God has started a good work in your life. He is molding and shaping you to be just like He is. Have you noticed that the closer you get to God the more you act like He does?
Instead of being selfish you will walk in love. Instead of anger you will have joy. Instead of vengeance you will have peace with your enemies. Instead of being impatient you will be longsuffering. As you get closer to God you will become more like God. You see God is finishing the work He started in you. God will keep working with you.
Do not despair! Those who hope in the Lord will win.When everything seems to fall apart, when there is nothing left to hold on to, that is the test and crown of faith.
Each has certain God-given characteristics.We are made according to God’s will. That is a great comfort—and a reminder to us to accept each other as we are. We are all the work of God’s hands. We are the clay, he is the potter. We are made according to the will of God, our Father, for his will is shown through his creation.
Therefore we take our stand with God’s mighty power, which is none other than love—a force so powerful, it overcomes sin and death.
December 28, 2006
December 27, 2006
My Strength Come's From The Lord !
If are thoughts are turned toward God, he will in time come into our hearts and we will feel the strength that comes from him—and strength is what we need on this earth. We need God’s strength to help us stand firm. The world is a hard place. Frequently life on earth puts a crushing load upon us; but we can go forward in God’s power, and then we shall notice that we gain fresh strength again and again and find new joy in life. That is why you must set your mind on God, your Lord. He is everything to you! And even if life seems burdensome at times, nevertheless you can live through it in God’s strength.
December 23, 2006
The Slick Oil Salesman
A Man Went to a used car lot. There were two cars there that caught his eye as he entered the lot.
The first was a nice robin-egg blue family car. Lots of trunk space. Reliable. Nice Dark Blue velvet interior, heat and air worked, small block V-6 engine, a nice family car
As he was looking, a used car salesman walked up. "I got the perfect car for you over here," he said. "It's cherry red 69 mustang fastback, fully restored, with black and red mach 1 interior, and a boss 429 bored out 40 over. This car is you!!!" The mustang cost more, but it appeared to be in primo condition, so the man chose the shiny, red sports car.
The man bought and paid for the mustang. It was all his!!! He got in it, and turned the key. It started so easy!! As he rebbed the engine, put it in gear, and left the lot, he claimed it for his own.
As he began to see what it would do, he discovered what the slick oil salesman had forgot to mention.
The car had no brakes.
The man tried to slow it down, but in his panic, he swerved and hit a tree. He was all right, but the car was totalled, and he would have to pay for another car.
Satan is the same way that slick oil salesman is. He talks a good talk. He tells us all the fun and exciting things about living in sin, but there is always something that he forgets to mention.
And once we choose sin, there are no brakes, no slowing down, the only way to stop is Jesus or the crash
and there is always something hard to hit in the end.
I will be taking a few days off to be with family for Christmas. My prayer is that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Christmas. Enjoy the time you have with each other. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Merry Christmas from our Family to yours.
The first was a nice robin-egg blue family car. Lots of trunk space. Reliable. Nice Dark Blue velvet interior, heat and air worked, small block V-6 engine, a nice family car
As he was looking, a used car salesman walked up. "I got the perfect car for you over here," he said. "It's cherry red 69 mustang fastback, fully restored, with black and red mach 1 interior, and a boss 429 bored out 40 over. This car is you!!!" The mustang cost more, but it appeared to be in primo condition, so the man chose the shiny, red sports car.
The man bought and paid for the mustang. It was all his!!! He got in it, and turned the key. It started so easy!! As he rebbed the engine, put it in gear, and left the lot, he claimed it for his own.
As he began to see what it would do, he discovered what the slick oil salesman had forgot to mention.
The car had no brakes.
The man tried to slow it down, but in his panic, he swerved and hit a tree. He was all right, but the car was totalled, and he would have to pay for another car.
Satan is the same way that slick oil salesman is. He talks a good talk. He tells us all the fun and exciting things about living in sin, but there is always something that he forgets to mention.
And once we choose sin, there are no brakes, no slowing down, the only way to stop is Jesus or the crash
and there is always something hard to hit in the end.
I will be taking a few days off to be with family for Christmas. My prayer is that everyone has a safe and enjoyable Christmas. Enjoy the time you have with each other. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Merry Christmas from our Family to yours.
December 22, 2006
Do Unto Others.........
