What they looked like (believers)

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." This is what the first believes looked like and did... There is a lot this tells us: They devoted...spent quality time, c...onstantly everyday, every chance they had to the apostles teaching(hearing the word, studying it) AND with like believers. This included eating together while remembering what Christ had done for them all. He had brought hope and reconciliation to God...Sunday is a great day to fellowship, but what of the devotion, what of the actual eating together in remembrance... I pray that you and I today both, together, devote more time to God, with God, with other like believes, being thankful, gratefully praising his name an honoring his love and grace shown an given to us.

Not your strength, but His

I read this earlier and just had to share: "Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart-so will you be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."

I hope and pray that you would read this over a few times and see how biblically true it is. It was written by a man named Andrew murray close to 100 years ago. Biblical truth is truth that stands the test of time.

I will give thanks

"I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." This from David is a shining example of what we should and can say also, yet most of the time I only speak that way when things have gone just the way I had hoped for. That is an open an honest confession, but I am glad that God has once again despite my ungratefulness at times, has given me another day to boldly say it, and now share it with you! Give Him thanks! Do it with your whole heart! Remember all the wonderful things He has already done in your life! Share his love with others!

Helen Keller

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." Helen Keller

Call it "mushy" if you will, but if you look at it in the biblical sense it's hard, if not impossible to deny that When God makes himself known to you, to your heart, there is nothing more real at that very moment. There is nothing more lovely and perfect but to know that He has heard your cry, reached down from heaven through His son, and brought you comfort.

Peace when I sleep, please.

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." In psalms we can read, meditate on(consider, and ponder over and over again), pray about it, and believe in the peace and safety that God alone can and will give you, enabling you to actually sleep...have you read it? Meditated on it? prayed about it? Believe His words? Then rest easy, sleep...

Happily Married

A simple truth that all that are married or aspire to be is that we love our spouse. But is it really that easy? I submit to you that it can be if ; "Husbands and wives, recognize that in marriage you have become one flesh. If you live for your private pleasure at the expense of your spouse, you are living against yourself and destroying your joy. But if you devote yourself with all your heart to the holy joy of your spouse, you will also be living for your joy and making a marriage after the image of Christ and His church." This quote I believe biblically grounded and rooted in truth should both challenge and encourage you to love.

My shield

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Access by faith

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Strong when we are weak

We are at our strongest when we are completely dependent upon God. When we depend solely on His word, on our relationship with Him, as His spirit works in and through our lives. Yes, that is when we are at our strongest, when we come to the reality that it is God and only God.

George Mueller

"I believe God answers prayer
Answers always, everywhere;
I may cast my anxious care,
Burdens I could never bear,
On the God who hearth prayer.
Never need my soul despair
Since He bids me boldly date
To the secret place repair,
There to prove He answers prayer." George Mueller

... I've never said that extra biblical helps aren't "good", or that reading other encouraging things is wrong. This is all the more true when you discover a beautiful book, rooted and grounded on Gods goodness. If you've never heard of George Mueller he was a great man of prayer. I love this poem that he wrote, moreover that you can practically see his heart in each and every line.

I pray that this poem encourages you to spend time with God, and his word, not to get something out of it, but just to bask in His goodness...

Renew your mind, but how?

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

I've heard many messages taught on the renewal of the mind, I've also read many books on the subject, but unfortunately it was not until recently that I studied out the entire scripture and found something very interesting...it's what comes after the renewal. Read it again. " that by testing you may discern (being able to decide/chose correctly) what is Gods will (in any situation, test, or trial). By knowing Gods will, his good acceptable and perfect will, He has given the ability to chose correctly because of our renewed mind! But you must know Him, you must be His child.

If you are His child this should be extremely comforting. You can make the right Godly choice in anything you're doing, or going to do. He has the answer, He is the answer

You know

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ". B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. There is such a peace when I read this, knowing that It is true, and He is faithful.

I challenge you(and me)

The following quote is one if the most challenging to me personally that I've ever read that's not directly from the bible, but it grounded and rooted in biblical truth. Are you ready?!

"If your heart takes more pleasure in reading (stories), or watching TV, or going to the movies, or talking to friends( about trivial things), rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him, sharing Hi...s cares and His burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence? You'd be bored to tears in heaven, if you're not ecstatic about God now!"

There's more I would add, but I must pray, study, and work through this first. I pray you do the same. Allow God to move upon your heart so that He may take first place in your life that He has provided you.

I was him

I was the prodigal on his way home...now He is waiting for you, He will run to you, not from you. No matter where you are, what you've done, He's waiting, watching, ready to start running...will you come home to His loving arms?

