Follow us on Facebook Twitter, and Pinterest.
DC Books
  • Salt & Light Devotionals
  • My Books
  • About Donna L Campbell
    • Contact
    • The Latest
    • About
  • Scripture of the Day Memes
  • Campbell Family Recipes
  • Thoughts, Poems and Randomness
  • Photography
  • Untitled

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 We are not Alone in Striving for Jesus’ Glory

9/3/2015

0 Comments

 
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 On Photo of Aunt Sarah’s Rose Bush by Donna Campbell
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 On Photo of Aunt Sarah’s Rose Bush by Donna Campbell
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

What is our purpose as Christians? What is it we strive for? Ultimately what we strive for on this earth, is what will be gifted to us in eternity, the perfection of the image of Christ. One day we will be made complete in Jesus, wholly holy, no sin, no flaws, and no shortcomings. We hope and do our utmost to glorify Christ, our Lord. But on earth we still have our flesh and while The Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus every day, and we endeavor to be like Him. While we live on this earth we still have our flesh, the sin nature we were born with.  Verses 13-14 read,

“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The first century Christians are the firstfruits. Firstfruits is defined as “the earliest gathered fruits offered to God in acknowledgment of the gift of fruitfulness, and the earliest products or results of an endeavor” They were the first results of Jesus’ ministry.  They were gifts to God as thanks for Jesus richness and blessings. We are the results of their faith and glorification of Jesus. Our lives, like theirs are gifts to God for His blessings. The way we live our lives affects other people. We can glorify Christ, that is project Jesus’ character and love to the world, or we can live in stagnation and never impact the Kingdom of Heaven.  Romans 12:1-2 reads,

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 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”

We are not alone in our effort to be like Jesus. We are not alone in our hopes to be firstfruits to future generations and living sacrifices to The Lord. We have our Lord Jesus as an example and our Holy Spirit as our teacher, sanctifier, and comforter. We have each other. We have the Christians of the past and the Apostles who have taught us so much. Verse 15 says,

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”

Ritual is not meant to replace relationship but the traditions of our faith can teach us and enhance our relationship with God. He doesn’t want ritual, He wants love and He wants us to grow in that love. (Hosea 6:6). It is not legalism to understand and practice the traditions passed down to us from Jesus to the Apostles and to us. Jesus told us to continue the practice of The Passover Seder that we know as The Lord’s Supper. (Luke 22:14-23). When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He told them to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:1-17 verse 14). We practice these customs because Jesus told us to and because they glorify Him. These traditions give us a practical lesson in Jesus’ salvation and love. They remind us of what Jesus did for us. They encourage us to continue walking the walk with The Lord and with one another. Verses 16-17 read,

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

Because The Lord is indwelled in His people, it is He who teaches us, even when it is our pastor, brother, sister, or mentor who lets God use Him. None of us is finished and so we can understand what we’re going through, help each other, and encourage one another. We are not perfect, but we are comforted in knowing that God began working in us and one day that awesome work will be completed and we will be perfected. We take consolation in knowing that God will never give up on us, and we do not give up on each other. Our salvation is not due to us, it is due to Jesus’ grace. Philippians 1:3-7 reminds us,

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”

0 Comments

1 Thessalonians 1 Your Life is a Testimony to Your Heart

8/25/2015

1 Comment

 
1 Thessalonians 1

In my church body we are careful to remember that we cannot see a person’s heart, that we cannot judge by the outside if person is a believer or not. And I believe we are right not to make such assumptions. But The Lord God does not indwell a person without making it evident that He is there. There is a major change that takes place within a person when The Father chooses him, Jesus saves him, and the Holy Spirit seals him. The fact is our lives are a testimony to our heart condition. While outsiders may not recognize who or why, they should still note a peculiarity in the believer.

Paul’s greeting to the people of Thessalonica in verses 1-3 reads,

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul immediately remarked the Thessalonian church for their work resulting from their faith in Christ. Faith is not merely a feeling or sureness of the heart. Like love, faith is not real until it is articulated by action or obedience. One can say, “I have faith that the bridge will hold” but if he refuses to walk across the bridge then his faith doesn’t matter. One can say he has faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, but if his life doesn’t testify it, his words mean nothing. There is a big difference in intending to do something and doing it.

God is awesome, He doesn’t choose a person and leave them “as is.” He doesn’t take someone from the world and make them a citizen of Heaven and not affect them. The power that saved us is the power that raised Jesus from the dead. (Romans 8:9-12). The power given to us, is the same power that healed countless people, fed thousands out of one boy’s lunch, and taught the radical message called The Sermon on the Mount. The power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is miraculous, revolutionary, and world-shattering. Verses 4- read,

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

The Holy Spirit leads us to be and do. He leads us to act, to trust and obey. He enables us to recognize His Spirit in others. As John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary pregnant with the unborn Savior, Jesus met his mother, The Spirit within us leaps for joy when we recognize one another. (Luke 1:41-44). Jesus described Him this way in John 14:15-24 in The Message,

“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

18-20 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.

21 “The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?”

23-24 “Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me.”

You can and do recognize The Holy Spirit in others because you already know Him since He lives in you. You know God, so you know it when you are able to distinguish Him, His voice, His Word, and His Love. Followers of Christ, begin looking and acting like Jesus. We grow and mature over time to become more and more like Jesus. He is glorified in His followers. We do not imitate, like a celebrity impersonator, we imitate Him as emulators, living up to the awesomeness and beauty of The Lord. Because we do that, those who have been following Christ for longer, those who can be called elders, leaders, and teachers should so emulate Jesus that we can say, “If you don’t know how to act like Jesus, watch me and see Him in me.” We are examples to everyone around us. Our lives are a testimony. Our lives will testify, “Jesus is Lord” or “I am lord.” Our actions speak louder than mere words ever can. Verses 6-10 read,

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

We used to look like the world. Now we look like Jesus. We used to worship ourselves and other false gods. Now we worship the One True Living Almighty God. Believers are just not like the world, we cannot be. God’s imprint is evident on us. The Father’s anointing is seen and heard. The Holy Spirit’s power changes us and makes us new. When people look at us, they see Jesus image, not ours.

If no one can look at your life and see you are different maybe you’re not. If the church can’t be certain that you are a follower of Christ, maybe you are merely a follower of Christianity.

1 Comment

Psalm 73 Evil Men Prosper, But Only on this Earth.

8/2/2015

0 Comments

 
Photo Shack in Denton, NC by Donna CampbellPhoto Shack in Denton, NC by Donna Campbell














Psalm 73

This Psalm is one of 12 attributed to Asaph. Asaph was the priest in charge of ministering in front of the Ark of the Covenant each day. (1 Chronicles 16:4-7). He was a “worship leader” as well as a talented singer, poet, composer, and a prophet. (2 Chronicles 29:30).

Do you ever feel like following Jesus is getting you nowhere? Our heart’s desires are many and various. For me the longing was always to be married and have children. I try very hard to always make the right choice, the responsible choice and the choice I believe is God’s will. But I have been envious of people who made the wrong choices and have what I always wanted. I committed myself to purity to glorify The Lord and they had sex with anyone they chose. They have husbands, children, and grandchildren. I do not. I have had times when I wondered if I should have given in and given up my virginity, maybe then I would have the family I always dreamed of having.

Asaph felt similarly. This Psalm echoes some of my feelings. Verses 1-7 read,

“Truly God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled,
    my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant
    when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.


4 For they have no pangs until death;
    their bodies are fat and sleek.
5 They are not in trouble as others are;
    they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
    violence covers them as a garment.
7 Their eyes swell out through fatness;
    their hearts overflow with follies.”


Sometimes it can seem like the less a person cares about humanity, compassion or justice, the happier, wealthier, and more powerful he is. It seems like the immoral get everything they want. And that may be true on this earth.

They have hardened their hearts, so they can’t hear The Holy Spirit. They talk a good talk and lead people down the slippery slope to Hell with them. They are on top of the world and they are proud of it. They laugh at us, the believers. They think God is merely a crutch. They think the proof is in their bank accounts. Verses 8-12 say,

“They scoff and speak with malice;
    loftily they threaten oppression.
9 They set their mouths against the heavens,
    and their tongue struts through the earth.
10 Therefore his people turn back to them,
    and find no fault in them.
11 And they say, “How can God know?
    Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked;
    always at ease, they increase in riches.”


Comparing our lives to theirs can be discouraging. It can cause bitterness. If we look too much at this present earth and not enough at the whole picture we can lose hope, and we can cause others to lose hope. If we spend our time wishing for what others have, we can’t enjoy what we have. God has given us so much, and there is joy and wonder in life with Him. If my eyes are on the women who made the choices I knew were wrong and now seem to have the life I wanted, then my eyes are not on Jesus. If my heart is bitter because the one thing I wanted as a child is not mine, then my heart cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit and His overflowing love. If I spend my time wanting what I do not have instead of enjoying all I do have, who would want to know Jesus because of me? Verses 13-17 read,

“All in vain have I kept my heart clean
    and washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all the day long I have been stricken
    and rebuked every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
    I would have betrayed the generation of your children.


