Real Christian discussion

Happy March, everyone!! :)

I don't have much time, but I wanted to get this thread up & going before I forgot about it..... again. ;P

I'm going to stick with the schedule from last month if that's okay with everyone. If it's not, please just shoot me a message and let me know and I'll take care of any changes that need to be made.

Thank you all again for your willingness to contribute to the group in this way. I know I'm not speaking only for myself when I say that all y'all do is very appreciated! :)

** SCHEDULE **
- Sunday: Lee
- Monday: Rita Faye
- Tuesday: C. Read
- Wednesday: Robert
- Thursday: Arniegamilong
- Friday: ______
- Saturday: S.M.

New to the group, but can I do Wednesday's devotional?

Robert wrote: "New to the group, but can I do Wednesday's devotional?"

If you would like to- sure! I'll add you to the schedule.
And welcome to the group! :)

Won't Stop Me- Jermaine Edwards (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uETOZ... )

Lord I will always keep You in my heart
Cause nothing or no one can take You away from me (mee…)
I’d rather sell everything that I have
Than sell my soul for an idol won’t be deceived (won’t be deceived)

Lord You never said it would be easy
Taking this narrow road journey
I see them run fast but end up lost
Cause they didn’t take the time to hear Your voice

I see them mocking ha and laughing
It’s a pity never saw it coming
Stiff necks with hearts of stone
But one day the truth must be told

Chorus
Ah, ah, ah
Lord I will always praise You
Oh, oh, oh
I just love and adore you
They can call me a fool but that won’t stop me
Stop me from loving You (repeat)

Lord You never say carrying this cross was gonna be easy
Staying in the Spirit so satan cannot deceive me
Your word is my meditation
I’m gonna stand through persecution

Blinded by the things that want to take me from You
Corrupt my mind with the things I shouldn’t do
I walked away and they call me a fool
But Lord to You I only stay true yeah

Chorus

Bridge
Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh Lord
You’re the reason why I’m alive today yeah
Whoa, oh, oh
For this I have to give You praise yeah, yeah
Guide me on this journey
Please don’t leave me Lord
Don’t leave me Lord (repeat

Hello Everyone!
I missed being here, but I thank you for praying for us regarding the earthquake that hit near my brother's place. The Lord has been so gracious! To God be the glory!

This is a Devotional for Thursday:
Proverbs 14:34
"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."
Psalm 51:11-12
"Create in me a clean heart, O God;and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy right spirit."

The SAD effects of sin for the Christian:
1. SORROW:
When King David, a man after God's own heart commited a great sin of aldultery with Bathsheba, he tried to cover it up by the death of Uriah and marrying her. But the Lord knows, and He sent Prophet Nathan to confront him, and when he heard the story about the rich man oppressing the poor man he got enraged to the richman and that was the time he heard the Prophet saying, "Thou art that man" and so David knew, and so we got Psalm 51... "...Restore to me the joy of thy salvation." The happiest people in the world should be Christians walking in the True Light in Jesus! But in case the Christian commits sin, he becomes a mesirable man, he will loose the joy of his salvation.

2. ANXIETY:
Worries bring imaginary problems and baseless burdens, because it is usually about things that did not happen yet. Then it can also result to doubts and fear which can be paralizing for our service and worship to the Lord. That's why our Lord Jesus Christ said that "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
The best solution for Anxiety is Prayer Philippians 4:6-7, BUT... how can we pray if we harbor sin in our hearts just as Psalm 66:18-"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." the Lord will not entertain our prayers if we have sinned. That's why even how much we pray, anxiety will remain in our hearts unless we settle the SIN issue.

3.DISCIPLINE:
Proverbs 3:11-12
Hebrews 12:5- 11
We parents discipline our children when they commit mistakes because we love them and we do not want them to keep on doing the things that may destroy their own lives. The Lord disciplines us when we commit sin, and His discipline is not something we can take lightly because it is always just and he do it as we deserve. We can not enjoy God's chastizement because it means to hurt us in such a way that we should learn our lessons. Discipline always hurts.

It is always a SAD thing to fall into sin!
S-orrow
A-nxiety
D-iscipline
Praise the Lord because He gave us the solution for sin, as David did ; 1 John 1:9 - " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." He forgives!
But the best thing we need to strive hard as hard as we can is to keep ourselves pure in the sight of God and man. We can only do that by waliking in the True Light in Jesus!

May we will remain strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!
Blessings to all Real Christians!

Amen. Great Devotion Arnie. Thankfully we are no longer under the law, but under grace.

2 March 2017

Hi Pastor Arnie,

I loved reading your devotional! I agree with everything you said. And may we all strive to walk with God in holiness! And it IS only by God's grace (His favor upon our lives) that we can do it.

God bless you and your loved ones my dear brother!

With the love of Christ,
C.

I would like to share one of the chapters you mentioned above.

Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.

Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

Hebrews 12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

Hebrews 12:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

Hebrews 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven:

Hebrews 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire."

Saturday's Lenten Devotional - This comes from "The Little Black Book" - a book of six minute devotionals on the Passion according to John. Available at www.littlebooks.org

So Jesus asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus the Nazorean." Jesus answered, "I told you that I AM." So if you are looking for me, let these men go." This was to fulfill what he had said, "I have not lost any of those you gave me."

Here is another major difference in John's account of the Passion: The disciples do not flee when Jesus is arrested. Instead, Jesus negotiates their release: "So if you are looking for me, let these men go."

John is in tune with the other three Gospels insofar as the disciples are not present during the rest of the Passion. But John casts their absence in a different light. He knew that Jesus cared for his disciples and was protective of them, and that it really was okay with Jesus that the disciples didn't stay with him after he was arrested. So he dramatizes it here by having Jesus say it is okay for them to go.

Jesus is always - always, mind you - on my side. Which is to say, he wants only goodness for me, like parents with their children.

Let me picture Jesus with open arms to embrace me.
Now.
Sins and all.

Good devotion S.M. I was a little confused but I got what you were trying to say.

James 5: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

I understand this verse to mean that, if we pray faithfully, earnestly and diligently, our prayers can save the sick.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)

"And the Lord shall rise him up . . ." to me is saying that with God, sicknesses will be cured and health restored because 'they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strengths. They shall mount up with wings like an eagle'

"and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." When/ Because we accept Christ as our Saviour we died with Him when He died upon the Christ. Likewise, we rose with Him upon His resurrection. Because of this we are new creations, we've put away the old man, we have become new. "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)

Romans 8:1 says "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Can you imagine that? We, filthy, liars, thieves, covetous, conniving set of people because of accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we won't be subjected to condemnation. The weight of our past is no longer upon us, we are free?

If that isn't love, I don't know what is! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BBaY... )
Be encouraged, brothers and sisters, our sins have been forgiven!

Hi!

As I consider these devotionals I am reminded of Saul/Paul's testimony of when he first encountered the Lord:

Acts 26:12 "Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

Acts 26:13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

Acts 26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Acts 26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I Am Jesus Whom thou persecutest.

Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Acts 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me."

I truly believe that after we are in Christ, and walking with Him, that we will not desire to sin. And if we do make a mistake or get led into a deception, that God will convict us of our sin, by His Holy Spirit, and we cannot live with our "selves" until we confess our wrong doing, and repent.

God bless, and thank you for your devotion to the Lord!

With the love of Christ,
C. Read

Monday, March 6

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; Luke 6:37

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:13

Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Psalm 4:4

We all have heard these verses, but do we really live by them?

This week I heard what should have been joyous news from a family member but found myself feeling hurt, disappointed, and angry that I wasn't told sooner. This family member lives far away and doesn't share her life with us and her parents until she has no choice. I can't share in her joy or pray for her in her pain until the event has already occurred. Mere acquaintances can see more on her Facebook page than family are allowed to see. Each time I receive news the anger and disappointment cloud the joy. This weekend it was a couple of hours before I remembered to thank God, instead I spent the time imaging condemning, anger filled conversations I would have with her the next time I saw her.
God gently reminded me that my thoughts and feelings were sin. Sometimes forgiving those closest to us is very hard to do. I am trying to forgive her but it will take prayer and time. My hope is that by the time I see her this fall, I will be able to forgive her and just enjoy being with her and her family.
Forgiveness and not judging others are life long lessons that we are all constantly learning. Remember we are only human and we must depend on God to accomplish these things. Our human nature lashes out and condemns, but God through the Holy Spirit within us, enables us to forgive and let go of the anger and judgement, if we come to Him in prayer asking for His guidance. Praying when we are angry and judgmental is very difficult, we have to push the anger aside long enough to come to God in prayer, but when we do God is faithful and will take the anger, hurt and judgmental attitude away and will make room for joy to take root in our hearts and souls. It is an ongoing process because the anger tends to come back at unexpected times but if we pray continually the anger will not be allowed to take root once more.

I pray that you forgive those who trespass against you and walk in the Joy of God's Blessings.

Thank you Rita Faye!

Wow, thank you for sharing C and Rita. Rita, as I read your devotion, I can see time past where I felt similar in various situations, but thank God that God isn't man, or a lot of us would've been long gone. Again, thank you both for sharing.

Lee wrote: "Wow, thank you for sharing C and Rita..."

You are welcome honey!

:D

The Coming of the Lord

Tuesday Devotional ~ 7 March 2017 / 10 Adar 5777

It has been said that once you have the "knowledge" then you will be held accountable for what you know. But according to the Holy Scriptures if you call yourself a man or woman of God you are already accountable for every word that has proceeded from the mouth of God.

His word has been written, His beloved Son lived it out, and those who are true Christians have His Holy Spirit. Thus there will be no excuse for not doing God’s will.

