The Incomparable Christ

Colossians 1

 ^1-2I, Paul, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God's master plan. Together with my friend Timothy, I greet the Christians and stalwart followers of Christ who live in Colosse. May everything good from God our Father be yours!

Working in His Orchard

 ^3-5Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings. We can't quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you! We keep getting reports on your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians. The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope.  ^5-8The Message is as true among you today as when you first heard it. It doesn't diminish or weaken over time. It's the same all over the world. The Message bears fruit and gets larger and stronger, just as it has in you. From the very first day you heard and recognized the truth of what God is doing, you've been hungry for more. It's as vigorous in you now as when you learned it from our friend and close associate Epaphras. He is one reliable worker for Christ! I could always depend on him. He's the one who told us how thoroughly love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit.
 ^9-12Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
 ^13-14God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

Christ Holds It All Together

 ^15-18We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.  ^18-20He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.
 ^21-23You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message.
 ^24-25I want you to know how glad I am that it's me sitting here in this jail and not you. There's a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world—the kind of suffering Christ takes on. I welcome the chance to take my share in the church's part of that suffering. When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God's way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth.
 ^26-29This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.  (The Message)

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The Christmas Story - Music by Michael W. Smith

FRIENDS by Michael W Smith

A Strange Way To Save The World

Chris Tomlin joy to the world.wmv

Michael W Smith & Amy Grant & chorus - No Eye Had Seen (good christian m...

A Recipe for Life (Revisited)

A Recipe for Life

Frequently, my daughter or a friend will ask me for a recipe. I am always happy to oblige and am happy that something I've made in the past has pleased someone enough for them to remember it and want to reproduce it. How much more wonderful would it be if we could have people see the way we live and ask for the recipe for that life? Wouldn't you love it if they asked how they could reproduce the fruits of the Spirit they see in you in their own lives?

"But I say walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkeness, carousings, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:16-23 (NASB)

But, it is so much more than a "Don't do this", "Do this" list. You may ask, how can I exhibit the fruits of the Spirit ALL the time? The answer to that question can be found in Galatians 5:24 & 25:

"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (NASB)

And in Galatians 2:20:

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me." (NASB)

The "I" in that verse refers to "Me, myself, and I". The "I" is all my selfish desires; all of getting what I want when I want it. Our new goal is to crucify our own desires and live for His. This takes a major commitment on our part. We need to die to ourselves (read: our own selfishness) daily. This will always be an ongoing struggle but be hopeful for the Bible also says:

"Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)

"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will behold Me no more; but you will behold Me; because I live, you shall live also." John 14:16-20 (NASB)

Through the power that is within us, we can live God's recipe for life! "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NASB)

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for Your recipe for Life. Thank you for making me into Your image daily. Help me die to my own selfish desires and live for You so that you might exhibit the ingredients for this recipe of life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in me.

Originally posted April 10, 2010.

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Michael W. Smith - Purified

Purified (Revisited)

Purified

"'Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me, and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,' says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness." Malachi 3:1-3 (NASB)

If you think that the sins of Christians are different than the sins of other people, you are correct. They are worse. "They are worse for when a believer sins, they not only break the Law of God, but they break the heart of God. When a believer deliberately sins, it isn't just the disobedience of a servant to a master, or the rebellion of a subject against a king; it's the offense of a child against the loving Father. The sins we cherish and think we get away with bring grief to the heart of God." (Wiersbe, 2002) We all know what these sins are in our own hearts, but have we considered what they do to the heart of God?

In Malachi, the last of the writing prophets, the people had sinned against God in a number of ways, the first being that they lacked love for God. This was also the first sin that Jesus mentioned in Revelation 2:4, "But I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (NASB) It is probably listed first because the lack of love for God is the source for all other sins. There is a definite lack of love for God in the world today even among believers. We are guilty of trying to squeeze God into our molds instead of being transformed by Him as it says in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV) The world is a difficult place to live with the temptation always before us to water down, set aside, or squeeze what God says so that it will fit the politically correct byword of the day. The world and many Christians want God's blessings but not His judgement. As believers, we need to remember that God's judgement will come whether we want it to or not. We want everything that is nice and pleasant in God's Word and we forget that we will be held accountable for everything we do and don't do. One of the ways we avoid this is by not knowing God's Word at all, almost as if what we don't know won't hurt us. Of course, that will not be true. We are responsible for studying God's Word and hiding it in our hearts as in Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (KJV) And, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) We need to face the fact that we have a responsibility to honor and serve God, but we also have a responsibility to know Him. And how can we love Him if we do not know Him.