16 But when I thought how to understand this,
    it seemed to me a wearisome task,
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God;
    then I discerned their end.”


But whatever pursuits, gains, and benefits the sinful have on this earth on for this earth only.  Putting our eyes on the temporary delights of this world makes us lose sight of our eternal hope, of our Lord, and of our mission on this earth. It makes us ineffectual Christians and the enemy is elated at about it. 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 encourages us,

“Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

It is not the princedom of the earth that holds our joy and purpose it is the Kingdom of Heaven. The lost who have hardened their hearts and blasphemed The Holy Spirit will enjoy this life and then burn forever in the torment of Hell. But not all the lost have silenced The Spirit of Life. And the Father calls to them. He lets them make their choices and sends the consequences down on them. We can be a part of the great work of bringing the lost children to The Father through Jesus Christ. We can let The Holy Spirit pour out of us and show them how beautiful God is. But we can’t do it if we are so busy coveting what others have that we do not use the gifts and life we have been given. Verses 18-22 read,

“Truly you set them in slippery places;
    you make them fall to ruin.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment,
    swept away utterly by terrors!
20 Like a dream when one awakes,
    O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
21 When my soul was embittered,
    when I was pricked in heart,
22 I was brutish and ignorant;
    I was like a beast toward you.”


Lord, forgive me. I have been ignorant and brutish too often. I have let bitterness for what I didn’t have drown out the joy of The Lord. But He is always with me and He forgave my witlessness and my wrongly placed anger. He removed the bitterness that filled me up and satiated me with Himself. He filled me up and permeated my heart, soul, mind, and strength. He made me new when I became a follower of Christ, and when I forgot who I was, He reminded me I was no longer dead and I have eternal life, beautiful everlasting hope, and more joy than any lost person can ever know. Verses 23-28 read,

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
    you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.


27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
    I have made the Lord God my refuge
,
    that I may tell of all your works.”

Believer, are your eyes on Jesus or your neighbor? Are you comparing your lawn to his and coveting all the things he has? Does he have Jesus? Does he have The Holy Spirit? Does he know The Father? Will the joy and praise you live your life with lead him to God? You have entered the glory of God, does your life and love show that?

Enjoy God. Live joyfully. Remember God’s grace is sufficient. We do not need anything that God doesn’t give us.


0 Comments

Psalm 72 Glorify Jesus the Righteous King

8/1/2015

0 Comments

 
Psalm 72

This psalm of Solomon is a prayer to The Lord as Solomon became king in his father’s place. But his prayer holds more meaning than a simple prayer for himself. As believers we can take this prayer to encourage ourselves as well. And it is messianic prophecy as Solomon describes the ideal king, Jesus. Verses 1-7 describe the Righteous King.

“Give the king your justice, O God,
    and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
    and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness!
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
    give deliverance to the children of the needy,
    and crush the oppressor!


5 May they fear you while the sun endures,
    and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
    like showers that water the earth!
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
    and peace abound, till the moon be no more!”


True righteousness comes only from God. Jesus lived, died, and resurrected to give us His righteousness. The Holy Spirit works in us to make us more like Jesus and so more righteous every day. And The Father calls us to be holy as He is holy.

Jesus is the ultimate Judge and He is our justice. He makes us righteous so that we can be reconciled to God, know Him, and have a relationship with Him. Jesus cares deeply about the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the prisoners. He has compassion for all the needy. And He avenges us against the enemy who oppresses the people. We may not prosper financially or in any way that the world would notice but we prosper spiritually and we prosper in the Kingdom of God.

One day the children of God, the faithful followers of Jesus Christ will be forever with Him in the mansions of Mount Zion instead of the tents of this world. There will be no sun to light the day nor moon to light the night. The Glory of God, Jesus Himself will be our light. (Revelation 21:22-24).

We are royalty as well. We are righteous kings and queens in Jesus. He has given us His name in adoption. We walk with His authority and that means we walk with His love and mercy. If we are to be like the King of kings then we walk with compassion and justice for the oppressed, the poor, the needy, the widow, and the orphan. We love them as Jesus loves them. We want the lost to know peace with God. We want the tyrannized to know freedom. We want the persecuted to know justice. Jesus is our Peace, Freedom, and Justice.

Solomon wanted to be a good king. He wanted to rule well. We too want to be the best royal priests we can be. When the Lord asked Solomon what he desired most in order to be a righteous king, Solomon asked for wisdom. God granted him that as well as wealth, long life, and military victory. (1 Kings 3, 1 Kings 4:29-34). He gives us wisdom as well when we ask. He is happy to grant us the gifts that will make our walk that much more glorifying, loving, and effective. James 1:5 reads,

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

And 1 Corinthians 12:

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.”

Love is that more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 13). We are to love as Jesus loves us. We do that by being the royal children of God that we are called to be. We manifest the traits of Jesus described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, love, patience, kindness, humility, justice, joy in righteousness, faith, and steadfastness, the fruit of the Spirit.

Jesus is Judge and King over all the earth. There is nothing He does not have sovereign authority over. Verses 8-11 read,

“May he have dominion from sea to sea,
    and from the Rive] to the ends of the earth!
9 May desert tribes bow down before him,
    and his enemies lick the dust!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
    render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
    bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him,
    all nations serve him!”


Every person on earth whether they acknowledge Jesus as Lord or not must submit to His rule. One day every knee will bow to Him. One day every person will acknowledge that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of all. Philippians 2:8-10 reads,

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Even nature must obey Jesus. He created the world and the world concedes to His authority. Jesus spoke and storms stopped and seas calmed. (Mark 4:35-41).The Lord spoke and trees grew and trees died. (Jonah 4:5-11, Mark 11:12-25). He even gave us the authority to command nature as His royal and righteous ambassadors. Mark 11:22-25 reads,

“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

We are not arrogant in our royalty. We like Jesus are humble. We don’t boast or take pride in great works, because they are not ours, they are Jesus’ works. We know that we are completely in need of God. We can’t even breathe without Him. We can’t have faith without Him. (Isaiah 42:5). The Lord has mercy on those who need it and ask for it. The Lord died for sinners, not for righteous men. A king has no kingdom if people do not submit to his authority. So we submit to Jesus, our Righteous King. He frees the prisoners, provides for the needy, and feeds the hungry. Verses 12-15 describe Him.

“For he delivers the needy when he calls,
    the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
    and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
    and precious is their blood in his sight.”


These verses describe Jesus. Do they describe us? They should. As His followers we should have His compassion, mercy, and longing for justice. We should act in Jesus’ love for people. His love wasn’t lip service it was action. He brought people to salvation. He healed, He spent time, He taught, and He served. He is our King, we should exemplify Him.

Do we long for His name to be known throughout the earth? Do we cry out “Long live the King!” Are we making disciples of every nation? Verses 15-19 read,

“Long may he live;
    may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
    and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
    on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
    may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
    like the grass of the field!
17 May his name endure forever,
    his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
    all nations call him blessed!


18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!


Believer, you and I are the glory of God! You and I are the ones to make Jesus’ name famous. Our ancestors have passed away and passed the job onto us. David worshipped God. He brought light to Israel. When David died the torch was passed to Solomon. We carry that torch now. Let us light the world on fire for Jesus. Verse 20 says,

“The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.”

David could no longer be the king. That job fell to Solomon. Now it is we who must take on the responsibility and glorify The Lord.

0 Comments

Psalm 66 Why Do We Praise The Lord?

7/26/2015

0 Comments

 

Psalm 66

There is always a reason to praise God. We praise Him for what He has done. We extol Him for Who He is. We magnify Him for what He is doing and for what He has told us He will do. God is great, He is awesome, mighty, tremendous, faithful, splendid, merciful, and loving. Verses 1-4 incite the entire earth to praise Almighty God.

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
2     sing the glory of his name;
    give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
4 All the earth worships you
    and sings praises to you;
    they sing praises to your name.”  Selah”


Praise to The Lord is glorious. God becomes known to the world, He is made famous to all those who hear the praise of the saints. His name is exalted, His works are celebrated, and He is lauded by our praise and worship. There will be a day when every person will come before The Lord for judgement.  On that day the every person will bow to Jesus, and that includes His enemies. The people whose hearts are hard and filled with rage at the idea of The King of kings, who are to prideful to acknowledge Him will bend their knees to Him and proclaim that Jesus is the Lord of lords, King of kings, and God of the Universe. (Isaiah 45:22-25, Philippians 2:1-11). They will wince and shudder, because they will see the Truth, and it will be too late, too late to choose Him and too late to know Him.

