We are never too Old to Worship our King!

A Prayer/Thought for the Day.

Father, help us to remember, when our thoughts go to, “they” don’t deserve it! Even though, there are consequences for our actions, you have generously provided an abundance to those of us who didn’t deserve it either. Help us to Always be Looking through Your eyes, and not our own. Amen

Jesus says………Pray, Ask & Believe you can move Mountains…..What does this mean?

22. And Jesus *answered saying to them, Have faith in God.  23. “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.  24. “Therefore I say to you, aall things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.

Mark 11:22-24

  1. Have faith in God. A gentle rebuke for the disciples’ lack of faith in the power of His word. Such faith believes in God’s revealed truth, His power, and seeks to do His will (cf. 1Jn 5:14; see note on Mt 21:21). † 11:23 this mountain … into the sea. This expression was related to a common metaphor of that day, “rooter up of mountains,” which was used in Jewish literature of great rabbis and spiritual leaders who could solve difficult problems and seemingly do the impossible. Obviously, Jesus did not literally uproot mountains; in fact, He refused to do such spectacular miracles for the unbelieving Jewish leaders (see note on Mt 12:38). Jesus’ point is that if believers sincerely trust in God and truly realize the unlimited power that is available through such faith in Him, they will see His mighty powers at work (cf. Jn 14:13, 14; see note on Mt 21:21). † 11:24 all things for which you pray. This places no limits on a believer’s prayers, as long as they are according to God’s will and purpose (see note on Mt 17:20). This therefore means that man’s faith and prayer are not inconsistent with God’s sovereignty. And it is not the believer’s responsibility to figure out how that can be true, but simply to be faithful and obedient to the clear teaching on prayer, as Jesus gives it in this passage. God’s will is being unfolded through all of redemptive history, by means of the prayers of His people—as His saving purpose is coming to pass through the faith of those who hear the gospel and repent. Cf. Jas 5:16.
  1. this mountain … into the sea. This expression was related to a common metaphor of that day, “rooter up of mountains,” which was used in Jewish literature of great rabbis and spiritual leaders who could solve difficult problems and seemingly do the impossible. Obviously, Jesus did not literally uproot mountains; in fact, He refused to do such spectacular miracles for the unbelieving Jewish leaders (see note on Mt 12:38). Jesus’ point is that if believers sincerely trust in God and truly realize the unlimited power that is available through such faith in Him, they will see His mighty powers at work (cf. Jn 14:13, 14; see note on Mt 21:21).
  1. all things for which you pray. This places no limits on a believer’s prayers, as long as they are according to God’s will and purpose (see note on Mt 17:20). This therefore means that man’s faith and prayer are not inconsistent with God’s sovereignty. And it is not the believer’s responsibility to figure out how that can be true, but simply to be faithful and obedient to the clear teaching on prayer, as Jesus gives it in this passage. God’s will is being unfolded through all of redemptive history, by means of the prayers of His people—as His saving purpose is coming to pass through the faith of those who hear the gospel and repent. Cf. Jas 5:16.

A REVIEW OF 1 JOHN’S TESTS

A REVIEW OF 1 JOHN’S TESTS

Tests of Salvation

  1. Affirmation of the proper view of Christ (1:3)
  2. Affirmatrion of Sin’s reality (1:5-2:2)
  3. Obedience to God’s commands (2:3-6)
  4. Love of the “bretheren” (2:7-11)

Tests  & Characteristics of Antichrists

  1. Depart from the faithful (2:19)
  2. Deny the faith (2:22,23)
  3. They deceive the faithful (2:2:26) (1 Tim 4:1-3)

Tests & Characteristics of Genuine Christians

  1. Anointing of the Holy Spirit (2:27)
  2. Holy Spirit guides the believer into knowing all things (2:20-21) (John 14:26, 16:13)

Tests of a Believers Hope (The return of Christ)

  1. Abiding in Christ, ie persevering in the faith of salvation (2:27-3:3) (John 15:1-6)
  2. Practicing Righteousness (Holiness; purity; uprightness, the state of being right with God) (2:29) (1 Pet 1:3, 13-16)
  3. A sense of wonder in God’s love in what he did for us (3:1)
  4. When Christ returns, he will conform every believer to his image (3:2)
  5. Living in the reality of Christ’s return makes a difference in a Christian’s behavior (3:3)

Tests Why Christians Can’t Practice Sin

  1. Sin is incompatable with the law of God which they love (3:4, Ps 119:34, 77,97, Rom 7:12,22)
  2. Becauise it is incompatable with the work of Christ.  Christ died to sanctify (make holy) the believer (3:5,2 Cor 5:21, Eph 5::25-27, Rom 6:1-15) 
  3. Because Christ came to destroy the works of the arch-sinner, Satan (3:8)
  4. Because it is incompatible with the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who has imparted a new nature to the believer (3:9, John 3:5-8)

Tests For Behaviors Of The Devil’s Children

  1. Murder (3:15, Gen 4:5)
  2. Hatred (3:15)
  3. Indifference toward other’s needs

Tests of  a True Teacher

  1. Acknowledge and proclaim that Jesus is God incarnate in human flesh (4:2)
  2. They speak God’s word following apostolic doctrine (4:5-6)  The OT and NT are the only

A difficult thing to do in these troubled times!