Don't forget

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

I will give thanks

In Psalms, David says what I consider a beautiful confession... "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds." I pray we all consider these words and truly allow The Lord to impress them upon our hearts, so in turn we too can speak the same sentiment.

Start the day right

"Thank you God for today"...best way to start a day, ever!

Thank you

"Thank you Father God for giving us this day to experience your goodness and faithfulness. For your love, peace, grace and mercy to my family, friends and those whom may read this. Amen". I pray you all have a good night and draw closer to Him.

Love and marriage

"The Puritan ethic of marriage was first to look not for a partner whom you do love passionately at this moment but rather for one whom you can love steadily as your best friend for life, then to proceed with God's help to do just that."

Let me just say that I don't agree with everything that the Puritans said or stood for (the majority, yes) but I did find this to be Biblically accurate and tr...ue. If I had more time or space I would list all scripture that this is founded on, and I would only add that passionately loving someone is NOT wrong. Husbands love your wife passionately! Wives, love your husbands passionately! To the unmarried, Lord willing when the time and person comes along, love them passionately when you are married!

I do thank God everyday for my wife whom I try to love passionately everyday! And I pray that God helps me. That He loves her through me as I strive to love her more and more. That is my prayer for you also.

Mustard seed

The following is a well known, highly quotes scripture from Matthew, but do we really understand what it means?! I pray you and I would read it, study it, believe it, and share it with others, in the hopes that it would drawn them to the hope we have in Him...

He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."

What are you reading?

This is not a direct attack on anyone or any "good book", but why do I hear of people devoting so much time to "good books" rather then the "best book(Gods book)?" If you know me at all, you know I am an avid reader, but the Bible is what I spend the most time reading, studying, learning from. Do I use other biblical helps? Of course, but not as the gospel truth, and then try to use the Gospel Tr...uth to supplement what I read...again if this upsets some, I'm sorry. I myself had to come to this strong reality. "What do I read more?" Good books? Or the "Best book(Gods book)?" I hope this encourages and challenges at the same time as it does me...I humbly ask for prayers once again, even as I pray for Gods love, grace, peace, and mercy would be multiplied to you, amen.

I really like this...

I really like this, this is what I believe and hope.

 

Faith does not look within; it looks without. It is not what I think, nor what I feel, nor what I have done, but it is what Jesus Christ is and has done, and so we should trust in Him who is our strength, and whose strength will never fail.

Romans 15:4

Romans 15:4 says "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Not that this needs explanation, but serves as a reminder of Gods goodness through His word. He brings us hope while we endure and are encouraged as we get to know Him more through the study of His word.

I humbly ask that if you consider me a friend, if you would pray for me I would be more than grateful, thank you in advance. Also, If you ever need anything that I can provide, I too at the very least pray for you as we'll.

What are you thinking about?

That which you love you think about it, you talk about, and yes, you do things for...that which you love has your heart. Now what if I replaced "that" with "whom"? Is God the first to your mind? Now go back and see if that is really true and lines up with those 3 simple questions...not condemning, I've been asking myself that as well...I pray it encourages you to draw closer to him...I pray

We all have questions

We all have questions and everyone seems to have an answer, But what questions are you asking? Do you really want the Biblical truth? or just your side justified? Who are you asking? And who are you listening to? If its not God how can yo...u ever be sure they are right? Or you? We must believe that first their is someone that has the absolute truth, only than can we know that we can have an absolute answer...I hope that was not to deep, but I've been having a great discussion with a good friend, and I have found that the only thing I can truly hold on to and defend is my faith, my hope in Christ.

Prayer works

Prayer works, if it is in line with Gods will. Prayer works. In fact the closer you grow to God and the more you get to know His will, the easier it is to pray with confidence knowing that He heard you. So a few questions ask myself (maybe you too): 1. Do you know His will? 2. Are you praying in accordance with His will? 3. Do you believe He heard your(accepted) your prayer? Only you can answer those for yourself, yet I hope and pray that as you and I grow closer to Him we pray more. Prayer works, bottom line....so what are you waiting for?

Remember, remind, renew

"Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have."

If you will read 2 Peter 3-7, you will see what qualities Peter is speaking of, or as I heard one pastor say, "why they are there-fore". We all need reminding, renewing of our minds, even when we know the right and godly thing we should be doing, thinking, believing. Biblical truths, be encouraged, reminded, be established in Him.

Relationships

"Christ's life unfolds, in part, as we learn to appreciate the gifts He has given us. How easy it is to blame others for our unhappiness, but we are only unhappy when something other than Christ has become our life. (For example) The husband or wife who has Christ as their life, comes to their spousal relationship already satisfied. They do not come continually looking to made happy by another per...son's attention; they bring Christ's life to their spouse."