What has God done? How has The Almighty God shown His love to His children? Verses 5-12 read,

“Come and see what God has done:
    he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
    they passed through the river on foot.
There did we rejoice in him,
7     who rules by his might forever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nations--
    let not the rebellious exalt themselves.  Selah


8 Bless our God, O peoples;
    let the sound of his praise be heard,
9 who has kept our soul among the living
    and has not let our feet slip.
10 For you, O God, have tested us;
    you have tried us as silver is tried.
11 You brought us into the net;
    you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
12 you let men ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”


God brought Israel into Egypt where their numbers grew from 70 people to a strong and mighty numerous, and were eventually made slaves. (Genesis 46:26-27, Exodus 1:7-8). But the Lord brought them out of Egypt, divided the Red Sea so Israel walked safely through it, brought them through the wilderness, brought them into The Promised Land, and made them a nation.

The Lord has done the same for us today. We were slaves to sin, we were in the chains of the enemy. God loved us so much He sent His Son Jesus to us. He stepped out of Heaven, He lived, died and rose from the dead for us. Holy Perfect Jesus who never sinned was made sin so that we who were the slaves of sin were made to be righteous and holy. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21). Now we are a nation. 1 Peter 2:9-10 reads,

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Our response is to rightly worship, praise, and glorify Him to magnify His Holy Name to every nation and person. Our response is to obey Him, to love Him above all with everything we have and are, and to love the people He made as He loves them. Verses 13-15 say,

“I will come into your house with burnt offerings;
    I will perform my vows to you,
14 that which my lips uttered
    and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,
    with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;
I will make an offering of bulls and goats.  Selah”


Our response in that love and in love others as He loves is to tell the world what God has done and who He is, the Savior Jesus, our Lord. Verses 16-20 read,

“Come and hear, all you who fear God,
    and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
17 I cried to him with my mouth,
    and high praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened.
19 But truly God has listened;
    he has attended to the voice of my prayer.


20 Blessed be God,
    because he has not rejected my prayer
    or removed his steadfast love from me!”


The Gospel is so simple that it is too simple for some. They just cannot accept that all we have to do is repent from our sins by asking the Lord God to forgive us and that He does. We do not have to earn His favor, he already chose us. We do not have to work for His reward, He gives us eternal life just by our faith.

There is no magic in the words of the sinner’s prayer. If we simply repeated the words yet treasured sin and never planned to obey the Lord then the prayer meant nothing, just as if it had never been said. God hears and knows our sincerity. He knows our hearts. When we pray with remorse for our wrongs and with faith that Jesus is the Christ, He hears, He listens, He attends, and He saves.

We have so much reason to praise the Lord! He has done great things. He created the world. He chose to love us and save us. He brought us from slavery to freedom. He wants to save every person in every nation. They can know the awesome Love of God by that praise.

0 Comments

Titus Chapter 2 People Are Watching You. Who Do They See?

4/20/2015

0 Comments

 
Titus Chapter 2

In the second chapter of Paul’s letter to Titus he exhorts us to behave in a manner worthy of the name we’ve been given. We are Christians and our actions should reflect our state of grace, the great name of Jesus, and His Spirit who indwells us. Verse 1 reads,

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

This is a continuance from the previous chapter when Paul warned Titus to not allow false teachings to get mixed up in the truth. When we teach, it is our responsibility to ensure the doctrine, instructions, and principals are sound. Sound means healthy, whole, comprehensive, good, and intact. Whether receiving or giving instruction make sure it is supported by the Bible, does not contradict the Gospel, and that the voice of God is recognized in it. If you are not yet able to discern The Lord’s voice because you are a young Christian, then continue to seek Him and He will make Himself known to you.

The mature Christian walks in a manner that reflects Jesus to the world and to other believers. In faith we endeavor to live a life that is pleasing to God and brings Him an aroma of worship, praise, and knowledge.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 reads,

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”

We teach one another with lives lived well for God. We demonstrate to the world the goodness of God by our lives. We are not responsible for their response, we are responsible for our actions and words which will either present Jesus as Awesome Loving Savior or present us as no different than the world. Verse 2-6 read,

“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.”

Verses 9-10 say,

“Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.”

We are being transformed day by day to the image of Christ. As we learn more about God, as we exercise our gifts, and express the character of Jesus, we become examples for one another. Glorifying God is reflecting His image, it is the exhibition of the Spirit in us.

Why should we strive to be the way Paul describes? So that we are training the less mature and so the word of God will not be reviled. Our actions will make people say, “Where does love like that come from” or it will make them say, “Their god doesn’t exist and if he does he is powerless.” Much of the world hates Christians and that is okay, but much of that hate is because we acted in the flesh and gave them reason to hate us, and that is not okay. We are supposed to be a light in the darkness leading people to Jesus, not giving them reason to hate Him. Verses 7-8 say it this way,

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

Regardless of where we are, who we are dealing with, or playing or working, we are to walk in a manner worthy of the name of Jesus Christ. We are His ambassadors. People get to know who Jesus is by their interactions with us. So in every aspect of our lives we have to remember people are watching us to see who this Jesus is. Verses 11-14 read,

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

More so than our words it is our lives that lead people to Jesus. He wants everyone to come to Him. He wants salvation for the world. He saved us and He transforms us so that the world will know Him. He is our hope. We know He is coming back, and we will be resurrected and rise with Him to eternity. That same hope for us, is a terrible day for the lost. On that day they will know Jesus is The LORD. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could let them know before it is too late? When He comes and they see Him with their eyes and hear the trumpet sound, it will be too late for faith.

The way we live matters. We do not follow the law, but we do follow Jesus. Jesus acted in love and in submission to God. Jesus asked us to love one another as He loves us. His grace is revealed best when we who used to be of the world, walk like the new creations we are.

0 Comments

Philippians 2:12-18 Intentionally Choose Goodness

4/14/2015

0 Comments

 
Philippians Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

Do you behave differently in front of your pastor than you do when you’re with friends? Do you act another way when you are with Christians than when you are with outsiders? Who is it you are trying to impress with your character? Is it your church, your friends, your pastor, or the world? Or does it depend on who you are with? We shouldn’t be trying to impress anyone. Yet, it is natural to want to please people and to want people to like us. So maybe when we’re in church we use Christianese, speak in fortune cookie scripture or bite sized encouragements. Maybe when we’re with the lost we cuss and drink like a sailor. We should be glorifying and exalting Jesus with our genuine walk. Our everyday conduct should reflect our maturation in Christ and show the results of the Holy Spirit in us.

It doesn’t happen automatically. We do not naturally choose the Spirit over the flesh. We have to deliberately exercise the traits He is building in us. Verses 12-13 read,

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

We opt to obey, we opt to be patient, kind, and humble. We decide to speak goodness, blessings, and love. With maturity and regular exercise it becomes easier to be faithful rather than anxious, to think of others instead of focusing on ourselves, and to be thankful rather complain.  God is doing a great work in us, but He doesn’t do it against our will. Most of us are not suddenly mirror images of Jesus when we’re saved. We have to let the Holy Spirit do His work.

If we’re going to act the fool, it is better to do it in front of our fellow believers instead of the world. Let’s strive for sincere godliness in front of the lost. Our lives are a testimony to Jesus. We must purposefully choose the fruit of the spirit over the desires of the flesh. Verses 14-16 read,

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

The Lord hates grumbling and complaining, not only does it reveal how very ungrateful we are, it shows our lack of faith in God’s sovereignty. He also dislikes disparity among the believers. How can we expect the world to believe the awesomeness of God if they watch us arguing over ridiculous points and see discord among us? How can we say we share the same wonderful Spirit and be in conflict with one another? We are supposed to strive for godliness, seek the Kingdom of God, and pursue righteousness. We are expected to be lights in the dark, beacons of hope leading people to Jesus. We are not supposed to be people who claim to be Christians but act like the world or worse.

Paul pursued righteousness with passion. When he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he didn’t go out the next day as the man we think of who wrote so much of the New Testament, spread the gospel to places far and wide, and eventually glorified Jesus in his death as much as he had in his life. Saul was changed immediately in many ways, but it took time for Paul to mature. He gave up being a Pharisee to become a tent maker, he studied under the apostles, and he studied under the Holy Spirit for fourteen years before beginning his missionary journeys.

Paul wanted the believers to know the spiritual maturity, he knew. He urged them to earnestly pursue godliness. He knew he might very well be killed for living for Jesus and he was willing. He encouraged the church to rejoice in that just as he did. He was in a dank dark underground prison and he could still rejoice, because he understood the great benefits of suffering for Christ. Verses 17-18 say,

“Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.”

