Tuesday, November 29, 2011

David

14And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. 15So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.

      16Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

      17So they brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offering, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19Further, he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread and one of dates and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed each to his house.

1 Corinthians 13

 1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Prayer

How Often Should We Pray

1 Corinthians 1:4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
Colossians 1:3 (KJV) We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing

How Should We Pray

Psalm 66:17 I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.
Psalm 95:2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 14:15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

What Should We Pray For

Psalm 50:14-15 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
Psalm 118:25 Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!
Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Who Should We Pray For

Romans 15:30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,
2 Corinthians 1:11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
James 5:13-14 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Compassion

Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 111:4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Luke 6:36 Be merciful, even as  your Father is merciful.
Luke 10:33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Colossians 3:12  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Joy

♪♫♪ I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart … ♪♫♫


True joy can only be attained as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). It is that overwhelming sense of comfort and contentment that floods one’s soul. It is the thing that we have when we are walking with the Holy Spirit and mortifying the deeds of the flesh (Rom 8:13 KJV). True Joy comes only when we are focused upon walking with the Lord and esteeming others (Phil 2:3-5). Since Joy is fruit of the Spirit it is a special gift that only the believer has (Eph 1:12-14; 4:30). Here are twenty uplifting Scripture quotes about joy.


Joyous Celebrations

Deuteronomy 16:15 For seven days you shall keep the feast to the LORD your God at the place that the LORD will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.
Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Esther 8:17 And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
Isaiah 9:3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

Singing with Joy to the Lord

Psalms 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Psalms 47:1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
Psalms 63:5-7 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
Psalms 96:11-13 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Isaiah 12:6 “… Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Joy in Others

1 Samuel 18:6 As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.
Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Jesus speaking in the parable of the lost sheep)
John 16:21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
Philippians 1:3-5  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philemon 1:7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Hope and Joy

Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20  But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
2 John 1:12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD



  
"His is not the author of confusion, but of peace…
1 Cor. 14:33

BECAUSE HE SAID IT, I KNOW IT’S TRUE
Therefore I shall stand still….

In Exodus 14:13-14, Moses told them to fear not and stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.  The Lord will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.  Don’t allow the enemy to provoke you to say things that you know are wrong.  Hold your peace, let God fight the battle.  All you have to do is trust Him.  He will show up.
Stand still and hear what the Lord will command concerning you. (Num 9:8)  Don’t listen to any other voice but God’s while you are going through. His voice is the only one that can and will lead you out.  Friends mean well, but there are times when your friends get in the way of your being blessed.  If their advice is not of God, it will delay your blessing and extend your time in the fire. 
You need to pray.  Everyone don’t have to and shouldn’t know what you are going through. Ask the Lord to open your ears to receive His words and His words only. 
Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God…….. (Job 37:14)  Reflect on all the times when you thought
you weren’t going to make it and God showed up right on time.   Remember the house He blessed you with, the rent He paid, the car got for you, the job you needed, the time He went to court for you.  Remember? 
If there is a problem in your life, and you can’t seem to solve it.  
Take your hands off it!  Pray and stand still
If your husband or wife has left you and you know God gave them to you.  
Pray and stand still
If you are sick and the doctor has given up.  Don’t give up on God.  
Pray and stand still
Don’t look to the left, don’t look to the right, 
but look to the hills from which cometh your help.  
Stand still
Waiting on God is not always easy.  He never said that it would be.  But if you allow Him to work it out for you it, you will come through the test sooner.   Don’t move until you know it is the Lord guiding you. 
He will speak peace to soothe your weary soul.  
Soon you will see every trial unfold.  
Stand still
God has not forgotten you; 
He knows exactly where you are and what you are going through.  
Stand still
God is our refuge, a very present help in time of trouble.
Stand still
Eph 6:13. And then having done all… STAND.  STAND with the full Armour of God on.  
STAND UP and bless the Lord your God forever and ever   (Neh: 9:5)


Monday, November 28, 2011

Salvation

Within religion salvation is the phenomenon of being saved from the undesirable condition of bondage or suffering experienced by the psyche or soul that has arisen as a result of unskillful or immoral actions generically referred to as sins.[1] Salvation may also be called "deliverance" or "redemption" from sin and its effects.[2] Salvation is a concept common to most of the world's great religions and is in many respects the principal goal of religious practice. Depending on the religious tradition, salvation is considered to be caused either by the free will and grace of God. Religions often emphasize the necessity of both personal effort (e.g.repentance and asceticism) and divine action.
Salvation (in both Eastern and Western religions) is also the phenomenon of being saved from death. In religion, death does not simply refer to the end of biological life but signifies the suffering and degradation within life resulting from the consequences of sin. In Christianity one who has attained salvation is said to experience and inherit eternal life in God or what in Buddhism is called 'deathlessness'.

 
God's plan for Salvation

 

 The Bible says there is only one way to Heaven

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)
Good works cannot save you.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Trust Jesus Christ today! Here's what you must do:
  1. Admit you are a sinner."For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
    "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)
    "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)
  2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent).Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)
    "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Acts 17:30)
  3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead."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)
    "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us."(Romans 5:8)
    "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
  4. Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour."For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)
    "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
What to pray:

Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.
"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:" (John 1:12)
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, as a Christian you should:
  1. Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
    "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalms 119:105)
  2. Talk to God in prayer every day."And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22)
    "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."(Philippians 4:6)
  3. Be baptized, worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached and the Bible is the final authority."Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" (Matthew 28:19)
    "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
    "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16)
  4. Tell others about Christ."And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."(Mark 16:15)
    "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"(1 Corinthians 9:16)
    "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)