Do you treat others like you want to be treated? The Word of God teaches that we must put our selfishness behind us and serve others. We are pretty good at looking to our own interest. But we must turn that around and apply the same to other people. Treat them like we want to be treated.
Be honest. Think about how you have treated others. Have you treated them like you want to be treated? Or have you been thinking only of yourself? Have you been so caught up in doing "your thing" that you've left someone in a bind? Have you taken advantage of someone's kindness and not paid the full price that you should have?
Remember the old saying "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
Be honest. Think about how you have treated others. Have you treated them like you want to be treated? Or have you been thinking only of yourself? Have you been so caught up in doing "your thing" that you've left someone in a bind? Have you taken advantage of someone's kindness and not paid the full price that you should have?
Remember the old saying "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
December 21, 2006
What Are You Thinking ?
The devil loves to get a hold of our thoughts. He knows that if he can get us thinking on the wrong things, he can get us doing the wrong things.He also tried to tempt Christ, sometime when you get a chance read Matthew chapter 4. Christ said "Away from me Satan" Maybe you've been thinking that things are bad, and they aren't! It's easy to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Is our life all that bad or have we allowed wrong thinking to drown out all that God has done for us and is doing for us? Don't let bad thoughts lead to bad actions.Do like Christ and say "AWAY FROM ME SATAN."Allow His Holy Spirit to help you ponder all that He is doing in your life. Don't just be a complainer and a whiner. Be rooted in Christ where God is center of not just your outward actions but your inward thoughts. To God be the glory great things he as done. We serve an awesome God.
December 19, 2006
Out With The Old And In With The New
Luke 2:11-12 - For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, And this will be the sign to you; You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. (NKJV)
It's getting near that time again -- with children getting excited and wanting to hear the old, old story once again. The one I refer to here is "The Night Before Christmas", when not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Have you, like me, been guilty of reading this story over and over to them, but neglecting to give the same repetition to the true old, old story of Jesus and His love?
Today, more than ever, we need to sit down beside them and read the story of God sending His Son Who would be born in a manger. We need to emphasize that Jesus came to bring peace and goodwill to the world -- a world not unlike today where people need to know this. What a story to send them off to sleep with and to calm their busy minds!
Let us spread the good tidings, which the angels proclaimed when Jesus was born, and keep the old, old story ever new.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in him should not parish but have everlasting life"
It's getting near that time again -- with children getting excited and wanting to hear the old, old story once again. The one I refer to here is "The Night Before Christmas", when not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Have you, like me, been guilty of reading this story over and over to them, but neglecting to give the same repetition to the true old, old story of Jesus and His love?
Today, more than ever, we need to sit down beside them and read the story of God sending His Son Who would be born in a manger. We need to emphasize that Jesus came to bring peace and goodwill to the world -- a world not unlike today where people need to know this. What a story to send them off to sleep with and to calm their busy minds!
Let us spread the good tidings, which the angels proclaimed when Jesus was born, and keep the old, old story ever new.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in him should not parish but have everlasting life"
December 18, 2006
Go Figure
From a strictly mathematical viewpoint
What Equals 100%?What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%.How about achieving 101%?What equals 100% in life?Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer theseQuestions:If:A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZIs represented as:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
andK-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But,A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
AND, look how far the love of God will take youL-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%
Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!
What Equals 100%?What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%.How about achieving 101%?What equals 100% in life?Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer theseQuestions:If:A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZIs represented as:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
andK-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But,A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
AND, look how far the love of God will take youL-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%
Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!
December 16, 2006
25 Questions To Ask Myself As A Christian
1. Can I honestly read passages such as Matthew 6:33; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 5:11; 10:57-62;
John 21:15-19; Hebrews 10:24-39; James 4:17; or 2 Peter 3:9-14 and come to the
conclusion that work or work related activities are acceptable reasons to miss the assembly?
The same question would apply to school or school related activities or family or
family related activities, etc.
2. Do I show my co-workers, neighbors, or class mates a Christian who is seeking first the
Kingdom of God, when I miss the assembly myself for things not as important as the Lord?
3. Will I be effective in converting my friends and neighbors to the Lord if they do not
see me putting Him first in my life?
4. Does my influence with my bible class students increase or decrease when I miss teaching
their class to go to work or to miss the class for some other worldly activity?
5. What am I teaching young people and weak Christians when I forsake the assembly for work-
related, hobby-related, school-related, me-related, etc. activities?
