Wisdom

Wisdom is a way of life. In the Old Testament, the major thrust of wisdom is a code of moral conduct (Source).

In today's context, wisdom is to awake to the righteousness that Jesus the Christ from Nazareth died to give us. Having been awaken to our righteousness, there are things that we do and not do as the righteousness of God.

The motivation for doing and not doing certain things is not to get saved. Salvation is by faith. It is FREE; bought at the price of the blood of God's only beloved Son in Whom His soul delights and given to us FREE!

The impetus to live a life befitting the righteousness of God lies in our being the righteousness of God that Jesus the Christ died to make us.

Creationism and Evolution

Read an article on "Creationism yet to earn intellectual spurs" from TODAY dated 2 Oct 2012.

The theory of evolution is part of an experiment science; Biology, with robust, abundant and mutually supporting evidence. Although every detail of its processes could not be explained and there are disagreements on these details, the theory of evolution is unlikely to be overturned. The only objections to evolution are theological. Even if the evolution theory is indeed overturned, creationism will not become the default explanation for the origin of species. It must exhibit evidential merits.

Creationism is supported by biblical evidence as elaborated by Dr Henry M Morris, a scientist himself, in his book entitled “The Genesis Record – A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings”.

For natural evidence, one may like to read “Why Evolution is True” by Professor Jerry A Coyne.

Taking Jesus for Granted

God did not have to sacrifice his only Beloved Son to die on the Cross as Jesus the Man from Nazareth to give us healing and prosperity. But God had to do that in order to remove all of our sins and reconcile us to Him. 

But have we taken lightly the forgiveness of sins by giving more value and worth to healing and prosperity?

Abraham, Jacob and Solomon prospered before the Cross. Naaman and even Pharaoh [who took Sarah] were healed before the Cross.

A sinner regenerated to receive free pardon by Jesus the Christ is the biggest miracle. That is the power of the Gospel.   It is even more miraculous than raising the physically dead and all miracles put together!

Sin

Sin does not and can never prevent the revelation of God.  God manifested Himself in the flesh through His only Beloved Son as Jesus the Man from Nazareth.  He made Himself so real.  And it happened when we were in the thick of our sins.  If sins could have prevented God from revealing Himself, Jesus would never have become a reality.

The Son of God [God Himself] came to us as Jesus the Man from Nazareth to free us from the clutches of satan. First, He was punished for all the mistakes we made under the influence of the evil one.  Then, He showed us how the evil one works and leads us away from the devil by empowering us to do that.

Miseries follow sin.  The following is my pictorial perception of sin:

The Son of God as the Jesus the Man from Nazareth was beaten to a pulp before He was crucified!

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. [2 Corinthians 5:21].

The Bible says in Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

And as I read and think over this passage repeatedly, it dawned on me that God also did not spare Himself from the excruciating pain and agony of having to watch His darling Son suffered like that!  The sight was just too much for our tender-hearted Father God to bear.  He had to look away!

I understand sin to mean not taking God's opinions.  The entire Bible is peppered with God's opinions on how one can lead the life as His beloved child after accepting what His only Beloved Son has done as Jesus the Man from Nazareth.

The way to get out or away from sins is not trying to do that.  It is to learn from Jesus how to do that and let Him empower us.  Jesus guides us not to make the same mistakes by showing us where and how we could make those mistakes.

My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge [Hosea 4:6]

Satan has a plan for us: Destruction!

God has much better plans: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [Jeremiah 29:11]

God knows what the devil is up to and how we can defeat him. God's guarantee success over satan is found in the Bible.

But let it be known to you that once Jesus has saved you, you are always saved no matter what you do.  

It alludes to Acts 13:38-39: “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.

This is the unadulterated Gospel [Good News].  Some call the glory of this amazing Gospel antinomianism.

If you feel prompted to find out more, you may want to read "Once Saved, Always Saved" by Dr R. T. Kendall.

Money

Everyone has been given different amounts of money or various degrees of financial blessings at their disposal [although not necessary to their name].  God has purposed the money to be used to  win souls or spread the Word as a seed to generate interest in the Gospel.

If money is used according to the ordained purpose, more will be given. And when Jesus returns, the bema reward is rulership over cities [Luke 19:12-26].

