Tag Archives: Jesus

What Things?

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Philippians 3:7. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

When the time comes for each of us to be called home to be with our Savior, I wonder how many will actually know what things they’ve actually lost? Here, the old world measures success by how much you’ve got, whether money, property, goods, toys, clothing, social networking, etc. Everyone’s looking at their own conceptualization of their version of “now”.

Paul, in the Scriptures above, says he counts those gains of his as a loss for Christ. I wonder how many professing Christian’s today would count their losses as a gain for Christ?

With the world’s desired “Great Reset” you can find several videos about “own nothing & be happy”. I was thinking about that statement from a Biblical perspective and lo & behold, we are to count all thing as a loss for the excellency of knowing our Savior.

As believers we are travellers through this old world, pilgrims looking for that hereafter where our home really is, so how much do we really own in the wicked and sinful world? Honestly not very much, we can’t take whatever we have here with us on our journey home, so surely we already own little to nothing. I’m not saying sell you home and live under a bridge, but if you lost your home due to sickness or financial hardship, would you be able to mentally count it as a loss for Christ?

Most people’s mindset is to be focused on their now, they want a home, transportation, comfort, food. Few willing step out into those paths which cause a physical struggle. Doing the work of an evangelist, or missionary, or working with a prisons ministry, these examples and others require a mindset few willingly possess nowadays, fewer preachers actually cultivate these ideas to their congregants leaving them at a loss of knowledge. I do commend those who send forth missions and who support outreach ministries, reaching the lost is a responsibility for every believer.

We need to remember the instructions of Jesus and the Apostles & prepare our minds to be ready to count all things as a loss for Christ, those days of loss may soon be overshadowing believers.

GOD Bless, and Happy New Year.

Scripture of the Day

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Matthew 7


13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Which is it?

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In the famous Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5, we read the following;


7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 
8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 
9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 
10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven. 
11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 
12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 

Also later we can read in Matthew 9:   
11. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 
12. But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 
13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

Throughout the life and ministry of our Savior consistently upended the mainstream viewpoint and tradition’s of His day. In the Beatitudes He clarifies on the Mount challenged the mainstream scriptural interpretation of daily life, both actions and thoughts. In the verses quoted in chapter 9 He states the Father desires us to both have and to show mercy to others, quantifying that this trait and action is more important than our attempts at sacrifice.

I cut into both chapters with the intent to emphasize the concepts of mercy. Our Creator loved us enough to allow HIS Son to die in our place, showing us the greatest of both mercy and sacrifice. Mercy because we deserve death, sacrifice because HIS Son chose to accepted the suffering and act of being placed on on the cross to die so others could live.

Our lives, as believers, are to reflect the example of our Saviour. We all fall short, every day we fail, yet every day we are to continue in our walk to be a reflection of GOD’s grace. We need to remember as believers our life is going to have both joy and heartaches, both success and failure; but whatever we encounter, see, hear, choose, or experience, we must always remember, “…But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice:…”.

Have and show mercy to others, we may suffer persecution for our faith, show mercy even when you’re shown none.

God bless.

Scripture of the Day

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2 Corinthians 5


5. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 
6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 
7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 
8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 

’bout a Month & a Half

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Seems time gets away from ya easier now since everything has gone haywire. Hospital visits, surgery, recup, new clothes; then riots, mandated fear, families being torn apart, rising crime, car getting shot at, and on it goes.

Time isn’t slowing for me or anyone, we just lose a sense of time when events cause a sensory overload.

Slowing down the mental processing of everything can give one a recalibrated outlook on their perspective of time. Relaxing, refocusing on the important things in our lives can work wonders with all the bitterness & hatred out here around us.

Praying to & trusting in the only one truly in charge of everything, that being GOD Himself, knowing HIM through the Son, Jesus the Christ. That’s what brought me back to the sense of reality in which we exist within this wicked and sinful world.

Understanding the fact that as believers we are part of something greater than ourselves, this bringing some kind of relief, knowing whatever hardships we may experience, it’s all part of HIS plan for our lives.

People claiming to be Christian are getting caught up in the travails surrounding their lives. Since this so-called pandemic media & governments have continually bombarded everyone with fear. Now fear & panic, on top of the bitterness & anger are cresting as a large wave engulfing a coastline, crashing against and destroying everything in its way.

Faith is under attack in America, some may disagree but regardless, churches are shut down across the country because of advertising fear. Congregants are separated, fearing meeting others because of advertised fear. Aninus has grown in the hearts and minds of the unsaved to the level that, to them, all former things need a violent end and something new needs to emerge from the ashes of the old.

As the world waits in anticipation time continues, life, death, four seasons, the sun, moon, clouds all continue as do we.

Pray the Lord opens the hearts & minds of those in your circle of influence. Pray the Spirit will convict them of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; then maybe you’ll lead them to faith in Jesus.

Sometimes you have to wonder…

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Starting with Proverbs 17:15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

When your child, regardless of age, starts down a path in life that you know, whether from experience or Scriptures, leads toward that darker side of humanity and those vices which lead to destruction, I think it is our responsibility to try and consuel or reprove said child in those decisions.

Following dreams or trying to improve onesself isn’t what I’m referring to. When one approvingly nods at sinfulness with a wink and a smile, then trying to defend that wicked  behavior is what I’m talking about.

In trying to talk with my youngest these Scriptures come to mind. Proverbs 4:13. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

I know you can only say so much and hope the Lord plants a seed there to grow, hoping at some point your child will see the wisdom you’re trying to impart. Although watching or knowing a certain path is being taken it still bothers the mind of a parent.

