A New Year With The Lord

A new year is about to unfold
With new opportunities to explore
Doors will open for new experiences
New adventures with the Lord

Remember not the former things
The things of this past year
The Lord will do new things in us
Much more than we are aware

For He will make a way for us
As we put our trust in Him
And He will guide our every step
By His presence we have within

What God has placed within our hearts
We find we’ll be able to do
If we look for the opportunities
We’ll see the door to go through

We mustn’t let anything hold us back
But rise up and take our place
And be all that God wants us to be
With a fresh touch of His grace

© By M.S.Lowndes

The True Meaning of Christmas

C is for the Christ child who was born nearly 2,000 years ago in a manger in Bethlehem.

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." Luke 1:31

H is for the HOPE that Jesus brings to all who believe in Him and trust Him with their salvation.

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2

I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

R is for resurrection of Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was both man and God, died on the cross for all of our sins, and then was raised from the dead (resurrected) and is now sitting at the right hand of God in heaven.

"For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

I is for Israel who God chose to bring forth the promised saviour of the world.

"Of this man's seed hath God according to [his] promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:" Acts 13:23

S is for the salvation that Jesus offers to all who are willing to confess their sin, believe in Him, and confess their belief in Jesus with their mouth.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

T is for the empty tomb on Easter morning.

" He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." Matthew 28:6,7

M is for the mercy God has shown the world by sending His only Son to suffer for our sins and bridge the gap between man and God.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

A is for our AWESOME GOD who loves us all unconditionally.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

S is for the shining light that Jesus brought to the world!

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

The Truth About MARRIAGE





Marriage is a sacred covenant designed and blessed by God. In marriage, God joins two persons into one.

Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Originally, marriage (and family) was created by God to reflect His image in humanity. Because of humanity's fall into sin, marriage (and family) exists to magnify the worth,
excellence, and glory of God in restoring His image in humanity through the gospel of Jesus Christ. In short, human marriage exists to preach the gospel of God. God intends every human marriage to re-present the divine marriage of God to the new, redeemed humanity (the Church, Christ's bride) through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Eph 5:22-25 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

When we decide to marry someone, most often we believe we have a love for that "someone special" and they have a love for us that will last for the rest of our lives. We believe that no matter what comes our way, we can overcome it as long as we're together. That's why we promise on our wedding day before God and all of our chosen witnesses "to love, honor, and cherish each other—forsaking all others—for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do we part". It's our way of saying that we believe we have a love for each other that will never fail—no matter what! And that our bond as a couple who loves each other will only grow deeper as we spend the rest of our lives together as husband and wife. Every human being strongly desires, covets in others, and longs for unfailing love—lavish love—focused love—radical love—love we can count on"

"Our society confuses love and lust. Unlike lust, God's kind of love is directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is possible to practice this love only if God helps us set aside our own desires and instincts, so that we can give love while expecting nothing in return. Thus the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to others."

"The problem with love is that so many people don't have a clue what it is. Love is not a feeling; it's an attitude. Basing love on emotions, as the world does, has caused immeasurable pain to countless numbers of people. It's like building a sand castle on the beach. It might look solid, but when the high tide rolls in, the sand castle isn't strong enough to hold up, and it washes away... The world gives love a staggering amount of attention... Love is presented as something to be 'fallen into' and 'fallen out of.' There is no solution given for what to do when the emotion fails you and the warm fuzzies are gone-other than bailing out and starting over with someone else. You can recognize worldly love by how unpredictable it is. The Bible offers a different kind of love. This love says I am committed to act lovingly toward this person regardless of how I feel. You'll be able to recognize biblical love: it is patient, unselfish, and loyal. It doesn't keep score; it assumes the best motives. It gives without seeking in return; it always seeks to honor God, and it endures through thick, thin, and in-between. Feelings change. Feelings don't last, but biblical love is eternal."