Money is a tool.  God is not against us having money; He is against money having us. And when a tool is being abused, it becomes a weapon of destruction.  The greatest weapon of mass destruction in the world is money abused.

In furtherance of this understanding, whatever has been given at our disposal; talents or gifts, time, effort etc, are to be used for the same purposes.  It doesn't have to start with a big bang. It begins small.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.[Luke 16:10].

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. [Matthew 6:3].

The Book of James

James, the writer of the Book of James, has been accused of saying that justification by faith must be proved by good works.  It was not until I read the book "Once Saved, Always Saved" by R T Kendall that I understand the Book of James better.

James believed in the doctrine of faith alone saves. He made it explicit in James 2:23, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness".

James was concerned for the poor and he wanted to come to their defence.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? [James 2:14]. What James meant here was with reference to what faith will do for other people. Can our faith save the poor?

If we just say to the poor and needy, "God bless you" and then walk away, what good does that do to the poor?

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  [James 2:15-16].

This book contains so many nuggets of truth that it knocked my socks off!

If you feel prompted to find out more, you may want to get a copy of the book HERE.

Total Forgiveness

The mother of all blessings is forgiveness. 

Conversely, the mother of all curses is........(drum roll....) - unforgiveness.  

It was through reading the book "Total Forgiveness" by R T Kendall that gave me a fresh perspective on Isaiah 58:6-11:

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice ..[Isaiah 58:6].

I used to think loosing the chains of injustice means to stand up for those who are suffering from injustice.  Now, I understand it to mean forgiving those who have caused me to suffer injustice so as to free myself from the chains of bitterness and hurt.

Then I saw the benefits of forgiveness:

1. Then your light will break forth like the dawn,  and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you,  and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;  you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. [Isaiah 58:8-9]
2. The Lord will guide you always;  he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden,  like a spring whose waters never fail. [Isaiah 58:11].

I really don't mind having those benefits.

If you like to read more of the insights provided by R T Kendall, you may want to get a copy of the book HERE.

Grieving the Blessed Holy Spirit

The blessed Holy Spirit wants to express Himself through me in order to magnify Jesus and to glorify God.  And the Bible tells me how He wants to do just that. But He can only do it when I allow Him to.  Either I give Him the right of way to fully express Himself or I insist on expressing my own emotions and thoughts.

The blessed Holy Spirit is very much a Person with feelings and thoughts.  Just as I would feel aggrieved when I am not allowed to express myself, so will He.  Hence, when I do not allow the blessed Holy Spirit to express Himself, He is grieved.

All believers are given a measure of anointing. When the blessed Holy Spirit is allowed to express Himself, that anointing is manifested and it will grows stronger.

Dr R T Kendall provides great insights on how to be sensitive to the flow of the blessed Holy Spirit in his book "Sensitivity of the Holy Spirit". If you feel led to know more of the Person of the blessed Holy Spirit, you may like to get a copy of the book HERE.

Use of Tithe

I tithe because I acknowledge that everything I have belongs to God. The rightful Owner is God Himself. God owns everything [Psalm 50:10, Haggai 2:8, Colossians 1:16]. I am but a custodian; a trustee. I may reason that I got my money from gainful employment. Yet, it is God Who gave me the power to produce wealth [Deuteronomy 8:18]. When anyone abuses the tithe, it is God’s money that is being abused. God shall be the Judge for there is only One Judge [James 4:12].  Hence, when what I tithed is being abused, why should I get angry? The abuser cheated God, not me.  For I tithe to God and not to men [Hebrews 7:8]. Misery follows sin [Proverbs 13:21]. When we missed the mark, misery is hot on our heels.

Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment.  Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them].  For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation.  For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer.  Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God’s wrath and escape punishment, but also as a matter of principle and for the sake of conscience. For this same reason you pay taxes, for [the civil authorities] are official servants under God, devoting themselves to attending to this very service.  Render to all men their dues. [Pay] taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, and honor to whom honor is due.  Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one’s fellowmen, meeting all its requirements]. [Romans 13:1-8].

Let the Rightful Owner, Who is also the only Judge, deal with any situation in ways that have been ordained by Him. Shalom!

Did You Think To Pray

We get to know somebody in proportion to the time we spend together. Children spell love as TIME. God spells love as TIME too!

The majority of church leaders spent an average of 4 minutes a day in prayer.