Yet, regretfully, many people will perish for "lack of knowledge" not only because they believed the lies of a man, but also because they fell into the trap of the Wicked One.

Through sharing my testimony, and the truth of what God has taught me, I hope to dispel many of the lies that have been spoken in the name of the Lord, so as to help others see some of the dangers set before us all.

We are living in very dark and dangerous times, and considering the state of the churches, it would seem that we are certainly in the great apostasy as spoken of in the Holy Scriptures!

Evil is called good, and good is called evil, even among those who claim to be Christian, but please consider this warning from God.

Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

And to that I say, Woe, woe be unto those who call themselves Christian, but do not follow Christ!

There are those who say that Christians can't be deceived, but for anyone who belongs to God, and claims there is nothing wrong with movies produced by those who hate God, and books written by those who deny Christ, I can unequivocally say that they are walking in darkness, and do not know where they are going. May God give them "eyes to see" so that they can truly repent before it is too late!

If you are determined, as I am, to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" we will certainly be met with opposition. It is most distressing when the conflict comes from fellow Christians, and it is especially disheartening if the rejection comes from family members. But God must be first in our lives, no matter who stands against us.

If you truly love God, I pray you will seek to follow the LORD God Almighty with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and may you have a heart to understand the truth, and walk in it.

May this message give all Real Christians the courage to keep standing up for the LORD Jesus Christ and His truth! The road may get rough, and you may feel that you are standing alone at times, but keep looking to the LORD Jesus Christ. He is true and faithful—always! Jesus promised to be with us all the way to the end, up until He comes again, and I believe Him!

In closing may this passage of Scripture bring strength, hope, and comfort to your heart! And may God be with you in your journey, as you walk with Him in the True Light of His holy word!

2 Thessalonians 2:1 “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him,

2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2 Thessalonians 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:

2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even Him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

2 Thessalonians 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

2 Thessalonians 2:14 Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

2 Thessalonians 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”

With the love of Christ,
C. Read

Amen

Yo, a bit late on this one, but it is my first one, and I could hardly figure out how to put it on the "devotional" page.

Newbies, what to do:

Anyway, here is my Wednesday devotion.

We are going through Hebrews with our church theologian and we got to the place that the author of Hebrews is talking about the perfect sacrifice in Jesus, as opposed to the old system of animal sacrifice.

So, I asked him to unpack that a bit. What exactly was the animal sacrifice about to God, esp. under the Old Covenant, and why did God institute it?

The reply was that “Well, it isn’t magic really.” In other words, it was a very important act of obedience to God.

The life, of course, is in the blood. And what is the most precious thing we all are given and own?

Life.

The bull’s and lamb’s blood represented life being given back to God. The most precious thing that God has given to us needs to be given back to Him. First it was given in symbolic terms.

Thus, the animal sacrifice.

In real terms, and for us today, is our life a living sacrifice back to God?

Are those things which drag me down: my sin; and my low view of God; and my pursuit of the world’s idols, am I willing to sacrifice them on the altar, that God may find my sacrifice acceptable to Him?

And, of course, the perfect sacrifice: Jesus. When I fail, He took on my failure. When my view of God is stained, His is not. When I pursue my idols, Jesus calls me back to pursue Him.

“Thou shall have no other gods before Me.”

The blood of the lamb was put on the doorposts of my LIFE, the day I accepted Jesus.

Now, the angel of death is to Passover.

And God remembers my sin no more.

In life; and in death.

God covers it all by the blood.

Amen. I will serve no foreign God, nor any other treasure, unto Your name, I will bring my sacrifice. . . Thanks for sharing Robert :) May the Lord continue to bless and keep you.

Well done Robert. Your devotional gave me much to ponder.

It is always a great blessing to read these Devotionals! Thank you so much faithful servants of Jesus for sharing these spiritual food for our souls. To God be the glory!

This is a Devotional for Thursday (a little late?):

Ephesians 2:8-10
8-For by grace are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9-Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10- For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

GOOD WORKS!
Intro:
Good works can not save us no matter how hard we try! Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father. And He gave His life for us! Glory to His name! We are saved by grace! Hallelujah!
Now what?
Now, let us start working...
Working good has a very good reason, it will bear good result, and it guarantees a good reward:

REASON for good works : to glorify God the Father.
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before man that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
So many motives why people do good... some good, some bad, some true, some false, some with honesty, some with deceit, but the best motivation to doing good is to glorify our Lord!

RESULT of good works : you will reap what you have sown.
Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap ,if we faint not."
Are you tired of doing good to others? Of helping those in need? Of comforting those who are grieving? Of Walking the extra mile? Of Extending a hand? Of Patting some shoulders? Yes! very tiring at times...but..."my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast,unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD."