The Wrestling Match - Wrestling Jacob








Gen 32:24-30 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. (25) And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. (26) And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. (27) And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. (28) And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. (29) And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. (30) And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

In this story we have a pattern of how God works in the lives of His people. This encounter of Jacob’s describes in a nutshell the refining process of sanctification that God uses in the lives of His followers. We want God to focus on changing our circumstances and God wants to focus on changing us. We want God to fix the superficial outward issues and he wants to address our core. We are tempted to take the easy way out. But God isn’t. God’s chief concern is always personal. How often do we ask God to intervene in our circumstances when we should ask him to intervene in our lives? He is not so much interested in changing our circumstances as he is in changing us; and He will hobble us if He has to. He will give you that limp, that constant nagging reminder of Him when we need it. We convince ourselves, “The problem’s not me; it’s the circumstances that my life is dressed in.” How many times have we prayed, “God change my finances” when our prayer should be, “God make me more dependent on you.” How many times have we prayed, “God change my spouse” when our prayer should be “God, break my pride.” How many times have we prayed, “God give me victory there” where our prayer should be “God defeat me here. Break me. Re-orient my thinking about who I am until I become who you want me to be.” Because we don’t see our real need and God does, He hinders us to help us. He puts us through changes and challenges we would never choose on our own to mold us into the people he has destined us to be. Jacob was already saved, but that was just the beginning. God saved Jacob, but He has a dream of Israel. God saved you, but He has a dream of who you will be. And if He has to hurt you to make it happen, so be it.

One Hundred Percent

My eyes are ever toward the Lord.
Psalm 25:15

Recommended Reading
Hebrews 12:1-2



The nineteenth century humorist Josh Billings said cleverly, "Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there." As Christians, we can apply these witty words to our goal of living for Christ until the day He returns.

We are surrounded by distractions every day, and it can be easy to let them cloud our vision and take our focus off of Christ. But we must learn to recognize when that is happening so that we can put aside those distractions and fix our eyes on Him. As with any area of life that needs to be mastered, focusing on Christ takes discipline and preparation. If we start out by turning our day over to the Lord, it will be easier for us to be aware of His presence throughout the day; and that awareness will help us avoid becoming distracted.

Glorifying God should be our focus in everything we do. The only way to accomplish that is by giving Him one hundred percent of ourselves one hundred percent of the time; and, like the postage stamp, sticking to that goal until we reach heaven.


Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Solomon

No Time To Faint

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Prov. 24:10).

This is the day of adversity! Whatever you are facing today, you can't afford to be weak. You can't afford to faint spiritually in the trials of life. If you do, you'll be in trouble because, naturally speaking, things aren't going to get better in this world, they're going to get worse.

But don't let that scare you. For 1 John 5:4 tells us that "whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

Did you know you can become just as strong as you want to from the Word? The only one who can put limits on you is you. If you'll give the Word more time in your life, it will give you more strength.

That's what wise believers do. They keep themselves strong by spending time in the Word every day. They stay strong and ready because they know this is an evil day we live in.

Wake yourself up to the Word by getting out your Bible and meditating on it every day. Get tapes and books of anointed men and women preaching the Word. Listen to them and read them again and again.

Keep that Word in your heart. Keep it going in your eyes and in your ears until it takes over the very thoughts that you think. Keep yourself strong and ready...and free to operate in the Spirit of God.

If you do, when adversity strikes, you'll have supernatural strength to overcome and walk in the victory. Remember, this is no time to faint.

GIVE THANKS




"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:12-14).


The New Covenant tells us we should be giving thanks unto the Father because He has made us able to be partakers of something. Of what? "...Of the inheritance of the saints in light!"

The Amplified Bible translates verse 13 as, "[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness..."

God Himself has delivered us from the control of Satan! Satan's kingdom is the kingdom of darkness. God's kingdom is the kingdom of light.

The Father has made us able to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us out from under the control and dominion of darkness.

Satan has no control over us. He cannot dominate us. And we are told to thank God for that!

The Elements of the Lord's Prayer

Jesus gives us this blue print of how we should pray: Luke 11:1-2

Our Father (the Personage of God) which art in Heaven (the Position of God) Defines our Relationship with God and our Recognition of who he is.

Hallowed be thy name - Defines our Adoration (Praise) of God, we should adore his Holy name.

Thy kingdom come - Defines our Anticipation (Gods Purpose) of the coming of his kingdom to earth.

Thy will be done - Defines our Consecration by God through his word.