6. Can I give a chapter and verse to explain to my brethren or my bible class students why
it is pleasing to God for me to miss the assembly for a job related activity?
7. Is my example to brethren, young people, neighbors, co-workers, or classmates,
what it ought to be when I miss the privilege to worship because I choose rather
to do worldly activities? (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
8. Do I have the faith I ought to have in Jesus, when I choose a job that requires me to miss
the privilege of assembling with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit?
9. Do I have the love I ought to have for Jesus, when I choose a job that requires me to
miss assembling with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit?
10. Does it deeply grieve me to miss assembling with the saints and the Lord?
11. Do I encourage, stir up love and good works, or edify my brethren when I miss a
privilege to assemble as the Lord has commanded?
12. Can I ever gain back the spiritual growth I have lost from choosing to miss assembling
even one time? (2 Peter 3:18)
13. Do I have a lack of faith in Jesus if I do not think I can find a job that will allow me to
not miss assembling with the saints (Proverbs 3:5-6).
14. Do I lack faith in Jesus if I do not stand up for Him and my belief in Him when my employer
requires me to miss the assembly with the saints? (Acts 5:29)
15. Do I choose to miss assembling for certain things, because at those times they are
more important to me than the Lord?
16. If my attitude is that it does not really matter if I miss the assembly once in a while,
will I be diligent to teach my friends about Jesus?
17. Does my forsaking the assembly, even one time, show something about my love for
Christ and His dying for my sins?
18. If I have an attitude that I will never to choose to forsake the assembly, will I be more
stirred up to love and good works toward my brethren and my fellow man?
19. Am I an encouragement or a discouragement to my brethren if I choose to miss the assembly?
20. If I choose to miss the assembly once in a while, am I as dependable as I ought to be?
21. Do I have the proper attitude toward suffering for my Savior when I do not want to suffer
by taking a stand for Him or suffer by not choosing a job or activity that will require me to miss
assembling in His name even one time? (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18; Acts 5:41)
22. If I do not take a stand for the Lord with a job or worldly activity, will I ever be able to
offer my life freely for Him? (Acts 21:13; 1 John 3:16)
23. Will I be acceptable to my Father in Heaven, if I forsake the assembly?
24. Am I acting like Jesus or Paul would, if I choose to take a job or be involved with
activities that require me to forsake the assembly?
25. Each time I choose to miss the assembly of the saints, who has won: Jesus or Satan?
John 21:15-19; Hebrews 10:24-39; James 4:17; or 2 Peter 3:9-14 and come to the
conclusion that work or work related activities are acceptable reasons to miss the assembly?
The same question would apply to school or school related activities or family or
family related activities, etc.
2. Do I show my co-workers, neighbors, or class mates a Christian who is seeking first the
Kingdom of God, when I miss the assembly myself for things not as important as the Lord?
3. Will I be effective in converting my friends and neighbors to the Lord if they do not
see me putting Him first in my life?
4. Does my influence with my bible class students increase or decrease when I miss teaching
their class to go to work or to miss the class for some other worldly activity?
5. What am I teaching young people and weak Christians when I forsake the assembly for work-
related, hobby-related, school-related, me-related, etc. activities?
6. Can I give a chapter and verse to explain to my brethren or my bible class students why
it is pleasing to God for me to miss the assembly for a job related activity?
7. Is my example to brethren, young people, neighbors, co-workers, or classmates,
what it ought to be when I miss the privilege to worship because I choose rather
to do worldly activities? (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
8. Do I have the faith I ought to have in Jesus, when I choose a job that requires me to miss
the privilege of assembling with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit?
9. Do I have the love I ought to have for Jesus, when I choose a job that requires me to
miss assembling with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit?
10. Does it deeply grieve me to miss assembling with the saints and the Lord?
11. Do I encourage, stir up love and good works, or edify my brethren when I miss a
privilege to assemble as the Lord has commanded?
12. Can I ever gain back the spiritual growth I have lost from choosing to miss assembling
even one time? (2 Peter 3:18)
13. Do I have a lack of faith in Jesus if I do not think I can find a job that will allow me to
not miss assembling with the saints (Proverbs 3:5-6).
14. Do I lack faith in Jesus if I do not stand up for Him and my belief in Him when my employer
requires me to miss the assembly with the saints? (Acts 5:29)
15. Do I choose to miss assembling for certain things, because at those times they are
more important to me than the Lord?
