Ecclesiastes 2
12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
MONDAY, March 23rd, 2009
Hey guys, lets look at Ecclesiastes chapter 2 today:
1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
I don't know about you, but I seem to think that If I had everything that Solomond had, I would have been happy... if I had servants, and houses, and gold and silver and gardens and forrests, and on and on the lists go... I would think with all those possessions you couldnt HELP BUT BE SO HAPPY!!!!
At least that is what the world thinks... If the world could grasp one chapter of the Bible and apply it, this chapter would make an impact greater than you and I could ever imagine... Imagine if everyone stopped trying to get the next biggest and best thing...
Imagine if dads were at home playing with their children instead of working at the office all the time, imagine if Husbands and wives actually saved their money instead of going into thousands of dollars of debt...
Why do we all do this? Because the world is searching for happiness, the world is searching for Joy!!!!!! What they don't understand is that they are LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE!!!!!
If they want Joy, they must find it through Jesus Christ...
How do I know that? Well, Solomon had it all!!! If he thought there was anything in the world that would please him, he took it... whether it was the hottest girl in the world, or whether it was the best meal, or maybe it was just mountains of Gold...
THE FACT IS: None of it brought him the joy that he was searching for!!!! NONE OF IT!!!
Today we try to get that same joy with toys, jet skis, boats, new cars, vacations, video games, girls, guys, WHATEVER..... BUT IT WILL NOT BRING YOU REAL JOY!!!
The only that that will give you what you long for is JESUS!
1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
I don't know about you, but I seem to think that If I had everything that Solomond had, I would have been happy... if I had servants, and houses, and gold and silver and gardens and forrests, and on and on the lists go... I would think with all those possessions you couldnt HELP BUT BE SO HAPPY!!!!
At least that is what the world thinks... If the world could grasp one chapter of the Bible and apply it, this chapter would make an impact greater than you and I could ever imagine... Imagine if everyone stopped trying to get the next biggest and best thing...
Imagine if dads were at home playing with their children instead of working at the office all the time, imagine if Husbands and wives actually saved their money instead of going into thousands of dollars of debt...
Why do we all do this? Because the world is searching for happiness, the world is searching for Joy!!!!!! What they don't understand is that they are LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE!!!!!
If they want Joy, they must find it through Jesus Christ...
How do I know that? Well, Solomon had it all!!! If he thought there was anything in the world that would please him, he took it... whether it was the hottest girl in the world, or whether it was the best meal, or maybe it was just mountains of Gold...
THE FACT IS: None of it brought him the joy that he was searching for!!!! NONE OF IT!!!
Today we try to get that same joy with toys, jet skis, boats, new cars, vacations, video games, girls, guys, WHATEVER..... BUT IT WILL NOT BRING YOU REAL JOY!!!
The only that that will give you what you long for is JESUS!
SUNDAY, March 22nd 2009
Hey guys! Thanks for coming to Sunday School today! I hope to see you in church tonight!!
Here is the passage for today:
Ecclesiastes:
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 “ Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “ Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
3 What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?
4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.
5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose.
6 The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit.
7 All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again.
8 All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which it may be said, “ See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.
The Grief of Wisdom
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.”
17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
This whole book is written in such a neat way... imagine being the wisest man that ever lived and you come to the end of your life, what would you tell your children, and the rest of the world? Well, most of this chapter is a SOLID reminder that everything that we do in this life will be looked back upon as a waste, UNLESS WE DO WHAT GOD SAYS, AND DO IT WHEN GOD SAYS, AND DO IT FOR GOD!!!!!
Solomon lived his life and made many mistakes, and when He came to the end of his life He wanted everyone to know what he learned... everything that he thought was so important was not... that is it... it was not as important as it seemed...
Many times we live each day and the details that we are going through seem life altering... who will we go to the prom with, who will we have over to our house this weekend, will we ask that person out, what am I doing on Friday night, I dont want them to think that I am a retard, do they think I am cool? on and on and on the list of un-important (seemingly eternal important) issues...
Next time you are stressed out about something, and you feel like your life may just be over... think about what Solomon said: Dont stress: If it is not done for God and his glory, it is an absoilute waste! Wow! Interesting Huh?
Here is the passage for today:
Ecclesiastes:
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 “ Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “ Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
3 What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?
4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.
5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, And hastens to the place where it arose.
6 The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit.
7 All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again.
8 All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which it may be said, “ See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.
The Grief of Wisdom
12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.”
17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
This whole book is written in such a neat way... imagine being the wisest man that ever lived and you come to the end of your life, what would you tell your children, and the rest of the world? Well, most of this chapter is a SOLID reminder that everything that we do in this life will be looked back upon as a waste, UNLESS WE DO WHAT GOD SAYS, AND DO IT WHEN GOD SAYS, AND DO IT FOR GOD!!!!!
Solomon lived his life and made many mistakes, and when He came to the end of his life He wanted everyone to know what he learned... everything that he thought was so important was not... that is it... it was not as important as it seemed...
