1/18/10 SPIRIT FILLED MINISTRY IN ROMANS 1:8-14.

QUICK THOUGHTS ON THE SPIRIT FILLED MINISTRY IN ROMANS 1:8-14.

ROMANS 1:8-14
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Militant & Importune Prayer

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

Spiritual Ministry Is Costly
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

Churches Need Gifts And Stability

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Christians Mutually Encourage One Another In Faith 

12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Spiritual Work Fights Resistance
13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

We Are Commissioned To Share God's Gift With Others
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

1/18/10 GOD, THE GREAT GIVER

GOD, THE GREAT GIVER (this is a very limited list)

THE FATHER gives us...

His Son

Eternal Life

The Holy Spirit

Every Good and Perfect Gift

Everything that Pertains to Life & Godliness (6).

THE SON gave/gives...

Himself for us as a Ransom

Eternal Life

The Holy Spirit

Grace

Ministries

Gifts.

The Holy Spirit gives us...

Fellowship

Unity

Power

Guidance

Wisdom

Gifts.

ONE GOD, THREE PERSONS...
These Persons, though separate in Person-hood are One in Nature and Purpose.
They all participate in the same actions, but to varying degrees and functions.
God is One God, but He is Three Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

GOD THE FATHER GAVE HIS SON

JOHN 3:16

(16)  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

ROMANS 8:32
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

SPIRITUAL GIFTS
1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all.

TRIUNE BENEDICTION...
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and
the communion of the Holy Ghost,
be with you all. Amen.

FATHER GAVE ETERNAL LIFE...
ROMANS 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

FATHER GAVE HOLY SPIRIT...
LUKE 11:13
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

FATHER GAVE EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT...
JAMES 1:17
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

FATHER GAVE ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO LIFE AND GODLINESS...
2 PETER 1:3
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

SON GAVE HIS LIFE...
JOHN 10:11
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

EPHESIANS 5:2
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.

SON GAVE RANSOM...
1 TIMOTHY 2:6
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

SON GAVE ETERNAL LIFE...
JOHN 10:28
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

SON GAVE GRACE...
1 CORINTHIANS 1:4
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

SON GAVE MINISTRIES AND GIFTS...
EPHESIANS 4:8-12
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

HOLY SPIRIT GAVE FELLOWSHIP...
PHILIPPIANS 2:1
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

HOLY SPIRIT GAVE TEACHING AND GUIDANCE...
JOHN 14:26
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

JOHN 16:13
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

HOLY SPIRIT GAVE GIFTS...
HEBREWS 2:4
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

1/16/10 BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU CATCH

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU CATCH
Isn't it interesting that a healthy person can catch a sickness from a sick person, just by being near a sick person, but a sick person does not catch health from a healthy person, just by being near him?

We see a similar reality in the spiritual realm. Spiritually viable people are more easily corrupted by bad company than spiritually corrupt people are influenced by Christian company, 1 Corinthians 15:33.

VERSES...
PROVERBS 13:20
20 He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

1 CORINTHIANS 5:6
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

1 CORINTHIANS 15:33
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
(Be not deceived, bad company corrupts good morals. NASB)

2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
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.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

1/15/10 GOD IS ABLE...

GOD IS ABLE...
While I was studying the subject of God Keeping Us From Falling, I came across some other verses, which address the wonderful things that God is able to do for the believer.

GOD'S WORD IS ABLE TO BUILD US UP
ACTS 20:32
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

GOD HAS THE POWER TO ESTABLISH US
ROMANS 16:25
25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE US STAND
ROMANS 14:4
4 Who art thou that judges another man's servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yea, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand.

GOD IS ABLE TO DO MORE THAN WE ASK
EPHESIANS 3:20
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

GOD CAN ESTABLISH OUR HEARTS UNBLAMABLE IN HOLINESS
1 THESSALONIANS 3:13
13 To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

GOD IS ABLE TO ESTABLISH US IN EVERY GOOD WORK
2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17
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,
17 Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.

GOD IS ABLE TO KEEP US FROM EVIL
2 THESSALONIANS 3:3
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.

GOD IS ABLE TO SAVE US TO THE UTTERMOST
HEBREWS 7:25
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.

