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Anyone

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:35:27 -0500

Read my post on "anyone" @ http://justinfarley.blogspot.com/ . . . .
Verses: Matthew 10:37-39

Wisdom,Wives & Worship Part Blog Series

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:33:07 -0500

God wants you to have wisdom because it will protect you when you come in contact with trouble. Just like James 1:2-4 tells us that if we are struggling to handle a trouble (trial) in our lives we are to ask for wisdom from God, so we can persevere through the trial (not around) and ultimately prove we love God through our actions [James 1:12].
Verses: Proverbs 4:5-8

Sins of Attrition

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:28:11 -0500

The Word of God explains Christians are about relationship not rules. Our obedience (omitted and committed) is because we love God and value his presence in our lives. Sins of attrition refer to any activity that causes a slow drift away from our relationship with God. Sometimes seemingly harmless activities over a lifetime lead us to a point we are separated from God and don’t even recognize it until it’s too late.
Verses: Hebrews 2:1

higgaion

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:59:08 -0500

The meaning of this word is uncertain. Two interpretations are possible; the one based on an allied Arabic root gives "a deep vibrating sound," the other derived from the Greek versions of Psalms 9:16, where we read higgayon Celah, takes it to mean an instrumental interlude. from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (public domain)
Verses: Psalm 9:16, Psalm 19:14, Psalm 92:3, Lamentations 3:62

shiggaion

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:49:56 -0500

shi-ga'-yon, shi-gi'-on (shiggayon): Occurs in the title of Ps 7, and, in the plural, in the verse introducing Habakkuk's prayer (Hab 3:1). Derived from a verb meaning "to wander," it is generally taken to mean a dithyramb, or rhapsody. This is not supported by the Greek VSS, but they are evidently quite at a loss. from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (public domain)
Verses: Psalm 7:1, Habakkuk 3:1

Accompanied by Signs

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:28:08 -0500

God's spirit has brought light to a group of the Untouchable caste in a village called Kalevai in India. A people walking in darkness for thousands of years have seen a great light....
Verses: Isaiah 9:2

A Light Has Dawned in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:17:17 -0500

God's light is shining in a very dark place. The dawn is here for the people of Salem.
Verses: Isaiah 9:2

Taking leave

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:39:44 -0500

This taking of leave is not the actual leaving but the saying of farewells.
Verses: Acts 20:1

6 Degrees

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:35:44 -0500

Always remember when you go into the world day to day, to Love those you come in contact with. Every person you have contact may be a friend or relative of someone you know, or connected to you in someway through 6 degrees.
Verses: Romans 13:8-10

How Much More?

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:18:06 -0500

A few thoughts on these verses
Verses: Matthew 10:24-25

The cause of marrige problems

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:00:13 -0500

July 9, 2009 The life of Jesus. Read Today: Parable explained in private; Matthew 15:12-20; Mark 7:17-23 Matthew 15:19-20 CEV (19) Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, vulgar deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others. (20) These are what make you unclean. Eating without washing your hands will not make you unfit to worship God. My church has been doing a series on the family while our pastor was out with surgery. Many of the other people in the church, who with the knowledge they have could easily have been pastors at other churches, have stepped in and focused on things from their specialties. You would think with about 10 different people hitting the topic of families and marriages that they would have exhausted all the scriptures on them. Maybe because I was so aware of the topic because of this, but in reading today's verses I saw something I never saw before. One of those 'when did God put that in the Bible' moments. Did you see the family related part of the verse? Unfaithfulness in marriage, it comes from the heart. The King James calls it fornication and adultery, let's call it what it is. It would never have been done if there was faithfulness in the marriage. That unfaithfulness comes from you and me, not the other people in our relationship. When the husband wishes that his wife would respect him more, or strays to look at other woman, that gives him no reason to cross the line. Likewise, the woman who thinks that life should be one big romantic story like she sees in the movies and TV, and wonders why her husband can not be like that and starts to look elsewhere, she has in her heart crossed the line. We are not to seek our completion in our mate, we are to seek it in Jesus. It does not matter what the mate says or does, it is most important for us to keep our hearts pure and not cross that line. God puts that up there with murder, and we know how bad that is. Next time you think about getting out of a relationship, look at your heart to see where it is coming from. Read for tomorrow: Gentile woman's faith; Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30 Visit http://dailydevotionbob.blogspot.com/ for more tools and sign up for mailing list
Verses: Matthew 15:19-20

