John 1 NIV
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. 12 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ ”) 16 Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.
First off this book was written by the Apostle John who is not John the Baptist. Two different John's. John the Baptist was the same age as Jesus, born about 6 months before Jesus. Mary and Elizabeth (John the Baptist mother) were cousins so John and Jesus were related. I do not believe, however, the boys knew each other growing up.
The Apostle John was the youngest of the 12 disciples. He refers to himself as "the one Jesus loved". He outlived the other apostles and was the only one to die of natural causes. The other apostles all died martyrs. Two verses that I think are key in this passage are verse 10 and verse 12. Let's look at verse 10 first.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.
Here is another reference to Jesus being present when the world was created. Why did the world not recognize Him? They had the prophetic scriptures written hundred of years earlier and as good Jews they knew the scriptures. They had memorized the scriptures. They anticipated Him. Yet they had become so blind by their own pride, puffed up by their own knowledge and had twisted scripture with their own laws when Jesus stood right in front of them they could not recognize Him as the Messiah.
12 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
All who receive Jesus become children of God. Not some who receive Him, not a few who receive Him, not the elect who receive Him, ALL who receive Him. As I've said before "All means all and that's all all means". All means me, all means you, all means Sam down the block. All. We become children of God. His kids, His family, His little ones. Born of God. Born again. Before I became a Christian I laughed at that phrase "Born again". To me, being "Born again" meant you were a wacko Jesus freak holy roller. When I was "saved", that moment I accepted Jesus and invited Him into my life and heart, I understood what it meant to be "Born again". It's not just professing your faith in Christ, it's deciding to make Him the center of your life and trying to live your life in a way that pleasing to Him.
If you've accepted Jesus as your Saviour, are you living your life in a way that is pleasing to Him?
Blessings, Cecilia
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Acts 19:11-20 I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
Acts 19:11-20 “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
Miracles at Ephesus
11God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.
I have witnessed miracles in my life from the hand of God through Jesus Christ from prayers, anointing with oil and by faith.
I have witnessed firsthand after prayer and anointing God raise up a man from his deathbed and give him more days. His wife tried to give me credit but I explained to her I was just a vessel of God used for His Sons glory. I told her like King Hezekiah, (Isaiah 38:5) God gave the king 15 more years. He has heard your prayers and given your husband more time so enjoy every day, minute and second God has given you. He lived another 6 months.
Will the demons say of you; “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” This happened to them because in their hearts they didn't accept Jesus Christ but we're trying to exploit His power for self gain. Don't be like these Jews but be a humble worker for Jesus. Become a vessel for Him and when and if He uses you, be humble so the demons will say; I recognize Jesus, and I know about you! You see, God has put His seal on you and the demons cannot touch you without His permission!
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee
(2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
Read more here;
http://www.newcreationrealities.com/in-christ/he-put-his-seal-on-us/
Miracles at Ephesus
11God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.
I have witnessed miracles in my life from the hand of God through Jesus Christ from prayers, anointing with oil and by faith.
I have witnessed firsthand after prayer and anointing God raise up a man from his deathbed and give him more days. His wife tried to give me credit but I explained to her I was just a vessel of God used for His Sons glory. I told her like King Hezekiah, (Isaiah 38:5) God gave the king 15 more years. He has heard your prayers and given your husband more time so enjoy every day, minute and second God has given you. He lived another 6 months.
Will the demons say of you; “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” This happened to them because in their hearts they didn't accept Jesus Christ but we're trying to exploit His power for self gain. Don't be like these Jews but be a humble worker for Jesus. Become a vessel for Him and when and if He uses you, be humble so the demons will say; I recognize Jesus, and I know about you! You see, God has put His seal on you and the demons cannot touch you without His permission!
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee
(2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
Read more here;
http://www.newcreationrealities.com/in-christ/he-put-his-seal-on-us/
Monday, June 20, 2016
John 1:1-5 The Beginning
John 1 NIV
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
In The Beginning. If you ask the best place to start reading the Bible most people I know will tell you to start with the Book of John. When I started this daily Bible Study, I started with two of my favorite books, The Book of Job and the Book of Revelation. I decided it is time to get back to basics.
The Book of John begins with a an explanation of who God is. It is often compared to the beginning of Genesis.
The title at the beginning of John says "The Word Became Flesh". Who was with God and became flesh? Jesus. So lets insert "Jesus" into this passage.
1 In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. 2 Jesus was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Jesus all things were made; without Jesus nothing was made that has been made.
Verse 4 and 5 gives us another description of God/Jesus. Jesus is life and light. So once again let's insert "Jesus".
4 In Jesus was life, and Jesus was the light of all mankind. 5 Jesus shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome Jesus.
Now let's look at Genesis.
Genesis 1
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Here we are introduced to the Spirit of God. If God and Jesus are one and God has a Spirit, I suspect that Spirit is also Jesus.