In earth as it is in Heaven - Defines the Conformity of earth to that of Heaven.

Give us this day - Defines our need to make our Supplications known to God.

Our daily bread - Defines our need to seek God daily for our Necessity (Necessities).

And forgive us - Defines our Penitence before God ( our need to Repent).

Our debts - Reminds us of our Obligations to God.

As we forgive - Defines our need to Forgive(Forgiveness) that we might be forgiven.

Our debtors - Defines our need to show Love and Mercy to our fellow man.

And lead us - Defines our need for Guidance from God (let God direct you path).

Not into temptation - Defines our need for God's Protection (our Strength is in the Lord).

But deliver us from evil - Defines our need for Salvation and Righteousness
(only Jesus can deliver us and give us a right standing with God).

For thine is the Kingdom - Defines God's Lordship (Jesus is lord of heaven and earth).

And the Power - Defines our Humility towards God (all power in his hands).

And the Glory - Defines our Reverence for God ( Lord we reverence you holy name).

For ever Amen - Defines our Affirmation of our Prayer
(I affirm this prayer to be true in my life).

Faith & Believe a Word History






When I am looking for the definition of a word found in the Bible, I look first to see what the original Greek or Hebrew word means. In this case the Greek New Testament word that is translated as faith is the word "pisitis".

Vine, in his expository says that "pistis" means a strong conviction based on persuasion from hearing. In the New Testament "pistis" is always used in relation to Jesus, God, or things spiritual.

Holman’s Bible Dictionary thus defines faith as a "trusting commitment to a person, and especially to God".

From our Greek definition of "pistis" and Holman’s definition of the word "faith" we conclude that faith is a "loving commitment to a person". It is based on "hearing something about that person and being persuaded that he is trustworthy". As a result of hearing and being persuaded you put your faith in him. The New Testament uses the word faith in relation to God and to Christ.

We as Christians have heard the gospel of a faithful God. We have been persuaded that this is the truth. We thus put our faith in Him. By this we mean that we have "committed ourselves to Him in a trustworthy relationship".

We have watered down the word over the years. We should also note that the word believe in the New Testament is also from the word "pistis". When you see Jesus telling us to believe in Him, He is actually telling us to have a "committed relationship" with him. He is not telling us to mentally accept His existence or what He has to say.

It is very interesting to note the evolution of the word believe. Read what Holman’s Bible Dictionary says about the words faith and believe. What we see is a new definition of the word believe, that came about around 1150 and 1475 AD. Prior to then faith and believe both meant a committed relationship to a person. During that time period the word believe came to mean a mental ascent to an idea. This new definition for the word believe is a departure from the New Testament way of thinking. This departure has remained with us to this very day and has effected us in a negative way.

We now tell people that they need to believe in Jesus in order to be saved, but what definition are we using for the word believe? When we tell people to believe, what is their definition for the word? They are most likely using the new definition. So what we are saying for the most part is, give mental ascent, believe what we are telling you about Jesus and you will be saved. Or to put it another way. We are saying, "just accept what we are saying". Then they say, "O yea, no problem, I can agree with that". This is not what Jesus meant when He told people to believe in order to be saved. Jesus meant to give oneself to Him in a loving committed way and then you would be saved. He means to trust Him alone for your salvation.

Our Christian faith is more than a belief system that people need to accept. Our faith is a committed relationship with the Lord Jesus. Mental ascent to the gospel is only a step towards salvation. It is not salvation.

When Jesus tells us to believe and have faith, He is telling us to come to Him and have a trusting relationship with Him. THIS IS THE GOSPEL THAT SAVES US.

My Deliverance......Frm People, Places & Things

This lesson is designed to help you gather the necessary resources already available through The Word Of God, to assist you in your Spiritual Migration from one area of your life to another.

Study Scripture: Hebrews 5: 12-14
Key Verse (14)

"But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,
even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil"

Through this lesson we will gain the ability to operate under our anointing from God concerning our individually assigned areas in life and our direct called positions in God, which simply means that we will become matured and began to operate beyond the first principals of The Word Of God:

Carnal Thinking
Envy
Strife

Study Scripture: 1Corinthians 3:1-4
Key Verse (3)

"for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions,
are not carnal, and walk as men?"