GOD IS ABLE TO PERFECT, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN AND SETTLE US
1 PETER 5:1010 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

GOD IS ABLE TO KEEP US FROM FALLING AND PRESENT US FAULTLESS
JUDE 1:24
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

1/12/10 YOU DON'T GOTTA FALL

YOU DON'T GOTTA FALL
The Bible clearly says many times that followers of Christ are able to keep from falling into sin, thus, out of saving grace. Here is one verse that addresses this great truth.

Jude 1:24

(24)  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Two Great Truths

1- Christ is able to keep us from falling, and

2- He is able to present us faultless before God's presence. This passage gives great comfort since we also face the possibility of falling into sin and falling from grace.

OTHER VERSES ON FALLING...

Luke warns us that Christians can fall away from Christ;

LUKE 8:13
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear , receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe , and in time of temptation fall away.

Galatians says we can fall from grace;
GALATIANS 5:4
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

In 1 Timothy we are told that we can fall into the condemnation as the devil;
1 TIMOTHY 3:6
6 Not a novice,a lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Again, 1 Timothy says believers can fall into destruction and perdition;
1 TIMOTHY 6:9
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Hebrews tells us we can fall into unbelief;
HEBREWS 4:11
11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Hebrews also says believers can fall away;
HEBREWS 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Peter tells us that Christians can fall into sin;
2 PETER 3:17
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.

Also Consider These Verses
Paul said that Christians must CLEAVE unto the Lord.
Acts 11:23
(23) Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Paul persuaded believers to CONTINUE in the grace of God.
Acts 13:43
(43) Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Paul exhorted believers to CONTINUE in the faith
Acts 14:22
(22) Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Hebrews tells us that believers can DEPART from the living God
Hebrews 3:12
(12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

1/11/10 PRAISE IN THREE PASSAGES

PRAISE IN THREE PASSAGES

#1 ROMANS 15:11

11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

DLG notes...

Gentiles should Praise the Lord because they are included in God's salvation, by grace through faith;
Before the Gospel dispensation (Ep. 3:2),

* the Gentiles were strangers to the Way of God (Ep. 3:12).

* God promised Salvation to the Gentiles in...

the Old Testament (Is. 11:10) and

at the Birth of Christ (Lk. 2:9-11),

* then God sent the Gospel to the Gentiles (Ac. 11:18).

GOD'S PROVISION. We are not saved by a Rules and Regulation Religion, but Salvation by Grace through Faith. PRAISE THE LORD indeed.

VERSES...

EPHESIANS 2:8-10
8 For by grace are ye 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.

EPHESIANS 3:2
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

EPHESIANS 2:12
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

ISAIAH 11:10
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

LUKE 2:9-11
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

ACTS 11:18
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

# 2 HEBREWS 13:15

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

DLG notes...

Offering the sacrifice of praise continually to God, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name;

We should Praise
* In Everything (good and ill),
*In All Times (private and public),
* In Various Ways (testify and sing),

* In Everyplace (with believers and non-believers).

We Honor God when we Praise the Lord.

* We Stay on Course with God when we Praise the Lord.
* We Strengthen Believers when we Praise the Lord.
* We Confront the Lost when we Praise the Lord.

Verbal Praise
* Verbal Praise Always Aligns our lives with God.
* Withholding Verbal Praise Offers No Light.

* Verbal Praise Without Faithfulness is to Witness against God.
* Verbal Praise With Faithfulness Glorifies God (Shines His Light in a Dark Place).

# 3 PSALMS 148:1-14 (with DLG notes...)

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.
DLG notes... Song of Praise. We should Praise the Lord aloud and always and in alignment with our lives. Silent Praise is not complete Praise.
All of the upper regions of heaven should Praise the Lord.

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
DLG notes... All intelligent heavenly creatures should Praise the Lord.

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.
DLG notes... All the inanimate objects of the universe should Praise the Lord.

4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
DLG notes...
All the heavens, the atmosphere, the starry universe and everything beyond those heavens should Praise the Lord.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath also established them forever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
DLG notes... All creation should Praise the Creator and His immutable decrees.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons (sea creatures), and all deeps:
DLG notes... All creatures of the sea should Praise the Lord.

8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
DLG notes... All untamed powers of the earth should Praise the Lord.