16. If my attitude is that it does not really matter if I miss the assembly once in a while,
will I be diligent to teach my friends about Jesus?
17. Does my forsaking the assembly, even one time, show something about my love for
Christ and His dying for my sins?
18. If I have an attitude that I will never to choose to forsake the assembly, will I be more
stirred up to love and good works toward my brethren and my fellow man?
19. Am I an encouragement or a discouragement to my brethren if I choose to miss the assembly?
20. If I choose to miss the assembly once in a while, am I as dependable as I ought to be?
21. Do I have the proper attitude toward suffering for my Savior when I do not want to suffer
by taking a stand for Him or suffer by not choosing a job or activity that will require me to miss
assembling in His name even one time? (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18; Acts 5:41)
22. If I do not take a stand for the Lord with a job or worldly activity, will I ever be able to
offer my life freely for Him? (Acts 21:13; 1 John 3:16)
23. Will I be acceptable to my Father in Heaven, if I forsake the assembly?
24. Am I acting like Jesus or Paul would, if I choose to take a job or be involved with
activities that require me to forsake the assembly?
25. Each time I choose to miss the assembly of the saints, who has won: Jesus or Satan?
December 15, 2006
Song Of Songs
The title of this book means "the most beautiful of songs," and in some translations it is called "The Song of Solomon" Song of Songs is love poetry that celebrates the love between a man and a woman.the poems seem only to provide a description of human love.
An editor probably arranged them so that they would relate to each other as a whole. The romance between two lovers is the focus of the poem and provides a kind of connection between its various scenes or sections. But at some points it is hard to know who exactly is speaking, and it is not always easy to see how the sections of the poem relate to one another. When a new poem or speech begins, the CEV inserts a phrase in italics (such as "She speaks" or "He speaks") as a way of indicating who might be the speaker in the section that follows.
Outline
Title: Solomon's Song (1:1)
Love blossoms (1:2-2:7)
Love dreams (2:8-3:5)
Love dances (6:11-8:4)
Powerful love is not for sale (8:5-14)
An editor probably arranged them so that they would relate to each other as a whole. The romance between two lovers is the focus of the poem and provides a kind of connection between its various scenes or sections. But at some points it is hard to know who exactly is speaking, and it is not always easy to see how the sections of the poem relate to one another. When a new poem or speech begins, the CEV inserts a phrase in italics (such as "She speaks" or "He speaks") as a way of indicating who might be the speaker in the section that follows.
Outline
Title: Solomon's Song (1:1)
Love blossoms (1:2-2:7)
Love dreams (2:8-3:5)
Love dances (6:11-8:4)
Powerful love is not for sale (8:5-14)
Are You Walking In The Light
Are you still hanging around in darkness? In John 8:12, we findthat Jesus declares that He is the light of the world,and that those who follow Him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Going alittle further, in 1 John 1:7 we are reminded that if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son,cleanses us from all sin.
There is no light more magnificent and awesomethan the true Light, who is our Lord and Savior (see John 1:4-9).
No doubt, this Light is the inspiration for the hymn“Jesus the Light of the World”, which was arranged by George D. Elderkin around 1898.
Jesus The Light Of The World
Hark! The herald angels sing, Jesus the Light of theworld;Glory to the new born King, Jesus, the Light of the world.Joyful, all ye nations rise, Jesus the Light of theworld;Join the triumph of the skies, Jesus the Light of the world.Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Jesus the Light of the world;Christ, the everlasting Lord, Jesus the Light of the world.Hail the heav’n born Prince of peace! Jesus the Light of the world;Hail the Sun of righteousness! Jesus the Light of the world.We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light,Come where the dew drops of mercy are bright,Shine all around us by day and by night,Jesus, the Light of the world.
I pray that you are walking in the light! And if you are not, I pray that you accept the invitation…because this life’s journey is definitely much better in the light!
There is no light more magnificent and awesomethan the true Light, who is our Lord and Savior (see John 1:4-9).
No doubt, this Light is the inspiration for the hymn“Jesus the Light of the World”, which was arranged by George D. Elderkin around 1898.