Celebrate with your fellow believers the work God is doing in them and in you. Salvation takes a moment, living out salvation takes effort, and maturity takes time.

0 Comments

2 Peter 1:1-4 Live an Extraordinary Excellent Godly Life. Be Like Jesus

4/6/2015

0 Comments

 
2 Peter Chapter 1 Verses 1-4

Who in Christendom do you admire? Who are your heroes of faith? Is it Peter, Paul, or James? Is it Billy Graham, your pastor, or an elder of your church? You have the same potential for great faith they do. The Gospel that saved Peter is the same truth that saved us. The Salvation that redeemed Paul is the same that redeemed us. The same God chose us, the same Savior died and resurrected for us, the same Spirit that sanctified them sanctifies us.

Verses 1-2 read,

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

Jesus didn’t have to work harder to forgive our sins than theirs. He died once for all of us. He died once to forgive all sins. Hebrews 9:24-28 says it this way,

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

The grace we received was the same grace. Peter is known just as much for his blunders as he is for his great faith. He famously denied knowing Jesus not once but three times on the night before the crucifixion. And Jesus forgave him. He went on to become a champion of the faith. Paul was Saul before he met Jesus. Saul persecuted the church with such fervor that he was known to and feared by all the Brethren. Yet Paul became the man who suffered for Jesus more than any of the other apostles. He exemplified Christ to the point that he could say, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1). And we all should be able to say that. We all should reach a point of maturity that we know we are emanating Jesus, and there is more Spirit than flesh radiating from us.

That level of sanctification is not reserved for some Christians. It is for all of us. We all received the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t choose to transform some and leave others the same as they were the day they were saved. He doesn’t decide to purify some less than others. He is the Spirit of the Living God. He is Almighty God and He chose to indwell us. We have the same potential to be as effective for the kingdom as any of the Christians before us or with us. Verses 3-4 read,

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”

There is nothing and nobody who can stand in God’s way of conforming us to His image. He through His great power has given us everything we need to follow Him and live godly lives. Godliness is glorifying Jesus. God chose us, He called us. He didn’t call us so we could live ordinary lives and look like the world. He called us to His own glory! He called us to be like Him. He didn’t call us to mediocracy but to excellence. If some of us are not living extraordinary lives it is because we are not pursuing God, we are not letting Him reform us. He has to revolutionize us before we can revolutionize the world through Him.

The Holy Spirit is indwelled in us. We live by the promise of His seal. We live by the hope of Christ’s resurrection which is our resurrection.  We are no longer part of the world, fallen, and headed for Hell. Because of Jesus we have overcome that. We died to sin, and live in Christ. We partake, join in God’s awesome power. It isn’t some but all of us with the potential to do great things for Jesus.

There is no reason any of us have to live mundane lives. God is awesome and He wants us to live excellent exceptional lives that venerate Christ. In John 14:12-14 Jesus said,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

You see you have the same Lord, the same faith, the same redemption that Peter, Paul, and any of the great heroes of faith have. You were called by the Father. You put your trust in Jesus. You have the Holy Spirit. Start living the God glorifying life of distinction that He made possible for you.

0 Comments

1 Peter 1:1-12 Rejoice in the Eternal, Imperishable, Undefilable, and Unfading Hope of Christ.

3/28/2015

0 Comments

 
1 Peter Chapter 1 Verses 1-12

Peter wrote this letter to Christians scattered across Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, modern Turkey. He calls the believers elect exiles of the Dispersion. Just as in the days of the Old Covenant when Israel was exiled to places that were not the Promised Land, their home, today during the New Covenant  believers are exiles because our Promised Land is Heaven, our home is New Jerusalem and we are exiles among the world. But we are not hopeless. We know where our home is, we know who our family and fellow pilgrims are, and we know who our Lord is. He keeps our citizenship for us. Verse 2 describes believers.

“according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”

Our Father knew us and chose us from the beginning. The Spirit consecrates and purifies us. He makes it possible for us to walk in obedience to Jesus Christ who saved us by His blood. That is wonderful news. And because of that we have hope. Not some distant fantasy, but confidence we live in and with, in the everyday. Because God is with us. He loves us, sanctifies us, and saves us. That is a living hope.

Peter describes that hope beautifully in verses 3-5.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Jesus is alive! His life gives us life. Peter describes eternal life as an inheritance, the legacy or bequest we receive from our Father. Normally to leave an inheritance the father would die, but in this case God rose from the dead and it is through His life that we live and receive eternal life. We died to our previous life, to sin and eternal death and live as new creations, sons of God eternally. Romans 6:8-11 reads,

“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Our salvation, our eternal life is kept safe for us by God. Peter describes it as imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us.  Imperishable means permanent, eternal, and enduring. It cannot be destroyed. Undefiled means pure spotless and unpolluted. It remains perfect. It can’t be corrupted. And unfading means it can’t even lose a little of its richness or vibrancy. And it is being kept in Heaven for us. Not far from us, not for one day but for us now, since we live in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is protected and will remain safe until Jesus is fully revealed in us on The Day when we are in New Jerusalem face to face with Jesus.

That awesome hope, our eternal life, which we live now and it is guarded and protected by The Lord Almighty is what gives us reason to rejoice. Life is messy, hard, and difficult. Tragedy and calamity happen. But because we have Jesus Christ our hope, we can celebrate and be glad though all of it.

Do you realize that the precious treasure of eternal life can actually become more pure, more vibrant, and stronger? It does. It does when we go through the fires of life clinging to our Hope, rejoicing in our Peace, and remaining faithful to our Lord. Can you imagine what the world sees when you go through some awful experience and rather than break and curse God, rather than grumble and whine, you praise the Lord and allow the Spirit to build you, strengthen you, and make you more like Jesus? They see Jesus revealed in you. They hear about the awesome power of God’s Spirit. They see the proof of El Shaddai. And so do you. He becomes more concrete to you. Verses 6-9 say it this way,

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 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, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Think about what an awesome gift salvation is. There is no earning it. There is no buying it. The only way to get it is by the grace of our Father, the blood of Jesus, and the power of the Spirit. It is eternal, guaranteed, and perfect. Eternal life is a wonderful legacy. It is ours now. It can only get better, stronger, and bigger. It is an inheritance that we receive not through our Father’s death but because Jesus lives and brings us out of death. May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Bless the Lord! Praise Him forever. He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He is keeping it safe for us with Him, imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

0 Comments

James 3 What's Down in the Well, Comes up in the Bucket. Don't Let it be Poison.

1/31/2015

0 Comments

 
James Chapter 3

Maurice Switzer said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.” That phrase echoes Proverb 17:28.

“Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;
    when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”


I cannot tell you how many times my yap has not only proven me to be foolish, but mean, jealous, petty, and bitter. If only I would control my tongue, I would stop showing the world the worst of me. Now that I blog and through this blog teach people, and now that I mentor some, it is more important than ever that I use the filter God gave me called a brain and exercise the spiritual fruit of love called self-control.

In the third chapter of James, James addressed the same issue.  Verses 1-2 read,

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”

Believer, whether you set out to teach others or not, you do teach. You follow Christ and the world watches, and they judge. They judge you harshly because you claim Christ, they judge the pastors, the teachers, and church leaders even more severely. As a Christian every negative act you perform, and every negative word you speak is amplified by them so they can justify their non-belief. You and I have a responsibility to speak and act wisely so that what we do and say will not cause others to stumble or reject Jesus.

The tongue is small but powerful. Our words can build or destroy. Our words can encourage, inspire, augment, and increase. But they can more easily discourage, hurt, cut, and diminish. I have been on the receiving end of words that influenced me not to try, or hurt me deeply. I have been the speaker of those terrible words as well. James described the power of words with a few metaphors. He compared the ability to control our tongues to the bit of a horse. When a bit is placed in a horse’s mouth, the rider controls the entire animal. He also likened it to a ship’s rudder, the whole vessel is steered by the small part. We use the tongue to decide which direction we will take a conversation, a lesson, a day, and even a life.

James also compared the control of the tongue to a forest fire.  In 2012 wildfires burned 9,326,238 acres, killed 11 people, and cost millions of dollars in damage. Many wildfires are started with something as small as a dropped cigarette. (CNN, 2014). That is immense damage from one little spark. Our words are that formidable. I can tell you stories of what negative words have done to me. I can share stories of kids being teased so ruthlessly that they committed suicide. I watched a program about a woman driven to such depths of depression from a co-worker’s relentless mocking that she got a gun and shot up a grocery store killing the man who joked with her every day. (Poole, 2015). Words are potent. More potent than we who are careless with them want to think.