REWARD for good works: a CROWN!!!
2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, i have finished my course, I have keep the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto ALL THEM ALSO that love his appearing."
I remember Steve Harvey in the last year's Miss Universe...all these women from all these countries with all these people involved... all to see whose head will wear the M.U. crown...only one.
All of us Real Christians, let us serve the Lord with gladness... faithfully...mightily...heartily...then a crown...for all of us!
Hallelujah!
Keep up the good works my Sisters, my Brothers!
Blessings!
Thank you for reading...
Please always be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

Thank you for that devotion. It is said that the path to hell is paved by good intentions. This is a wonderful reminder that we should always factor God into our lives and our decisions least we stray. Once again, thank you.

Devotional for Sat. March 11

This comes also from The Little Black Book, a book of six minute reflections on the Passion according to John

FIre

The Fire in the high priest's courtyard is mentioned in all four Gospel accounts and is one of those details that catches the imagination. It is also probably historical. Jerusalem is a half mile above sea level and can be cold on spring nights.

-------------

John 18:17-18 Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, "You are not one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm.

Contrast this with what happened just 12 verses earlier. the arresting party in Gethsemane announced that they were looking for Jesus. the response of Jesus was clear and direct: "I am."
Now a maid in the high priest's courtyard asks Peter if he is a disciple of Jesus. Peter's response is clear and direct: "I am not."
Jesus told the truth. Peter told a lie.
Imagine someone asking me today, "Are you a disciple of Jesus?" I would probably be surprised at the way the question was phrased. I might have expected a person to say something like, "Are you a Christian?" or "Are you a Lutheran, Catholic etc.?" even, "Do you believe in Jesus?"
Let's stay with that first question: Are you a disciple of Jesus?
Strange as it may seem, "religion" can get between me and Jesus. my direct connection with Jesus - not simply as a believer, an admirer, but as an active disciple - can have a certain vagueness.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord - think about how you can make your discipleship clear and real. Will you let the Lord set your heart on fire as His disciple?

Launch Out Into The Deep

Luke 5 (KJV) vs 1-11

1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him

I love this scripture. Simon was a fisherman, he knew everything there was to know about fishing. Yet, this man came telling him to let down his net for a draught. Some of us would be offended and would probably argue with him, however, Simon simply said "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." Simon toiled all night, he didn't catch anything yet when Jesus told him to launch out into the deep, he obeyed.

What we need to understand is that if God tells us to launch out, He will make provisions for us. Can you imagine that? They toiled all night and didn't catch a single fish, yet at Jesus' word their nets were filled to the point of breaking, they had to beckon to another ship to help them and there was so much fish, they started to sink! When God tells you to do something do it and do it wholeheartedly and He will take care of the rest.

I hope you all have a great week and I pray that God continues to bless and keep you all :)

May we all trust Jesus and let down our nets so we may be filled to overflowing with faith and love.

Well when you say it that way, my devotion looks really long :)

But I had to read your devotion to be able to say it.

Okay, Thanks for reading :)

Monday, March 13

How much of your time, effort and money goes into trying to prevent something from happening or preparing for that emergency that could happen? We have yearly eye, hearing, dental and health checkups. We have insurance for health, home, auto, life, burial, investment, travel and some even have pet insurance. We have warranties on appliances, cars, equipment and electronics. We spend huge parts of our days maintaining our homes, cars, clothes and bodies. We go to work or school to prepare for and pay for things that may never occur. Have you ever added up how much time, effort and money you spend in one month to do just one of these things? Do you spend that much time preparing spiritually?
The Bible is full of verses that tell us to devote our time to prayer and the study of scripture and service to the Lord. I have chosen only a few examples.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Romans 12:11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Proverbs 23:17 Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

We all need to keep things well maintained and be prepared for emergencies but remember it is more important that we are prepared spiritually. This devotion is aimed at myself as much as anyone reading it. I spend my day making sure my family have what they need in every situation but I find that I am spending less time in Bible study and prayer than I should. I want to dig deep into the Bible but I often find that the day has slipped by and all I have done is read a one paragraph devotion. I challenge each of you and myself to spend more time with the Lord in the 34 days left till Easter.

Thank you for this Rita :)

For Such A Time As This

Tuesday Devotional ~ for 14 March 2017 / 16 Adar 5777

[The following message is one that I recently posted to my website at www.truelightministries.us that I hope will be a blessing to all who read it.]

11-13 March 2017 / 14-15 Adar 5777
Posted: The Last Day of the Feast
Last Update: 22 March 2017 / 23 Adar 5777
By C. Read

Purim is the Biblical holy day that God commands His people to celebrate on 14 & 15 Adar (the twelfth month on the Hebrew calendar). This year the corresponding dates on the Gregorian calendar are 11-13 March, beginning at evening. Christians are typically unfamiliar with this season, but most have heard about the book of Esther.

I would like to share my reflections of this amazing account of how God used a brave young woman to save His people from the enemy who wanted to destroy them. Even though this took place many years ago, the spiritual implications are still very relevant today.