This is to those that are married or desire to be married one day, I found this quote and it truly blessed me as I went back and confirmed its truths biblically. I hope and pray this leads you to draw closer to God and by doing so builds a newfound strength filled with grace, peace and love towards your spouse.

Starting the morning off right

so I start this morning hoping that someone will, myself included, draw closer to God. That we would find hope in his son, grace, love and peace in His ever present presence.  

We all just want to know

We all just want to know that everything's going to be okay...my hope, joy, and peace about that is in God.

Just pray

" It matters little what form of prayer we adopt or how many words we use. What matters is th...e faith which lays hold on God, knowing that He knows our needs before we even ask Him. That is what gives Christian prayer its boundless confidence and its joyous certainty."

You or Him

Who are you going to listen to today,God or man(even yourself)? It's a more beautiful and trustworthy thing to hear His words, then hear the opinions of man.

Still not sleeping

Can't sleep? I came across this and wanted to share with those in need: "We should (think over and over again) Meditate, on the Lord and the things of God (as taught in the Bible) as (we) go to bed. David testified, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for (you), LORD, only make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). The peace of God allows us to sleep. How do we get this peace?" For all in...tents and purposes, long story short, PRAYER. Talk to God, listen, ask if there is a disconnect, praise His name, thank Him for your life, blessings, etc. Honored time with Him is not wasted time, and don't you think that spending time with Him that He would give you back your needed rest? More importantly His peace and comfort? Of course He will. This is my prayer for anyone reading this.(and also myself and wife) amen.

Is it Him, or the stuff?

A question that I asked myself recently was "Do I spend more time getting to know the blessings and promises of God, or God himself?" I know I've said it before, or rather quoted it " love the gift giver, not the gifts". I would only add to also "love Him not for the gifts He may give, but because of who He is". My hope and prayer is that whoever may read this post do the same, go in prayer to Him, just to be with Him. Study the word, not to get something out of it every time, but to get to know the lords heart, him more and more. Again, this should not condemn if you are his child, but encourage you to draw closer to Him, and not the gifts that he gives as He pleases....

Don't be sad

"And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Be encouraged this morning and remember His goodness towards His children.

He can and will judge you. You ready?

I heard someone say "only God can judge me" and that's true, and it's not for me to condemn anyone, yet my question (internally, unless they ask me) is always this; "when God does judge you, and He will, do you even know what he's looking at? What he's looking for?" I have had to ask myself this question, and do you want to know what the answer is? Biblically speaking? "He knows you" you're const...antly growing closer to Him, listening, obeying, saying and doing His will, it is not that those "things" save us, but those "things" are a result of you and I growing closer to him, with him. So yes, only God can judge you, but the real question then becomes "does He know you?" If you're not sure, I can tell you this, He does love you, and He does want to know you, and you Him... I pray this challenges some, makes others go to God and ask, and finally encourages believers on the security of their salvation

Pride

Don't let pride hold you back from being a willing bond servant of Christ and child of God. In all reality He will ask you to do something that your flesh formerly would hate, ask Him for the power by His Spirit to do it anyway. By His name, for His namesake, amen.

A cool spirit

"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." This is found in Proverbs 17:27. I personally like how it mentions having a "cool spirit", I laughed a little, and then did a little self ...check as to whether or not I thought I ha a "cool spirit", then I asked my wife to make sure I was right;). In all seriousness, it was the first part of this scripture that spoke the loudest, at least to me. Am I restraining my words? What am I saying? How am I saying them? Should I just be quiet and bite my tongue? Now I can't answer that for you, but I know in my heart and soul when God shows me something He must want me to let Him change it in me, for Him...follow that?, good

Who are you?

Going to church, wait, I am the church. Remember you are the church, you meet and fellowship with others at the place you meet today or any day for that matter...Christ is the head and we are the body. 

3 Things we need

"When our lives are filled with peace, faith and joy, people will want to know what we have." Several times in the bible you'll find those 3 "things" being asked for us, towards us, even multiplied to us, all by the grace of God... If you are his child that is...that should both be great news to some, and extremely disheartening to others, in either case, they are available for all who call on His name. I pray you will draw closer to Him, know Him, more importantly be known by Him.

My rule for Christian living

"My rule for Christian living is this: anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult is wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it."
Dr. Wilbur Chapman. These are the words I echo, and the way of life I am striving for, I pray you will too. Pray for me as I pray for you also, have a wonderful day.