I want to better help you understand the message and how it has been revealed and defined, in the case of newborn babes, these actions would be natural and to be expected. But the Holy Spirit is speaking through this lesson at this stage of your development, it has become embarrassing. We use the word Milk figuratively for elementary Christian Instruction, and meat refers to advanced doctrine. Carnal (fleshly)...The warfare between the flesh and the spirit, and how to grow beyond this area in our lives is revealed in the Word Of God for growth (maturity)

*Romans 7:14, 8:13
*Galatians 5:17

Many of us have not learned on our own, how to utilize The Word of God in our everyday situations, circumstances or mistakes made. Many of us have not become skillful in the Word Of God in particular areas in our lives, while operating through our called positions..i.e, Father, Mother, Pastor, Deacon, Manager, Sister, Brother, Friend...etc
Why?
Lack Of Study:
2Timothy 2:15

As we learn to study The Word Of God more, we need to apply both spiritual and literal principals of Interpretation......The Spiritual principals include:

Prayer
Cleansing
Illumination by The Holy Spirit

Psalm 119:18....Illumination is the ministry of The Holy Spirit by which He causes us to understand the truths of God revealed scripture

1John 1:9....This opens the door for His forgiving and cleansing light to purify our hearts

1Corithians 2:12-16.....Illumination By The Holy Spirit Only!....do not get fooled by deceptive tricks of the enemy that are illusions...not Illumination

The Final Authority

I am the Lord, I change not" (Mal. 3:6).

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar (Rom 3:4)

The world's order of things is unsure and indefinite. Desperate words of uncertainty are crying out daily from radio, television and newspapers. Everything around us seems to be in turmoil.

But, praise God, if you're a believer you have something you can depend on: The unchanging Word of God!

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

God has no double standard. He doesn't say one thing today and something else tomorrow. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

If you will make that Word the final authority in your life, it will give you stability when everything else around you gives way. If you'll let what God says settle the issues of life, you'll be confident when others are confused, peaceful when others are under pressure. You'll be overcoming when others are being overcome!

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

What does it mean to make God's Word the final authority? It means believing what He says instead of believing what people say. It means believing what He says instead of what Satan says. It means believing what He says instead of what the circumstances say.

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

Determine in your heart to do that today. Make up your mind to live by faith, not by sight. Fearlessly commit yourself to the authority of God's Word and there won't be anything in this old, unstable world that can steal your security from you.

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

1. It separates between the soul (mental realm) and the spirit.

2. It judges our thoughts and intentions.

In the Beginning

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Note: The Word existed, without any beginning. He was when all things began to be, whatsoever had a beginning.

Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Gen 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Note: All things were made by him, and not as an instrument.

Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

Note: Darkness is the absence of light. As a metaphor, it is also the lack of knowledge (ignorance). It is also associated with mystery and with unknown things.

Joh 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Joh 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
Joh 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
Joh 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Note: From a literary standpoint, one could delete verses 6 through 8 from the first 14 verses, and the passage would read seamlessly. So, why the interruption? Why the abrupt insertion of the reference to John the Baptist? Why not finish the discourse about the second member of the Trinity, and then introduce John? By writing the passage in this way, the evangelist is communicating to the reader from the outset that God’s way of making Christ known is through human witnesses. God’s way of introducing light to the darkness is through human agency.

Note: The emphasis is not on John ‘the Baptist’, but on John ‘the witness’.

Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Note: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: Joh. 1.12 therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Note: Jews or Gentiles; that believe on his name - That is, on him. The moment they believe, they are sons; and because they are sons, God sendeth forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Note: We became the sons of God, not of blood - Not by descent from Abraham, nor by the will of the flesh - By natural generation, nor by the will of man - Adopting them, but of God - By his Spirit.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Note: The Word is still being made flesh - IN YOU.

Fruit of the Spirit



But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22-23).

So many believers think of the fruit of the spirit as little more than a passive list of pleasant qualities that can help improve their personalities. But they're far greater than that! They're pure spiritual power.