Many times we walk through life oblivious to what we ourselves are doing (or not doing) and we can leave wreckage in our wake. We should always be examining ourselves against the example of Jesus. We should take stock at the end of each day, thinking about what we have done, what we should have done, and if there is anything that we have done that requires apology or making right somehow. I am not saying that we should or can purify ourselves, but how can we even ask to be purified if we are not being careful how we walk for it says, "For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:14-16 (NASB)

The process of purification is not usually a pleasant process. A Father disciplines those He loves, "My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV) "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:11 (NASB)

To begin the purification process, we need to ask God to bring things to our attention that need correcting, changing, or remodeling. If we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, then we can rely on Him to bring conviction to our hearts, and if we are listening, the process can begin. We need to ask as David did in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (KJV)

God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. "Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:6-7 (NASB) "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17 (NASB) If we ask, He will answer, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

So let's get to know what He requires of us, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV) And let's cry out to Him "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:10-12 (NASB)

Dear Lord, Please make me aware of what needs to be changed in me. Help me to study Your word and hide it in my heart so that I might not sin against You. Let me not break Your heart but let me bring joy to You and Your kingdom.

Originally posted June 15, 2010.

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Chris Tomlin - Uncreated One

This is the Land of the Truly Free...

Please watch the You Tube video also posted today entitled "Did you Feel the Mountains Tremble?" and worship the Lord.  Open up the door and let the music play.  Let the music penetrate your heart and bring you to His throne room.  And then read these verses all of the way through.  Let them speak to you and change you and make you truly free.

"'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)  

Psalm 34

¹ I bless God every chance I get;
  my lungs expand with his praise.

 ² I live and breathe God;

   if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy:

 ³ Join me in spreading the news;

   together let's get the word out.

 ⁴ God met me more than halfway,

   he freed me from my anxious fears.

 ⁵ Look at him; give him your warmest smile.

   Never hide your feelings from him.

 ⁶ When I was desperate, I called out,

   and God got me out of a tight spot.

 ⁷ God's angel sets up a circle

   of protection around us while we pray.

 ⁸ Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—

         how good God is.

   Blessed are you who run to him.

 ⁹ Worship God if you want the best;

   worship opens doors to all his goodness.

 ¹⁰ Young lions on the prowl get hungry,

   but God-seekers are full of God.

 ¹¹ Come, children, listen closely;

   I'll give you a lesson in God worship.

 ¹² Who out there has a lust for life?

   Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?

 ¹³ Guard your tongue from profanity,

   and no more lying through your teeth.

 ¹⁴ Turn your back on sin; do something good.

   Embrace peace—don't let it get away!

 ¹⁵ God keeps an eye on his friends,

   his ears pick up every moan and groan.

 ¹⁶ God won't put up with rebels;

   he'll cull them from the pack.

 ¹⁷ Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,

   ready to rescue you.

 ¹⁸ If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;

   if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.

 ¹⁹ Disciples so often get into trouble;

   still, God is there every time.

 ²⁰ He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone;

   not even a finger gets broken.

 ²¹ The wicked commit slow suicide;

   they waste their lives hating the good.

 ²² God pays for each slave's freedom;

   no one who runs to him loses out.  (The Message)

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;  they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV)

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."  John 8:36 (ESV)

Amen to that!  Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!  "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.  His love endures forever."  1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

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Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble

Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?

Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?

Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you hear the singers roar?
When the lost began to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

And we can see that God you're moving
A mighty river through the nations
And young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

Open up the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Songs that bring your joy
Dancers who dance upon injustice

Did you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song
And all the streams flow as one river
To wash away our brokeness

And here we see that God you're moving
A time of Jubilee is coming
When young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

1 Chronicles 16:8-36 (New International Version)

 ⁸ Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
       make known among the nations what he has done.
 ⁹ Sing to him, sing praise to him;
       tell of all his wonderful acts.
 ¹⁰ Glory in his holy name;
       let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
 ¹¹ Look to the LORD and his strength;
       seek his face always.
 ¹² Remember the wonders he has done,
       his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
 ¹³ O descendants of Israel his servant,
       O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.
 ¹⁴ He is the LORD our God;
       his judgments are in all the earth.
 ¹⁵ He remembers  his covenant forever,
       the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,
 ¹⁶ the covenant he made with Abraham,
       the oath he swore to Isaac.
 ¹⁷ He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
       to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
 ¹⁸ "To you I will give the land of Canaan
       as the portion you will inherit."
 ¹⁹ When they were but few in number,
       few indeed, and strangers in it,
 ²⁰ they ^[b] wandered from nation to nation,
       from one kingdom to another.
 ²¹ He allowed no man to oppress them;
       for their sake he rebuked kings:
 ²² "Do not touch my anointed ones;
       do my prophets no harm."
 ²³ Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
       proclaim his salvation day after day.
 ²⁴ Declare his glory among the nations,
       his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
 ²⁵ For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
       he is to be feared above all gods.
 ²⁶ For all the gods of the nations are idols,
       but the LORD made the heavens.
 ²⁷ Splendor and majesty are before him;
       strength and joy in his dwelling place.
 ²⁸ Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
       ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,
 ²⁹ ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name.
       Bring an offering and come before him;
       worship the LORD in the splendor of his ^[c] holiness.
 ³⁰ Tremble before him, all the earth!
       The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
 ³¹ Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
       let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
 ³² Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
       let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!
 ³³ Then the trees of the forest will sing,
       they will sing for joy before the LORD,
       for he comes to judge the earth.
 ³⁴ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
       his love endures forever.
 ³⁵ Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior;
       gather us and deliver us from the nations,
       that we may give thanks to your holy name,
       that we may glory in your praise."
 ³⁶ Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
       from everlasting to everlasting.
      Then all the people said "Amen" and "Praise the LORD."

Michael W. Smith - Christmastime

Tiny Heart Whose Blood will Save Us....

Please be sure to listen to this song in the You Tube video also posted today!

Welcome To Our World by Chris Rice

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting

Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home
Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence

Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy

Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

Welcome To Our World

Agnus Dei - Amy Grant

Casting Crowns - God Is With Us

The Dead will Live Again...

Please Be sure to watch and listen to the You Tube video also posted today entitled, "Mary Did you Know?"

 John 11:1-46

The Death of Lazarus

 ^1-3A man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. This was the same Mary who massaged the Lord's feet with aromatic oils and then wiped them with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Master, the one you love so very much is sick."  ⁴When Jesus got the message, he said, "This sickness is not fatal. It will become an occasion to show God's glory by glorifying God's Son."
 ^5-7Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, but oddly, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on where he was for two more days. After the two days, he said to his disciples, "Let's go back to Judea."
 ⁸They said, "Rabbi, you can't do that. The Jews are out to kill you, and you're going back?"
 ^9-10Jesus replied, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in daylight doesn't stumble because there's plenty of light from the sun. Walking at night, he might very well stumble because he can't see where he's going."
 ¹¹He said these things, and then announced, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I'm going to wake him up."
 ^12-13The disciples said, "Master, if he's gone to sleep, he'll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine." Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap.
 ^14-15Then Jesus became explicit: "Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn't there. You're about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let's go to him."
 ¹⁶That's when Thomas, the one called the Twin, said to his companions, "Come along. We might as well die with him."
 ^17-20When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead. Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away, and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother. Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house.
 ^21-22Martha said, "Master, if you'd been here, my brother wouldn't have died. Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you."
 ²³Jesus said, "Your brother will be raised up."
 ²⁴Martha replied, "I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time."
 ^25-26"You don't have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?"
 ²⁷"Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world."
 ²⁸After saying this, she went to her sister Mary and whispered in her ear, "The Teacher is here and is asking for you."
 ^29-32The moment she heard that, she jumped up and ran out to him. Jesus had not yet entered the town but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When her sympathizing Jewish friends saw Mary run off, they followed her, thinking she was on her way to the tomb to weep there. Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet, saying, "Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died."
 ^33-34When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, "Where did you put him?"
 ^34-35"Master, come and see," they said. Now Jesus wept.
 ³⁶The Jews said, "Look how deeply he loved him."
 ³⁷Others among them said, "Well, if he loved him so much, why didn't he do something to keep him from dying? After all, he opened the eyes of a blind man."
 ^38-39Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb. It was a simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it. Jesus said, "Remove the stone."
   The sister of the dead man, Martha, said, "Master, by this time there's a stench. He's been dead four days!"
 ⁴⁰Jesus looked her in the eye. "Didn't I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
 ^41-42Then, to the others, "Go ahead, take away the stone."
   They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, "Father, I'm grateful that you have listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I've spoken so that they might believe that you sent me."
 ^43-44Then he shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face.
   Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him loose."

