Obedience comes from Faith.

"...who through the Spirit^a of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith." ~ Romans 1:4-5 ~

We are called to Obedience and Obedience comes from faith, not the other way around so it is important what we believe. For example if a young man believes 'being a man' means making money and degrading woman, that is exactly what he will do. If you believe the Bible is God's written Word, the truth, and a instruction manual for life, then you must behave accordingly or you don't really believe it. What we believe matters a great deal. Know what you believe. Sound doctrine is only found in God's Word. Titus said there are many who say they believe God but deny Him by their actions. What do you believe? Does your life reflect it? A lot of people claim to have the truth but there can only be one truth. God is truth. Believe the Bible. Believe God! 

Sing a Song of Joy Today...

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. ~ Psalm 92:4 ~

Below is a beautiful commentary by Matthew Henry. To write such a poetic commentary on such a simple passage of the text shows great love for the Lord. I encourage you to take time when reading the Word, pray for understanding, then soak in everything being said. Psalm 92:4 seems to be a simple verse but there is enough there for a lifetime of praise when you meditate on what is being said. How many things can you think of that God has done for you that thrill you? How many things has he done since the beginning of creation? Wow!, Why would I ever be depressed?

"It is a privilege that we are admitted to praise the Lord, and hope to be accepted in the morning, and every night; not only on sabbath days, but every day; not only in public, but in private, and in our families. Let us give thanks every morning for the mercies of the night, and every night for the mercies of the day; going out, and coming in, let us bless God. As He makes us glad, through the works of his providence for us, and of his grace in us, and both through the great work of redemption, let us hence be encouraged. As there are many who know not the designs of Providence, nor care to know them, those who through grace do so, have the more reason to be thankful. And if distant views of the great Deliverer so animated believers of old, how should we abound in love and praise!" ~ Matthew Henry ~



What a 'Bright' Idea.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord... Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them...But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible....~ Ephesians 5:8-14

It says "You were Darkness" and "You are light in the Lord" Did you catch that? Not, you were in, darkness and now are in, light, but you were darkness, but now you are light. This is why unbelievers are uncomfortable around believers. Through the Lord you (as light) expose their sin and they feel convicted or guilty. The virtue, or the righteousness, is light reflected onto their sin, or darkness, therefore exposing it in the heart of the unbeliever. This verse does not mean go around pointing out peoples faults, on the contrary, it should move you to be careful to a life worthy of the calling you have received in Christ so that the Lord may grant repentance to others because of you.

Really, Really, Really worth Reading! What Dictionary is in your Home?

Quote from Noah Webster:  In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed.. .No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.

Noah Webster, the Father of American Christian education, wrote the first American dictionary and established a system of rules to govern spelling, grammar, and reading. Webster used the Bible as the foundation for his definitions. No other dictionary compares with the Webster's 1828 dictionary. The English language has changed again and again and in many instances has become corrupt. The 1828 version was the last version before scripture started to be removed from the definitions. The American Dictionary of the English Language is based upon God's written word, for Noah Webster used the Bible as the foundation for his definitions. Webster considered "education useless without the Bible." And as a result he utilized God's written word as a key to the meaning of words. This is the reason, the Webster 1828 is one of the most important reprint of the twentieth century, the essential tool of education for Christians. Below are some comparisons from the 1828 dictionary and today's dictionary, you will be amazed to discover the secularization of our modern English language. For your reference here is a link to an on-line easy to use 1828 copy of Noah Webster's Dictionary.

http://1828.mshaffer.com

1828 - Marriage: The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity,and for securing the maintenance and education of children...Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled. Heb.13.

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2012 - Marriage: A. the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc. B. A similar institution involving partners o the same gender: Gay Marriage

1828 - Education: The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties...

2012 - Eduction: Something educed. The act or process of educing. (to draw forth or bring out)

1828 - Truth: Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. The truth of history constitutes its whole value. We rely on the truth of the scriptural prophecies. My mouth shall speak truth. Prov.8. Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. John. 17.

2012 - Truth: The quality of being true...A proven principle or statement (the truths of Astronomy)...Fidelity to a required standard or law.

1828 - Love: The christian loves his Bible. In short, we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual; and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind...Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matt. 22...To have benevolence or good will for. John 3

2012 - Love: A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person...Sexual passion or desire.

What Dictionary will you use in your Home? http://1828.mshaffer.com 

White after Labor Day?

After months of saving your money you are finally able to buy an outfit you've wanted your whole life. A beautiful, pure white outfit made of the finest silk. You have brand new white shoes to match and a beautiful white hat and white gloves to finish it off. You throw away all your other clothes as this is the only outfit you ever want to wear. Outside rain is pouring down and everything is all muddy, some friends come over and want to take you to a tractor pull in the country. How do you think you would react? Would your reaction sound something like this? "There is no way I am going out there in this outfit! Not only am I not dressed for it, in this outfit I have no desire to go somplace like that"

I'm guessing that even the smallest little spot on a outfit like that would upset you. Even if the spot was where nobody could see it, it would probably still bother you. Am I right?