Many times we live each day and the details that we are going through seem life altering... who will we go to the prom with, who will we have over to our house this weekend, will we ask that person out, what am I doing on Friday night, I dont want them to think that I am a retard, do they think I am cool? on and on and on the list of un-important (seemingly eternal important) issues...
Next time you are stressed out about something, and you feel like your life may just be over... think about what Solomon said: Dont stress: If it is not done for God and his glory, it is an absoilute waste! Wow! Interesting Huh?
SATURDAY, March 21st, 2009
Make sure you are at bigger and better tonight! (Michael was here)
Hebrews 13
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
This passage is filled with great infomation!
The first thing is verse 5, when it says the Lord will never leave you. Ever. Even though you may have left the Lord in your life, He won't leave you. Trust me, if He wanted to leave you, He would have called 10,000 angels to save Him from Calvary on the cross. You and me would have definetly been screwed if that happened.
Verse 6 is telling us not to fear man! Wow! There have been times where that happened to me, but the next day I was laughing about it! I really don't know why at the time, but really, WHAT CAN MAN DO TO YOU?! Yeah, maybe they could punch you in the face, but that will just be healed in a matter of weeks. The best thing to do so you don't EVEN HAVE TO CONSIDER FEARING SOMEONE, JUST BE FRIENDLY TO EVERYONE! If your friendly, man will most likely do the same to you!! Golden rule!!
The beginning of verses 7 and 17 are basically saying the same thing. Then why are they said twice? Uh, maybe because IT'S IMPORTANT! It says you need to obey those who have authority over you. That can mean your parents, your youth Pastor (: your teachers, or even the president of the U.S. All of them have more power they do, so don't get prideful, like Satan did, and go against them!!!
Remember, BE FRIENDLY, BE OBEDIENT, AND TELL YOURSELF GOD ALWAYS ALWAYS CARES FOR YOU!!!
See you tonight!
Hebrews 13
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
This passage is filled with great infomation!
The first thing is verse 5, when it says the Lord will never leave you. Ever. Even though you may have left the Lord in your life, He won't leave you. Trust me, if He wanted to leave you, He would have called 10,000 angels to save Him from Calvary on the cross. You and me would have definetly been screwed if that happened.
Verse 6 is telling us not to fear man! Wow! There have been times where that happened to me, but the next day I was laughing about it! I really don't know why at the time, but really, WHAT CAN MAN DO TO YOU?! Yeah, maybe they could punch you in the face, but that will just be healed in a matter of weeks. The best thing to do so you don't EVEN HAVE TO CONSIDER FEARING SOMEONE, JUST BE FRIENDLY TO EVERYONE! If your friendly, man will most likely do the same to you!! Golden rule!!
The beginning of verses 7 and 17 are basically saying the same thing. Then why are they said twice? Uh, maybe because IT'S IMPORTANT! It says you need to obey those who have authority over you. That can mean your parents, your youth Pastor (: your teachers, or even the president of the U.S. All of them have more power they do, so don't get prideful, like Satan did, and go against them!!!
Remember, BE FRIENDLY, BE OBEDIENT, AND TELL YOURSELF GOD ALWAYS ALWAYS CARES FOR YOU!!!
See you tonight!
FRIDAY, March 20th, 2009
Mike again. How was your friday? Actually, a better question would be, are you coming to bigger and better tomorrow night?
Hebrews 12
18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,
19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.
20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.”
21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Hear the Heavenly Voice
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,
26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”
27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
I'm not really sure what the passage means, AT ALL, but I will try and decifer it.
I think it says that you should definetly be on God's side of the battle, because His kingdom will never be shaken up by whatever the world throws at it.
The our God is a consuming fire thing is probably just saying that a consuming fire is alive, look at one, and is always running. A living fire that never ends, yep, that is definetly God for ya.
Hebrews 12
18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,
19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.
20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.”
21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Hear the Heavenly Voice
25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,
26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”
27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
I'm not really sure what the passage means, AT ALL, but I will try and decifer it.
I think it says that you should definetly be on God's side of the battle, because His kingdom will never be shaken up by whatever the world throws at it.
The our God is a consuming fire thing is probably just saying that a consuming fire is alive, look at one, and is always running. A living fire that never ends, yep, that is definetly God for ya.
THURSDAY, March 19th, 2009
Hey everyone, its Michael again, and I hope you plan to be at the youth group activity on Saturday at 5:30. Be there, or be square!
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Discipline of God
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Renew Your Spiritual Vitality
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
This passage really spoke to me personally. Verses 5-8 is basically saying whenever God gives you that guilty concience after you sinned, don't be discoraged like its the end of the world, because whenever that happens, its for your own good.
It compaires it to when you parents punish you. They punish you because they love you, and they don't want you to make the same mistake again. Whenever you trip and fall, get up, scratch the dust off and try again!