Verses 6-8 read,

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

No human being can tame the evil poison tongue. Does that mean we don’t bother? We just say whatever comes to mind whenever we think it? Absolutely not. No human can tame it. But we do not rely on our human nature for our behavior, we rely on the Holy Spirit. He is conforming us to the image of Christ and the consequence of that transformation is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[1] The fruit of our human nature is sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, and debauchery. [2] When we follow our flesh we sin, we speak without love and self-control, we let bitterness take root and grow and sprout out of our mouths causing the terrible damage it will. But with the Holy Spirit our mouth should spring out the fruit consistent with His love. Verses 9-12 read,

“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”

The old saying goes, “What’s down in the well, comes up in the bucket.” And it is true. Your mouth speaks what is in your heart and spirit. If the Spirit is there, unquenched and working, then we will glorify the Lord. If we have quenched Him, then our human nature will speak. In Matthew 12:34-36 Jesus said,

“You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

I cannot tell you how many careless words I have spoken. The amount of damage I have done with my vile tongue is incalculable. We must be vigilant to exercise love and self-control over the weapon of our mouths. We have to be conscientious and choose not to exercise the fruit of the flesh. We have to choose to glorify Christ. Verses 13-18 read,

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Self-control is just as important to the command to love another as any other fruit of the Spirit. It is the characteristic that lords over how we choose to behave. It is the one I too often hear excuses against and sometimes out of my own mouth. “You know how I am!” or likewise. The world may know how you are, but do they know how God is? Do they see Him when they interact with you? They should. We are supposed to exemplify Christ, for the world and for one another. I challenge you to exercise the self-control given to you by the Spirit, and choose to use your words to build, teach, encourage, inspire, and in other ways, love.

Works Cited CNN. (2014, May 16). Wildfire Facts. Retrieved from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/21/us/wildfires-fast-facts/

Poole, T. (2015). Unravled: Supermarket Slaughter. Retrieved from IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4341554/?ref_=tt_eps_cu_n



[1] Galatians 5:22-23


[2] Galatians 5:19-21


0 Comments
<<Previous
    Give to Salt & Light

    Donna Campbell

    As I read the Bible every day, I take what God teaches me, what He says, and write it out. I then share that with you. It gives me a deeper understanding of the Word and I hope that it will encourage you as it does me, to put your love and faith into action.

      Subscribe to Salt & Light Daily

    Submit

    Archives

    September 2020
    August 2020
    September 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    Categories