Let's look at another verse from Genesis. Verse 26 "Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,a and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
“Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness". Who is "us" and "our"? God, Jesus and the Spirit. The Trinity, the Three in One. They are a packaged deal. If you have a relationship with God, you have a relationship with Jesus and a relationship with the Holy Spirit. We'll get more information on the Holy Spirit later.
These passages are our proof that God and Jesus are one. Jesus was there at creation, He is not a creation of God. It is also proof that God created EVERYTHING. Because that's what it tells us. John verse 3 "Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made."
If the first sense make sense, don't look for any other sense. Amen!
Blessings, Cecilia
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
In The Beginning. If you ask the best place to start reading the Bible most people I know will tell you to start with the Book of John. When I started this daily Bible Study, I started with two of my favorite books, The Book of Job and the Book of Revelation. I decided it is time to get back to basics.
The Book of John begins with a an explanation of who God is. It is often compared to the beginning of Genesis.
The title at the beginning of John says "The Word Became Flesh". Who was with God and became flesh? Jesus. So lets insert "Jesus" into this passage.
1 In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God. 2 Jesus was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Jesus all things were made; without Jesus nothing was made that has been made.
Verse 4 and 5 gives us another description of God/Jesus. Jesus is life and light. So once again let's insert "Jesus".
4 In Jesus was life, and Jesus was the light of all mankind. 5 Jesus shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome Jesus.
Now let's look at Genesis.
Genesis 1
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Here we are introduced to the Spirit of God. If God and Jesus are one and God has a Spirit, I suspect that Spirit is also Jesus.
Let's look at another verse from Genesis. Verse 26 "Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,a and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
“Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness". Who is "us" and "our"? God, Jesus and the Spirit. The Trinity, the Three in One. They are a packaged deal. If you have a relationship with God, you have a relationship with Jesus and a relationship with the Holy Spirit. We'll get more information on the Holy Spirit later.
These passages are our proof that God and Jesus are one. Jesus was there at creation, He is not a creation of God. It is also proof that God created EVERYTHING. Because that's what it tells us. John verse 3 "Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made."
If the first sense make sense, don't look for any other sense. Amen!
Blessings, Cecilia
Acts 19:1-10 Did You Receive The Holy Spirit?
Acts 19:1-10 Did You Receive The Holy Spirit?
Paul at Ephesus
1It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7There were in all about twelve men.
8And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
2He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
How do we receive the Holy Spirit?"
Answer: The apostle Paul clearly taught that we receive the Holy Spirit the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior. First Corinthians 12:13 declares, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” Romans 8:9 tells us that if a person does not possess the Holy Spirit, he or she does not belong to Christ: “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Ephesians 1:13-14 teaches us that the Holy Spirit is the seal of salvation for all those who believe: “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.”
Read more here;
http://www.gotquestions.org/receive-Holy-Spirit.html
So how do you know if you have the Holy Spirit in you? He is your conscience, He is your joy in your heart when you worship, He is the joy in you when you read Gods word. He is the words you speak, when you don't know where they came from to a new believer.
Follow the Holy Spirit' nudging of your heart, pray for the words to speak and the actions you take. And you will SEE the Holy Spirit in you and you will know that you have received the Holy Spirit.
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you bless those today reading this devotional. I ask you nudge those sitting on the fence to believe in Jesus Christ, that He is the way the truth and the life, so that they will have eternal life. Fill them with the Holy Spirt and guide them to do Your will. Fill them with the love of Jesus.
In Jesus name I pray.
Blessings, David
Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Revelation 22:1-21 A Happy Ending
Revelation 22
1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and His servants will worship Him. 4 And they will see His face, and His name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires His prophets, has sent His angel to tell His servants what will happen soon.”
Jesus Is Coming
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. 9 But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!” 10 Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.” 12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing My reward with Me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15 Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. 18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. 20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.
And that is why Christians wait expectantly for Jesus to return. We want the evil dealt with and the sin to stop. We wait for the glorious city in the end. We will dwell with Jesus and He with us. All the strife of this world will be gone. No more struggles, no more conflict, no more pain.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. You can spend eternity in God's holy city or eternity in the lake of fire. Which will you choose? It's more then a verbal recital of words. It's a love commitment in your mind, heart and soul. It needs to be followed up with action. Reading your Bible, learning Jesus's teaching and following them with every fiber of your being. It's a life changing, heart stopping u turn for Christ. It starts with a step and is followed by a second step. It's a marathon and its one we run to the end not knowing where the finish line is but knowing of the celebration that awaits when it's over. God wants ALL to be saved. It's our job as Christians to quicken the process. How do we do that? Evangelism. Tell everyone about Jesus and His love. Tell your family, tell your friends, tell the grumpy guy next door. Tell someone!
Luke 19: 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
And they will all live happily ever after. Amen
Blessings, Cecilia
1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and His servants will worship Him. 4 And they will see His face, and His name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires His prophets, has sent His angel to tell His servants what will happen soon.”
Jesus Is Coming
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. 9 But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!” 10 Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.” 12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing My reward with Me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. 15 Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. 18 And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book. 20 He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people.