Esther "had neither father nor mother," according to the Scriptures, and so it would seem that she was very young when her cousin, Mordecai, took her into his home and raised her as his own.

At that time, the Jewish people were under the rule of King Ahasuerus, and his dominion was from India even unto Ethiopia, where he ruled over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces.

There are some conflicting views about Esther’s story, and I encourage you to go back and read the book of Esther, but without going into all the details as to why Queen Vashti was removed from her royal position, I am compelled to voice my disagreement with the premise that the King wanted to parade the Queen before his subjects wearing only her crown. I first heard that interpretation years ago in a sermon by Chuck Swindoll, and I am sure it has been propagated by many well-meaning preachers.

It is extremely presumptuous, and can be quite detrimental, to add to, or take away from, the Holy Scriptures. Based on what God's word says, it is my understanding that the Queen refused to go before the King, and his men, who were most likely very drunk, because she didn't want to be lusted over and humiliated by them.

Her refusal to obey the King's orders cost her the royal crown; however, it paved the way for Esther to take her place. I have heard others say that Esther was just selfish, that all she wanted was to be Queen, and she lied her way into that royal position, but that is so untrue. Esther was a very honorable, strikingly beautiful, young woman, and she was raised by an extremely faithful and devout Jewish man who loved God.

The Lord God is the one who put Esther in that position, under the direction of Mordecai, her surrogate father. And Mordecai is the one who told her not to reveal her kindred to anyone, under the direction of God.

Moreover, it was God who gave her favor in the sight of all who met her, including the King. Thus, she obtained that Royal position solely because of the providence of God, for the express purpose of saving God's people from their enemy who sought their total destruction.

When Esther heard about the decree to destroy all the Jewish people, she was initially fearful of what could happen to her if she went before the King without being called before his throne, but God gave her the courage to face the King, even under the threat of being put to death. Consider what Mordecai said to persuade Esther to overcome her fear.

Esther 4:14 “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Esther wanted to tell the King about the wicked plan of Haman, the man who hated God and His people, but God prompted her to wait until the following day. And because she was obedient to God, everything was set in motion for God’s people to have the victory over the enemy.

There is so much more to this story, but the battle was won on 13 Adar, and the following explains why Purim should be celebrated by all God's people who have been united with the God of heaven through Christ.

Esther 9:20-22 “And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,

As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor."

Esther 9:27-28 "The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;

And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.”

The book of Esther is so meaningful to me, and it is just as what a dear pastor friend recently wrote to me when I asked him his opinion about this wonderful story. “So many things pertaining to faith, loyalty, love, obedience, integrity, courage, God's sovereignty, justice, provision, preservation, etc. that we can learn from the book of Esther, both through her life and those around her.”

Esther was in the presence of her enemy, but God was with her, and He gave her the boldness to speak the truth and expose the man who was determined to annihilate the Jewish people; and it would have included Esther had Haman known she was also Jewish. And her obedience to God and her father, Mordecai, was vital in helping to save her people.

We are still living in "such a time as this" where the Enemy of our souls seeks to destroy God’s people; and it is my earnest prayer that God will raise up some brave, obedient women like Esther, and devout, Godly men like Mordecai, to speak the truth boldly and faithfully, by His Holy Spirit.

I am certain we are living in the final days before the return of Christ, and even though I surely do not know the day nor the hour, I see that we are in the season! And just as Mordecai said to Esther, I say to all who truly love and belong to Almighty God and His dear Son:

“Who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdom
for such a time as this?”

Wednesday Devotion

I’m going to continue with the sacrifice theme I started last week.

The Old Testament sacrificial system was a symbolic that the life was in the blood. The sacrificial system emphasized that the most precious thing we can offer as a sacrifice back to God is our life.

What we often do, however, is offer our life to idols. Idols are things like our jobs, possessions or the things we truly worship. (I think glitter should be on that list, but that is just me.)

So, let’s look at the original offering, that of Cain and Abel.

The bible says, way back there in Genesis, chapter 4, that Abel brought the first-fruits, the best of the best, as an offering, a sacrifice as it were, to God. What Cain brought was a certain obligation probably because his brother was doing it, and here it is God, take it or leave it.

God left it.

Then God reproached Cain for his offering. He gave him another chance saying, “Try again, if you do well, your heart will be happy. If you fail, sin is crouching at the door.”

Well, we all know how the story goes. Jealousy, anger, murder, the litany of human down fallings and failures. All from a sacrifice out of obligation.

What does that look like for a 21st century American? Well, do you give to your church out of a sense of obligation? (Ouch, little close to home there, Bob. I don’t hoard my glitter, okay.)

How about prayer time? End of the day when you’re pretty tired, try to squeeze in a few, “This is what I want.”

Consider Abel: giving the best of his best. Cream off the top, first thing, not at all worried about whether God has the ability to provide even more.