Introduction to the book of Romans

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:53:24 -0500

An Introduction to Romans from Delving Into the Scriptures
Verses: Romans 1:1

Legitimate Authority - Part Two

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:55:33 -0500

The Benefit of Protection - Another synonym for authority is exousia, which means to rule and cover with protection. Legitimate authority shelters and protects those who serve under it (Psalm 91:1). Jesus referred to the people of Israel as sheep without a shepherd, indicating that although they had established leadership, their leadership did not have authority. Matthew 7:29 says, “The crowds were amazed at Jesus’ teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers.” Men, we have authority so that we can protect what God has placed under our care. Paul said that a husband should have sacrificial love toward his wife, willing to lay down his own life for her. To be a man of authority, you must protect your home from outside forces. Years ago, I had a neighbor who raised his voice to my wife once. He was drunk and out of control, but I was out of town at the time. When I returned, I waited for the opportunity to confront him. Sure enough, one day in a drunken stupor, he yelled at me. When he did, I turned and approached him. Without raising my voice, I calmly addressed him by name (Proverbs 15:1). As I was drawing closer to him, he bolted toward me thinking that he could intimidate me and cause me to back down. Instead, I took two more steps toward him. He realized that his bullying tactics weren’t going to work on me, and he stopped abruptly. Then I looked straight into his eyes and said, “Don’t raise your voice to me. You’re drunk. And don’t ever speak to my wife or children again. If you have something to say, be a man and come to me.” He timidly walked away. After that day, any time that I would walk out of the house, he would scurry into his garage or home with his head bowed in shame. I have dealt with that kind of spirit before. I have learned that you cannot conquer it with fear.
Verses: Psalm 91:1, Proverbs 15:1

Luke 1:26-80

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:48:53 -0500

Luke 1:26-80
Verses: Luke 1:26-53, Luke 1:55-80

Hearing God's Voice

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:52:49 -0500

God is not a silent friend. He longs to speak to us, however, we often do not hear his voice because we are too busy talking to ourselves or just too busy with worldly issues. (James 4:8a) "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you" Communication is the life giving blood that sustains all relationship. Without blood, the body dies, without communication the relationship dies. When we communcate we listen with our heart to the one speaking then we respond. To know and reconize a person's voice we must spend time with that person. God is not a silent friend. (Psalm 32:8) "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eyes". God's desires to teach us, lead us, into all truth and show us things to come. (John 16:13-16) God wants to instruct us and give answers to our questions. (Psalm 21:2, 119:169). We cant depend on another person to hear him for us. The more time we spend studying God's word, the more time we spend in prayer and meditating upon God's word, then recognizing God's voice becomes an everyday occurrence. The more you know God's word, the more you will know his voice and his ways. God's voice gently guides, encouraged, and gives hope. (Psalm 18:35, Is. 40:11) "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" John 10:27
Verses: Psalm 21:2, Psalm 32:8, John 16:13-16

SEMP Re:veal

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:45:18 -0500

My sheep know my voice, they hear me and they follow me. God give us the ears to hear, to hear your voice to day and to tell others how they can here as well.
Verses: John 10:27