    All
    1
    12000 Stadia
    1400 Miles Cubed
    1 Kings
    1 Peter
    1 Samuel
    1 Thessaloians
    1 Timothy
    260 Days
    2 Chronicles
    2 Kings
    2 Peter
    2 Samuel
    2 Thessalonians
    2 Timothy
    450 Prophets
    5 Senses
    666
    Aaron
    Abba
    Abel
    Abide
    Abigail
    Abimelech
    Abishai
    Abner
    Abomination
    Abraham
    Abram
    Absalom
    Abundant Life
    Accountability
    Accuser
    Action
    Adam
    Admonish
    Adonai
    Adonijah
    Adoption
    Adultery
    Advocate
    After God's Own Heart
    Age Of Accountability
    Agnostics
    Ahab
    Ahasurerus
    Ahaz
    Ahaziah
    Ahimelech
    A Little Lower Than The Angels
    All Have Sinned
    All Things Created
    All Things Work Together For Good
    Almighty
    Altar
    Amaziah
    Amen
    Ammonites
    Ammonites.
    Amnon
    Amon
    And Moses?
    Andrea Barringer
    Andrew
    And The Life
    And The Life.
    And The Truth
    Angels
    Anger
    Angie Majewski
    Anna Bonet
    Annoint
    Annointed
    Anoint
    Anointed
    Anointing
    Antichrist
    Antichrists
    Anti-Semitism
    Anxiety
    Apocalypse
    Apostle
    Apostle Of Love
    Apple
    Apple Of My Eye
    Approval
    Arguments
    Ark
    Ark Of The Covenant
    Armor
    Armor Of God
    Army
    Aroma
    Arrest
    Arrogance
    Artaxerxes
    Asaph
    Asceticism
    As God Is My Witness
    Asher
    Asherah
    Ask
    Ask And You Will Receive
    Ask Anything
    Assyria
    As The Deer
    Astrology
    Athaliah
    Atheists
    Athlete
    Attack
    Audio
    Audio Devotional
    Authority
    Avenge
    Avenger
    Awake
    Awesome
    Axe Head
    Azariah
    Baal
    Baal-zebub
    Babel
    Baby Food
    Babylon
    Babylon The Great
    Bad Boss
    Balaam
    Bald
    Banner
    Baptism
    Baptize
    Bathsheba
    Beacon
    Bear Iniquity
    Bear One Another's Burdens
    Beast
    Beatitudes
    Beauty
    Beauty For Ashes
    Become Like Children
    Be Doers
    Be Fruitful And Multiply
    Began A Good Work In You
    Behavior
    Be Holy As I Am Holy
    Beleive
    Belief
    Believe
    Beloved
    Ben-hadad
    Benjamin
    Be Silent And Be Thought A Fool
    Be Still And Know I Am God
    Bethel
    Betrayal
    Better Is One Day
    Bias
    Bible
    Bible Devotional
    Bible Study
    Black Lives Matter
    Blame
    Blameless
    Blasphemy
    Blasphemy Against The Holy Spirit
    Bless
    Blessed
    Blessing
    Blessings
    Bless Those Who Curse You
    Blind
    BLM
    Blood
    Blood Moon
    Boast In Christ
    Boast In Weakness
    Body Of Christ
    Bondservant
    Bones
    Borders
    Born Again
    Boss
    Boston Dad
    Bowls
    Branch
    Branches
    Bread
    Bread Of Life
    Breath
    Breathe
    Breathe Of Life
    Breath Of God
    Breath Of Life
    Breath Prayer
    Bride
    Bridegroom
    Bride Of Christ
    Bridle The Tongue
    Broken
    Broken Heart
    Brotherhood
    Brotherhood Of Man
    Brothers Of Jesus
    Burial
    Burnt Offering
    Burn Weapons
    Busy
    Busyness
    Bystanders
    By This They Will Know
    Caiaphas
    Cain
    Call On Jesus
    Call On Jesus Name
    Call On The Name Of The Lord
    Canaan
    Can't Be Good Enough
    Can't Earn Salvaiton
    Can't Serve Two Masters
    Captivity
    Cast Lots
    Cave
    Censer
    Chaff
    Chariots Of Fire
    Charity
    Cheerful Giver
    Cherished
    Cherub
    Cherubim
    Childbirth
    Child Of God
    Children
    Children Of God
    Child Sacrifice
    Choose
    Choose Life
    Chosen
    Christ
    Christian Gould
    Christianity
    Church
    Circumcision
    Circumcision Of The Heart
    Cities Of Refuge
    Citizens
    Citizens Of Heaven
    City Of David
    City Of God
    City On A Hill
    Clap
    Clean
    Clean Heart
    Cleansed
    Clothes
    Cloven
    Coexist
    Colossians
    Come
    Comfort
    Comforter
    Commandments
    Commentary
    Communion
    Community
    Compassion
    Complete
    Condemnation
    Confess
    Confession
    Confess Your Sins To One Another
    Confident
    Conform
    Conformed
    Conqueror
    Conquest
    Consciousness
    Constantly
    Contend For The Faith
    Content
    Contentment
    Continuously
    Copper
    Copper Toxicity
    Cord
    Cornerstone
    Courage
    Courts
    Covenant
    Cover
    Covet
    Covid
    Created
    Create In Me A Clean Heart
    Creation
    Creation Declares The Glory Of God
    Creator
    Crocodile
    Crop
    Crown Of Life
    Crowns
    Crucifixion
    Cry Out To God
    Culture
    Cup
    Cup Of Blood
    Cup Of Wrath
    Curse
    Curses
    Curses To Blessings
    Cutting A Covenant
    Cyrus
    Daniel
    Dark
    Darkness
    David
    Davidic Covenant
    Davidic Line
    Day Of Atonement
    Day Of Fire
    Day Of Judgment
    Day Of Wrath
    Deacon
    Dead
    Dead To The Law
    Death
    Deborah
    Decapolis
    Deceiver
    Decieved
    Deciever
    Deed
    Defend The Gospel
    Defile
    Defined
    Definition
    Delight
    Deliverer
    Demetrius
    Demon
    Demons
    Denial
    Denied
    Denise Hogan
    Deny
    Dependance
    Desires Of The Flesh
    Desires Of Your Heart
    Desperate
    Deuteronomy
    Devil
    Devotional
    Devour
    Didymus
    Die For Christ
    Diet
    Dioko
    Dioko Agape
    Diotrephes
    Disagreements
    Disappointment
    Discernment
    Disciple
    Disciples
    Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
    Discipline
    Divergent
    Divorce
    Doeg
    Doers Of The Law
    Does God Punish Evil
    Do Good
    Dominion
    Do Not Be Afraid
    Do Not Be Afraid Of Bad News
    Do Not Despise Prophecies
    Do Not Eat Blood
    Do Not Fear
    Do Not Judge
    Do Not Slander
    Do Not Speak Evil
    Do Not Worry
    Don't Reciprocate The Hate
    Door
    Doubt
    Doubting
    Dove
    Do What Jesus Did
    Dragon
    Draw Near To God
    Drink
    Drink From The Cup
    Drought
    Dung
    Dust
    Dwell
    Dwelling Place
    Eagle
    Eagles Wings
    Earth
    Earthquake
    Easter
    Eat
    Ed
    Edify
    Edom
    Eggs
    Egypt
    Elders
    Elect
    Election
    Eliakam
    Eliakim
    Elijah
    Elisha
    Elohim
    El Roi
    Elsiha
    Emery
    Emmanuel
    Empty Tomb
    Encouragement
    End Times
    Endure
    Enemies
    Enemy
    Enlarge
    Enoch
    Envy
    Eostre
    Ephesians
    Ephesians 3:20
    Ephesus
    Ephod
    Equality
    Equipped
    Equity
    Eric Vaughn Floyd
    Esau
    Eschatology
    Esther
    Eternal Gospel
    Eternal Life
    Eternity
    Ethos
    Eunuchs
    Euphrates
    Evangelism
    Eve
    Every Good And Perfect Thing
    Every Knee Shall Bow Every Tongue Confess
    Evidence
    Evil
    Evil For Good
    Evil-merodach
    Evil One
    Evil Triumphs When Good Men Do Nothing
    Exalt
    Example
    Exercise
    Exhort
    Exiles
    Exodus
    Expanded Consciousness
    Extraordinary Life
    Eye For An Eye
    Ezekiel
    Face Of God
    Faith
    Faithful
    Faith Like A Child
    Faith Not Sight
    Faith Not Works
    Faith Of A Mustard Seed
    Faith Without Works
    Fall
    False
    False Altar
    False Doctrine
    False Prophet
    False Prophets
    False Religion
    False Teachers
    Famine
    Fan Into Flame
    Farmer
    Fasting
    Fat
    Father
    Father God
    Father Of Lies
    Father's Business
    Favor
    Fear
    Feast
    Feast Of Booths
    Feast Of Tabernacles
    Feed
    Feed My Sheep
    Feeling Alone
    Feet
    Fellowship
    Fellow Worker
    Fight The Good Fight
    Filled
    Filthy Rags
    Fire
    First Beast
    Firstborn
    Firstborn Of All Creation
    Firstfruits
    First Sacrifice
    Fish
    Fishing
    Flaming Torch
    Flash Mob
    Flesh
    Flint
    Flood
    Flour And Oil
    Follow
    Follow Christ
    Follow Me
    Food
    Foolish
    Fools
    Forehead
    Foreign
    Forgive
    Forgiven
    Forgiveness
    Forgive One Another
    Forgive Them They Know Not What They Do
    Forgivness
    Forgotten
    Forhead
    Formed
    Forsaken
    For The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength
    Fortress
    Fortune Teller
    Forty Days
    Foundation
    Four Blood Moons
    Four Horsemen
    Four Living Creatures
    Fourteen Years
    Fragrance
    Frank Miller
    Freedom
    Freedom In Christ
    Friend
    Friend Of God
    Friendship
    Fringe
    Frogs
    From The Sea
    Fruit
    Fruit Of The Spirit
    Fruit Of The Sprit
    Fulfilled
    Full
    Future
    Gad
    Gaius
    Galatians
    Garden
    Garment
    Gehazi
    Generational Curse
    Generations
    Generous
    Genesis
    Genesis 50:20
    Genuine
    George Floyd
    Gethsemane
    Ghost
    Giant
    Giants
    Gift
    Gifts
    Gifts Of The Spirit
    G.I. Joe
    Gilgal
    Give
    Giving
    Glad
    Glorify
    Glory
    Glory Of God
    Glory Of The Lord
    Glory To Glory
    Glynda Gordon
    God
    God Almighty
    God Cares
    God Comes To Us
    God Disciplines Those He Loves
    God Doesn't Need
    God Doesn't Want Any To Perish
    God Hears
    God Hears Prayer
    God Hides His Face
    God Is Good
    God Is Light
    God Is Love
