Luke 11:9 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. 10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13If 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?
This is not what I've been working on, but as I was reading my devotions I couldn't help but share this. I've had real trouble lately with faith. I have lacked the faith to believe God answered my prayers. He knew exactly what I needed today and he has given me this passage. He is better than any earthly parent, so if you just ask, seek, knock he will reward you with an answer. He won't give you bad things, in fact if you ask he gives you the Holy Spirit. He knows how to give good gifts!
Please, if you have not received the Holy Spirit within you, do it now. If you are interested in learning how you can do this I have a post in the August 2005 archive on the Roman's Road to salvation. Take a few minutes, read it over, and ask Christ into your heart today!
God bless you all! Jo
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
This verse is such a great promise. Too many times people look at the surrounding verses (posted below) to use them against other people. They do this and miss out on a blessing.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
God says that if you give to others he will give to you and not just an equal portion, but as much as you can fit and then some (running over). So many times people quibble over giving their last bit of cash, food, clothing to help out someone else, but we forget that God WILL take care of us. Not only that, he will bless us beyond measure. I have seen God bless me, whether for this reason or not, I'm not sure. I trust God, though, and know he keeps his word. Sometimes things seem unbearable, distressing, and you just feel like giving up on God, on life, on others. Chin up, better days are ahead! Just keep glorifying God. Here's a suggestion, praise him for taking care of whatever is worrying you now. It shows that you believe he can and will take care of you. It will give you a little more peace in your life.
I read 1 Psalm, 1 Proverb, Romans 12 and I Corinthians 13 along with my regular bible chapters and this is the Psalm I read today. It was such a blessing I just had to share!
Psalm 111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. 6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments : his praise endureth for ever.
God bless, Jo
This verse is such a great promise. Too many times people look at the surrounding verses (posted below) to use them against other people. They do this and miss out on a blessing.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
God says that if you give to others he will give to you and not just an equal portion, but as much as you can fit and then some (running over). So many times people quibble over giving their last bit of cash, food, clothing to help out someone else, but we forget that God WILL take care of us. Not only that, he will bless us beyond measure. I have seen God bless me, whether for this reason or not, I'm not sure. I trust God, though, and know he keeps his word. Sometimes things seem unbearable, distressing, and you just feel like giving up on God, on life, on others. Chin up, better days are ahead! Just keep glorifying God. Here's a suggestion, praise him for taking care of whatever is worrying you now. It shows that you believe he can and will take care of you. It will give you a little more peace in your life.
I read 1 Psalm, 1 Proverb, Romans 12 and I Corinthians 13 along with my regular bible chapters and this is the Psalm I read today. It was such a blessing I just had to share!
Psalm 111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. 2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. 3His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. 4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. 6He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. 7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. 8They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. 9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments : his praise endureth for ever.
God bless, Jo
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Jesus is God
Luke 5:17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20And when he saw their faith, [b]he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.[/b] 21And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? [b]Who can forgive sins, but God alone?[/b] 22[u]But when Jesus perceived their thoughts[/u], he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24But that ye may know that [b]the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins[/b], (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
I was reading this today for devotions and thinking ever so much of the many people (of different "faiths") that deny that Jesus is God. The scribes accused him of blaspheme because he forgave sins, because God alone can forgive sins. Christ did many miracles on earth, but the greatest miracle is the forgiveness of sin. He really doesn't have to do anything, but he is a man of his word. He says he'll forgive you and he does, as simple as that. I just have to praise the Lord for forgiving my sins! I can have peace in my soul because I know God has already forgiven my sins!
God bless, Jo
Luke 5:17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20And when he saw their faith, [b]he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.[/b] 21And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? [b]Who can forgive sins, but God alone?[/b] 22[u]But when Jesus perceived their thoughts[/u], he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24But that ye may know that [b]the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins[/b], (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
I was reading this today for devotions and thinking ever so much of the many people (of different "faiths") that deny that Jesus is God. The scribes accused him of blaspheme because he forgave sins, because God alone can forgive sins. Christ did many miracles on earth, but the greatest miracle is the forgiveness of sin. He really doesn't have to do anything, but he is a man of his word. He says he'll forgive you and he does, as simple as that. I just have to praise the Lord for forgiving my sins! I can have peace in my soul because I know God has already forgiven my sins!
God bless, Jo
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
I Corinthians 13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor , and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
vs 1 Even though I may have the ability to speak with the tongues (languages) of men and angel, if I don't have love I am just making noise (sounding brass, tinkling cymbal).
vs 2 I may have the gift of prophecy (prediction) or understand (perceive) all mysteries (a secret through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites) and all knowledge (the act of knowing). I may have faith that I can move mountains, but I am nothing without love.
Faith 4102 pistis pis'-tis from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
vs 3 I may give everything I have to feed the poor or sacrifice myself to be burned, but if I lack love, even those things aren't useful to me.
vs 4 Love patiently endures. Love is acts benevolently. Love does not get jealous. Love does not boast and is not proud.
vs 5 Love does not act in ways that are unbecoming. Love it takes no thought for itself. Love is not easily provoked (quickly made angry). Love does not keep track of evils (harms).
vs 6 Love does not take joy in sin or wrong things, but it does take joy in the truth.
vs 7 Love endures all things, trusts all things, expects all things, and goes through or perseveres all things.
vs 8 Love never is found lacking. If there are prophecies (predictions) they will fail, if there are tongues (languages) they will stop, if there is knowledge it will disappear. I like how the BBE (Bible in Basic English) words it 8Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end.
vs 13 Now three things remain, faith, hope and love, but the greatest is love.
Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (feelings), and with all thy soul (spiritual nature), and with all thy mind (thoughts). 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
God knew the perfect words to use to let us know what love is. He also lets us know how to use it. We are to love HIM with all our heart, sould and mind. Then we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. That means take care of their needs. I just thought that this time of heartbreak and outreach due to hurricane Katrina really called for a deeper study of godly love.
May God richly bless you. Jo
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
vs 1 Even though I may have the ability to speak with the tongues (languages) of men and angel, if I don't have love I am just making noise (sounding brass, tinkling cymbal).
vs 2 I may have the gift of prophecy (prediction) or understand (perceive) all mysteries (a secret through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites) and all knowledge (the act of knowing). I may have faith that I can move mountains, but I am nothing without love.
Faith 4102 pistis pis'-tis from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
vs 3 I may give everything I have to feed the poor or sacrifice myself to be burned, but if I lack love, even those things aren't useful to me.
vs 4 Love patiently endures. Love is acts benevolently. Love does not get jealous. Love does not boast and is not proud.
vs 5 Love does not act in ways that are unbecoming. Love it takes no thought for itself. Love is not easily provoked (quickly made angry). Love does not keep track of evils (harms).
vs 6 Love does not take joy in sin or wrong things, but it does take joy in the truth.
vs 7 Love endures all things, trusts all things, expects all things, and goes through or perseveres all things.
vs 8 Love never is found lacking. If there are prophecies (predictions) they will fail, if there are tongues (languages) they will stop, if there is knowledge it will disappear. I like how the BBE (Bible in Basic English) words it 8Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end.
vs 13 Now three things remain, faith, hope and love, but the greatest is love.
Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart (feelings), and with all thy soul (spiritual nature), and with all thy mind (thoughts). 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
God knew the perfect words to use to let us know what love is. He also lets us know how to use it. We are to love HIM with all our heart, sould and mind. Then we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. That means take care of their needs. I just thought that this time of heartbreak and outreach due to hurricane Katrina really called for a deeper study of godly love.
May God richly bless you. Jo
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