9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
DLG notes... All insentient creation should Praise the Lord.

10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

DLG notes... All sentient creatures should Praise the Lord.

11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
DLG notes... All people should Praise the Lord, regardless of station, gender or age.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
DLG notes... All Praise is due to the Lord, because He excels above everything and everyone else.

14 He also exalts the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
DLG notes... All Praise is due to the Lord, because He has given His Power to His People.

1/11/10 Praise For Deliverance In PSALM 107

Praise For Deliverance In PSALM 107.

Returning From Exile Elicits Praise

* 1-3 

(Christians also should praise for being Delivered from Sin).

Rescued From Various Trials

* 4-9, Wandering in Wilderness;

* 10-16, Bound by Gates of Bronze and Bars of Iron;

* 17-22, Fooled into Famine;

* 23-32, Tossed by Troubles.

Recurring Call to Praise the LORD for Deliverance

* 8, 15, 21, 31
"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"

Reversing Our Plans Is Redemptive

* 33-43

1/11/10 PRAISING THE LORD in 2010.

PRAISING THE LORD in 2010.

Psalm 107:1-3. I explained my own Practice of Praising; how it started, why I do it, how people respond, what the Bible says and why all believers should Praise the Lord verbally and often. I pointed out that Book of Psalms is Praise song book, but only 67 verses in Psalms have both the word PRAISE & LORD. We read and I made brief comments on various verses.

COMMENTS AND VERSES...
PSALMS 107:1-3
1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

DLG comments...
I started praising God in everything as freshman in college; not as a mantra or a charm but as true praise. When I am complimented I almost always respond with Praise the Lord. When something bad happens, I usually say Praise the Lord. In everything give thanks and praise.

EPHESIANS 5:19-20
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

PHILIPPIANS 4:6
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

COLOSSIANS 3:17, 23
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

DLG comments...
The words PRAISE and LORD are found together in 103 verses of the Bible (KJV), 101 in the Old Testament, with 67 in the book of Psalms.

DLG THOUGHTS FROM SELECTED PSALMS...
7:17 We Praise the Lord by singing, publicly and privately. God's Name represents Him. His Name is not a mantra or charm. We worship God, not simply a name that is separate or distinct from Him.
9:1 We should Praise with the Whole Heart. Our words SHOW His marvelous works.
21:13 We Praise His Power.
22:23 Proper Praise incorporates glorifying God with reverential fear.
22:26 God Feeds the Soul of those who praise.
33:1 Praise is Proper for the believer.
34:1 We should Praise the Lord at All Times. His Praise should Continually be in our Mouths.
40:3 Praising God helps others See, Fear and Trust God.
51:15 Sometimes Praise involves more than just the words Praise the Lord.
54:6 Praise is the Sacrifice of our Lips.

Verbal Praise serves several purposes;
* God is glorified,
* We are encouraged,
* Believers are edified,
* Non-believers are reminded to look to God.

Our Praise words Paint a Picture for others to See God and His Glory.

Praising God during trials is an act of faith.

Passages in Psalms with PRAISE and LORD
7:17; 9:1; 21:13; 22:23, 26; 28:7; 30:12; 33:1, 2; 34:1; 40:3; 51:15; 54:6; 56:10; 57:9; 86:12; 89:5; 98:4; 100:1; 102:18, 21; 104:33, 35; 105:45; 106:1, 2, 47, 48; 107:8, 15, 21, 31; 108:3; 109:30; 111:1, 10; 112:1; 113:1, 9; 115:17, 18; 116:19; 117:1, 2; 118:19; 135:1, 3, 21; 138:4; 145:10, 21; 146:1, 2, 10; 147:1, 7, 12, 20; 148:1, 5, 7, 13, 14; 149:1, 9; 150:1, 6;

1/9/10 BEWARE THE OFFENSES

BEWARE THE OFFENSES

Jesus said, Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Ma 18:7.

The innocent suffer through war, crime, domestic disturbances, disease, famine caused by evil men.

The wicked will answer for their sins, as well as those who needlessly hurt the innocent.

Those in Washington who are robbing future generations face judgment in this area.

God's word also says It would be better to have a millstone tied around the neck and thrown into the sea than offend a little one.