Abel understood that it is the living God who does the providing, not his own hand. That is why the sacrifice was without reserve.

Is that how you approach your living sacrifice, in total abandonment to the living God?

The greatest idol we all have is ourselves. That is what Cain worshipped more than anything: himself. The sacrifice was what was in it for me.

It is the world in which we live and move and have our being. To be salt and light in a dark and difficult world requires a sacrifice worthy of God’s favor, which is the best of the best.

To give it back to God is to receive from God’s hand what only the Almighty can give.

“I have come to give you life, and that more abundantly.”

Devotional for Thursday

FAITHFULNESS

1. It is REQUIRED... 1 Corinthians 4:2..."Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful"
...and all of us are stewards of our Time, Talent,Treasures,the Gospel,and so many more, as children,servant,body,church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we say "it is required", we are expected to be faithful in everything we do for God's glory and honor. We can not call ourselves Christians or servants of the Lord without being faithful because it is a requirement.

2. It is RENDERED by Bible personalities... such as the Heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.
I can mention a few here:
Let us start with Abel who "offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of His gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh." Hebrews 11:4
As mentioned in our previous Devotional by Robert, he gave the best! He is so FAITHFUL in his GIVING that he speaks even he is already dead...
Noah too is very FAITHFUL in his OBEDIENCE to God's command to build an ark, in a mountain,without rain...even it took him 120 years! What a faithful obedience.
Then here comes Joseph : a favored son; hated brother; sold as a slave; tempted and sexually assaulted by a woman; imprisoned without fault;forgotten by a friend;exalted by the king; never harbor hatred/vengeance to his brother in fact he remained faithful to God in every circumstance in his life. When given the chance to retaliate he said: " ...you thought evil against me; but God meant it for good..." Genesis 50:20

3. It is REWARDED by the Lord:
Proverbs 28:20 "A faithful man shall abound with blessings..."
Revelations 2:10 "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
To be faithful is not easy, we will have all kinds of temptations, trials, hindrances, and obstacles. And the enemy of our souls will stop at nothing to stop us! But God's grace is always sufficient and He will never leave us nor forsake us as promised.
Let us keep ourselves faithful to the end, because there is a blessing prepared for us here, and a crown up there!
What a wonderful feeling to hear those wonderful words from our Lord Himself : "Thou good and FAITHFUL servant; enter into the joy of thy King."

Thank you for reading.
Blessings!
Always be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

Excuse me...just to wrap up:
FAITHFULNESS is REQUIRED...RENDERED...REWARDED! May we remain faithful up to the coming of our Lord, or until He takes us home...
Thanks again!
Blessings!
Always be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

Arniegamilong wrote: "...just to wrap up:
FAITHFULNESS is REQUIRED...RENDERED...REWARDED! May we remain faithful up to the coming of our Lord, or until He takes us home..."

AMEN!

I appreciate all of you who are taking the time to share your thoughts.

As I read Pastor Arnie's wonderful message I am reminded of an extremely important and very convicting passage. And it is my sincere prayer that as you read His Word, that God's grace will be with you as you strive to keep His word, as you are led by His Holy Spirit into all truth!

With the love of Christ,
C. Read

Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

Revelation 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Revelation 22:13 I Am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I Am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Devotional for Saturday March 18 - this is taken from T he Little Black Book: six minute reflections on the Passion according to John

In honor of St. Patrick whose feast day was yesterday, here is part of an ancient Celtic prayer attributed to Patrick.

I arise today...

Christ with me, Christ before me
Christ behind me, Christ in me

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me

----------------------------------

John 18:29-30
So Pilate came out to them and said, "What charge do you bring against this man?" They answered and said to him, "If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you."

At the beginning of the Gospel, J own says that Jesus has come from God and is the true light which enlightens everyone. As the Gospel unfolds, the question is whether people will choose light or darkness.

The choice between light and darkness is dramatically portrayed in a series of one-on-one encounters of individuals with Jesus: Nicodemus, the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, the man born blind. IN each case the question is: will this person choose light or darkness?

I have come now to the last of these major encounters - the encounter of Jesus and Pilate. Make no mistake. For John, it is not Jesus who is on trial. It is Pilate. Which will he choose - light or darkness?

John dramatizes Pilate's inward struggle by having him physically go back and forth - first outside the praetorium where the crowd is, then inside wher Jesus is, then back outside, and so on.

The drama has just begun, and Pilate comes outside to meet the leaders ( who have already made their choice against Jesus).

In many ways, Pilate's struggle is like my own. Darkness and light. What is light in my life? What is darkness. Jesus came to bring light.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord reflecting on these things. Only when you can identify the darkness will you be able to walk toward the light.