Todays verses are "...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." "...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ~ Romans 13:14 & 2 Corinthians 5:17 ~

The Bible tells us to "clothe ourselves" with Jesus. Jesus tells us in Revelations 3:18 "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear..." White clothes represents righteousness. Jesus is righteousness, light, truth, honor, goodness, love and everything God approves of...Where the sinful nature is lust, anger, pride, jealousy, foul language, inappropriate movies, inapporiate music and anything ungodly.

So you see, the White outfit above represents Jesus, the tractor pull represents the dirty, muddy world outside, the sinful nature. If we clothe ourselves with Jesus, that is, cover ourselves from head to toe, think about Him, talk about Him, read about Him, pray to Him, spend time with Him, if we do these things, then, it's not hard to live a godly life. Instead of feeling left out because you "can't" do certain things, you now, through the power of the Holy Spirit, "don't want to do them" Even a little spot, or in this case, a little sin, bothers you, even when no one can see it! When you clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, you are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come.

Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others ~ 1 Corinthians 10:24

...live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ~ Ephesians 5:2

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things preserve my life according to your word. ~ Psalms 199:36-37 ~ As a Christ follower your life is not your own, it was purchased by the blood of Christ. Take special note of the words "has given Himself for us, an offering to God" Jesus sacrifice was for us, but, as an offering to God. Without entire self-sacrifice the new command, the command of love, cannot be fulfilled. WITHOUT SELF-SACRIFICE WE CANNOT LOVE AS JESUS LOVED. The self-sacrifice in which you have devoted yourself to God's service binds you also to your fellowmen, for the same act that makes you entirely God's, makes you entirely theirs. In all self-sacrifice their must be two sides, Christ self-sacrifice had a God-ward as well as a man-ward aspect. It was for us...but...to God! His sacrifice was not for self recognition, rather it was for us, but, to God. Let our self-sacrifice also be for others, but to God. A daily self -sacrifice must start with the little things, and it must start at home. Serve your wife and family not as a burden, but as an offering to God. For them, but to God.

May your life be the proof of His love.



No Worroes, No Problems

O Sovereign LORD, you are God! ... For you are God, O Sovereign LORD. 2 Samuel 7:28

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^. Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:25-26

I can honestly say I don't have a single problem in my life. A problem is defined as a matter involving doubt, or something that requires a solution. So, although I have many troubles in my life, I have no problems, because God is a Sovereign God, He is in complete control, He is a ever-present help in time of need, and He is involved in every detail of my life. Because God is Sovereign anything that happens in my life, good, what I perceive as bad, or otherwise, He must allow it and is in complete control of it. So whether it be for discipline, growth, or the benefit of others, God is in complete control, He not only has a solution but He is the solution. Therefore...No Problem! I embrace every situation..."Being joyful always, praying continually, and giving thanks in every circumstance for this is God's will for me in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

In every situation ask God, "What do you want me to learn from this, or do in this? Then follow His instructuons...

1. Discipline: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. ... As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children... No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7,11 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16

2. Growth: ...We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:4-5

3. Others: For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed..." Luke 4:18 

Hidden Treasure - There's wealth in the Word

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdo and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
~ Psalm 2:1-5 ~

1. Accept God's Word as truth

2. Store up His commands (continul learning and retaining)

3. Don't just read the words but really listen to what they are saying

4. Develop a deep love for God's commands

5. look deeper than the surface

6. yearn to understand, cry out to God for it.

7. Seek out understanding as if searching for a large amount of lost money.

8. Like a treasure map let one understanding or clue lead you to another, and search diligently.

9. Do these things and you will understand the fear of the Lord

10. Do these things and you will find the knowledge of God.

10 Verses to Witness By

Ever want to share scripture when witnessing but felt lost? Your testimony or what Jesus did for you is a great place to start, but if your like me when I was first saved, I wanted to share scripture. Well, here are 10 verses to get you started. Write them in the front of your Bible for easy access when witnessing until you memorize them, then dig into the Word for more.

1. Romans 5:12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

2. John 3:16 But God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

3. Luke 24:7 Jesus said "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again."

4. Acts 2:32-33 And God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear

5. Hebrews 7:23-25 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

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6. 1 John 3:7-10 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

7. 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

8. 1 John 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

9. 1 Peter 5:10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of

Jesus, so after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

10. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

411 & 911

411...Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand"

God's Written Word always resolves emergencies. And remember, in the case of an emergency or a 911, call on 911. Psalm 91:1 that is "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty"



Today was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day...Thank You Lord!

"...for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" ~ 2 Corinthians 12:10 ~

When someone verbally attacks your faith in God, when things don't seem to go right, when trouble and sorrow knocks at your door, how do you respond? If your following the Lord and not suffering for doing wrong, your first response should be joy. Insults, hardships, & difficulties, these are some of the things that draw us nearer to God, these are some of the things that give us confirmation we belong to Him, and in them He fills us with His strength. If delight and prayers of thanksgiving are not your first response, ask God to increase your faith for "this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" ~ 1 John 5:14 ~.