"I have a very busy day today. Must not spend 2 hours but three in prayers "! John Wesley would not think of going out in his day without first praying.

God loves your company. He wants time with you.

A book to motivate spending more time in prayer.

Don't Peep HERE!

The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings

Without a foundation, there is no structure.  The Book of Genesis is the foundation of the Bible. If you don’t understand the Book of Genesis, you cannot proceed to understand anything else in the Bible.

Grab a Copy and be thrilled!

Grab Paperback Copy HERE!

Who We Are in Christ

Kris shares about how most believers have no idea who they are called to be. In a nutshell, Kris explains that we are called to be sons of God and in understanding that, we ought to behave as such. "The devil knows who you are, and God knows who you are... creation knows who you are, it's only YOU who don't know who the heck you are." "What's the point? You rock, you just don't know it." "The reason why you do miracles is because your Daddy is God" "When you act like God, you are being yourself" "You were born to torment the tormentor" "You can always tell the size of a man by the size of the problem it takes to discourage him." "You rock, and you didn't even do it to you"

Dictionary of BIBLICAL IMAGERY

We will miss alot of what the Bible contains if we do not see and understand the literal and symbolic meanings of the Bible’simages. 

This Dictionary of Biblical Imagery was conceived as areference book that would assist readers, students and communicators of the Bible in exploring the fascinating andvaried world of the imagery, metaphors and archetypes ofthe Bible.  

Despite approximately 850 articles, this Dictionary is not comprehensive. We believe that our readers, as they work with this Dictionary , will see that they can launch out on their own and explore other facets of biblical imagery. 

Enjoy!!!

Brought to you by: Enjoying the Bible.

Dictionary of Biblical Imagery

Pack Up Your Troubles!

Highlight

It is not the how but the Who! It is not about the manner but the Source!

We don’t have to agree on how the goodness of God has manifested in our respective lives. We need only to agree that God is good; His goodness as seen and demonstrated in His only Beloved Son as Jesus the Man from Nazareth.

To be entangled in an argument over the how inevitably distracts us from the Source. It produces unnecessary conflicts as one tries to negate the truth of God’s goodness as manifested in the life of another.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  

So pack up your troubles and look to Jesus the Christ; the only Beloved Son of God!

Foundation Scripture

1 John 1:9 [AMP]

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

The confession of sins in 1 John 1:9 is not the sin of my actions (sin as verb) but the source of my actions (sin as noun).

Noun is a place, thing or person and verb are action words.

The confession of this underpinning sin (noun), the source of my sins (verb), and how God has freed me from it will inevitably leads to praise and thanksgiving.

The Confession

I confess the underlying sin, the source of my actions. That underlying sin that has so engulfed me. The hideous sin under whom I was powerless and enslaved.

Romans 5:12 [AMP]

Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned.

“All men sinned” as in all men have been captured by sin [noun]; satan himself.

All of my actions are propelled by that sin; fear, worries, anxieties, lack, condemnation and the likes; the formative process leading to death.

Powerless

Romans 7 describe how powerless I am against sin.

Romans 7:15-21

15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns].

16 Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it.

17 However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me.

18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.]

19 For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.

 20 Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].

21 So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.

22 For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].

23 But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].

24 O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?

25 O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Gratitude

Knowing how hopelessly helpless I am against sin [noun] causes me to be grateful for what the Son of God has done as Jesus the Man.

Romans 5:6 tells me that while I was yet in weakness [powerless to help myself], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly.

If God did not send His only Beloved Son to earth as Jesus the Man from Nazareth to be the Messiah, the Christ, His Anointed One, to undo all the works of the devil in my life [1 John 3:8], I would still be living a life of torment, agony and frustrations every day.

The amazing part lies in the fact that God lifted me out of the tyrannical rulership of satan when I was not even aware I was under such rulership. In fact, I pinned all the blame on God Himself for my sufferings.

Hence Romans 5:10 says, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin’s dominion) through His [resurrection] life.”

Why did God do that? It is because He loves me!

Romans 5:8

But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.  

What Do You Say

I am always reminded of the question posed by our Lord Jesus Christ: “Who do you yourselves say that I am” [Matthew 16:15, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20]. These days, I ask myself this question: “Am I regurgitating what other people are saying about Him like a broken record or have I seen Him for myself?”

