8: Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10: Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11: It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14: Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16: But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17: And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18: Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22: Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23: But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25: In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26: And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Oakie-Doakie, This whole chapter is telling us to remain faithful to God and Jesus and to also stay away from sins. The verse I like the best is verses 3 and 10. In verse 3 it says we should be strong like a soldier and stay faithful to Jesus. Have you ever encountered a non-believer at school or somewhere else that is saying why they don't believe? Well that is a perfect time to be strong in what you believe in: Jesus Christ!! And at the same time it also states in verse 2 (Kind of reminds you of a Pastor) that we should share God's grace with all around us, and thas is what being a Christian is all about-sharing God's word with others.
Verse 16 and 22 are telling us that we need to not say prideful or rude things because that is leading to the path of ungodliness and so is youthful lusts. So stay away from things that you know is wrong! We've all made bad decisions on things...BUT The Holy Spirit helps us decide what is right from wrong by the feeling of Guilt or unsure-ness about certain situations. Remaining faithful is what I want to do forever!! And remember: like proverbs 27:17 states, when we hang out with certain friends, they can sometimes influence us on decision making, so trying to stay wise about those you hang out with is also an important aspect that relates to a few of the verses from this chapter.
~Victoria!
THURSDAY, June 25th, 2009
Hey everyone! Let's follow up on the second Epistile of Paul the Apostle to Timothy:
2 Timothy 1
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Okay! This passage is telling the story of how Paul was encouraging Timothy to keep to God's words and remain passionate no matter what, as it read in verse 13-14 and that God gives us so much, such as Love, Power and a ound Mind! (verse 7).,
I know this can really relate to us right now in the present. Sometimes we don't walk on the right path that Gos has set for us. We may stumble and go astray when we sin or other things, but God's words bring us to our feet and continue to walk the right path again.
Whe you look at verse 10, it states what Jesus has done for EVERYONE he has brought light to the gospel and conqured death. Powerful!!!! So we as Christians can share the Gospel and show others how to follow God and accept Jesus Christ. :) Especially when you have a couple of friends whom may not be believers.- lets show them the true meaning of God's words!
And remember what Paul, during his last words, had to say to Timothy: "Grace, Mercy, and Peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus ourLord."
~Amen! Post your thoughts!
~Victoria
2 Timothy 1
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
4Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
6Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
15This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
18The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Okay! This passage is telling the story of how Paul was encouraging Timothy to keep to God's words and remain passionate no matter what, as it read in verse 13-14 and that God gives us so much, such as Love, Power and a ound Mind! (verse 7).,
I know this can really relate to us right now in the present. Sometimes we don't walk on the right path that Gos has set for us. We may stumble and go astray when we sin or other things, but God's words bring us to our feet and continue to walk the right path again.
Whe you look at verse 10, it states what Jesus has done for EVERYONE he has brought light to the gospel and conqured death. Powerful!!!! So we as Christians can share the Gospel and show others how to follow God and accept Jesus Christ. :) Especially when you have a couple of friends whom may not be believers.- lets show them the true meaning of God's words!
And remember what Paul, during his last words, had to say to Timothy: "Grace, Mercy, and Peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus ourLord."
~Amen! Post your thoughts!
~Victoria
MONDAY June 22nd
Hi! I'm going to post one of my favorite passages.
John 14
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
John 14
1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
My Friend came upon this passage and we absolutely love it!! It teaches about that special relationship with The Lord, not to let our hearts be troubled, and so much more!
The passage has so many great things about it. Verse 1 is saying that we need to believe in God and also believe in Jesus. They are all, including the Holy Spirit, are equal and work as one. Think of it as a teamwork here on Earth, but like infinity times greater!
In verse 3, it says "That where I am, there ye may be also." The Lord is always with us! and especially during times of troubles. (I love that verse)
It also shows us that Jesus is the true joy and the way of life! He gives us peace, not from the world, but from himself!! He saved the world from sins, and when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are saved if we believe and we will know God. so share Jesus with everyone you know!! (Verse 26) I remember when Pastor Lee taught us about the Holy Spirit. The Holy keeos us on track, helps us grow closer to God, and comforts us. When we sin, you see, we will have a feeling of guilt or maybe self-conciousness if we don't ask for forgiveness (we've all felt that before). Thus, we learn not to repeat sinning.
Do you love Jesus?! I do! and since you do, you will be able to rejoice in his name and have a relationship with God rather than have a religion. Amen.
Any thoughts about this Amazing passage?
~Victoria
SATURDAY, June 20th, 2009
Hey, since I'm going to Guatemala on monday, I'm not going to be able to do devos for 10 days, so if anyone wants to take my place for a while, the username is suncoastbaptist@gmail.com and the password is sb123456. Just go to biblegateway.com and look up the passage of your choice, then copy and paste it.
1 Timothy 6
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
THURSDAY, June 18th, 2009
Amen Victoria! we should do something nice for PL and PC. Tell me what you come up with!
1 Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Verse 12 caught my atention today. It is telling us we need to be an example to everyone out there that we are the believers of th Lord Jesus Christ! How do we do that you may ask? not only be hearers of the word, but doers of the word as well. The verse gives us some examples. In word, that is, no profanity, in conversation, that is, no gossiping, in charity, that is giving to less fortunate, in faith, and in purity, that is, no immoral sexual content.
Verse 10 was pretty awesome too! it tells us the living God is the Savior of everyone, but then it cuts to the chase and says, "....especially to those who believe." See, when Christ died on the cross, He did it for everyone, but that doesn't mean EVERYONE is going to heaven. You have to BELIEVE IF YOU want heaven and God.
Tell me what you think of verse 3. It sounds like its a sin to be a vegitarian, but maybe I'm taking it literally!