1/8/10 CHAMPIONS AND COACHES

CHAMPIONS AND COACHES
I thought about something at the gym today. BTW, I played 135 minutes of moderate Pball. I often play with new or weaker players, to help them learn. Here is what I thunk about. When you play often with team-mates or competition who are weak or unaccomplished, it slows down and siphons off your own skills. This is why we need to fellowship with champions of the faith and follow good leaders (Pr 27:17; He 13:7,17).

VERSES...
PROVERBS 27:17
17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

HEBREWS 13:7, 17
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

1/8/10 YOU CHOSE FOR THEM

YOU CHOSE FOR THEM

To all the parents who chose to not give their children a Christian upbringing, but said children should decide for themselves (duuuu uuuuh).

Look at what we ended up with and look where it is going.

The choice is either

RIGHT or WRONG,

GOOD or BAD,

TRUE or FALSE.

Those parents did not give their children a choice, they chose for them.

1/7/10 Don't Quote Me

Don't Quote Me, and PLEASE don't let me alarm anyone, but after some thoughtful consideration, I think there may be some liars in Washington D C.

1/7/10 DOG AND PONY SHOW IN D.C.

DOG AND PONY SHOW IN D.C.

With all of the other distractions, don't forget to keep your eye on Israel and Iran. The Dog and Pony show going on in Washington is both a smoke screen and part of the problem. And, NO, political action is not going to save the day. This is a moral, spiritual issue. God requires mankind to worship Him. To reject Christ and His salvation is to reject God, peace and well being. PRAY AND OBEY.

1/7/10 DO YOU EVER THINK...

DO YOU EVER THINK...

"So... am I by myself, or is it just me?"

1/5/10 A GOD GIVEN CHOICE

1/5/10 A GOD GIVEN CHOICE
When automobiles were first sold, people were told they could buy one in any color, so long as it was black. God actually gives us a choice in life; either accept His will in our lives or reject it. Since God loves His children and always does that which is best for us in this present evil world and then He saves us from eternal torment and allows us eternity with Him.
You have gotta be stupid to turn Him down (Ps 14:1)

Psalms 14:1
(1) ...The fool has said in his heart, There is no God! They acted corruptly; they did hatefully in deeds; there is none doing good.

1/6/10 SENIORS HOME...EVANGELISM CLAIM...

SENIORS HOME...

NOTES FROM TUESDAY NIGHT...

* I started with evangelistic claim,

CHRIST ALONE SAVES FROM

Sin

Death

Hell

* I Called on them to

Reflect

Realize

Relish

* I Warned about

Living

Longing

Loathing the Past

* I Challenged them to

Live in the Present by Taking One More Mountain

* I Encouraged them to

Look at their Prospects.

Very good service. I love my Senior moments; I believe they love me.

EVANGELISM CLAIM...
Faith In Christ Alone Saves From Sin And Hell...

* In the News...

Tiger Woods scandal points out everyone's need for Christ (Brit Hume).

* Other News...

Buddha died and is still dead.

Mohammed died and is still dead.

Michael Jackson and

Anna Nicole died and

THEY are still dead.

* Good News...

Jesus said He would die and rise again.

Jesus died,

Jesus Rose From The Dead, just as He said.

Jesus said He was going to the Father

Jesus said He is coming back.

He ascended to heaven and we can count on it, He Is Coming Back.

WE MUST LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND...
If you live in the past, life will pass you by.
If you long for the past, you will miss the blessings of today because you are living in doubt instead of faith..
If you loath the past you will be filled with hatred, envy and sorrow.

OLD AGE DOES NOT PRECLUDE NEW LIFE...
Dream a new dream.
Take a new mountain.
Share the Good News.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME...
Eternal life with God.

1/6/10 MORE VERSES ABOUT SEEKING GOD

MORE VERSES ABOUT SEEKING GOD

I hope you are blessed by this little endeavor. For those who meditate on these verses, you will find precious gems of truth. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

SEEK THE LORD...
A Few Select Verses Concerning Seeking God

Seeking Requires Commitment
1 CHRONICLES 22:19
19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

1 CHRONICLES 28:9
9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.

2 CHRONICLES 15:2
2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

HEBREWS 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Seek God Early, Eagerly And Evermore
1 CHRONICLES 16:10-12
10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
11 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
12 Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

PSALM 27:4
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

PSALM 63:1
1 ...O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsts for thee, my flesh longs for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

PSALM 105:4
4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

DANIEL 9:3
3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

HOSEA 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

MATTHEW 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

LUKE 11:9
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

COLOSSIANS 3:1-2
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Seek Him, Find Him;
DEUTERONOMY 4:29
29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

PSALM 9:10
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

ISAIAH 55:6-7
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Benefits Of Seeking God
PSALM 22:26
22 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live forever.