The Man Who Creates God-Signs

 ^45-48That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him. But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus. The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. "What do we do now?" they asked. "This man keeps on doing things, creating God-signs. If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have." (The Message)

Dear Lord, If You can heal the sick, give sight to the blind, make the lame walk, and raise the dead, You can change my heart and my life, can't You?

Have a wonderful weekend!

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"Mary Did You Know?" LIVE Kathy Mattea HQ 4:3 captioned

On Earth as it is in Heaven

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."  Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

Sometimes it is difficult to know "how" to pray.  We know what we want.  We know what we think we need. But we don't know His will.  How can we pray as we ought if we do not know His will.  I truly think most people are confused about the purpose of prayer.  Our prayers will never change God's purposes, but they can change the way He accomplishes those purposes.  His will is always of the utmost importance, not ours.  We often pray for what we think is best but we really have no idea what is best (although we think we do).  We are guilty of trying to manipulate God into doing things our way.  Many people have this mentality:  My way or the highway!  People get angry with God when He can't be bullied into doing what they want.  They don't realize that His will is the only will that counts.

"We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails."   Proverbs 19:21 (The Message)  If God's purposes will always prevail, then we should be praying for His purposes, His will.  We should also be praying to be used by God to bring about His purposes.  If we do not know what His will is,  then we must trust that the Holy Spirit does and that the "groanings too deep for words" that He employs in us describe the depths of our desires as well as the breadth of God's will.  Our job is to trust God.  Our job is to be obedient.  Our job is to pray for His will to be done and to be available to be used for His purposes.

So then, we need to "let go" of our own will!  We are all strong willed children and God wants us to offer up our strong wills to Him.  He doesn't want us to become mealy mouthed door mats; He wants us to become new creatures in Christ being conformed to His image.  As it says in Romans 8:28-30, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified."  (ESV)

Dear Lord, Help us to know Your will and to give up our own.  Use us to accomplish Your purposes in Your time and teach us how to pray,  "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."

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"Truly You are the Son of God!"

Matthew 14:13-36 (NIV)

 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

 ¹³ When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.  ¹⁵ As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
 ¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
 ¹⁷ “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
   ¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹ The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

 ²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.  ²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
 ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
 ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
   ²⁹ “Come,” he said.
   Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
 ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
 ³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
 ³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Michael W. Smith - Son of God

AMAZING LOVE

We Are The Reason[Avalon]

Light a Candle

The Greater Work

"Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work."  Oswald Chambers

How many times do we work through every possible senario, every action item of our own, and then when nothing has worked, we decide that our only option now is to pray. Prayer is not a last resort; it is a first response.   Prayer not only changes things, it is our living link to God.  He longs to hear us communicate with him and promises to answer us.