-Michael
1 Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Verse 12 caught my atention today. It is telling us we need to be an example to everyone out there that we are the believers of th Lord Jesus Christ! How do we do that you may ask? not only be hearers of the word, but doers of the word as well. The verse gives us some examples. In word, that is, no profanity, in conversation, that is, no gossiping, in charity, that is giving to less fortunate, in faith, and in purity, that is, no immoral sexual content.
Verse 10 was pretty awesome too! it tells us the living God is the Savior of everyone, but then it cuts to the chase and says, "....especially to those who believe." See, when Christ died on the cross, He did it for everyone, but that doesn't mean EVERYONE is going to heaven. You have to BELIEVE IF YOU want heaven and God.
Tell me what you think of verse 3. It sounds like its a sin to be a vegitarian, but maybe I'm taking it literally!
-Michael
TUESDAY, June 15th, 2009
Hey guys, I am going to talk to PL about me doing the videotions as well because typing is just not my thing!
1 Timothy 3
1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
This passage talks about what a pastor needs to be in order to BE a pastor. Pastor Lee and Pastor Chip both are fitting the job of a pastor very well! and we all know it! If any pastor misses any of these qualifications by a hair, then they aren't worthy to be pastorial material. One thing that caught my eye was a pastor needs to be a good ruler of his home, because if he is not, then how in the world shall he rule the house of God? Make sense?
Also, a pastor needs to be a male. Why? Because that is the way God intended it to be. He isn't sexist, he isn't favoring male over female, he does it because he is God, and he knows every decicion he makes for us are for our own good.
If you think if it is God's will for you to be a pastor, or anything, make sure it matches up with His word. So, if you are female, and you think it is God's will for you to be a pastor, something isn't right, and just keep waiting on the Lord............
-Michael
1 Timothy 3
1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
This passage talks about what a pastor needs to be in order to BE a pastor. Pastor Lee and Pastor Chip both are fitting the job of a pastor very well! and we all know it! If any pastor misses any of these qualifications by a hair, then they aren't worthy to be pastorial material. One thing that caught my eye was a pastor needs to be a good ruler of his home, because if he is not, then how in the world shall he rule the house of God? Make sense?
Also, a pastor needs to be a male. Why? Because that is the way God intended it to be. He isn't sexist, he isn't favoring male over female, he does it because he is God, and he knows every decicion he makes for us are for our own good.
If you think if it is God's will for you to be a pastor, or anything, make sure it matches up with His word. So, if you are female, and you think it is God's will for you to be a pastor, something isn't right, and just keep waiting on the Lord............
-Michael
SATURDAY, June 13th, 2009
1 Timothy 2
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
I have heard this many times in the left behind books, There is only One Mediater between us and God: Jesus Christ. What that means is He is the one who we pray to and He gives the prayers to the Father, not like some do it, confess sins to a priest, who isn't the mediator between man and God.
Also it says that He gave a ransom for ALL! a ransom is when you give something or SOMEONE IN THIS CASE, to trade for something better. In our world, Christ was the ransom given to pay off our sin debt we owe to God, and He became the sin, and punished for our sake, and now, WE ARE FREE!!!!!!
FREEDOM FEELS SO GOOD!!!
-Michael
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
I have heard this many times in the left behind books, There is only One Mediater between us and God: Jesus Christ. What that means is He is the one who we pray to and He gives the prayers to the Father, not like some do it, confess sins to a priest, who isn't the mediator between man and God.
Also it says that He gave a ransom for ALL! a ransom is when you give something or SOMEONE IN THIS CASE, to trade for something better. In our world, Christ was the ransom given to pay off our sin debt we owe to God, and He became the sin, and punished for our sake, and now, WE ARE FREE!!!!!!
FREEDOM FEELS SO GOOD!!!
-Michael
THURSDAY, June 11th, 2009
Hey guys, how is your day been? Hey Pastor Lee, if your reading this, Carl did such a great job last night, it was hard to tell you were gone!
1 Timothy 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul caught my eyes when he said here, "...to save sinners, whom I am chief." He tells Timothy (and us) that Christ saves sinners, and he was definetly on God's most wanted list, only next to Satan.
But when Paul got saved, he became one of God's top evangelists in the world's history! See, even the most wicked person you know can still go to heaven with God forever...
....with a price...
-Michael
1 Timothy 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul caught my eyes when he said here, "...to save sinners, whom I am chief." He tells Timothy (and us) that Christ saves sinners, and he was definetly on God's most wanted list, only next to Satan.
But when Paul got saved, he became one of God's top evangelists in the world's history! See, even the most wicked person you know can still go to heaven with God forever...
....with a price...
-Michael
TUESDAY, June 8th, 2009
I was going to post a passage that based on sinning over and over again, but instead I will comment about Victoria's comment.
Sinning over and over again starts out by trying a new sin to see if you like it or not. In that sense, you try a new food to see if you like it. If you like the sin, you want to do it again, and again and so on.... just like when you try a new tasty food, you like it, you want more, and more, and more and so on... chips are a good example of a food you can't just have one of. There are some sins people just don't like, and the same with food, some people just don't like a certain food genre. Pretty much, junk food is JUST LIKE SIN, junk food is harmful to your health, you don't need it, and its pleasurable. JUST LIKE SIN! Now of course, sin is definetly worse than junk food, but they are both easily compatible!
If you need to stop sinning over and over again, try a diet, only one works, and its called Jesus Christ!