Jesus The Light Of The World
Hark! The herald angels sing, Jesus the Light of theworld;Glory to the new born King, Jesus, the Light of the world.Joyful, all ye nations rise, Jesus the Light of theworld;Join the triumph of the skies, Jesus the Light of the world.Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Jesus the Light of the world;Christ, the everlasting Lord, Jesus the Light of the world.Hail the heav’n born Prince of peace! Jesus the Light of the world;Hail the Sun of righteousness! Jesus the Light of the world.We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light,Come where the dew drops of mercy are bright,Shine all around us by day and by night,Jesus, the Light of the world.
I pray that you are walking in the light! And if you are not, I pray that you accept the invitation…because this life’s journey is definitely much better in the light!
December 12, 2006
Ecclesiastes
The most famous section is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
It is not a book that Christians should ignore. As with all Old Testament Scripture, it was written for our learning (Ro 15:4) andadmonition (1 Co 10:11). It is therefore profitable for doctrine, forreproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.
1:1-2:26 - 2:24-26 speaks of enjoyment
3:1-5:20 - 5:18-20 speaks of enjoyment
6:1-8:17 - 8:15-17 speaks of enjoyment
9:1-11:10 - 11:7-10 speaks of enjoyment
12 - Epilogue The "two-section outline"
1:3-11 A poem on human vanity 1:12-6:9
Demonstrating the vanity of human effort 6:10-11:6
Demonstrating the vanity of human wisdom 11:7-12:14
Enjoy our life, as temporary as it is, as a gift from God
Prologue (1:1-11)
Theme (1:1-3)
Cycle of Life (1:4-11)
Life Experiment (1:12-2:26)
A Time for Everything (3:1-9)
Disappointments of Life (3:10-4:16)
The Counsels of Wisdom (5:1-12:8)
Epilogue (12:9-14)
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
It is not a book that Christians should ignore. As with all Old Testament Scripture, it was written for our learning (Ro 15:4) andadmonition (1 Co 10:11). It is therefore profitable for doctrine, forreproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.
1:1-2:26 - 2:24-26 speaks of enjoyment
3:1-5:20 - 5:18-20 speaks of enjoyment
6:1-8:17 - 8:15-17 speaks of enjoyment
9:1-11:10 - 11:7-10 speaks of enjoyment
12 - Epilogue The "two-section outline"
1:3-11 A poem on human vanity 1:12-6:9
Demonstrating the vanity of human effort 6:10-11:6
Demonstrating the vanity of human wisdom 11:7-12:14
Enjoy our life, as temporary as it is, as a gift from God
Prologue (1:1-11)
Theme (1:1-3)
Cycle of Life (1:4-11)
Life Experiment (1:12-2:26)
A Time for Everything (3:1-9)
Disappointments of Life (3:10-4:16)
The Counsels of Wisdom (5:1-12:8)
Epilogue (12:9-14)
December 10, 2006
Praise Him With Your Whole Heart
God has given you so much. Yes, I know that sometimes life is hard. Sometimes you just do not feel like praising God. Sometimes we think that life is not fair. You know what? Life is not fair. God is fair. Trust God, not life. Sometimes people are not fair. You may be treated badly. You should not be treated that way. But you know what? People are not fair. God is fair. God does love you. No matter what happens to you in this life, God will still love you. So if life is good, or if life is really bad, take a moment and praise God. God loves you. God has done a lot for you.Just look around.God is Good! Praise God for all the good things He has already done and is going to do in your life.
December 8, 2006
Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament of the Bible, is a grouping of wisdom sayings and longer, connected poems composed from the 10th to the 4th century BC and finally collected about 300 BC. The sayings are either statements that provoke further thought or admonitions to behave in particular ways. The longer poems celebrate wisdom, encourage its observance, and personify it as a woman who at God's right hand assisted in creation. Egyptian wisdom is evident in Proverbs, making it possible to date the nucleus of the book to pre exilic times. The book as a whole reflects the ideology of enterprising privileged classes and expresses a general confidence in the human capacity to act freely and wisely. Self interest and religious devotion are shown to be congruent. Respect for women (31:10 - 31) is encouraged. The book is conventionally attributed to Solomon as the prototype of Israelite wisdom, but many sages had a hand in composing and collecting the subsections; mentioned specifically are the "men of Hezekiah."