PSALM 34:10
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

PSALM 69:6
6 Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

PROVERBS 28:5
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

ROMANS 2:7-10
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that does evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Pride And The Cost Of Not Seeking God...
2 CHRONICLES 12:14
14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

PSALM 10:4
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

PROVERBS 1:24-33
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes;
27 When your fear comes as desolation, and your destruction comes as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish comes upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

HOSEA 7:10
10 And the pride of Israel testifies to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.

Seek God In Time Of Trouble...
2 CHRONICLES 20:3-4
3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

Seeking God More Important Than Ceremonial Cleansing...
2 CHRONICLES 30:17-20
17 For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.
18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one
19 That prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
20 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

1/5/10 GOD COMMISSIONS US

GOD COMMISSIONS US

Many of us recognize our own artistic incompetence. Yet God has commissioned each of us to produce our own unique composition.

* Life is our canvas and circumstances are the colors with which we paint.

* We compose and orchestrate our opera from life's opportunities and obstacles.

* The pages of our novel are written from our daily decisions.

Masterpiece or catastrophe, triumph or tragedy, it is up to us.

1/4/10 CHILDREN ARE OUR GREATEST TREASURE

CHILDREN ARE OUR GREATEST TREASURE

God wants them saved. They're easier to reach.

Make God's message understandable to children. A dumbed down gospel produces dumbed down, childish Christians.

Children are little people who can understand complex truths, when shared in a wise yet simple way. They need LOVE, TRUTH, PATIENCE, AUTHORITY AND ROLE MODELS.

Win children; they're available, pliable, valuable.

1/4/10 WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN MMX?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN MMX?

Single minded seeking, finds answers.

Seek a worthy prize.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt 6:33).

Parables on Seeking...

The treasure hidden in a field,

The pearl of great price and

The lost coin...

were all found by seekers who sacrificed all. Keep seeking until you find, until you receive (Lk 11:8-10).

Seek...
God's best,
God's will,
God's leading and
God's power.

VERSES...

Worthy Prize
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Treasure In Field
Matthew 13:44
44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he hath, and buys that field.

Pearl Of Great Price
Matthew 13:45-46
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Lost Coin
Luke 15:8-9
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Seek Until You Find
Matthew 7:7-8
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.

Luke 11:8
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

Never Give Up
Philippians 3:14
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

More thoughts on “SEEKING.”
Seeking Glory, Honor and Immortality (Ro 2:7-10).
Seeking Things Above, Not on the Earth (Co 3:1-2). Seeking God Diligently and Seeking by Faith (He 11:6). 

VERSES...
ROMANS 2:7-10
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that does evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

COLOSSIANS 3:1-2
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

HEBREWS 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1/4/10 ONE BAPTISM, BUT WHICH ONE?

ONE BAPTISM, BUT WHICH ONE?
The N.T. clearly says there is One Baptism (Ep 4:5).

Yet we see...

John's baptism of repentance and faith in Christ, with water (Ac 19:3-4),

Baptism as a metaphor of suffering/dying, with and for Christ (Mk 10:38),

Baptism with Holy Spirit and Fire (Mt 3:11).

Jesus Baptism with the Holy Spirit is the superior and the only essential baptism.

Baptism is symbolic, as seen in references to Noah, and Moses, and as it is used in reference to death and burial.

VERSES...

One Baptism
Ephesians 4:5
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

John's Baptism of Repentance of repentance and water and faith.
Acts 19:3-4
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Christian Suffering
Mark 10:38
38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

Jesus Baptizes with the Holy Spirit
Matthew 3:11
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

DLG notes... The baptism of repentance (in water), administered by John the Baptizer, Jesus' disciples during Jesus' earthly ministry, was continued and practiced by the apostles in the early church.