-Michael
Sinning over and over again starts out by trying a new sin to see if you like it or not. In that sense, you try a new food to see if you like it. If you like the sin, you want to do it again, and again and so on.... just like when you try a new tasty food, you like it, you want more, and more, and more and so on... chips are a good example of a food you can't just have one of. There are some sins people just don't like, and the same with food, some people just don't like a certain food genre. Pretty much, junk food is JUST LIKE SIN, junk food is harmful to your health, you don't need it, and its pleasurable. JUST LIKE SIN! Now of course, sin is definetly worse than junk food, but they are both easily compatible!
If you need to stop sinning over and over again, try a diet, only one works, and its called Jesus Christ!
-Michael
MONDAY, June 8th, 2009
Hey guys, I have been slacking off some, but now we will get back on track! No videotions today, since PL is in RI, and I haven't learned from him how to do it.
Romans 1:28-32
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The reason why I brought this section of Romans 1 in was because of what was in there. Look at the list of horrible, discusting, sins that are there. They look bad don't they? Look what other sin is stuck in there. Disobedient to parents.
Usually we get the preception that all of those sins except disobedient to parents are REALLY BAD, like we will go to super hell bad thing, but the truth of the matter is, disobeying your parents is just as bad. Reason why we think disobeying our parents isn't as bad as the others there, is because in our sinful minds, we like to justify whatevdr we do, into thinking its okay. NO, IT IS NOT OKAY!! Why do we disobey them somethimes? They do everything for us! Feed us, buy us clothes, let us live in a house with them, the list goes on baby....
If your parent(s) is in your sight right now, ditch your pride, and tell them your sorry for anything you did against them, and just for the sake of Christ, I am going to call my mom and tell her I'm sorry too!
-Michael
Romans 1:28-32
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The reason why I brought this section of Romans 1 in was because of what was in there. Look at the list of horrible, discusting, sins that are there. They look bad don't they? Look what other sin is stuck in there. Disobedient to parents.
Usually we get the preception that all of those sins except disobedient to parents are REALLY BAD, like we will go to super hell bad thing, but the truth of the matter is, disobeying your parents is just as bad. Reason why we think disobeying our parents isn't as bad as the others there, is because in our sinful minds, we like to justify whatevdr we do, into thinking its okay. NO, IT IS NOT OKAY!! Why do we disobey them somethimes? They do everything for us! Feed us, buy us clothes, let us live in a house with them, the list goes on baby....
If your parent(s) is in your sight right now, ditch your pride, and tell them your sorry for anything you did against them, and just for the sake of Christ, I am going to call my mom and tell her I'm sorry too!
-Michael
THURSDAY, June 4th, 2009
Romans 12:9-10
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Thanks Guys! Post your thoughts and applications below!
MONDAY, June 1st, 2009
Hey guys! I am excited about getting back online. I have missed you guys! I have some ideas on how we can make this big again. I will share them in the next few days...
I have been so inspired by your faithfulness! Keep up the good work! Always stay faithful! Regardless what other people around you are doing (or not doing)!
Proverbs 6
Warnings Against Adultery
20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 For the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.
32 He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.
This is a powerful verse about how terrible it is to lose your purity in adultery... the interesting fact is that adultery is generally speaking about only married people, but the root word that is translated into adultery here in this chapter literally means any kind of sexual sin...
We must avoid sexual sin, whether it is with a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a website, a thought in our mind... any of these are areas where we can horbor sexual sin, and this chapter makes it clear that IT WILL DESTROY OUR LIFE!!!
There is a lesson at the very beginning that I love, it makes it clear that we must tie Gods truth around our neck so that we do not forget about it... now that is not literally, it is an illustration...
HAve you ever heard of the boy who tied a string to his finger to remember to buy something at the store for his mother? He knew that he would forget, but he also knew that He would look down at his hand and see the string as a reminder... Maybe you should write one of these verses on a note card and keep it in your pocket for a few days!! That would be a great way to "Tie Gods truth around your neck" :)
Love you guys! Stay Faithful!!!
I have been so inspired by your faithfulness! Keep up the good work! Always stay faithful! Regardless what other people around you are doing (or not doing)!
Proverbs 6
Warnings Against Adultery
20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 For the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.
32 He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.
This is a powerful verse about how terrible it is to lose your purity in adultery... the interesting fact is that adultery is generally speaking about only married people, but the root word that is translated into adultery here in this chapter literally means any kind of sexual sin...
We must avoid sexual sin, whether it is with a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a website, a thought in our mind... any of these are areas where we can horbor sexual sin, and this chapter makes it clear that IT WILL DESTROY OUR LIFE!!!
There is a lesson at the very beginning that I love, it makes it clear that we must tie Gods truth around our neck so that we do not forget about it... now that is not literally, it is an illustration...
HAve you ever heard of the boy who tied a string to his finger to remember to buy something at the store for his mother? He knew that he would forget, but he also knew that He would look down at his hand and see the string as a reminder... Maybe you should write one of these verses on a note card and keep it in your pocket for a few days!! That would be a great way to "Tie Gods truth around your neck" :)
Love you guys! Stay Faithful!!!
SATURDAY, May 30th, 2009
Hey guys! some of you may be out of school, and just wait for me!!!
Proverbs 6
1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another,
2 if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,
3 then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
12 A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,
14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up dissension.
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
I have ben looking all over the bible to find the 7 deadly sins! Well, technically God hates all of them, but these 7 He hates with a passion. Before I talk about that, I want to mention the first few verses, mostly 4.
What it is telling us is whenever you do something evil to a neighbor, (can be anyone you know well) you shouldn't go to bed, and have the situation unresolved. Usually when my mom and I have a small fight, I don't apologize right when she is mad and yelling, I wait for her to cool off. Then I usually say sorry before bed, I just don't like the thought of not apologizing to a close friend or relative. They could be an enemy, and you want as many allies as you can get.