Slave and her freedom

There's a tale of a lady slave owner and her slave who happen to board an English ship bound for England who at that time had already abolished slavery. The woman approached the captain and said" I would say that my slave would be free once we land in England?" To which the captain replied" good lady she was free the moment she stepped on this ship!" needless to say the former slave remained free... on the ship and enjoyed her journey all the way to why se deemed her promise land. The former owner disgruntled and upset left angry that she had lost her grasp and control over her slave. Truth of this story is debatable, but forms a great analogy of what we once were, or sadly some have yet to experience...free from sin, it only took someone to informer her, to enlighten her, but the choice inevitably was hers...I pray that you discern this spiritually that someone might come to see the faint light of Gods grace, freedom from their former life...

Am I praying right?

I've been asked at times, not how to pray, but if what someone was praying was the right thing. It struck me odd the first time it happened, and I found myself having to check biblically before I gave a reply. My reply was and is...but I came across a quote that as I was reading that summed my answer up best;

"If we are to pray aright, perhaps it is quite necessary that we pray contrary to our ...own heart. Not what we want to pray is important, but what God wants us to pray. The richness of the Word of God ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart."

I hope this is easy to understand, and maybe you already knew this, but if you're anything like me, the application is where and when I struggle, praying Gods will, and not just My want.

Learning to be content

One of the greatest secrets found in the bible is learning how to, and becoming content. Paul speaks of this, but the fact he makes such a point of it(being inspired by the Holy Spirit) should highlight the fact that others then, and now didn't know how to be, or that they needed to learn to be...contentment. This does not in any way devalue the pursuit of other things, yet lays a foundation of the need for Gods grace being sufficient in all circumstances.

Robert Robinson

The following quote I came across while reading a commentary on the book of Jude. It is an interesting story of a man who "fell away from the faith", but before he did he wrote this poem

“Come thou fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above; Praise His na...me—I’m fixed upon it—name of God’s redeeming love.”

He later met a woman who was reading this very poem, too ashamed to admit it, she continued on until the last verse upon reaching it she began to sing, interrupting he asked her tearfully to stop...oh that I could go back, be back in love he said, I wrote that very poem many years ago...

I pray you read his poem, and also consider just how good Gods love and mercy is towards us, oh that we would not "fall away", but grow closer to Him. Let not our hearts cry from shame, but from gratitude for a Father that has promised to never leave us not forsake us.

G.R.A.C.E.

I normally don't post small catchy things(not that there is anything wrong with that), but I found this and wanted to share it. In fact the following quote is actually pretty deep if you will read it and consider all that it implies, and it is this; "GRACE-God's Riches At Christ's Expense." Neat little acronym.

Steadfast Love

This morning I read this in Psalms 143 "Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." And then backed up to this in Psalms 59 "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." In both cases I found "morning" and "steadfast love" to be the common theme...His unchanging, ever present, all powerful love for us, first thing in the morning IF we come to Him to receive...I pray you begin your day by seeking Him, and see, and believe I His goodness.

Comfort in our trials

As I was reading a commentary over 1 Peter I came across this; "... to comfort them in their trials; to suggest such considerations as would enable them to bear them with the right spirit, and to show the sustaining, elevating, and purifying power of the gospel".

I immediately went back and read 1 Peter over and over again! How correct this author was, is, and what a joy to know that God in His infinite wisdom continues to comfort those(us) who need Him at all times, in all areas of our lives-which we do. I would encourage you to read 1 Peter, study it, pray over it and through it, and be encouraged while drawing closer to Him.

Jesus is for everybody J.I.F.E.

"I guess the moral of the story is, Jesus Christ came for the notorious, and the saint.
Grace for the less glorious,
and the fame, understand where the glory is, it's in His name". I heard this recently and just had to post. I hope you re...ad it a few times and let it sink in...blessings.

Lets build each other up

I've read so many posts that say this is going to be going to be the year, the best year, and I sincerely hope it is, but above all that I pray once again that it is a Godly year, then there is no doubt that it will be a good year. Proverbs gives a little insight to a good start for us "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."

Real change

With the NewYear fast approaching my hope and prayer for you is NOT to wait to wait until the New Year to make a change in your life. I would hope and pray that all of us would turn to the only one that can and will make the lasting change in our lives, God, through His Son, by the power of His Spirit, amen. Have a great, safe night, until next year. Blessings.

Don't be weighed down

Proverbs 12:25 says this; "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." So to all of you that are anxious for whatever reason your mind has come up, facts that may very well be real and pressing in on you and your household, let me speak a good word not I but what His word says. "casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." God cares for you, his grace is for you today, right now, so get rid of those "cares" send them to Him, He can handle them. Let us pray that He would reveal and make this more real to you and I.