Monday, March 20
Today many people say that the Bible is an old book full of stories that are not relevant to their lives, but have they really read the Bible lately or at all? The Bible is full of stories of wars, droughts, famine, genocide, infanticide, theft, murder, slave trade, sexual freedom, unwed parents, judgmental people, corrupt governments and high taxes,. The Bible is also a book about caring for the planet and animals, helping the less fortunate, loving your enemies, and teaching you to be the best you that you can be.
That sounds exactly like the things that are happening today. So if someone tells you that reading the Bible can't benefit them, gently remind them that history does repeat itself and that there is nothing that God hasn't seen before or can't handle.
Reading the Bible is like reading a graphic novel, it recounts battles between a villain and the Hero, until the Hero ultimately wins.
Whenever you are talking to someone about God and the Bible try to come to them on their level. Are they going through some trial? Are they an activist trying to save the planet? Are they into video games and graphic novels? There is a story in the Bible that they will relate to and if you know how to talk to them about what interests them then maybe they will pick up the Bible when they otherwise might not have. Sometimes being a witness to someone just means to relate to them on their level and spike their interest in the Bible. If you get them reading, God will do His work on them and they will eventually discover what the Bible is really about, salvation through Jesus. Be a true friend not just someone that comes and hammers them about God and then leaves. Be the person that they can talk to about what is important to them and they will listen when you talk about what is important to you, God.

p.s. Remember you are not God, a new friend wants to know who you are too.

Rita Faye - I loved this devotional- the Lord us speaking thru you for sure

Thank you

Has the Salt Lost His Savour?

Tuesday Devotional ~ 21 March 2017 / 23 Adar 5777

Salt is a multipurpose compound that has many different uses and meanings. Salt is most commonly known as a seasoning for food, but I would like to highlight just a few other uses: Salt can be used as a preservative, cleanser, stain remover, fire quencher, deodorizer, weed killer, etc.

The spiritual implications of what "salt" can do are even more important. God's Word, through His Spirit, can cleanse us from the stain of sin, and preserve us until the day we meet our redeemer fact to face. God can bring us through the fires and trials of this life, and as we learn to put to death our flesh nature, our prayers will be a sweet fragrance unto our Lord!

Consider what Jesus said to His disciples upon the mountain:

Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Consider the Greek definition for “salt,” from the Strong’s Concordance Dictionary: #G217: “from G251; salt; figuratively, prudence:—salt.”

Prudence means to be prudent, which is to be wise, have proper judgment, conduct, and discretion.

Consider the Greek definition for "lost savour:" #G3471: “...to become insipid; figuratively, to make (passively, act) as a simpleton:—become fool, make foolish, lose savour.”

Insipid means to be boring, uninteresting , lacking in zest or flavor; dull, monotonous, wearisome, etc.

A simpleton is someone who is not very wise, and does not have good sense or judgement.

Please consider other references to salt in the New Testament:

Mark 9:50 “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”

Consider what Jesus said when He was addressing the multitudes:

Luke 14:25-27 “And there went great multitudes with Him: and He turned, and said unto them,

If any man come to Me, and hate not (meaning to love less) his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:33-35 “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Consider what God said through Paul to his fellow Christians:

Colossians 4:5-6 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

I truly want to be a faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ! I just don’t want to be guilty of losing my savour... I know that Satan takes great pleasure when he can silence a Christian into submission through his lies and deceptions, and I pray that you, or I, will not give him that satisfaction!

I ask you for your prayers, and I will surely keep you all in mine! May all of us "Real Christians" stand strong for the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One who gave His life, so that we can live!

With the love of Christ,
C. Read

Meditation for Wednesday

God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Last chapter of Hebrews).

God is immortal.

I am mortal.

God is all powerful and all knowing.

I am limited in all ways.

God’s ways are not my ways.

God’s thoughts are not my thoughts.

And yet, and yet, I am made special to Him through the blood. The blood of Jesus.

The life is in the blood.

I’ve been crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live, but Jesus Christ dwells in my heart.

I do the Father’s will, but in my own way. I am influenced by the Almighty, but what he tells me to do is “love my wife.”

God so loved the world.

He asks me to love my wife.

I am limited; He is not.

He is Other Than, Holy, set apart.

I am frail and weak, mortal. God knows my weaknesses. My failings.

By the blood.

That is where the Holy Father and my mortal self, meet.

By the blood.

The life is in the blood.

Amen

C and Robert, great devotions. Gave me a lot to think about.

Thank you for that testimony of the blood. Three profess down here on earth: the Spirit, the blood, and the water. They are in agreement. God bless you. 1 John 5:8

Thank you all for the Devotionals you shared that keeps us aware of our walk with God and the temptations around, it is so great an encouragement and strengthening for us Real Christians.
Thank you Rita Faye for the wonderful reminder last Monday...
Thank you my Dear Friend C. for the challenge to remain salty...
Thank you Robert for the testimony of the Blood...
To God be the glory!

Devotional for Thursday:

Our ID in Jesus

Jeremiah 31:3
"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yeah, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."
Romans 8:37
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."