The first deadly sin is the only one that got me confused. I think it basically means God doesn't want you to be prideful of yourself, because it will lead you into thinking the same way Lucifer did, because if there were to be a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst sin, pride would be a 10.
The second deadly sin is lying. Now, on that scale, I would say lying to be about a 2, but lying could lead to a buildup of more and more lies, and eventually it comes to exploding into a super million lies, and forms to one big lie, and now, that person you lied to a million times can no longer trust you, will never know if you are telling the truth now.
The third deadly sin is someone who kills another without reason. Murder is what some call it. Why do people kill innocent people? the main answer it comes down to: to fulfill their own needs! Mob leaders kill dudes on the street because that person could be a witness in court, so now the gang leader has a decreased chance of going to prison, therefore, happy for HIMSELF! Murder on scale would be a 9.
The fourth deadly sin is someone who makes evil plans. You see things like this on some disney movies, bad guys want to take over the world, and need to make a evil plan to eliminate his and his cohort's foes. It happens in real life too, not just in movies! on scale would be a 7.
The fifth deadly sin is feet that run to evil. What this is saying is people like to follow the world into evil deeds. That could be just walking and randomly punching someone in the face, giving them the choke hold, or more better example would just basically be people following the crowd into what may be pleasurable, but turn out not so. This one was a little confusing to explain too. Give this a 6.
The sixth deadly sin is a person that preaches blasphemy, or doctrinal lies against God's word. I would have to give this one an 8, since preaching against God's truth is dragging people away from Christ, and pulling them to the depths of hell.
The seventh deadly sin is someone who likes to stir up trouble with people you know, or maybe even with unknown folks. This one I think whould be about a 3 and a half, but doing this could lead to who can now trust you in your life, similar to the trust issue I talked about in the lying paragraph.
Always remember that God puts every sin as a 10 on His scale, and EVERY SIN IS DEADLY, LITERRALLY!
-Michael
Proverbs 6
1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another,
2 if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,
3 then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
12 A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,
14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up dissension.
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
I have ben looking all over the bible to find the 7 deadly sins! Well, technically God hates all of them, but these 7 He hates with a passion. Before I talk about that, I want to mention the first few verses, mostly 4.
What it is telling us is whenever you do something evil to a neighbor, (can be anyone you know well) you shouldn't go to bed, and have the situation unresolved. Usually when my mom and I have a small fight, I don't apologize right when she is mad and yelling, I wait for her to cool off. Then I usually say sorry before bed, I just don't like the thought of not apologizing to a close friend or relative. They could be an enemy, and you want as many allies as you can get.
The first deadly sin is the only one that got me confused. I think it basically means God doesn't want you to be prideful of yourself, because it will lead you into thinking the same way Lucifer did, because if there were to be a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst sin, pride would be a 10.
The second deadly sin is lying. Now, on that scale, I would say lying to be about a 2, but lying could lead to a buildup of more and more lies, and eventually it comes to exploding into a super million lies, and forms to one big lie, and now, that person you lied to a million times can no longer trust you, will never know if you are telling the truth now.
The third deadly sin is someone who kills another without reason. Murder is what some call it. Why do people kill innocent people? the main answer it comes down to: to fulfill their own needs! Mob leaders kill dudes on the street because that person could be a witness in court, so now the gang leader has a decreased chance of going to prison, therefore, happy for HIMSELF! Murder on scale would be a 9.
The fourth deadly sin is someone who makes evil plans. You see things like this on some disney movies, bad guys want to take over the world, and need to make a evil plan to eliminate his and his cohort's foes. It happens in real life too, not just in movies! on scale would be a 7.
The fifth deadly sin is feet that run to evil. What this is saying is people like to follow the world into evil deeds. That could be just walking and randomly punching someone in the face, giving them the choke hold, or more better example would just basically be people following the crowd into what may be pleasurable, but turn out not so. This one was a little confusing to explain too. Give this a 6.
The sixth deadly sin is a person that preaches blasphemy, or doctrinal lies against God's word. I would have to give this one an 8, since preaching against God's truth is dragging people away from Christ, and pulling them to the depths of hell.
The seventh deadly sin is someone who likes to stir up trouble with people you know, or maybe even with unknown folks. This one I think whould be about a 3 and a half, but doing this could lead to who can now trust you in your life, similar to the trust issue I talked about in the lying paragraph.
Always remember that God puts every sin as a 10 on His scale, and EVERY SIN IS DEADLY, LITERRALLY!
-Michael
THURSDAY, May 28th, 2009
Hello =] I just wanted to say that I really needed to hear the message yesterday because people at school were really getting to me this past couple of weeks, and I was just realizing especially recently how low the world's morals are becoming...so yeah I really liked yesterday's lesson.
Proverbs 5
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
I suppose this sort of relates to yesterday's message in youth group, although I was just continuing off of what Michael posted...
Well I'm not entirely sure what this passage is implying or what its meaning is, but I read the commentary from biblegateway.com so it makes a little more sense. but I have to go make dinner now so I'll just paste it here lol. However, I colored the parts that really stood out to me that made me understand the passage more. Soo...if you really feel like reading all this, you may! :P
"Solomon cautions all young men, as his children, to abstain from fleshly lusts. Some, by the adulterous woman, here understand idolatry, false doctrine, which tends to lead astray men's minds and manners; but the direct view is to warn against seventh-commandment sins. Often these have been, and still are, Satan's method of drawing men from the worship of God into false religion. Consider how fatal the consequences; how bitter the fruit! Take it any way, it wounds. It leads to the torments of hell. The direct tendency of this sin is to the destruction of body and soul. We must carefully avoid every thing which may be a step towards it. Those who would be kept from harm, must keep out of harm's way. If we thrust ourselves into temptation we mock God when we pray, Lead us not into temptation. How many mischiefs attend this sin! It blasts the reputation; it wastes time; it ruins the estate; it is destructive to health; it will fill the mind with horror. Though thou art merry now, yet sooner or later it will bring sorrow. The convinced sinner reproaches himself, and makes no excuse for his folly. By the frequent acts of sin, the habits of it become rooted and confirmed. By a miracle of mercy true repentance may prevent the dreadful consequences of such sins; but this is not often; far more die as they have lived. What can express the case of the self-ruined sinner in the eternal world, enduring the remorse of his conscience!"