We don’t have to agree on how the goodness of God has manifested in our respective lives. We need only to agree that God is good; His goodness and faithfulness as seen and demonstrated in His only Beloved Son as Jesus the Man from Nazareth. He Who promised is faithful! [Hebrews 10:23].

Take for instance the centurion [Matthew 8:8] and the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years [Luke 8:44]. The former took Jesus at His Word while the latter needed to take His helm.

Should the two dispute over how the goodness of God was manifested in their respective lives, it would be a never-ending argument. To be entangled in an argument over the manner inevitably distracts us from the Source. It produces unnecessary conflicts as one tries to negate the truth of God’s goodness as manifested in the life of another.

It is not the how but the Who! It is not about the manner but the Source!  

Powerful

Before the crucifixion and resurrection of God’s only Beloved Son as Jesus the Man from Nazareth, I was not tempted but ordered; the order of satan. I had no choice but to comply. But after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, satan can only tempt but not order. This is because Jesus the Christ has disarmed satan and rendered him powerless to order me.

What remains is the choice I make.

Do I submit to the temptation or do I rise above it with the power that Christ Jesus has died to give me?

This reminds me of the account of the blind man in John 5:8 where Jesus told the blind man to “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk”. To me, it means this: “Don’t lament over my own weaknesses. Use the resurrection power that Christ Jesus has died to give me”.  

What Now

In Christ Jesus is the Promised Land; in Him is the rest.

When pressure is mounting and all odds are against me, God says to find my rest in Him. But I say, “No Lord! It can’t be that simple! It sounds so impractical! I must do something about it!”

So instead of being a Joshua or a Caleb, I ended up like one of the other ten spies. I deemed my problems bigger than Jesus the Christ!

I have done all that I could except going to Christ Jesus. And what did I find?

NOTHING!

It was nothing but devastating disappointments and paying a price that I could ill afford.

So what Now?

Christ Jesus, to You I come!

Pack Up!

These songs reminds me so much of Matthew 6:27 and 31.

Pack Up Your Troubles!

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

The Lord Jesus Christ is the reason I can be happy!
“Like good little children; Don’t worry, be happy” [Matthew 18:3].

Repent

Change the way I think about my life!

God is for me! [Romans 8:31]

If God did not even spare His only Beloved Son in Whom His soul delights, but gave Him up for me, how shall He not also with Him freely and graciously give me all things! [Romans 8:32].

My heavenly Father knows that I have need for all these things but seek first to know what Jesus has done for me because all the promises of God are Yes and Amen in Him. (Matthew 6:31-33,  2 Corinthians 1:20).

When I know what Jesus the Christ has done for me; that He has made me acceptable to God and hence secured all blessings for me, I have peace and joy. [Romans 14:17]

And satan cannot devour me with the shadow of fear that causes me to do things leading to miseries. Perfect love; God’s love for me, casts out all fears [1 John 4:18].

Lord Jesus the Christ ! You’re the Man!  Thank You!

Church History

Church History is an amazing roller coaster ride of revivals through the ages. You cannot fail to be stirred as you consider the awesome moves of God’s Spirit in past decades (and in our own), and the great men and women who have acted as Heaven’s ambassadors.

Source

The Time Line of Christian History

What is a Home to Children?

The Proposition

I believe to the children, a home is the place for them to share their:

1. Failures 
2. Fears 
3. Frustrations 
4. Grief 
5. Hurt 
6. Joy 
7. Rejections 
8. Worries 

 In other words, the emotions.

It is a place they can call haven where they can receive:

1. Acceptance 
2. Affirmation 
3. Assurance 
4. Confirmation 

In short, love.

The Home

Home is not a place of just doing homework and another venue of being told what they have not done right. It is not to be THE breeding ground for rats; to prepare for the senseless rat race.

Home is a place where they can be themselves and find acceptance regardless of their performance. 

How then to teach children right from wrong?

How about presenting the right thing to do as an option and then ask them what they think. In this way, I teach the children how to make decision with a basis and a rationale. This is teaching them how to be reasonable. 

Let the children fully express themselves before presenting any opinions. By so doing, I am letting them know that their opinion matters and are respected. I am validating their emotions and not negating them. It is alright to feel how they feel. 