A difficult thing to do, in these troubled times. Lord, may we seek a quiet place, that we might hear your voice clearly, to discern what is right. May whatever we do, help to advance your kingdom, through your Gospel Word.

Amen

How are we similar to John the Baptist, as Followers of Jesus

John was that voice crying in the wilderness preparing the way for the coming Messiah

“A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.40.3.NASB1995

We are in the wilderness of a thirsty and dry land, desiring something more than man’s wisdom, yet lacking any Hope. We as believers, are here to prepare the way, for the one who has now come, and gives hope. His name is Jesus. The hope is “Good News” to the one who believes in Faith.

“Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’ ””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.3.1-2.NASB1995

“As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way; The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.’ ””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mrk.1.2-3.NASB1995

Matt 3:3 ; Mark 1:2-3 ; Luke 3:3-6

We are a voice, crying out to a lost and dying world that there is hope, both now and for an eternal future, to ALL who believe, JUST AS YOU ARE, not by anything we can do but accept his word, but by everything that HE DID FOR US.

May we be like John the Baptist, that many will be pointed to Jesus, by both our WORDS and our DEEDS.

Each day is a Gift. Let us not grow weary, as we serve him together. Father, forgive us, when we get caught up on the things that do not matter, eternally.

The One Another’s of Scripture

The 59 “One Anothers” of the New Testament

1. “…Be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50)

2. “…Wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

3. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)

4. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)

5. “…Love one another…” (John 13:35)

6. “…Love one another…” (John 15:12)

7. “…Love one another” (John 15:17)

8. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10)

9. “…Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)

10. “Live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 12:16)

11. “…Love one another…” (Romans 13:8)

12. “…Stop passing judgment on one another.” (Romans 14:13)

13. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you…” (Romans 15:7)

14. “…Instruct one another.” (Romans 15:14)

15. “Greet one another with a holy kiss…” (Romans 16:16)

16. “…When you come together to eat, wait for each other.” (I Cor. 11:33)

17. “…Have equal concern for each other.” (I Corinthians 12:25)

18. “…Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (I Corinthians 16:20)

19. “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (II Corinthians 13:12)

20. “…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

21. “If you keep on biting and devouring each other…you will be destroyed by each other.”

(Galatians 5:15)

22. “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:26)

23. “Carry each other’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2)

24. “…Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)

25. “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32)

26. “…Forgiving each other…” (Ephesians 4:32)

27. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” (Ephesians 5:19)

28. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

29. “…In humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

30. “Do not lie to each other…” (Colossians 3:9)

31. “Bear with each other…” (Colossians 3:13)

32. “…Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13)

33. “Teach…[one another]” (Colossians 3:16)

34. “…Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)

35. “…Make your love increase and overflow for each other.” (I Thessalonians 3:12)

36. “…Love each other.” (I Thessalonians 4:9)

37. “…Encourage each other…”(I Thessalonians 4:18)

38. “…Encourage each other…” I Thessalonians 5:11)

39. “…Build each other up…” (I Thessalonians 5:11)

40. “Encourage one another daily…” Hebrews 3:13)

41. “…Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)

42. “…Encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)

43. “…Do not slander one another.” (James 4:11)

44. “Don’t grumble against each other…” (James 5:9)

45. “Confess your sins to each other…” (James 5:16)

46. “…Pray for each other.” (James 5:16)

47. “…Love one another deeply, from the heart.” (I Peter 3:8)

48. “…Live in harmony with one another…” (I Peter 3:8)

49. “…Love each other deeply…” (I Peter 4:8)

50. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (I Peter 4:9)

51. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…” (I Peter 4:10)

52. “…Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…”(I Peter 5:5)

53. “Greet one another with a kiss of love.” (I Peter 5:14)

54. “…Love one another.” (I John 3:11)

55. “…Love one another.” (I John 3:23)

56. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:7)

57. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:11)

58. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:12)

59. “…Love one another.” (II John 5)

*From Carl F. George, Prepare Your Church for the Future (Tarrytown: Revell, 1991), 129-131.

Lord, may we all be blessed today, in spite of our circumstances and suffering, just as JESUS suffered, for our sake, so that in both instance, others might be comforted and blessed.

The Human Condition you Can’t Escape(No Matter Where you Live)