God's Love for Man

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:35:27 -0500

Nature and revelation alike testify of God's love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator's love. It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures. In the beautiful words of the psalmist-- "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; And Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing." Psalm 145:15, 16. God made man perfectly holy and happy; and the fair earth, as it came from the Creator's hand, bore no blight of decay or shadow of the curse. It is transgression of God's law--the law of love--that has brought woe and death. Yet even amid the suffering that results from sin, God's love is revealed. It is written that God cursed the ground for man's sake. Genesis 3:17. The thorn and the thistle--the difficulties and trials that make his life one of toil and care--were appointed for his good as a part of the training needful in God's plan for his uplifting from the ruin and degradation that sin has wrought. The world, though fallen, is not all sorrow and misery. In nature itself are messages of hope and comfort. There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses. "God is love" is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green -- all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy. The word of God reveals His character. He Himself has declared His infinite love and pity. When Moses prayed, "Show me Thy glory," the Lord answered, "I will make all My goodness pass before thee." Exodus 33:18, 19. This is His glory. The Lord passed before Moses, and proclaimed, "The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." Exodus 34:6, 7. He is "slow to anger, and of great kindness," "because He delighteth in mercy." Jonah 4:2; Micah 7:18. God has bound our hearts to Him by unnumbered tokens in heaven and in earth. Through the things of nature, and the deepest and tenderest earthly ties that human hearts can know, He has sought to reveal Himself to us. Yet these but imperfectly represent His love. Though all these evidences have been given, the enemy of good blinded the minds of men, so that they looked upon God with fear; they thought of Him as severe and unforgiving. Satan led men to conceive of God as a being whose chief attribute is stern justice,--one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. He pictured the Creator as a being who is watching with jealous eye to discern the errors and mistakes of men, that He may visit judgments upon them. It was to remove this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of God, that Jesus came to live among men. The Son of God came from heaven to make manifest the Father. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." John 1:18. "Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him." Matthew 11:27. When one of the disciples made the request, "Show us the Father," Jesus answered, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?" John 14:8, 9. In describing His earthly mission, Jesus said, The Lord "hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." Luke 4:18. This was His work. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by Satan. There were whole villages where there was not a moan of sickness in any house, for He had passed through them and healed all their sick. His work gave evidence of His divine anointing. Love, mercy, and compassion were revealed in every act of His life; His heart went out in tender sympathy to the children of men. He took man's nature, that He might reach man's wants. The poorest and humblest were not afraid to approach Him. Even little children were attracted to Him. They loved to climb upon His knees and gaze into the pensive face, benignant with love. Jesus did not suppress one word of truth, but He uttered it always in love. He exercised the greatest tact and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He spoke the truth, but always in love. He denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity; but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He wept over Jerusalem, the city He loved, which refused to receive Him, the way, the truth, and the life. They had rejected Him, the Saviour, but He regarded them with pitying tenderness. His life was one of self-denial and thoughtful care for others. Every soul was precious in His eyes. While He ever bore Himself with divine dignity, He bowed with the tenderest regard to every member of the family of God. In all men He saw fallen souls whom it was His mission to save. Such is the character of Christ as revealed in His life. This is the character of God. It is from the Father's heart that the streams of divine compassion, manifest in Christ, flow out to the children of men. Jesus, the tender, pitying Saviour, was God "manifest in the flesh." 1 Timothy 3:16. It was to redeem us that Jesus lived and suffered and died. He became "a Man of Sorrows," that we might be made partakers of everlasting joy. God permitted His beloved Son, full of grace and truth, to come from a world of indescribable glory, to a world marred and blighted with sin, darkened with the shadow of death and the curse. He permitted Him to leave the bosom of His love, the adoration of the angels, to suffer shame, insult, humiliation, hatred, and death. "The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5. Behold Him in the wilderness, in Gethsemane, upon the cross! The spotless Son of God took upon Himself the burden of sin. He who had been one with God, felt in His soul the awful separation that sin makes between God and man. This wrung from His lips the anguished cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46. It was the burden of sin, the sense of its terrible enormity, of its separation of the soul from God--it was this that broke the heart of the Son of God. But this great sacrifice was not made in order to create in the Father's heart a love for man, not to make Him willing to save. No, no! "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." John 3:16. The Father loves us, not because of the great propitiation, but He provided the propitiation because He loves us. Christ was the medium through which He could pour out His infinite love upon a fallen world. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." 2 Corinthians 5:19. God suffered with His Son. In the agony of Gethsemane, the death of Calvary, the heart of Infinite Love paid the price of our redemption. Jesus said, "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again." John 10:17. That is, "My Father has so loved you that He even loves Me more for giving My life to redeem you. In becoming your Substitute and Surety, by surrendering My life, by taking your liabilities, your transgressions, I am endeared to My Father; for by My sacrifice, God can be just, and yet the Justifier of him who believeth in Jesus." None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen man could express the Father's love to lost humanity. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." He gave Him not only to live among men, to bear their sins, and die their sacrifice. He gave Him to the fallen race. Christ was to identify Himself with the interests and needs of humanity. He who was one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken. Jesus is "not ashamed to call them brethren" (Hebrews 2:11); He is our Sacrifice, our Advocate, our Brother, bearing our human form before the Father's throne, and through eternal ages one with the race He has redeemed--the Son of man. And all this that man might be uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin that he might reflect the love of God and share the joy of holiness. The price paid for our redemption, the infinite sacrifice of our heavenly Father in giving His Son to die for us, should give us exalted conceptions of what we may become through Christ. As the inspired apostle John beheld the height, the depth, the breadth of the Father's love toward the perishing race, he was filled with adoration and reverence; and, failing to find suitable language in which to express the greatness and tenderness of this love, he called upon the world to behold it. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1. What a value this places upon man! Through transgression the sons of man become subjects of Satan. Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ the sons of Adam may become the sons of God. By assuming human nature, Christ elevates humanity. Fallen men are placed where, through connection with Christ, they may indeed become worthy of the name "sons of God." Such love is without a parallel. Children of the heavenly King! Precious promise! Theme for the most profound meditation! The matchless love of God for a world that did not love Him! The thought has a subduing power upon the soul and brings the mind into captivity to the will of God. The more we study the divine character in the light of the cross, the more we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice, and the more clearly we discern innumerable evidences of a love that is infinite and a tender pity surpassing a mother's yearning sympathy for her wayward child.
Verses: Genesis 3:17, Exodus 33:18, Exodus 34:6, Psalm 145:15-16, Isaiah 53:5, Jonah 4:2, Micah 7:18, Matthew 11:27, Matthew 27:46, Luke 4:18, John 1:18, John 3:16, John 10:17, John 14:8, 2 Corinthians 5:19, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 2:11, 1 John 3:1