It touched me because in school, I curse. Its something I'm not proud of, and the rate has dramatically decreased since the beginning of high school. But every now and then, I do it, and I feel guilty, literally the next second, and get discoraged, like God is mad at me again. But now I have realized that I SHOULD feel guilty, but I shouldn't feel like God hates me, because He loves me and makes me feel guilty for my own good. I have been changed though this passage. Thank You, Lord.
Hebrews 12
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Discipline of God
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Renew Your Spiritual Vitality
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
This passage really spoke to me personally. Verses 5-8 is basically saying whenever God gives you that guilty concience after you sinned, don't be discoraged like its the end of the world, because whenever that happens, its for your own good.
It compaires it to when you parents punish you. They punish you because they love you, and they don't want you to make the same mistake again. Whenever you trip and fall, get up, scratch the dust off and try again!
It touched me because in school, I curse. Its something I'm not proud of, and the rate has dramatically decreased since the beginning of high school. But every now and then, I do it, and I feel guilty, literally the next second, and get discoraged, like God is mad at me again. But now I have realized that I SHOULD feel guilty, but I shouldn't feel like God hates me, because He loves me and makes me feel guilty for my own good. I have been changed though this passage. Thank You, Lord.
WEDNESDAY, March 18th, 2009
Hey Guys! Great Job Yesterday! Michael: You are amazing! I am so serious when I say that I could not have posted the devotions better than you did yesterday! Great Job! Way to go man!
It was really nice to see that it still happened even when I could not post the devotions! I read your comments and I thought they were great!
Alright: To answer your questions Michael:
some people do get saved and then they backslide... the Bible teaches us that once you get saved, you CANNOT lose that salvation... This means, If they truely did get saved then they WILL DEFINITELY be in Heaven. However, some people claim to have gotten saved, and then when it is no longer good for them, they go on living like they did before they claimed to be saved, and the Bible says: If there is no fruit, it makes you wonder if it is really a fruit tree...
Maybe someone called that tree a fruit tree when in all actuality it was not. You never know, if someone is truely a Christian or not,. but James tells us that the best way to find out is to see if their fruit matches their name: See if they really act like a follower of Christ, and that will show you if they really believe in Christ.
Ok, onto the devotions!
Hebrews 11... (BY THE WAY: I HAD TO MEMORIZE THIS CHAPTER IN COLLEGE!!!!)
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
The Faith of Moses
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
By Faith They Overcame
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,[f] were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—
38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,
40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
This is some GREAT stuff!!!! Look at all of the AMAZING THINGS that every single one of these people were able to accomplish!!! And how were they able to do it?? BY FAITH!!!!!!!
They had faith in God. They believed God, they believed Gods word, They believed Gods promises, and on and on it goes!!! THEY BELIEVED THAT WITH GOD... NOTHING WAS IMPOSSIBLE!!!
Can you imagine having faith like that... with that Kind of faith, these people were able to walk through a sea on dry land, they were able to knock down the walls of cities with a trumpet!!! Imagine what you could do if you had faith like that!!! Imagine how great your victories could be if you Had a faith like that!! That would be wonderful!!!!!!
HAVE FAITH!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was really nice to see that it still happened even when I could not post the devotions! I read your comments and I thought they were great!
Alright: To answer your questions Michael:
some people do get saved and then they backslide... the Bible teaches us that once you get saved, you CANNOT lose that salvation... This means, If they truely did get saved then they WILL DEFINITELY be in Heaven. However, some people claim to have gotten saved, and then when it is no longer good for them, they go on living like they did before they claimed to be saved, and the Bible says: If there is no fruit, it makes you wonder if it is really a fruit tree...
Maybe someone called that tree a fruit tree when in all actuality it was not. You never know, if someone is truely a Christian or not,. but James tells us that the best way to find out is to see if their fruit matches their name: See if they really act like a follower of Christ, and that will show you if they really believe in Christ.
Ok, onto the devotions!
Hebrews 11... (BY THE WAY: I HAD TO MEMORIZE THIS CHAPTER IN COLLEGE!!!!)
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
The Faith of Moses
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
By Faith They Overcame
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,[f] were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—
38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,
40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
This is some GREAT stuff!!!! Look at all of the AMAZING THINGS that every single one of these people were able to accomplish!!! And how were they able to do it?? BY FAITH!!!!!!!
They had faith in God. They believed God, they believed Gods word, They believed Gods promises, and on and on it goes!!! THEY BELIEVED THAT WITH GOD... NOTHING WAS IMPOSSIBLE!!!
Can you imagine having faith like that... with that Kind of faith, these people were able to walk through a sea on dry land, they were able to knock down the walls of cities with a trumpet!!! Imagine what you could do if you had faith like that!!! Imagine how great your victories could be if you Had a faith like that!! That would be wonderful!!!!!!
HAVE FAITH!!!!!!!!!!!!
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