Outline:
Introduction (1:1-9)
Sin and righteousness personified and contrasted (1:10-9:18)
Single-verse contrasts of sin and righteousness (10:1-22:16)
Miscellaneous and longer contrasts (22:17-29:27)
Righteousness in poems of climax (30:1-31:31)
Outline:
Introduction (1:1-9)
Sin and righteousness personified and contrasted (1:10-9:18)
Single-verse contrasts of sin and righteousness (10:1-22:16)
Miscellaneous and longer contrasts (22:17-29:27)
Righteousness in poems of climax (30:1-31:31)
December 7, 2006
Psalms
Although there is no story flow from one psalm to the next, many of the psalms are gathered into collections: Psalms 3 – 41, 51 – 72, 108 – 110 and 138 – 145 are collections of psalms of David; Psalms 42 – 49, 84, 85, 87 and 88 are psalms of the Sons of Korah; Psalms 50 and 73 – 83 are psalms of Asaph; and Psalms 120 – 134 are called Songs of Ascents.
In the Hebrew Bible, as it was finally canonized, the book of Psalms is divided into five smaller books to correspond in number with the books of the law.
Book 1: Psalms 1 – 41Book 2: Psalms 42 – 72Book 3: Psalms 73 – 89Book 4: Psalms 90 – 106Book 5: Psalms 107 – 150
The Bible is God’s revelation to humanity. Within the Bible, God has chosen to reveal different aspects of his nature in a variety of ways — such as through law, history, proverbs and prophecy. The Psalms are part of God’s revelation through poetry
In Psalms, we see God the Creator, God the Sustainer of his creation, God the Righteous ruler and God the Redeemer of his people. But we also see people like us in a close relationship with this God.
In the Hebrew Bible, as it was finally canonized, the book of Psalms is divided into five smaller books to correspond in number with the books of the law.
Book 1: Psalms 1 – 41Book 2: Psalms 42 – 72Book 3: Psalms 73 – 89Book 4: Psalms 90 – 106Book 5: Psalms 107 – 150
The Bible is God’s revelation to humanity. Within the Bible, God has chosen to reveal different aspects of his nature in a variety of ways — such as through law, history, proverbs and prophecy. The Psalms are part of God’s revelation through poetry
In Psalms, we see God the Creator, God the Sustainer of his creation, God the Righteous ruler and God the Redeemer of his people. But we also see people like us in a close relationship with this God.
December 6, 2006
Duct Tape Or Nails?
A man dies and goes to heaven.Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates.St. Peter says, "Here's how it works.You need 100 points to make it into heaven.You tell me all the good things you've done,And I give you a certain number of points for each item,Depending on how good it was.When you reach 100 points, you get in.""Okay," the man says,"I was married to the same woman for 50 yearsAnd never cheated on her, even in my heart.""That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!""Three points?" he says."Well, I attended church all my lifeAnd supported its ministry with my tithe and service.""Terrific!" says St.Peter. "That's certainly worth a point.""One point!?!!""I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelterFor homeless veterans.""Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says."Two points!?!! "Exasperated, the man cries."At this rate the only way I'll get into heavenIs by the grace of God.""Bingo, 100 points! Come on in!"We often try to fix problemsWith WD-40 and duct tape.God did it with nail
December 4, 2006
We Cannot Escape God
An individual cannot escape from God. Even if he takes flight and lives on the far side of the sea, lost from sight, still God will follow after him. You cannot escape God, go where you wish, do what you want—you will always end up in God’s hand. And that is very fortunate, for you and for humankind in general. However far people go, they still remain in God’s hand. After they have committed every possible sin and everything about them looks as though they are far, far from God, God will lead them back and hold them with his right hand, so that good may come out of misfortune. Light can penetrate the darkness, and help is at hand in every possible adversity.
December 1, 2006
What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul?
THERE'S an old gospel song titled "What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul?" Its theme is as relevant today as it was years ago. Many people are giving much time and attention to material success and little to their soul.It's easy to get caught up in materialism. Advertising tries to make us believe that we will be whole when we drive an expensive car, live in a big house, and wear fancy clothes. It's a lie. Only relationship with Jesus Christ can make us whole. We find fullness of life through him, not through anything we can buy or through any of our achievements.When we find ourselves tempted by the false promises of materialism, we learn the truth and return to the truth by reading the Bible daily. In the truth of the Bible we discover that we are precious in the eyes of God. We hear that God accepts us and loves us regardless of how we look, what we wear, or what we've accomplished. We can exchange our life for the junk of this world. But we can give ourselves to Jesus Christ and gain eternal life.
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