Love is so powerful, the scripture says, that it never fails. Patience is so powerful it cannot be stopped. No matter what the circumstances, it will not quit. Temperance is so powerful it can master all the unruly desires of your flesh.

The fruit of the spirit are not weak; they're strong. So strong all the demons of hell can't stop them. So strong that if you'll let them flow out of you, they'll correct the problems in your life.

They'll keep you steadfast when all the people around you are falling down. They'll keep you on your feet when governments fail and when the storms of life come.

We are living in dangerous days. There's only one way you can make it through in victory. You must begin to release those powerful fruit of the spirit God has placed inside you. Believe me, if you're born again, they are there. Learn to yield to them and as 2 Peter 1:10 promised, you shall never fall!

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:1-10

GOD FEAR 3





Fearing God is "the conscious awareness that God is watching everything and evaluating everything I think, say and do." God sees all. He knows all. He's evaluating all.

Now that does one of two things in your heart right now. That either strikes incredible confidence: Yes, Lord I'm a clean vessel. Thank You Lord that You, by Your grace, are making me whole. That You, by Your grace, are making me Christlike.

Or it makes you feel very uncomfortable-guilty. You might be able to fool others, but you can't snow God. He knows what your attitude is, deep down inside you.

Have you ever noticed how people begin to obey the law when they spot a policeman driving down the freeway? Speed demons suddenly lose their heavy feet and spend a few miles driving at the speed limit-until the policeman is no longer in sight.

God is much bigger and has more authority than any policeman with a radar gun. He knows exactly what you're thinking right now, and whether Christianity for you is just a spare tire or an iron lung. He knows what your real values and attitudes are.

On one hand, God's divine authority and presence in my life is a terrifying thing. But it is also liberating. We are created, after all, for this moment-by-moment relationship with God. When you have a clean conscience, you are able to enjoy His love and freedom.

Remember, you're never alone. God is watching and waiting to spend time with you. Practice His presence moment by moment in your life.

GOD FEAR 2




Jeremiah 32:38-40 And they shall be My people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good, and for the good of their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.

Here we see that God wants to do us good, and promises He will not turn away from us. But He also does not want us to turn away from Him. Let's look at a few reasons why:

First, the fear of God is the fountain of life for the believer. Proverbs 22:4 says the fear of God, along with humility, leads us to wealth and honor and life. And Psalm 111:10 says that it gives us skill in life and provides wisdom. A healthy respect and fear of God is the key to life.

Second, the fear of God builds faithfulness in the believer. That passage in Jeremiah tells me that the fear of God has been riveted into our souls by the Holy Spirit to keep us faithful. The true test of a man or woman is not what you do when everyone is looking. The real test of a man or woman is what you would do if you knew no one would find out.

Fearing God means I practice His presence in my life daily-nothing is hidden from Him. He sees everything. He knows everything. I can't hide in the darkness and sin. I can't sneak away from His all-seeing eyes or omnipotent mind. And, yes, that does keep me faithful.

GOD FEAR 1


The fear of God is reverential awe and respect for Him. It is a heart-felt conviction that He is not only loving and personal, but holy and just.

Proverbs 14:27 says, "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death" (NIV).

Where there is no fear of God, there is no fear of divine punishment, of incurring divine wrath. I look at the headlines in our newspapers today and lament that our nation has lost its fear of God and divine punishment.

The fear of God is the foundation for developing a godly character. I believe the leadership crisis we are facing today in America is really a crisis of character. There never has been a time in our history when we had perfect leaders. But the difference today is that many "leaders" deny there is anyone to whom they are accountable.

The result: Arrogance, being above the law and outright deceit all mark many of our political, civic and spiritual leaders. All of this is because men no longer fear God, and they are convinced they can get away with most anything. If we aren't accountable for our lives to God then why be accountable to our fellow man for our actions today?

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

Trouble Don't Last Always


Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1).

When trouble comes your way, thank God that you can go to His wonderful Word. It doesn't matter what the situation is, God's Word holds true in every situation, and God is there to send your troubles to flight when you trust Him.

Now the word "trouble" here means stirred up or agitated. Don't allow situations to stir you up and agitate you. Trusting in God is the key to not allowing your heart to be agitated and stirred up.