Proverbs 5
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
I suppose this sort of relates to yesterday's message in youth group, although I was just continuing off of what Michael posted...
Well I'm not entirely sure what this passage is implying or what its meaning is, but I read the commentary from biblegateway.com so it makes a little more sense. but I have to go make dinner now so I'll just paste it here lol. However, I colored the parts that really stood out to me that made me understand the passage more. Soo...if you really feel like reading all this, you may! :P
"Solomon cautions all young men, as his children, to abstain from fleshly lusts. Some, by the adulterous woman, here understand idolatry, false doctrine, which tends to lead astray men's minds and manners; but the direct view is to warn against seventh-commandment sins. Often these have been, and still are, Satan's method of drawing men from the worship of God into false religion. Consider how fatal the consequences; how bitter the fruit! Take it any way, it wounds. It leads to the torments of hell. The direct tendency of this sin is to the destruction of body and soul. We must carefully avoid every thing which may be a step towards it. Those who would be kept from harm, must keep out of harm's way. If we thrust ourselves into temptation we mock God when we pray, Lead us not into temptation. How many mischiefs attend this sin! It blasts the reputation; it wastes time; it ruins the estate; it is destructive to health; it will fill the mind with horror. Though thou art merry now, yet sooner or later it will bring sorrow. The convinced sinner reproaches himself, and makes no excuse for his folly. By the frequent acts of sin, the habits of it become rooted and confirmed. By a miracle of mercy true repentance may prevent the dreadful consequences of such sins; but this is not often; far more die as they have lived. What can express the case of the self-ruined sinner in the eternal world, enduring the remorse of his conscience!"
WEDNESDAY, May,27th, 2009
Hey guys, make sure you are at church tonight for a great game and sermon from Pastor Lee!
Proverbs 4
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
Another great passage from the Word of God! Verse 7 stuck out the most along with verse 15. Verse 7 is stressing to us that wisdom is an important quality to have! Have you ever heard of the saying, "Knowledge is power?" I'm sure everyone has, and its so true! You could be the most powerful person in the world if you're some skinny kid from Queens, but be the most intelligent person the world has ever seen!
Another good saying that kinda sidetrakes that is if you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything. The reason you may stand for nothing is because you aren't smart enough to realize the good outcomes that could come from someone having morals! Knowledge is more powerful than any comic book hero, any bodybuilder, any weightlifting champ, or even a government official!!!!
Verse 15 caught my attention as well because it tells us to go away from evil things, not stand there and take the abuse and say you can handle it, because that fact of the matter is, you can't! Trust me, I have tried that. It doesn't work!! A famous quote I heard was,
"Someone you can never deny of, is someone who has had experience."
Do you know who said that quote? Well, it was me ,Michael Stratton of course!
Never hang out with ungodly people, and obtain wisdom!!!!
Proverbs 4
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
Another great passage from the Word of God! Verse 7 stuck out the most along with verse 15. Verse 7 is stressing to us that wisdom is an important quality to have! Have you ever heard of the saying, "Knowledge is power?" I'm sure everyone has, and its so true! You could be the most powerful person in the world if you're some skinny kid from Queens, but be the most intelligent person the world has ever seen!
Another good saying that kinda sidetrakes that is if you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything. The reason you may stand for nothing is because you aren't smart enough to realize the good outcomes that could come from someone having morals! Knowledge is more powerful than any comic book hero, any bodybuilder, any weightlifting champ, or even a government official!!!!
Verse 15 caught my attention as well because it tells us to go away from evil things, not stand there and take the abuse and say you can handle it, because that fact of the matter is, you can't! Trust me, I have tried that. It doesn't work!! A famous quote I heard was,
"Someone you can never deny of, is someone who has had experience."
Do you know who said that quote? Well, it was me ,Michael Stratton of course!
Never hang out with ungodly people, and obtain wisdom!!!!
MONDAY, May 25th, 2009
Happy Memorial Day everyone!
Proverbs 3
1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
I like this passage alot. The verses hold ALOT of important information in it and it is written beautifully. To begin, verses 1-2 are saying that if we keep to God's Commandments, our lives will be filled with peace, longer life on Earth, and more happiness! God rewards those faithful and wants us to be able to enjoy the life he has given us very much. How wonderful is that?? Verse 5 tells us that we should trust in the Lord at all times and NOT go by our own judgment because odds are, we will end up doing the wrong thing. Say if you are deciphering whether or not you should do your homework or not...you really don't want to but it would be best if you did..so when facing certain situations, I started to ask myself the question 'What would Jesus do?' (hope this helps you out!) He would do the right thing and do the homework right? I think it would help us grow a stronger relationship with God if we start thinking about his wisdom..
In verse 14, we need to remember that silver and gold cannot buy us everything. It can't buy Salvation or eternity in Heaven. It can only buy things in this world that are not nrealy as important.
Now as we keep reading further, we reach verse 26, one of my favorite verses now:) It says that when we have the Lord in our lives, HE alone will be our confidence! I don't have much confidence at all, but this verse really helps me becuase God will be with us during every situation we may face!! Just remember that next time when you are nervous about things or even while feeling self-conscience.