Perception

They feel how they are feeling because of how they have perceived things. Any error lies not in the emotions but in the perception. I correct not their emotions but their perceptions. When the perceptions are right, the proper emotions follow. 

This is changing one's mind or Metanoia in Greek. 

An example: When you believe you have been cheated, do you not feel angry? It is alright to feel angry when cheated. But when you later found out that it was only a misunderstanding, you don't feel angry anymore. 

 It is a matter of perception. 

 The Danger

The danger of negating the emotions of children without addressing the source of the emotions lies in making them feel that being emotional is wrong. Common' all human beings have been created to have emotions! Why should children be any different?

Grace Parenting

By validating their emotions, I make them feel respected and valued. When children feel that, then they will be able to give the same to others. Hence, showing them respect is actually teaching them respect; and making them feel valued is teaching them how to treat people right.

 In the same connection, letting children voice their opinions is also a good way to build up their confidence in expressing themselves.

I think this is one life skill that was lacking in children of my era but increasingly prevalent in children of the 21st century (in Singapore).


Food For Thought

Would my children call their house a home?
Would they be able to find at least one of their parents to share and to receive?

But what about the bread and butter issue? 

The Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not lack [Psalm 23:1].

For I know the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ in that though He was so very rich, yet for my sake He became so very poor so that by His poverty I might become abundantly supplied [2 Corinthians 8:9]

If God did not even spare his only Beloved Son [Jesus the Christ] in Whom His soul delights, how shall He not also together with Him [Jesus the Christ} freely and graciously give me all things? [Romans 8:32]

Therefore, seek me first Jesus the Christ and all the things I need will be added to me [Matthew 6:33].

For all the promises of God are Yes and Amen in Christ Jesus. [2 Corinthians 2:20]

Do that one thing needful; sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching [Luke 10:38-42].

May the Lord bestow me with the gift of faith to do this [Romans 12:3] and to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified [1 Corinthians 2:2].

Repentance
These thoughts have been inspired by the word repentance.

 "Repentance, as it relates to Christ, means to change our minds about Him, who He is and what He's done to provide forgiveness, and deliverance from our sins. When we place faith in Jesus as having taken our place personally on the cross and borne the penalty due our sins, then we're automatically repenting, because we couldn't accept Him in this way without having to change or minds in some way concerning Him." (From the Liberation of the Planet Earth, by Hal Lindsey. (p. 133).

Believing in Jesus from Nazareth as the Christ or Messiah is an act of faith . This is because it involves no longer thinking of Him as merely the carpentor's son of Nazareth but receiving Him as both Lord (Jehovah) and Messiah. This is repenatnce (Metanoia or change one's mind) about Jesus of Nazaraeth being the Christ and not just a human being.

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Sitting Ducks - How To Gain Confidence in Sharing the Gospel

Note: The article is extracted from Joyce Meyer's "Enjoying Everyday Life" magazine [May 2012 issue). Be a partner with Joyce Meyer's Ministries and receive a copy on a regular basis.

See how Hand of Hope, Joyce Meyer Ministries World Missions, is reaching out to the four corners of the world to help hurting people.

NB: We are not affiliated with Joyce Meyer Ministries. We are sharing what we find beneficial.

Jesus began His public ministry in Nazareth. It was the town where He grew up, where all His close friends and family lived - where any one of us would have expected plenty of hugs and hand claps of encouragement. But for Jesus, it was not a good experience.

The crowd was happy with Jesus' teachings to a point but when His words became a little more direct and corrective, the Bible says they became so enraged that the actually tried to kill Him (see Luke 4:28,29).

Jesus didn't stick around to defend the validity of His ministry.  Verse 30 says, But passing through their midst, He went on His way.

Jesus walked about thirty miles to Capernaum. There, He preached to large crowds, performed miracles and cast out devils from among the people - and they were just so happy.  They said, "Stay with us, Jesus.  This is Your spot!"  Well, who wouldn't want to stay where everybody loves and appreciates you?  But Jesus didn't hang around there either because He knew there were others who needed to hear His message.

There's a major lesson to be learned here.  See, Jesus wasn't moved by people's rejection nor was He moved by their acceptance.  He was moved by the Spirit of God.

"Jesus wasn't moved by people's rejection nor was He moved by their acceptance.  He was moved by the Spirit of God."