Take a look at verses 26-27 in John chapter four: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in (Jesus) my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace 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" (KJV).

Jesus has given you His peace. That means that His peace is available and you can tap into it. You can be sure that His peace is well able to calm your fears. That peace is supernatural and is able to bring you to a place of quietness and assurance of God's love for you and protection for your life.

Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

TAKE MY SON



A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.
They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.
They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war.
He was very courageous anddied in battle while rescuing another soldier.

The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock
at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in
his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom
your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to
safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He
often talked about you and your love for art."The young man held out this
package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son
would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son,
painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier
had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so
drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.
He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the
picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me.
It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time
visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son
before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great
auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited
over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one
for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer
pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of
the son. Who will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see
the famous paintings. Skip this one."


But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this
painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this
painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real
bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll
take the son? "

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was
the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the
painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

"We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."

"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of
the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their
collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD
for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on
with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is
over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was
told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to
reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be
auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire
estate, including the paintings.

"The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much
like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who'll
take the son?" Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

Spirit Walk

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1).

Conscience - is the voice of the human spirit.

Reason - is the voice of the soul, or the mind.

Feeling - is the voice of the body, or the flesh.

The Holy Spirit does not bear witness with our reasoning. The Holy Spirit does not bear witness with our feelings. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits.

I’m very careful about using the word "feeling." When we sense the Presence of God in a service, people often say, "I felt it." But we really don't feel it physically so much as we sense it spiritually.

So I am careful to differentiate between the two, because people slip into the feeling realm so easily. Then, when they feel good, they say, "Glory to God! Hallelujah! I'm saved! I'm filled with the Spirit! Everything is fine!"

But when they feel bad, they get a long face and they say, "I've lost it all. I don't feel like I did, so I must be backslidden."

If we go by feelings, we'll get into trouble. That's why so many Christians are up and down, in and out (yo-yo Christians.) They don't walk by their spirits. They don't walk in faith. They go by their feelings.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

The Faces of PRIDE

Self-defeating Pride -The pride that keeps us from doing better when we are doing well can also keep us from changing when we are in trouble. On a good day, we don’t feel a need to change. When trouble comes, we don’t want people to think we’re changing our ways just because we’re in trouble.

Wounded Pride - The pride that prompts us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think can also fill us with self-contempt when we don’t live up to our own expectations.

Fearful Pride - The ego that causes us to be overly competitive on some occasions can also keep us from trying at all in other situations. Sometimes pride makes us willing to win at the expense of others. Sometimes it causes us to avoid the embarrassment of possible failure.

Uninhibited Pride - The pride that causes us to be meticulous with our appearance can also cause us not to care what others think of us.

Self-deceiving Pride - The pride that causes us to call attention to other people’s mistakes can lead us to believe we don’t have any reason to be critical of ourselves.

Procrastinating Pride - The arrogance that causes us to think we can change anytime we want can keep us from ever changing at all.

Uncaring Pride - The conceit that allows us to be preoccupied with our own problems can also help us to be oblivious to the pain of others.

Sulking Pride - The pride that keeps us from asking others for help can also cause us to sulk when others are not “there for us.”

Self-berating Pride - The pride that keeps us from admitting we’re wrong can also lead to self-berating behavior that helps us avoid being corrected by others.

Pious Pride - The pride that causes us to be prayerless in our personal life can also prompt us to pray with crowd-pleasing eloquence in public settings.

Slacker Pride - The self-sufficiency that drives workaholics to try to make themselves indispensable can also cause a lazy person to assume that he can be a slacker without consequences.

Tearful Pride - The conceit that causes us to disregard the feelings of others can also cause us to use tears to play on the emotions of others when we want something.

Quiet Pride - The self-interest that causes us to parade our success can also prompt us not to admit our failures.

The Principle Thing

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Pro 4:7)

Knowledge - is acquired through the learning process. knowledge is: "right knowing."

Wisdom - is the ability to apply this knowledge through experience, without having to think about what you are doing. Wisdom is: "right doing."

Understanding - is the knowledge of why to apply wisdom. Understanding is: "right reason."