One last note, the wise shall be blessed with God's glory and shame will fall upon those foolish.
~Angel Wings (a.k.a. Victoria!)
Proverbs 3
1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
I like this passage alot. The verses hold ALOT of important information in it and it is written beautifully. To begin, verses 1-2 are saying that if we keep to God's Commandments, our lives will be filled with peace, longer life on Earth, and more happiness! God rewards those faithful and wants us to be able to enjoy the life he has given us very much. How wonderful is that?? Verse 5 tells us that we should trust in the Lord at all times and NOT go by our own judgment because odds are, we will end up doing the wrong thing. Say if you are deciphering whether or not you should do your homework or not...you really don't want to but it would be best if you did..so when facing certain situations, I started to ask myself the question 'What would Jesus do?' (hope this helps you out!) He would do the right thing and do the homework right? I think it would help us grow a stronger relationship with God if we start thinking about his wisdom..
In verse 14, we need to remember that silver and gold cannot buy us everything. It can't buy Salvation or eternity in Heaven. It can only buy things in this world that are not nrealy as important.
Now as we keep reading further, we reach verse 26, one of my favorite verses now:) It says that when we have the Lord in our lives, HE alone will be our confidence! I don't have much confidence at all, but this verse really helps me becuase God will be with us during every situation we may face!! Just remember that next time when you are nervous about things or even while feeling self-conscience.
One last note, the wise shall be blessed with God's glory and shame will fall upon those foolish.
~Angel Wings (a.k.a. Victoria!)
SUNDAY, May 24th, 2009
Hey everyone :) I wish I could have come to the evening service to see that video but I had a picnic for SWAT and it ended right at 6 -_- but it was fun! =] How 'bout some Proverbs? :)
Proverbs 2
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
So what I think this passage is saying is that if you call upon the Lord, you will know of His knowlege and understand His fear. The Lord gives out His knowledge and wisdom, if only we will ask for it. He leads the ones who worship Him in the right direction, and He guides them on the right path. And then the mood sort of changes into someone who leaves the 'path of righteousness' and walks in the 'way of darkness.' They like doing evil, which is just weird lol. Umm I'm not sure what 'froward' means lol. It's obviously not a typo because they put it three times haha. The person they're talking about has forgotten the way of the Lord, and now she is inclined to death, from my understanding. The ones who truly believe and are righteous will walk in the Lord's path, but those who are wicked will be CUT OFF from the earth!!
That doesn't sound good, does it?
We need to follow the RIGHT path, the LORD's path!!! Don't be tempted into evil ways!!
:)
~Emily Davis!
Proverbs 2
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
So what I think this passage is saying is that if you call upon the Lord, you will know of His knowlege and understand His fear. The Lord gives out His knowledge and wisdom, if only we will ask for it. He leads the ones who worship Him in the right direction, and He guides them on the right path. And then the mood sort of changes into someone who leaves the 'path of righteousness' and walks in the 'way of darkness.' They like doing evil, which is just weird lol. Umm I'm not sure what 'froward' means lol. It's obviously not a typo because they put it three times haha. The person they're talking about has forgotten the way of the Lord, and now she is inclined to death, from my understanding. The ones who truly believe and are righteous will walk in the Lord's path, but those who are wicked will be CUT OFF from the earth!!
That doesn't sound good, does it?
We need to follow the RIGHT path, the LORD's path!!! Don't be tempted into evil ways!!
:)
~Emily Davis!
SATURDAY, May 23rd, 2009
I like Psalms, so we'll go with that :)
Psalm 42
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Alright! So to me, this passage is saying how the speaker WANTS to be with God, he longs to talk to Him, to communicate with Him and pray to Him!! Yet he doesn't feel like the Lord is there with Him...He keeps crying and wondering why the Lord left Him. I caught something rereading this...in verse 10, the speaker's enemies are mocking him and basically saying 'oh what now, where's your God? I thought he was always there for you? where is now now, huh?' but he still doesn't lose faith.
But the last part of the last verse is my favorite, it brings it all together, and even though he thinks the Lord has left Him, he is STILL going to continue to worship Him! That's awesome, he doesn't lose faith in the Lord!!
"...for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
~Emily Davis!
Psalm 42
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Alright! So to me, this passage is saying how the speaker WANTS to be with God, he longs to talk to Him, to communicate with Him and pray to Him!! Yet he doesn't feel like the Lord is there with Him...He keeps crying and wondering why the Lord left Him. I caught something rereading this...in verse 10, the speaker's enemies are mocking him and basically saying 'oh what now, where's your God? I thought he was always there for you? where is now now, huh?' but he still doesn't lose faith.
But the last part of the last verse is my favorite, it brings it all together, and even though he thinks the Lord has left Him, he is STILL going to continue to worship Him! That's awesome, he doesn't lose faith in the Lord!!
"...for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
~Emily Davis!
FRIDAY May 22nd, 2009
Hi! It's Victoria. Yay this is my first time doing the Devos. I'll try my best Let's see how it goes :)
1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
Oakie Day, this passage is like a plea that the reader's of John's Letter will believe and love God and his son Jesus who has paid for all of our sins. As verse 7 + 10 say, this chapter is telling us to make sure that we do not listen to false teachers who are trying to teach the wrong, not exact, information about the Bible.
As you look at verse 6, John writes and describes love not as an emotion, but something much greater: showing faithfulness to God: we will find God's love by keeping the commandments close to us and by following them. Not only by believing, but showing it in our actions as well. I can somtimes tell when someone is a Christian or not. Those who ARE Christians have that certain 'light' and optomistic effect to them, and cares deeply of those around, those who sadly aren't Christians always seem like they are down about something..know what I mean? It is because they aren't familiar by the true joy from Jesus Christ so it is our job as Christians to show others around us how greatly he love us!