An Honest Prayer!

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:43:41 -0500

I'm sorry God. I'm sorry for assuming something about You. I have so often assumed the worst of You. I have assumed that You left me. I assumed that You left me to flounder. To wander. To drown. To suffer. I assume the worst of You and I'm sorry. And as I blamed You, You stretched out Your arms to me. Like a father reaching out to a child running to him, You reach for me. When I hurt, I blamed You. Yet You still reach to me. You are holy. You are waiting for me. It is not the other way around. Forgive me Lord for my arrogance. Forgive me for assuming the worst of You. Guide me as I strive to be one of Your servants. Give me the proper perspective on life. Lead me as I come back to Your arms. I love You!
Verses: Isaiah 65:1-5, Isaiah 65:17-18

Don't Be Afraid...

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:43:28 -0500

my take on this passage....
Verses: Matthew 10:28-31, Matthew 10:39

Selling Futures

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:03:37 -0500

In the investment world, "futures" are speculative commodities such as wheat or soybean harvests. You never know for sure how those things are ultimately going to do. In our family we use the term with an insider meaning. Read more...
Verses: Matthew 6:34

Mercy Received & Given

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:43:56 -0500

The parable of the master and servant reveals an act of mercy given by the master to the servant. The servant owed the master a great debt, but instead of requiring the servant’s payment the master freely forgave the servant’s debt and showed him mercy. Even though the servant received mercy he was unwilling to give mercy to a fellow servant who owed him money. The master scolded the servant because he had received mercy but did not give mercy to others. We have been forgiven of a great debt, the debt of sin. The Lord has revealed his forgiveness and mercy. He has lavished his love upon us. This mercy should change our heart toward others. If we are wronged by someone else we should respond with mercy and forgiveness. Not because we are required, but because we know what it means to be forgiven. As we have received mercy, may we also give mercy to others.
Verses: Matthew 18:21-35

Integrity

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:32:16 -0500

I just read Genesis 39-the story about Joseph and how he refuses to sleep with Potiphar's wife, but then when she flips the story, he gets thrown in jail. The devotional for this passage was very helpful and helped me put a couple of things into perspective. The very last sentence in the devotional was, "Integrity's road map to success does not contain detours. Doing the right thing (no matter what the cost may be) is a reward in itself". Immediately after reading that, I thought of Galations 5:22-23 and wondered, "is this how God defines 'integrity'?" My curiosity was provoked and I looked the word "integrity" in Webster's New World College Dictionary and found these definitions: 1. the quality or state of being complete; unbroken condition; wholeness; entirety 2. the quality or state of being unimpaired; perfect condition; soundness 3. the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness honesty, and sincerity Of course Galations 5:22-23 is how He defines integrity! I think what makes this such an exciting find for me is that I remember a couple years ago, flipping through sample college application essays or scholarship essay questions and seeing, "What's your definition of integrity?" and I just skipped those, because I wasn't sure what to say. I honestly had no real idea. I mean I could say what was right and wrong, but I couldn't piece it all together into a solid definition of real, raw integrity. I think a lot of people don't really know how to answer the question, no matter their beliefs, and I've been reading these books, written in ancient times, for class with people trying to figure it out, too, but still, nothing. And here's the answer, right in front of all us whose been trying to wrestle with this question and come up with a concrete definition, and it's all according to God, in a sentence or two. I'm amazed...
Verses: Galatians 5:22-23

Burdensome

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:27:39 -0500

Why aren’t His commands burdensome? Because in a love relationship you want to obey the person you love.
Verses: 1 John 5:3

Weakness

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:25:30 -0500

This weakness that caused Him to be put to death is ours.
Verses: 2 Corinthians 13:4

Upset

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:23:07 -0500

These guys upset the world! And yet today we are afraid to share the gospel because we might make one person mad. World. Person. Big difference. These guys were living with eternity in view!
Verses: Acts 17:6