In such events, with some, fingers are pointed, the blame game begins, words are usually exchanged and sometimes that old tongue causes more harm than good. Wisdom can, at times seem hidden, when stupidity rears its ugly head, but Scriptures and the Lord do not change, their Wisdom is Divine and destroys all of our humanly devised excuses.

I’ve been told to hate sin but to love the sinner. All good there but in today’s society that’s interpreted as not having a right to mention anything about morality or sin or righteousness. In the west all things moral have become relative or either situational, nothing is written in the proverbial stone. I understand Jesus told the harlot brought before Him to be stoned was told by the Savior Himself about the accusation against her, in John 8:10. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Jesus explained that with this woman, at this particular time, He neither accused her, He told her expressly to go and sin no more. He didn’t condem her then and told her to go and sin no more. He didn’t try and cover the fact that she sinned, He knew sins make themselves known at some point in a person’s life and those same sins are enough to accuse a person of wrongdoing. Those who brought her before Him knew the Law, they lived it to the letter without a heart felt sense of mercy. Her accusers knew what the penalty was for that specific sin and tried to tempt the Savior. All failing to an Old Testament axiom quoted by Jesus in Matthew 9:13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Here Jesus fulfills this by releasing the woman brought before Him. Condemnation is for those who in rejecting GOD’s love, given through Jesus, reject that Love and continue in sin. If the woman before Jesus would have spit on Him and returned to her lovers home things may have been recorded a little differently, but she left with the express knowledge that her life was spared and she was not to return to continue in sin.

With our children, talking to them about life choices referencing Scripture hoping for wisdom, in my mind, doesn’t constitute trying to shove something down ones throat. Mentioning sin isn’t judging in the perverted sense it’s understood today in the west. Trying to consuel a child about sin nowadays seems like an intolerable crime of mind and soul, even when it’s being done out of love.

Just as GOD loves HIS children and tries correcting them, we too are suppose to love and try and correct our children.

Then there’s that time when you just have to step back and let your children reap what they’ve sown. Thinking to yourself, sometimes you just have to wonder….

Scripture of the Day

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Mark 12


14. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
15. Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
16. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.
17. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

Scripture of the Day

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Hebrews 4


14. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Scripture of the Day

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John 12


22. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Scripture of the Day

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Matthew 25

1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh

Christian family brutally beaten in India

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https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp Friends, recently a Christian family of converts from Hinduism was brutally beaten; they escaped only by running into the forest and spending the night there.  Ever since Balraj* and his family chose to follow Jesus a few years ago, they have been threatened and pressured in their remote village in India. Balraj remembers verbatim the most common threat he has received over the past few years: “Here we perform poojas [rituals] and worship our gods and goddesses; you will not bring this foreign religion and you better give it up, or else we will kill you.”   A few days ago, as the family got ready for bed, villagers broke into their home and began attacking them with thick bamboo sticks. The villagers told Balraj and his family that they were kicking them out of the village and continued the beatings. When the family escaped into the woods, they were bleeding badly. The next morning, they found their house had been ransacked. Village elders severely warned them not to make a police report and threatened their lives if they continue to follow Christ. Please pray that Balraj and his family will heal physically, emotionally and mentally from the injuries suffered during the attack. Pray for provision for Balraj and his family. Pray for strength and protection for Indian believers. There continues to be intense persecution during the country’s strict coronavirus lockdown. Pictured: Balraj’s severely injured family entering a hospital ambulance. 

Pregnant Christian woman arrested in Eritrea

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https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp Friends, we have just heard news of the May 20 arrest of 20 believers—including a pregnant woman—in Eritrea’s capital city of Asmara. The group also includes six couples.  The reason for the arrests and surrounding circumstances are not known at this time. We do know that officials are keeping these Christians at a government school, closed down because of COVID-19 restrictions. Eritrea ranks #6 on Open Doors’ 2020 World Watch List. In the East African country, government security forces conduct house-to-house raids and to date have arrested hundreds of Christians. Extreme levels of government pressure, including state-sanctioned violence, often force Christians to flee the country. Please pray these believers would sense God’s presence in this uncertain and fearful time. Pray for safety and protection for this expecting mother and her unborn child. Pray that believers would be released from custody quickly. *Representative names and photos are sometimes used to protect identity.

Secret church reaches out during pandemic in Iran

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https://www.opendoorsusa.org/prayerapp Secret church reaches out during pandemic in Iran Friends, despite the risks and their own suffering, secret Christians in Iran felt called to reach out to their community with food and sanitary items during the coronavirus pandemic. These believers who worship behind closed doors are spreading the love of Christ in their community—not in words, but in deeds. House churches inside the country are quite resilient. “They have become used to living in difficult circumstances,” explains Steve*, an Open Doors fieldworker. “So, when COVID-19 reached Iran, they were afraid that it would hit them or their loved ones, but at the same time they were undaunted. They felt it was their calling to take care of people around them—not only other believers but neighbors, colleagues or others nearby who were struggling. “First, they used their own resources but, when those ended, they reached out to our partners, who in turn contacted us. They thought that no one cared about them. But, through our partners, we showed that the worldwide church is standing beside them.” Please pray the seeds of Christ’s love that are planted grow and bear fruit. Thank God for the strong underground church in Iran that has been prepared for such a time as this. Pray for provision for secret believers to continue to minister during the pandemic. Pictured: Local Christian distributing food and relief items.

Scripture of the Day

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Matthew 6


31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32. (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.