So don't be decieved by the abomination-false teachers, such as evolutionists. There may be quite a few in this world, so lets start spreading them the gospel of the RIGHT information! Amen?
~Victoria
1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
Oakie Day, this passage is like a plea that the reader's of John's Letter will believe and love God and his son Jesus who has paid for all of our sins. As verse 7 + 10 say, this chapter is telling us to make sure that we do not listen to false teachers who are trying to teach the wrong, not exact, information about the Bible.
As you look at verse 6, John writes and describes love not as an emotion, but something much greater: showing faithfulness to God: we will find God's love by keeping the commandments close to us and by following them. Not only by believing, but showing it in our actions as well. I can somtimes tell when someone is a Christian or not. Those who ARE Christians have that certain 'light' and optomistic effect to them, and cares deeply of those around, those who sadly aren't Christians always seem like they are down about something..know what I mean? It is because they aren't familiar by the true joy from Jesus Christ so it is our job as Christians to show others around us how greatly he love us!
So don't be decieved by the abomination-false teachers, such as evolutionists. There may be quite a few in this world, so lets start spreading them the gospel of the RIGHT information! Amen?
~Victoria
THURSDAY, May 21st, 2009
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
The verse that jumped out at me was verse 12. Now, your probably thinking, "Why would Michael pick a verse that is so self explanatory to talk about?!" Well, its usually because we may have the mind set of that a verse like this is so simple and we all know it, that we take it for granted.
The verse says, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." This verse not only tells us that Christ is how we get saved, but also tells us HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET SAVED! I hate when people finally decide that God is what is needed to fill the whole in their life, and they find THE WRONG ONE! Like Muslims for example. Do you know what they have to go through to get eternal life with Allah (God in Arabic) according to them? They have to do five things throughout their life; accept Allah (kinda like when we except Christ), pray 5 times a day, give their tithings at the end of the year, fast at the beginning of the month for x amount of time, and go to Mecca once in thier life. That is a lot! To tell you the truth, we should be doing all those things (except traveling to Mecca) faithfully! God bless your soul if you do, but I know that their are many more faithful Muslims then there are Christians in this world, and that is sad! The muslims are doing all for a lie and yet we sit back cofortable knowing we will go to heaven if we accept Christ that only takes a second to do and we're done. NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE NEED TO TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE LOVING GOD WHO SACRAFICED HIMSELF SO WE COULD BE WITH HIM FOREVER!!!!!!!!!! ESPECIALLY THE MUSLIMS!!!!!
Be faithful and spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! So important!
-Michael
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
The verse that jumped out at me was verse 12. Now, your probably thinking, "Why would Michael pick a verse that is so self explanatory to talk about?!" Well, its usually because we may have the mind set of that a verse like this is so simple and we all know it, that we take it for granted.
The verse says, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." This verse not only tells us that Christ is how we get saved, but also tells us HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET SAVED! I hate when people finally decide that God is what is needed to fill the whole in their life, and they find THE WRONG ONE! Like Muslims for example. Do you know what they have to go through to get eternal life with Allah (God in Arabic) according to them? They have to do five things throughout their life; accept Allah (kinda like when we except Christ), pray 5 times a day, give their tithings at the end of the year, fast at the beginning of the month for x amount of time, and go to Mecca once in thier life. That is a lot! To tell you the truth, we should be doing all those things (except traveling to Mecca) faithfully! God bless your soul if you do, but I know that their are many more faithful Muslims then there are Christians in this world, and that is sad! The muslims are doing all for a lie and yet we sit back cofortable knowing we will go to heaven if we accept Christ that only takes a second to do and we're done. NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE NEED TO TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE LOVING GOD WHO SACRAFICED HIMSELF SO WE COULD BE WITH HIM FOREVER!!!!!!!!!! ESPECIALLY THE MUSLIMS!!!!!
Be faithful and spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! So important!
-Michael
TUESDAY, May 19th, 2009
Hey guys how are you today? Emily and Victoria, you are doing an awesome job with being faithful! Check my comment from yesterday to see any additional info.
1 John 5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his ommandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and hese three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
Verse 7 is been a verse I have been long looking for! I have always wanted the bible to give a strait answer on the trinity of God! Well you can't get any clearer than that of verse 7! You must be a complete idiot not to believe in the trinity now!
Lets talk about it. The Father, that is God Almighty, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth; The Word, that is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God, Redeemer and Savior of the World; The Holy Ghost, that is God's Spirit, the 3rd member of the God-head, the One that makes us feel guilty whenever we sin, and the one that dwells in us, as well as the only one in the Trinity that we actually do not worship, since worship belongs to the Father and the Son. Well a brief summary of each member of the Trinity. Now lets talk about the God-head as a whole.
He existed without beginning, and all three members are equal in power, all are eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action and will. They never disagree with each other, because God is not bi-polar (which many lost people think if you tell them about the Trinity, since lost people just don't understand, an example in John 3: 3-5).
Well, is that too much Trinity info for ya?! In all of history, the Trinity of God is what gets everyone confused, so witnessing to someone, try just not to mention the Trinity, unless you want someone thinking that God is bi-polar! He is not!
-Michael
1 John 5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his ommandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and hese three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
Verse 7 is been a verse I have been long looking for! I have always wanted the bible to give a strait answer on the trinity of God! Well you can't get any clearer than that of verse 7! You must be a complete idiot not to believe in the trinity now!