Note: Every Peacher or Teacher of the Word of God must operate in these gifts to some degree if they are to teach truth. Because the Word of God is not learned it is revealed.

Knowledge - Answers the question of "What"

Wisdom - Answers the question of "When or How"

Understanding - Answers the question of "Why"

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28)

?????????????

What's the meaning of life? After studying and analyzing life, Solomon, known as the wisest man who ever lived, wrote: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12: 13). “Jesus said: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

How can I get the wisdom I need? Solomon said to go to the Source: “For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). James agrees: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1: 5).

Why do people fight with each other? “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet... You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3).

Why is the world in such a mess? The great theologian and missionary Paul answers this question: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. They claimed to be wise, but they became fools” (Rom 1: 21-22). “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred... jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition...drunkenness, orgies, and the like” (Gal. 5: 19-21).

Love – Bible Definition

1 Cor 13:4 - 7

Love suffereth long. Endures slights and wrongs patiently and long, and returns a kindly spirit. It is "slow to anger" (Psalm 103:8). Christ, "when he was reviled, reviled not again" (1 Peter 2:23). "The fruit of the Spirit is long-suffering"

Love envieth not. How miserable is that person which is made unhappy by the good fortune of another. Cain is an example.

Vaunteth not itself. Does not boast of superiority, nor is it inflated.

Does not behave itself unseemly. Discourteously and in a way to shock good manners or morals.

Seeketh not her own. Is unselfish and actively shares of what they have.

Is not provoked. Does not fly into a rage, but keeps the temper under control.

Thinketh no evil. The idea is that love does not keep a record of evil rendered so as to return it

Rejoiceth not in iniquity. Instead of rejoicing, is filled with sadness by wrong doing of any kind, but does Rejoice with the truth in its triumphs

Beareth all things. Bears up in spite of all things evil, and is not overcome.

Believeth all things. Is not distrustful and suspicious.

Hopeth all things. Is hopeful instead of despondent, and hopes for the best.

Endureth all things. Endures patiently persecution and suffering.

Love never faileth. It is eternal and imperishable.

I Am Friend Of God

What is a friend? Who is my friend?

We often group the people with whom we have a loose association and the people with whom we are endeared together as friends. But, Greek texts and some literal English translations of the Bible differentiate between the two: philo (friend); hetairos (comrade, associate, companion, partner).

Philos (which is translated friend) was originally an adjective denoting loved, dear, or friendly and later became used as a noun (Vines). A friend is one for whom we have affection (phile). We often express this type of friendly affection as "feeling" or "sentiment" - e.g., those for whom we have feelings. Therefore a friend (philos) is one whom we love (phile); hence, a friend is one whom we do good toward from an affectionate conviction.

Hours before His arrest, Jesus taught His apostles concerning love and friends. In John 15:13-15 Jesus said: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."

In respect to Jesus, He is my friend because He loved me and died for me. In this sense, Jesus is everyone's friend although many people have not reciprocated His friendship. So we learn here that friendship is not always a two-way street - we can be someone's friend without them reciprocating our friendship.

Jesus said to the apostles earlier in this discourse: "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15). Now He tells them that they are His friends if they do whatever He commands them (Jn. 15:14). Today, the people who love Jesus and are keeping His commands are His friends. These are the people who have reciprocated Jesus' friendship and are no longer servants (Jn. 14:15; Gal. 4:7).

Abraham serves as an example of God's friend. James said: "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the alter? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God" (Ja. 2:21-23).

You and I are either friends of God or friends of the world. We cannot be friends of both. James said: "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (Ja. 4:4). We either love the world or God. We are either friends of the world or friends of God. Jesus said: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24).

In the truest sense of the word, we must be careful as to whom we claim as friends. And we must teach our children to differentiate between true friends and those who are actually associates.

To be God's friend and Jesus' friend we must keep their commandments. Politicians are famous for litmus tests. Here is a Scriptural litmus test: Am I being a friend of God? And for other individuals whom I consider my friend I should ask: Are they a friend of God?

Now this question is worthy of your consideration: Are you a friend of God? If you are God's friend, an eternal home in heaven is waiting for you. But if you are not a friend of God, . . .