Jesus Did Not Baptize With Water
John 4:1-2
1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Paul Was Not Called To Baptize
1 CORINTHIANS 1:14-17

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 

16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Jesus Baptizes With The Holy Spirit
John 1:33

33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 1:4-5
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

1 Corinthians 12:13
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Noah In Symbolism Of Baptism...
1 Peter 3:20-21
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Moses In Symbolism Of Baptism...
1 Corinthians 10:1-2
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

Death In Symbolism Of Baptism...
Romans 6:3-5
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Colossians 2:12
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

DLG notes...
Baptism, Lord's Supper and Circumcision are outward expressions of inward experiences.
No one is saved by Baptism, Lord's Supper or Circumcision.

* Baptism Symbolizes Death to Sin and Newness of Life.
* Lord's Supper Symbolizes Fellowship/Union with God.
* Circumcision Symbolizes a Purified Heart.

John 6:63
63 It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

1/4/10 "PRAISE THE LORD," is not just a catch phrase

"PRAISE THE LORD," is not just a catch phrase with me and other believers, or a conversation filler. I say it deliberately.

The various reactions to this declaration are interesting.

* Believers smile and echo ascent.

* Some folks are caught off guard and ask me to repeat it; some of them agree, with varying levels of assertion and some just nod or look bewildered.

* Others become agitated.

TOO BAD; THEIR LOSS.

A GOOD RESOLUTION FOR MMX...
Make Praise A Part Of Your Normal Conversation.

VERSES FROM PSALMS...
107:2, 8-9; 109:30; 111:1; 115:18; 117:1-2; 135:3; 146:1-2; 150:6

Read and Meditate on these passages.
107:2, 8-9
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.

109:30
30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

111:1
1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

115:18
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD.

117:1-2
1O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise ye the LORD.

135:3
3 Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

146:1-2
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

150:6
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

1/4/10 SOMETHING I WROTE

SOMETHING I WROTE

I wrote a little poem several years ago, addressing the problem of a changing culture. Let me share it with you.

The Old Road to Success
by David L. Gould

They say there were no "good old days",
And some folks think it's true,
But I was there, I'm glad to say,
I wished you'd been there too.

Little children played in parks,
Free from the fear of thugs,
And pedophiles, and maniacs,
And guns and aids and drugs.

In school we learned to read and write,
To work hard and play fair.
We showed respect to all adults,
But now these things are rare.

Yes Sir, no Ma'm, thank you and please,
Be honest throughout life.
Obey God, go to church,
Be faithful to your wife.

The road which leads us to success,
Is still the same today.
But failure is the destiny,
For those who turn away.

1/3/10 DON'T LIVE IN DREAM WORLD

DON'T LIVE IN DREAM WORLD
I dreamed a strange thing. I dreamed that I was having trouble seeing clearly. I covered my left eye and discovered my right eye had gone blind.

The feeling was exactly as it was a few years ago when West Nile Virus caused me to momentarily go blind in my right eye. As then, I did not panic, I just trusted in Jesus.

Dreams can be realistic. Whether they are good or bad, don't live in a dream world, be real.

CHRISTIAN REALITY
Philippians 1:21
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

1/3/10 DON'T PACK CHRISTMAS AWAY

DON'T PACK CHRISTMAS AWAY

Martha did a super job of decorating the house for Christmas. She trimmed the tree, displayed our Bethlehem Village and our Early American Christmas Fishing Village. Wow, it all looked great.

She packed it away for next year, if Jesus tarries. The boxes of decorations are marked “Christmas.” I am afraid too many people pack their Christmas away as nothing more than a decoration.

1/2/10 SANCTIFIED SELECTIVE MEMORY

SANCTIFIED SELECTIVE MEMORY
Scripture says both, REMEMBER and DO NOT REMEMBER THE PAST. There is a kind of selective memory that is good. REMEMBER the things that draw us CLOSER TO GOD.

FORGET the things that move us away from God.

God has selective memory. He remembers the sins of the unsaved, but not the sins of the saved. Selective memory is not a cognitive failure, it is a choice of the will.

Not Contradictory, But Complimentary
There is both a negative and a positive side to reflecting on the past.

The Negative Side...
Do not live in the past,
Do not long for the past,
Do not loath the past.