    God Is One
    God Is Peace
    God Is With Us
    God Is With You
    God Knows You
    God Loves You
    God Of Angel Armies
    God Of Hosts
    God Of Truth
    Gods
    God's Glory
    God's Image
    God's Law
    God's Nature
    God's Rest
    God's Ways Are Higher
    God's Will
    God Wants Everyone To Be Saved
    God Wants Good For You
    God Will Never Forsake You
    God With Us
    God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle
    God Works All Things
    Gog
    Golden Calf
    Goliath
    Gomorrah
    Gone With The Wind
    Good
    Good Shepherd
    Good Works
    Gospel
    Gospel According To Shopping
    Government
    Grace
    Grace Is Sufficient
    Gracious
    Grain Offering
    Great Commission
    Greater Works
    Greatest Commandment
    Great Tribulation
    Grief
    Guard
    Guilt
    Guilt Offering
    Hades
    Hagar
    Ham
    Haman
    Hand Him Over To Satan
    Hanged On A Tree
    Hanukkah
    Hanun
    Happiness
    Happy
    Harry Rubi
    Harvest
    Hate
    Haters
    Hazael
    Head Of The Body
    Healer
    Healing
    Heart
    Heart Of Flesh
    Heart Of Spirit
    Heart Of Stone
    Heaven
    Heavens Declare The Glory Of God
    Hebrews
    Hebrews 13:5
    Hebrews 4:12
    He First Loved Us
    Heirs
    Hell
    Help
    Helper
    Heman The Ezrahite
    Hero
    Herod
    Heroes
    He Who Began A Good Work
    Hezekiah
    Hidden In The Shadow Of Your Wing
    Hidden Manna
    Hide My Face
    Hides His Face
    High Priest
    High Priestly Prayer
    Hold Your Peace
    Holiness
    Holy
    Holy City
    Holy Hill
    Holy One
    Holy Spirit
    Home
    Homosexual
    Honey
    Honor
    Honor Your Mother And Father
    Hope
    Hope Deferred
    Hopeless
    Horn
    Horn Of Salvation
    Horns Of The Altar
    Hosea 6:6
    House
    House Of David
    House Of God
    How Deep Were The Waters Of The Flood?
    How Do I Please God
    How Majestic Is Your Name
    How To Pray
    Humble
    Humilation
    Humility
    Humilty
    Hunger
    Husbands
    I AM
    I Am Statements Of Jesus
    I Am The Way
    I Can Do All Things
    Identity In Christ
    Idle
    Idleness
    Idolatry
    Idols
    If God Is For Us
    If You Were Arrested For Being A Christian Would There Be Enough Evidence To Convict You?”
    Ignorance
    Image Of Christ
    Image Of God
    Image Of Invisible God
    Image Of The Beast
    Imitate God
    Imitate Jesus
    Imitate Me
    Impartiality
    Imperishable
    Incense
    Indwell
    Inheritance
    In Jesus Name
    Injustice
    In My Name
    Inner
    Insomnia
    In Spirit And In Truth
    Intercessor
    In The World
    In The World Not Of It
    In The World Not Of The World
    Intimacy
    Invisible
    Invitation
    Isaac
    Isaiah
    Isaiah 55:11
    Isaiah 61:1 3
    Isaiah 61:1-3
    Ish-bosheth
    Ishmael
    Israel
    Issachar
    Is The LORD The Only God
    I-theism
    It Is Finsihed
    It's Not Fair
    Jabez
    Jael
    James
    James 3:1
    James 4:8
    Japheth
    Jars Of Clay
    Jealous
    Jean Piaget
    Jehoachin
    Jehoahaz
    Jehoash
    Jehoiada
    Jehoiakim
    Jehoram
    Jehoshaphat
    Jehosheba
    Jehovah
    Jehu
    Jeoahaz
    Jeremiah 29:11
    Jericho
    Jeroboam
    Jerusalem
    Jesus
    Jesus Calls You Friend
    Jesus Christ
    Jesus Is God
    Jesus Is Lord
    Jesus Is The Armor Of God
    Jesus Is The Life
    Jesus Is The Same Yesterday Today And Forever
    Jesus Is The Truth
    Jesus Is The Way
    Jesus Is The Word Of God
    Jesus Loves You
    Jesus Name
    Jesus' Name
    Jesus' Sake
    Jesus Slept
    Jewish Baptism
    Jezebel
    Jim Barringer
    Joab
    Joah
    Joash
    Job
    Joel
    John
    John 14:12
    John 15:12
    John 16:33
    John 3:16
    John 8:12
    John Hagee
    John Reeve
    John The Baptist
    Jonah
    Jonathan
    Joram
    Jordan
    Joseph
    Joseph Of Arimethea
    Joshua
    Josiah
    Joy
    Jubilee
    Judah
    Judas
    Jude
    Judge
    Judgement
    Judges
    Judge With Right Judgment
    Judgment
    Judgment Day
    Just
    Justice
    Kab
    Key
    Kill
    Kindness
    King
    Kingdom
    Kingdom Of God
    Kingdom Of Heaven
    King Of Kings
    Kings
    Kings And Queens
    Knock
    Knock And The Door Will Be Opened
    Know God
    Knowing Is Half The Battle
    Knowledge
    Kosher
    Lake Of Fire
    Lamb
    Lamb Of God
    Lamech
    Lamp
    Lampstand
    Land
    Language
    Lani Campbell
    Laodicea
    Last Day
    Last Hour
    Last Woe
    Law
    Law Brings Sin
    Law Of Christ
    Lazarus
    Laziness
    Leader
    Leaven
    Legalism
    Legion
    Legs
    Leprosy
    Let It Go
    Let My Mouth Speak The Glory Of God
    Levi
    Leviticus
    Liar
    Libertarian
    Liberty
    Lie
    Lies
    Life
    Life Abundantly
    Life After Death
    Life Of Worship
    Light
    Lighthouse
    Light Of The World
    Lion
    Lioness
    Lion Of Judah
    Listen
    Live And Let Die
    Live And Let Live
    Live For Christ
    Live Out Loud
    Living Sacrifice
    Living Water
    Locust
    Lodowick Muggleton
    Logos
    Lois And Eunice
    Loosed In Heaven
    Lord
    Lord Of Hosts
    Lord Of Lords
    Lord's Name
    Lord's Name In Vain
    Lord's Prayer
    Lord's Supper
    Lost
    Lot
    Love
    Love Abound
    Love Covers A Multitude Of Sins
    Love Feast
    Love In Action
    Love In Truth
    Love One Another
    Love One Another As Jesus Loved
    Love Others As Jesus Loves You
    Love Out Loud
    Love The Lord With All Your Heart Soul Mind And Strength
    Love Those Who Persecute
    Love Your Brother
    Love Your Enemies
    Love Your Neighbor
    Luke
    Lukewarm
    Magog
    Majestic
    Makarios
    Make
    Malachi
    Malachi 3:10
    Male Child
    Man
    Manasseh
    Manifest
    Manna
    Manslaughter
    Manure
    Mark
    Mark Of The Beast
    Marks Of A Christian
    Marriage
    Martha
    Martyrs
    Mary
    Mary And Martha
    Mary Magdalene
    Mask
    Maskil
    Mattaniah
    Matthew
    Matthew 18 Church Politics
    Matthew 5:1 12
    Matthew 5:1-12
    Matthew 6:33
    Mature
    Maturity
    May His Face Shine Upon Us
    Meal
    Meat
    Mediator
    Meditate
    Meditation
    Medium
    Meek
    Melchizedek
    Members Of One Another
    Memorial
    Memorial Offering
    Menorah
    Menses
    Mephibosheth
    Merciful
    Mercy
    Mercy Seat
    Merri Trifiro
    Messiah
    Messianic Prophecy
    Mezuzzah
    Micaiah
    Michal
    Might
    Mighty Angel
    Miktam
    Mind
    Mindfulness
    Mind Of Christ
    Ministry
    Miracles
    Miriam
    Mishael And Elzaphan
    Mission
    Missionaries
    Moab
    Moabites
    Moabites And The Ammonites.
    Money
    Mordecai
    More And More
    More Than Conquerors
    Mormon
    Morning
    Morning Star
    Moses
    Mother Ann Lee
    Mother Of Prostitutes And Of Earth's Abominations
    Mount Horeb
    Mount Seir
    Mount Zion
    Mourn
    Mourning
    Muggletonians
    Murder
    Mute
    My Father's House
    Mystery
    Mystery Of Christ
    Mystery Of God
    Mystery Of Godliness
    Mystery Of The Gospel
    Mysticism
    Naaman
    Nabal
    Naboth
    Nadab And Abihu
    Name
    Names Of God
    Naphtali
    Nathan
    Nathaniel
    Nation
    Nations
    Natural Disasters
    Nature
    Nature Of Christ
    Nebuchadnezzar
    Necromancer
    Negative
    Neighbor
    Never Go Hungry
    New Creation
    New Earth
    New Heart
    New Heaven
    New Identity
    New Jerusalem
    New Life
    New Name
    New Self
    New Song
    New-spirit
    Nicodemus
    No
    Noah
    Nob
    No Broken Bones
    No Condemnation
    No Sin In Christ
    No Tears In Heaven
    Nothing Can Separate You From The Love Of God
    Nothing Is Impossible For God
    Nothing Is Sin
    Not Iscariot
    Not Just My Mout
    Now You Know
    Number Of His Name
    Oath
    Obadiah
    Obama
    Obedience
    Obey
    Obey In Marriage
    October 21st 2015
    Offend
    Offering
    Offerings
    O God
    Oholah
    Oholibah
    Oil
    Oil Of Gladness
    Older
    Olive Trees
    Omnipresent
    On Account Of My Name
    One Another
    One Body
    One Faith
    One God
    One God Three Persons
    One Gospel
    One Lord
    Oneness
    One Spirit
    One Truth
    One With God
    Outdo One Another In Showing Honor
    Overcome
    Overcomer
    Pads
    Paganism
    Pain
    Palm
    Palm Sunday
    Parable
    Parable Of The Talents
    Parapet
    Partiality
    Partners
    Passion
    Passion Week
    Passover
    Past
    Pastor
    Patience
    Paul
    Peace
    Peacemakers
    Peace Offering
    Peace Of God
    Peace Which Surpasses Understanding
    Peace With God
    Pearls Before Swine
    Peculiar
    Peculiar People
    Peirced
    Penn Jillette
    Pentecost
    Perfect
    Perfected
    Perfect Love Casts Out Fear
    Perfume
    Persecuted
    Persecution
    Perseverence
    Perspective
    Pestilence
    Peter
    Pharaoh
    Pharisees
    Philemon
    Philippians
    Philippians 3:20
    Philippians 4:13
    Philippians 4:7
    Phillip
    Philosophy
    Pierced
    Pigs
    Pilate
    Pillar
    Plan
    Plans