And that is why Christians wait expectantly for Jesus to return. We want the evil dealt with and the sin to stop. We wait for the glorious city in the end. We will dwell with Jesus and He with us. All the strife of this world will be gone. No more struggles, no more conflict, no more pain.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. You can spend eternity in God's holy city or eternity in the lake of fire. Which will you choose? It's more then a verbal recital of words. It's a love commitment in your mind, heart and soul. It needs to be followed up with action. Reading your Bible, learning Jesus's teaching and following them with every fiber of your being. It's a life changing, heart stopping u turn for Christ. It starts with a step and is followed by a second step. It's a marathon and its one we run to the end not knowing where the finish line is but knowing of the celebration that awaits when it's over. God wants ALL to be saved. It's our job as Christians to quicken the process. How do we do that? Evangelism. Tell everyone about Jesus and His love. Tell your family, tell your friends, tell the grumpy guy next door. Tell someone!
Luke 19: 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
And they will all live happily ever after. Amen
Blessings, Cecilia
Acts 18:23-28 Are You an Eloquent Man?
Acts 18:23-28 Are You an Eloquent Man?
Third Missionary Journey
23And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, 28for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
When I speak of man I am referring to mankind consisting of both male and female. I ask, are you a eloquent man? Has God given you the gift of speech? Do you remember whom Jesus uses? He uses the weak to confound the strong. I envision Samson not as movies portrayed him but as a 110 pound weakling. Remember David and Goliath? I see David as a young teenager conquering the biggest man in the bible. And what about Peter? He stuttered and always inserted his foot in his mouth! But God used him mightily.
Which brings me to you! You say God can't use me? I don't have the gift of speech! Where is your faith Christian? Does not God use the weak?
Pray that the Holy Spirit gives you the words to speak and stand back and watch them flow! You will wonder; Where did that come from?
So I ask again; Are you an eloquent man?
May you be mighty in the scriptures, may you be properly instructed in the way of the Lord. May you speak and teach accurately the things concerning Jesus! And if not, may someone take you aside and explain the way of God more accurately. But most of all don't be afraid to speak out about Jesus as He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). After all, it took years for Peter and Paul to become eloquent concerning the things about Jesus!
So I ask one final time; Are you an eloquent man?
Blessings David
Third Missionary Journey
23And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, 28for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
When I speak of man I am referring to mankind consisting of both male and female. I ask, are you a eloquent man? Has God given you the gift of speech? Do you remember whom Jesus uses? He uses the weak to confound the strong. I envision Samson not as movies portrayed him but as a 110 pound weakling. Remember David and Goliath? I see David as a young teenager conquering the biggest man in the bible. And what about Peter? He stuttered and always inserted his foot in his mouth! But God used him mightily.
Which brings me to you! You say God can't use me? I don't have the gift of speech! Where is your faith Christian? Does not God use the weak?
Pray that the Holy Spirit gives you the words to speak and stand back and watch them flow! You will wonder; Where did that come from?
So I ask again; Are you an eloquent man?
May you be mighty in the scriptures, may you be properly instructed in the way of the Lord. May you speak and teach accurately the things concerning Jesus! And if not, may someone take you aside and explain the way of God more accurately. But most of all don't be afraid to speak out about Jesus as He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). After all, it took years for Peter and Paul to become eloquent concerning the things about Jesus!
So I ask one final time; Are you an eloquent man?
Blessings David
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Revelation 21:1-27 I Can Only Imagine
Revelation 21
The New Jerusalem
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the One sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And He also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be My children. 8 "But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” 9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel). 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Here is another description of what the future for believers holds that words cannot adequately describe. This is heaven on earth. This is the way God intended life on earth to be before the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Verse 4 tells us "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain." I get this picture of sitting on God's lap as He gently wipes tears from my eyes and makes all the pain and suffering of this world disappear. Not a distant memory, completely forgotten, as if it never happened.
Imagine living forever in a world with no corruption, no sin. That means no family fights, no worry, no illness, no poverty, no hunger, no concern for personal safety. Just going about your day to day business and a close one on one relationship with God. The way Adam and Eve had it before Satan took it all away. And this time, Satan can't steal our joy because he will be permanently in the lake of fire, never to deceive us again.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lrrq_opng
Blessings, Cecilia
The New Jerusalem
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the One sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And He also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be My children. 8 "But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” 9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel). 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Here is another description of what the future for believers holds that words cannot adequately describe. This is heaven on earth. This is the way God intended life on earth to be before the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Verse 4 tells us "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain." I get this picture of sitting on God's lap as He gently wipes tears from my eyes and makes all the pain and suffering of this world disappear. Not a distant memory, completely forgotten, as if it never happened.
Imagine living forever in a world with no corruption, no sin. That means no family fights, no worry, no illness, no poverty, no hunger, no concern for personal safety. Just going about your day to day business and a close one on one relationship with God. The way Adam and Eve had it before Satan took it all away. And this time, Satan can't steal our joy because he will be permanently in the lake of fire, never to deceive us again.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lrrq_opng
Blessings, Cecilia
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