What Do You Do When Others Reject You

Have you ever tried to help someone who didn't really want to be helped out of their situation? You know, we tend to think that if we could just explain things a little more clearly or be a better witness, they could be helped.  But honestly and truly, we've got to know when to break free from the burden of false responsibility.

In Matthew 10, Jesus was sending out His disciples, and He told them that if they went to a town and the people didn't accept them, they should shake the dust off their feet and go to the next town.

What does that mean for you personally? It means if someone doesn't want to be helped, you can continue to pray on their behalf, but you are not obligated to try and change them.

The world is full of hungry, hurting people who would love to get every crumb of love and encouragement you have to give them.  SO when one person rejects you, don't let that stop you.  Do what Jesus did.  Move on to the next person and the next person until somebody wants what you've got.

What to Do When Others Ask Too Much

Now, there are going to be others in your life who love and appreciate you and won't ever want you to leave their side. And it's tempting to stay around people like that because they genuinely care about you.  But if you choose to stay in that same small circle, you won;t be able to reach out to others in need - and that's where God wants out focus to be.

I think it would absolutely set the church on fire if every Christian would realize they have what it takes to make a difference in the lives of others.

Pursuing God's Wonderful Plan for You

Now, if you're a new Christian, take some time to learn about who you are in Christ before you really start ministering to people.  It's important to reach out to others because you love God and you're following His lead, not because you're pressured to do good works to feel good about yourself.  And those of us who do know the Word and who we are in Christ, it's time to step up and say, "Okay, I'm filled up to the brim with the Word. Now it's time for me to start giving out what God's given me".

Just as God said to Abraham, "I will bless you and I will make you a blessing, causing you to dispense good to others," He will also do the same through us (see Genesis 12:2).

When you go to church, go with a purpose.  Think about how you can help others and lift them up.  Then go out armed and ready, prayed up and looking for someone to bless.

The truth is, if you will regularly reach out to help people, edify them, encourage them, and treat them the way you want to be treated, you will be one of the most spiritually fulfilled and fruitful Christians working in the world today.

Gospel Why Share

Grace Sermons by Pastor Joseph Prince

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God is Faithful!

I would like to thank my Lord and Brother Jesus Christ for the message on “Transfer of Wealth” delivered by the blessed Holy Spirit through Pastor Joseph Prince.

The message gave me an idea for a video contest for which I came in second with a prize of $500 shopping and dining vouchers. The full results are at http://www.tampines1.com.sg/tampines/happenings-details.aspx?id=SbyFMSO3m5yVL8X6mb1FLA%3d%3d.

 What really touched me was a lesson about my Father God that I learned from this experience.

One of the criteria was the Youtube viewership of my video. As I garnered for support, only my 13-year old nephew stepped out to help only to be labelled a spammer by one of his friends. His belief in me touched my heart.

 If I being evil can be touched by the simple trust of a young teenage boy, what more my Father in Heaven Who will be delighted by those who see Him as faithful.

 This has indeed been a priceless lesson on seeing Him as faithful.

 Thank You Father God in Jesus’ Name.

 Romans 3:3-4 
3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”

The Gospel

Extra! Extra! Read all about It!

What is the Gospel?

It is the good news.

It is God’s love manifested and magnified in the personification of His only Beloved Son to undo all the works of the devil.

God loves you!

Who is for love?...Nah, its for the sissy!

God is saying through the Bible:

Are you into all kinds of vices?

Are you notoriously evil?

Are you feeling crushed by life?

Are you without any real friends?

However big a mess you are in right now, come to Me.

Radical Grace Through Radical Means!

Approach My throne of grace boldly for I love you just the way you are!

I sent My only Beloved Son as the Man Jesus from Nazareth to die on the Cross just for you! I sent Him for you!

See My love for you in Him. I Am for you.

I am not visible to you. But I have sent my only Beloved Son to be the Man Jesus so that you can see Me in Him. When you see Him, you see Me; see Him, see Me.

I know you are doing what you do because of the devil's lies.

The reason I made My only Beloved Son visible is to undo all the works of the devil. I have anointed Him to do all that. My Beloved Son has routed the devil by His Resurrection.

Never mind what other people are saying about you.

Never mind what you are saying about yourself.