We are loved...we are winners...in Jesus!

Most men/women take pride from the institution,company,or name they are identified with. If you work in a known company, or if your surname coincide with a high profiled government official, there is a tendency to become proud, in a good sense. That's natural.
Our identity in this world depends on so many things. But as Christians, our identity is in Christ, and He never failed to show us who we are in Him. There are so many Scriptures that gives us the idea, and I will give a couple of them:
1. 2 Corinthians...
a. 2:15, "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish." - we are a fragrance of Christ!
b. 3:3, "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart." - we are the letter of Christ!
c. 3:6, "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." - we are able servants in Christ!
d. 5:20, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." - we are ambassadors for Christ!
f. 6:16 , " And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them,and walk in them; and I will be their God and they shall be my people." - we are the temple of God in Christ!

2. 1 Peter 2:9-10
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which have not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

May our lives be worthy of our Savior, Who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Let us not forget who we are in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thank you for reading.
Blessings!
Please always be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!

Devotional for Saturday
Taken from the Little Black Book - Six Minute Reflections on the Passion according to John

"Does God have a set way of prayer, a way that He expects each of us to follow? I doubt it. I believe some people - lots of people - pray through the witness of their lives, through the work they do, the friendships they have, the love they offer people and receive from people. Since when are words the only acceptable form of prayer?" Dorothy Day

John 19:1-3
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck him repeatedly.

Pilate goes back inside. he decides to try something different. instead of killing Jesus (which he is trying to avoid) or simply releasing Jesus (which he is now afraid to do), he will compromise. He will punish Jesus with a severe whipping ( even though he has declared him innocent). Once the crowd sees him bloodied and beaten, they will be satisfied. That should do it. And then Pilate won't have to decide for or against the truth.

Compromise. the word means "to promise something together." It usually involves a mutual concession of position by two opposing parties. There are times for it.

But a concession of principle, of truth? That's how the founders of our country avoided facing the issue of slavery. And that compromise on truth had terrible, lasting effects.

Courage is quite another thing. It comes from the word "heart" and it means to have heart to struggle for truth.

Now I could spend my time thinking about how others make bad compromises. but maybe I should start by thinking about the compromises I make in my own life. the compromises I make with myself.

My Lenten prayer, fasting and almsgiving are meant to uncover my compromises with the truth. And then deal with them. truthfully.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

If that isn't love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSW6J... )

It is really amazing when we sit back and think of what Jesus and His Father really did for us.
John 3 vs 16- 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.

All we have to do is believe in Him for He already made provisions for us "I have gone to prepare a place for you." Salvation is the best gift we could've ever received.

So, throughout all our storms, trials and tribulations etc, let us try our best to keep a praise on our lips and a song in our heart. It's not an easy task especially as youth in Christ (We are all YOUTH for Christ). We will make mistakes, we'll trip up and fall a few times but we will get up because "a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got back up.

I pray you all will have a wonderful week and that God will strengthen and keep you. I leave with you this song:

Ever Be (Bethel Music) Cover by Levy's Heritage feat. Audia Spencer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-aEA... )

Monday, March 27

Have you ever thought about the power of the spoken word? Consider the following verses from Genesis (ESV)

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”

9 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.”

11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so.

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so.

20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so.

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

God spoke creation into being. Each and every time that God spoke in the Bible, there was power in His Words. Our words have power too, they encourage, bring joy, laughter and create friendships. Our words also discourage, bring pain, sadness and create enemies. Think over the last week, have your words encouraged or discouraged? Have they brought healing or destruction? Sometimes our words are not meant to bring someone pain but if that person is having a bad day, a random comment about the mess left in the kitchen or paper in the printer not being refilled may leave someone feeling discouraged and low. The comment wasn't directed at that person and may have been uttered to yourself under your breath but it still destroyed somebody's day. Speaking those words under your breath also makes the feelings behind them more real and your day starts to go downhill.
In today's world, we talk with our looks and hands as much as with our mouth. That rude stare that you received this morning when you bumped into someone, the obscene hand gestures that upset motorists throw at each other, and the words that we type onto social media are examples.
Words are powerful and weighty, anything put on social media will be there forever, just as any spoken word will be a scar or a smile in your life and the life of every person that hears it. Many off hand remarks, that you forget in five minutes, stays with the person that heard it for a lifetime.
What do you remember somebody saying about or to you that never left you? Do you think that person remembers those remarks? Were they good or bad words? How do they make you feel when you remember them?
Sometimes not saying anything at all has as much power. Did you keep quiet when someone said or did something that you knew was wrong? Did you remain quiet when a response would have caused a fight? Both of these examples bring consequences, one brings hurt and the other stops hurt from happening.
This week pay closer attention to when and what you speak or don't speak. Use the power of your words to uplift and bring joy, even when you don't feel that joy yourself. I bet giving joy will bring joy back to you.
Have a joyful week