    Poison
    Polycarp
    Poop
    Poor
    Poor In Spirit
    Portent
    Positive
    Possible
    Pour Out His Spirit
    Power
    Power In Their Mouths
    Power In Their Tails
    Praise
    Pray
    Pray Continuously
    Prayer
    Prayer Of A Righteous Man
    Prayer Of A Righteous Person
    Pray For Kings Presidents Rulers
    Pray For Those
    Pray Watchfully
    Pray Without Ceasing
    Preach
    Preach The Gospel
    Predestined
    Prejudice
    Prepared
    Presence
    Pride
    Priest
    Priesthood
    Priests
    Priests At Nob
    Prince
    Prince Of The Power Of The Air
    Prison
    Prisoner
    Prisoners Of War
    Private
    Problems
    Prohibition
    Promise
    Promised Land
    Promises
    Proof
    Prophecy
    Prophesy
    Prophet
    Propitiation
    Propser
    Prosperity
    Prostitute
    Protect
    Protector
    Proverbs
    Provision
    Prowling Lion
    Prune
    Pruning
    Psalm
    Psalm 119
    Psalm 23
    Psalm 34:8
    Psalm 37:4
    Psalm 91
    Psalms
    Psychic
    Punish
    Pure
    Pure In Heart
    Pure Of Heart
    Purity
    Purple
    Purpose
    Pursue
    Pursue Love
    Put Off Your Old Self
    Put On Christ
    Quarrels
    Queen
    Queen Of Sheba
    Quiet
    Rabbit
    Racism
    Radical
    Rain
    Raise From The Dead
    Rape
    Read
    Reap
    Receive
    Receiving
    Reconcile
    Redeemer
    Redemption
    Reflect
    Reflection
    Refuge
    Rehoboam
    Rejoice
    Rejoice In Suffering
    Relationship
    Religion
    Remain Silent And Be Thought A Fool
    Remember
    Render Unto Caesar
    Renewed
    Repent
    Resist
    Resist The Devil
    Ressurected
    Ressurection
    Rest
    Restoration
    Resurrected
    Resurrection
    Revelation
    Revenge
    Rich
    Richard Ruiz
    Riches
    Rich Young Ruler
    Rider On A Black Horse
    Rider On A Pale Horse
    Rider On A Red Horse
    Righteous
    Righteous Deeds
    Righteousness
    River Of Life
    Rivers Of Living Water
    Roaring Lion
    Rob
    Robbery
    Robe
    Robert Gordon
    Rock
    Rod And Staff
    Roman Road To Salvation
    Romans
    Romans 8:1
    Romans 8:28 29
    Romans 8:28-29
    Royal
    Royal Priesthood
    Ruth
    Sabaoth
    Sabbath
    Sabbatical Year
    Sacrifice
    Salt
    Salt And Light
    Salt Of The Earth
    Salvation
    Samaria
    Samaritan
    Samuel
    Sanctification
    Sanctified
    Sanhedrin
    Santa Claus
    Sarah
    Sarai
    Sardis
    Satan
    Saul
    Saved
    Saved By Christ
    Saved By Grace
    Saved By Jesus' Work Not Yours
    Savior
    Sayings
    Say No
    Scarlet
    Scoffers
    Scorching Sun
    Scripture
    Scroll
    Seal
    Sealed
    Sea Of Cast Metal
    Search Me
    Seasoned With Grace
    Second Beast
    Second Coming
    Security
    Seed
    See God
    Seek
    Seek And You Will Find
    Seek First The Kingdom Of God
    Seek God
    Self Control
    Self-control
    Self-discipline
    Self Righteous
    Self-sufficient
    Semen
    Separate
    Separated From God
    Seperate
    September 27th 2015
    Sermon On The Mount
    Serpent
    Serpent's Stone
    Servant
    Serve
    Seth
    Seven
    Seven Bowls
    Seven Plagues
    Seven Spirits
    Seven Stars
    Seventh Seal
    Seventh Trumpet
    Seven Thunders
    Seven Years
    Sex
    Sexual Immorality
    Shadow Of Your Wings
    Shakers
    Shame
    Shammah
    Share Your Faith
    She Bear
    Shebna
    Sheep
    Shem
    Sheol
    Shepherd
    Shield
    Shield Of Faith
    Shofar
    Shout
    Showbread
    Shulammite
    Shunammite
    Signs
    Silence
    Silent
    Simon
    Simon The Magician
    Simple Truth
    Sin
    Sinless
    Sin Nature
    Sin No More
    Sin Offering
    Sins
    Sin That Leads To Death
    Sister
    Sixth Trumpet
    Slave
    Slavery
    Smoking Pot
    Smyrna
    Snatch From Hell
    Sodom
    Soldier
    Soldiers
    Solid Food
    Solomon
    Son
    Song Of Moses
    Son Of God
    Sons
    Sons Andd Daughters
    Sons Of God
    Sons Of Korah
    Sons Of The Prophets
    Sons Of Thunder
    Sons Pay For Father's Sin
    Soon
    Sores
    Sorrow
    Sound Doctrine
    Sound Mind
    Soup
    Sour Grapes
    Sovereign
    Sow
    Speak And Remove All Doubt
    Speak Evil
    Spirit
    Spirit Filled
    Spirit Of Courage
    Spirit Of Fear
    Spirit Of God
    Spirit Of Life
    Spirit Of Power
    Spirit Of Truth
    Spiritual Gifts
    Spirituality
    Spiritual Milk
    Spiritual Warfare
    Stand
    Stand Fast
    Stands At The Door And Knocks
    Starvation
    Stay Awake
    Steadfast
    Steadfastness
    Stealing
    Stew
    Stewardship
    Storm
    Straight And Narrow
    Strait And Narrow
    Strength
    Strong
    Stronghold
    Struggles
    Stumbling Block
    Submission
    Submit
    Submit To One Another
    Such A Time As This
    Suffer
    Suffering
    Suffering Produces Character
    Suicide
    Sunday
    Supernatural
    Support
    Sustainer
    Swear
    Sword
    Sword Of The Spirit
    Syria
    Tabernacle
    Tamar
    Tampons
    Tarot
    Tassels
    Taste And See That The Lord Is Good
    Teacher
    Teachers
    Teaching
    Tears In Heaven
    Tempation
    Temple Of God
    Temptation
    Ten Commandments
    Ten Nations
    Tent
    Ten Tribes
    Ten Virgins
    Test
    Testimony
    Testing
    Thanksgiving
    Thanksgivng
    The Day Of The Lord
    The Devil Prowls Like A Roaring Lion
    The Devil Wears Prada
    The End
    The Enemy
    The Eye Is The Lamp Of The Body
    The Fool Says
    The God Who Sees Me
    The Joy Of The Lord
    The Lamb Is The Lamp
    The Lord Is Our Righteousness
    The Lord Is There
    The Love Of Money
    The Love Of Money Is A Root Of All Kinds Of Evils
    The Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Kinds Of Evil
    There Is A Time
    "There Is No God."
    The Rider On A White Horse
    The Testimony Of Jesus Is The Spirit Of Prophecy
    The Truth
    The Truth Will Set You Free
    The Way
    The World Will Hate You
    Thief In The Night
    Thirst
    Thomas
    Thoughts
    Thousand Generations
    Thousand Years
    Thou Shalt Not Covet
    Three
    Three Fold
    Three-Fold
    Throne Of God
    Through Him Who Strengthens Me
    Time
    Time Alone
    Timothy
    Tithe
    Titus
    Tolerance
    Tomb
    Tongue
    Tongues
    To The Third And Fourth Generaton
    Traits Of God
    Trample The Enemy
    Transform
    Transformation
    Transparent
    Treason
    Treasure
    Treasure In Heaven
    Tree
    Tree Of Knowledge Of Good And Evil
    Tree Of Life
    Trial
    Trials
    Tribulation
    Tribulations
    Trinity
    Trip
    Triumphant
    Triumphant Entry
    Troubles
    True
    True Beauty
    True Vine
    Trumpet
    Trust
    Truth
    Tsid-Kenu
    Turn The Other Cheek
    TV
    Twin
    Two Edged Sword
    Two Horns Like A Lamb
    Two Or Three Witnesses
    Two Witnesses
    Type Of Christ
    Tyrant
    Unclean
    Undefiled
    Unequally Yoked
    Unfading
    Unfair
    Union
    United
    Unity
    Universe
    Unleavened
    Unrepentant
    Unseen
    Uriah
    Uzza
    Uzzah
    Uzziah
    Valley Of Bones
    Vanessa Giorgi
    Vashti
    Veil
    Vengeance
    Vengeance Is Mine
    Veruca Salt
    Very Present Help
    Vessels
    Victory
    Video
    Vindicate
    Vindication
    Vine
    Vinedresser
    Vineyard
    Vipers
    Vow
    Vows
    Wages Of Sin Is Death
    Wait
    Walk
    Walk According To The Spirit
    Walk In The Light
    Walk In Truth
    Walk On Water
    War
    Warrior King
    Wash
    Washed By The Blood
    Watchful
    Water
    Water Of Life
    Way
    Weak
    Weaker Vessel
    Wealth
    Weary
    Weather
    Wedding
    Wedding Feast
    Wedding Garment
    Weeping
    Well With You
    Were There Blood Sacrifices Before Abraham
    What Does God Want
    What Does Seven Mean In The Bible
    What Does Three Mean In The Bible
    What Is God's Will?
    What Is The Will Of God?
    What's Down In The Well
    Wheat And Chaff
    Wheat And Tares
    Wheat And Weeds
    When God Says No
    Where Grace Abounds
    Where Two Or Three Are Gathered
    While We Were Still Sinners
    Whisper
    White
    Whitewash
    White Wash
    Who Can Be Against Us
    Whoever Believes In Me
    Who Is God
    Who Opens And No One Will Shut
    Whore
    Why
    Why Did Noah Take 7 Pairs Of Clean Animals On The Ark?
    Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen
    Why Do Evil Men Prosper
    Widow
    Widows
    Widows And Orphans
    Wife
    Wilderness
    Will
    Wind
    Windex
    Wine
    Winepress
    Wisdom
    Witch Of En-dor
    Withdraw
    Witness
    Wives
    Wives Submit To Your Husbands
    Woe
    Woman
    Wood
    Word
    Word Is A Lamp
    Word Of God
    Words
    Workmanship
    Works
    Works Of The Flesh
    World
    Worries
    Worship
    Worship In Spirit And In Truth
    Worthy
    Wounds
    Wrarfare
    Wrath
    Wrath Of The Lamb
    Xerxes
    Year Of Jubilee
    Year Of The Sabbath
    Yeast
    Yes
    Yoke
    YOLO
    Young
    Zeal
    Zebulun
    Zedekiah
    Zephaniah
    Ziba
    Zion
    Zoltar

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.