I have chosen you to be My child before the foundation of the world.

I have stamped My Ownership of you in your biological settings.

Come to me just the way you are!

Note from blogger:

Hi there, my name is Eric.

I've been a Christian for slightly more than ten years. During all this time, I've been a Christian in name only.

It was only very recently that I realized that knowing the love of God is what being a Christian is all about. It is not about doing and having a form of spirituality or speaking all the right Christian lingo.

Being a Christian means I recognize that I am not perfect. And I will not be perfect until Jesus the Christ returns. From now till then, I rely on knowing God's love for me to be less imperfect.

It is through knowing for myself the love of God that will lead me to do right.

When Jesus was on earth, He asked His disciples: "Who do you yourself say that I am?"

Don't ever let the behavior of anyone rob you of the joy and reality of this great love.

Each and every one was created unique. Hence, God helps each individual in ways that are unique to each person.

Our only true and real love tells us this: But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast. [1 Thessalonians 5:20-21]

I used to think love is not for the macho. It is not "man"! But is takes a "man" to realize his limitations and that he needs help. And God helps us through His love.

No man can ever convince another of God's love.

I can only bring you to the Word of His love. And this is all written in the Bible.

God's love was shown and proven by the death of His only Beloved Son on the Cross. In this is His love. God sent His only Beloved Son to die on the Cross in order to win us over from our hostility towards Him.

God has raised many men and women to preach and teach His love through His Word as contained in the Bible.

Hence, I took the liberty to present to you four such people: Louie Gilgio, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen.

My appetite for the Word has been whetted through their preaching and teaching. Ultimately, each believer in the love of God has to read His love for himself.

There is no faction or division within the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:12-13
What I mean is this, that each one of you [either] says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Cephas (Peter), or I belong to Christ. Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Was Paul crucified on behalf of you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 3:4-9
For when one says, I belong to Paul, and another, I belong to Apollos, are you not [proving yourselves] ordinary (unchanged) men? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Ministering servants [not heads of parties] through whom you believed, even as the Lord appointed to each his task:I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase. So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor. For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God's garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God's building.

The Gospel
The Gospel means the Good News.

So what is the good news?

It is the Son of God having come as the Man Jesus from Nazareth to be God's Anointed One [i.e the Messiah or the Christ] to undo all the works of the devil. [1 John 3:8]. He was anointed to do that [Luke 4:18-19].

All our pains, sufferings and lack in all its forms are the works of the devil. We suffer because of our actions. And our actions have been dictated by the devil. [Romans 5:12]

But the Son of God Who came as Jesus the Man to be the Christ has already undone all the devil's work with His Anointing. He has already disarmed principalities and powers [Colossians 2:14-15]. His Resurrection was the confirmation of it [Revelation 1:18].

Jesus the Christ has so completely destroyed all the works of the devil that He is right now seated at the right hand of God....resting [Acts 2:32-33]. He is resting not because He is tired. He is resting because His work is perfectly finished.

When the Son of God came, He gave up all His Godly rights and privileges [Philippians 2:6-8]. He was completely a Man. God gave Him the name Jesus to depict the reason He was sent: to be the Savior [Matthew 1:21].

As a mere Man, Jesus' accomplishments were based solely on His reliance on God's love. He trusted in the love of God for Him as His Father. Jesus came to reveal God as our loving Father who tenderly loves us [John 16:27].

Today, as believers in that same love, we can walk in victory too!

Now, we do what our loving Father tells us to do as written in His Word [John 6:27]. We are in a fix right now because we were under the dictatorship of the devil. But God has shown us the Way out by leading us with His love through His Word.

Jesus came to show us that the love of our Father God shall never fail us. He came to show and prove that God can be trusted.

I used to expect all my circumstances to be a bed of roses all the time. But as I read His love more, I am beginning to realize that this expectation is not biblically realistic.

God has great and wonderfully good plans for each of us. And He guides us to them through circumstances. He allows all things to happen for our good [Romans 8:28].

Jesus came to show us that God can be trusted no matter how bad circumstances may appear. For example, Jesus was tortured and died on the Cross only because God wanted to exalt Him above all things and to give Him the Name that is above all names [Philippians 2:9-11].

Before Jesus left, one of His parting words were:

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (John 16:33).

Would you like to find out more of God's love?