Lets talk about it. The Father, that is God Almighty, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth; The Word, that is Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God, Redeemer and Savior of the World; The Holy Ghost, that is God's Spirit, the 3rd member of the God-head, the One that makes us feel guilty whenever we sin, and the one that dwells in us, as well as the only one in the Trinity that we actually do not worship, since worship belongs to the Father and the Son. Well a brief summary of each member of the Trinity. Now lets talk about the God-head as a whole.
He existed without beginning, and all three members are equal in power, all are eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action and will. They never disagree with each other, because God is not bi-polar (which many lost people think if you tell them about the Trinity, since lost people just don't understand, an example in John 3: 3-5).
Well, is that too much Trinity info for ya?! In all of history, the Trinity of God is what gets everyone confused, so witnessing to someone, try just not to mention the Trinity, unless you want someone thinking that God is bi-polar! He is not!
-Michael
SUNDAY, May 17th, 2009
Ooooh I feel special, I'm posting my first passage :P
Alright so yay I just got baptized today =] I'll just continue from where Michael was yesterday.
1 John 4
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Okayyyy so. The first verse reminds me a lot of John 3:16. "For he so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Well that makes sense because it's from the same book...but regardless...moving on..
God loves us THAT MUCH that he would send his only son to DIE for us, that's pretty amazing. As we all know, parents love their children and would do anything, even die for them, to protect them. Now how many of those parents do you think would sacrifice their own child for people in the future that they don't even know, to save them? Not very many. That's how amazing God is, that He would do that for us.
Verse 20 is talking about a hypocrite, basically. Still, I'm sure we've all made this mistake. You hate your siblings or whoever else it may be, yet you love God...that's not what the Bible says. You are supposed to love ALL your enemies and family and neighbors, and worship God. That is part of the deal of worshipping the Lord; you have to love EVERYone.
~Emily
Alright so yay I just got baptized today =] I'll just continue from where Michael was yesterday.
1 John 4
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Okayyyy so. The first verse reminds me a lot of John 3:16. "For he so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Well that makes sense because it's from the same book...but regardless...moving on..
God loves us THAT MUCH that he would send his only son to DIE for us, that's pretty amazing. As we all know, parents love their children and would do anything, even die for them, to protect them. Now how many of those parents do you think would sacrifice their own child for people in the future that they don't even know, to save them? Not very many. That's how amazing God is, that He would do that for us.
Verse 20 is talking about a hypocrite, basically. Still, I'm sure we've all made this mistake. You hate your siblings or whoever else it may be, yet you love God...that's not what the Bible says. You are supposed to love ALL your enemies and family and neighbors, and worship God. That is part of the deal of worshipping the Lord; you have to love EVERYone.
~Emily
SATURDAY, May 16th, 2009
If you guys werent there at the church last night, you missed out! We had a lot of fun!
And Emily, you can post a devo anytime, just whenever you see if me or PL haven't done them, and you continue on from the previous day.
1 John 4
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Verse 1 is coming true as we speak. You know, you've definetly seen it on tv, internet, and in school. If you're wondering what a false prophet is, it's anyone that preaches the doctrine of the Antichrist. For example, some Politician said one day that you don't need a personal relationship with God. That politician is a False Prophet. And like we said the other day, a antichrist is someone who denies Christ, and doesn't believe you need Him. An antichrist denies Jesus Christ, and a false prophet teaches any doctrine opposite of the bible. So, an antichrist can be a false prophet too, and visa versa.
Verse 4 is pretty awesome too. "... you have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." That is reffering to God and Satan directly, saying God is greater than Satan, so we have overcome him because God is in us!
So cool!
-Michael
And Emily, you can post a devo anytime, just whenever you see if me or PL haven't done them, and you continue on from the previous day.
1 John 4
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Verse 1 is coming true as we speak. You know, you've definetly seen it on tv, internet, and in school. If you're wondering what a false prophet is, it's anyone that preaches the doctrine of the Antichrist. For example, some Politician said one day that you don't need a personal relationship with God. That politician is a False Prophet. And like we said the other day, a antichrist is someone who denies Christ, and doesn't believe you need Him. An antichrist denies Jesus Christ, and a false prophet teaches any doctrine opposite of the bible. So, an antichrist can be a false prophet too, and visa versa.
Verse 4 is pretty awesome too. "... you have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." That is reffering to God and Satan directly, saying God is greater than Satan, so we have overcome him because God is in us!
So cool!
-Michael
FRIDAY, May 15th, 2009
Emily, that was a super long comment! Your awesome! you should try to post these devos someday, just to feel how its like. You want to?
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
This is a continuation of yesterday's chapter. Verse 23 is the one that caught my attention on this one.
There are two great commandments that it wants us to know. Believe in Jesus, you know, the whole shibag, and to love one another.
Now, what does love really mean? love means: affectionate concern for the well-being of others. If you are concerened about someone else's problems, or hurts or feeling, then you love them. Also, you could love them by putting them before yourself, since everyone knows we love ourselves.
Now the question is, do you care about other people's problems and are willing to put them before yourself? if so, you love them. I have always wondered what really is love, but now I know. Hey, its awesome to learn new interesting things everyday!
So, do you love others?
-Michael
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
This is a continuation of yesterday's chapter. Verse 23 is the one that caught my attention on this one.
There are two great commandments that it wants us to know. Believe in Jesus, you know, the whole shibag, and to love one another.
Now, what does love really mean? love means: affectionate concern for the well-being of others. If you are concerened about someone else's problems, or hurts or feeling, then you love them. Also, you could love them by putting them before yourself, since everyone knows we love ourselves.
Now the question is, do you care about other people's problems and are willing to put them before yourself? if so, you love them. I have always wondered what really is love, but now I know. Hey, its awesome to learn new interesting things everyday!
So, do you love others?
-Michael
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