Verses...
Ecclesiastes 7:10
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Isiah 43:18-19
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Philippians 3:13-14
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Instead,

The Positive Side...
Learn from the Past,

Verses...
2 Peter 1:12-13
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

Psalm 77:11
11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

Psalm 103:2
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Psalm 105:4-5
4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Psalm 143:5-6
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsts after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

Ecclesiastes 12:1
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Isaiah 46:9-10
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Ephesians 2:11-13
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

1/2/10 VOWS CAN BE DEADLY

VOWS CAN BE DEADLY
Do not make hasty commitments, even to yourself. A foolish vow made during excitement or disgust (Jephthah), and then foolishly kept, can destroy relationships forever. To say, “I will never... (whatever)” in reaction to a perceived wrong, IS WRONG, for several reasons. The so-called wrong can be corrected, forgiven, forsaken, but a kept vow separates for a lifetime. God forbids the making and keeping of wicked vows.

VOWS OR COMMITMENTS TO GOD...
God does not forbid vows or commitments made to Him to do the right thing in life, such as marriage vows made by brides and grooms or commitments made to God, to do His will.

OATH TAKING IS FORBIDDEN...
MATTHEW 5:33-37
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil.

JAMES 5:12
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

DLG note... Christians are forbidden to take oaths, because their word should be their bond. Oath taking implies, actually indicates that the simple word of a believer is not trustworthy, but only an oath, or a sworn statement can be counted as honest and true.

Swearing not only introduces a double standard of honesty, it invokes powers that are beyond the authority of human beings to invoke.

1/1/10 CHOOSE CAREFULLY

CHOOSE CAREFULLY

I was thinking about the impact West Nile Virus, which I contracted in 2005, had on my health. If I had not been deliberately dedicated to maintaining my health through rigorous exercise most of my life, I would have either died or become totally disabled.

Choices have consequences. God expects right choices. If I had made wrong choices through the years, I would not have a useful life today.

Our bodies and minds are our instruments. We should keep the body tuned-up and our heart tuned-in to God.

1/1/10 THREE RS OF A LIFE WELL SPENT

THREE RS OF A LIFE WELL SPENT

Reflecting on my Past (Titus 3:3),

Realizing my Present (Romans 13:11-14),

Relishing my Prospects (Titus 2:13), see also Ephesians 2:1-7.

PASSAGES...
REFLECTING ON MY PAST
TITUS 3:3
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

REALIZING MY PRESENT
ROMANS 13:11-14
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

RELISHING MY PROSPECTS
TITUS 2:13
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

ALL THREE CONCEPTS IN ONE PASSAGE...

EPHESIANS 2:1-7
(Reflecting on my Past)
7 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

(Realizing my Present)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by (grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

(Relishing my Prospects)
7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

1/1/10 WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF...

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF...
About three decades ago I heard a phrase that echoed my own view of the Obedient Faith Life; What Would You Do For Jesus If You Knew You Couldn't Fail? I have had many disappointments and setbacks, but I still want to take another mountain. Paul wrote, "Be not weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not" (Ga. 6:9).

Someone else said, keep on keeping on.

Still, it is not me, but Christ in me (Co. 1:27),

Who Works In Me To Will And Do His Good Pleasure (Ph 2:13),

Who Always Causes Me To Triumph (2 Co. 2:14).

DISAPPOINTMENTS AND REGRETS...
Disappointments are caused by others. In an earlier update I said,

IF our disappointments result from other peoples negative actions and IF our regrets result from our own negative actions...

THEN we should LIVE lives that limit our own regrets and Live lives that limit other peoples disappointments.

WE may suffer many disappointments, but WE do not have to suffer many regrets.

In 2010 I do not want to be the cause of anyone's disappointments or the cause of my own regrets.

1/1/10 2009 IS HISTORY... GONE... FINISHED... PAST.

2009 IS HISTORY... GONE... FINISHED... PAST.

We can’t recall it, reclaim it, or undo it. We can’t rest on the good things it brought us.

This is a new day–a new opportunity to move forward in faith–knowing that our faithful God is in control.

THREE PASSAGES...
Ecclesiastes 7:10
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Isaiah 43:18-19
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Philippians 3:13-14
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.