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  James 5:16 (NIV)

"You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."  James 4:2b-3 (NASB)

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:4-9 (NASB)

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.  Pray, then, in this way:  'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'"  Matthew 6:5-13 (NASB)

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."  Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Message)

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."  Romans 12:10-13 (NASB)

"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God."  Brother Lawrence

 Dear Lord,  Let us be faithful in prayer, strong in Your Holy Spirit, thankful, watchful, asking, desiring Your will, fervent, effectual, selfless, devoted.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Christmas Offering Music Video

Better, Perfect, Eternal

Hebrews 1

 ^1-3Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words!

The Son Is Higher than Angels

 ^3-6After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule. Did God ever say to an angel, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you" or "I'm his Father, he's my Son"? When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, "All angels must worship him."  ⁷Regarding angels he says,

   The messengers are winds,
      the servants are tongues of fire.
^8-9But he says to the Son,
   You're God, and on the throne for good;
      your rule makes everything right.
   You love it when things are right;
      you hate it when things are wrong.
   That is why God, your God,
      poured fragrant oil on your head,
   Marking you out as king,
      far above your dear companions.
^10-12And again to the Son,
   You, Master, started it all, laid earth's foundations,
      then crafted the stars in the sky.
   Earth and sky will wear out, but not you;
      they become threadbare like an old coat;
   You'll fold them up like a worn-out cloak,
      and lay them away on the shelf.
   But you'll stay the same, year after year;
      you'll never fade, you'll never wear out.
¹³And did he ever say anything like this to an angel?
   Sit alongside me here on my throne
   Until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.
 ¹⁴Isn't it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation? (The Message)

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The Servant King

Please listen to and watch the You tube video also posted today entitled "Here with Us" sung by Joy Williams.

"Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, 'Master, you wash my feet?'   Jesus answered, 'You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.'  Peter persisted, 'You're not going to wash my feet—ever!' Jesus said, 'If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing.'   'Master!' said Peter. 'Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!'   Jesus said, 'If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you.' (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, 'Not every one of you.') After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.  Then he said, 'Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as  "Teacher" and "Master," and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.'"  John 13:3-17 (The Message)

"Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"  Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! "  Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

Are these two words at opposite ends of the spectrum in your mind, "Servant" and "King"?  The definition of "King" according to Merriam-Webster is "one that holds a preeminent position; especially : a chief among competitors" or  "a male monarch of a major territorial unit; especially : one whose position is hereditary and who rules for life".  The definition of  "Servant" is much different.  A "Servant" is "one that serves others, especially: one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer".  One that serves and one that rules do not seem to be part of the same title and yet with Jesus, they are.   

Jesus had need of nothing!  He reigned over the universe, had all the praise and glory due Him, and yet He did not consider equality with God something to be selfishly held on to.  Instead of thinking of Himself and what position He had held and what He deserved, He knew that the priviledges He had  could not be kept for Himself.  He knew that they had to be used for the good of others.  Jesus didn't think of Himself; He thought of others, He thought of you.  The mindset of Christ Jesus was not Himself, it was us. 

We must have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.  We must think of others but not only should we "think" of others, we must "serve" others.  Jesus emptied Himself and laid aside His godly attributes, He became flesh (a man) and dwelt among us, He became a servant, and He took His body to the cross as a sacrifice on our behalf.  I loved the way this was put, "From heaven to earth, from glory to shame, from Master to servant, from life to death, even death on the cross!"   We have not yet resisted sin to the point of shedding blood as it says in Hebrew 12:1-4 (ESV), "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."

Most people are willing to serve others as long as it doesn't cost them anything.  If it could be difficult or could result in some loss of their own, they no longer want to serve.  Dr. J.H. Jowett has said, "Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing."  The mindset of Christ is sacrificial love.  The person with the mindset of Christ does not avoid sacrifice.  That person lives and serves to bring glory to God and good to others regardless of the cost.   And as W. Weirsbe says, "If paying a price will honor Christ and help others, then he (she) is willing to do it."

An odd truth of the Christian life is that the more we give, the more we receive.  The more you serve the more God pours out His blessings on you and your ministry.  You have heard it said that "you can't out give God"?    In Luke 6:38 it says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  This is why the mindset of Christ leads to joy when love is the motive.  That person lives, serves, and sacrifices for others and brings glory to God.  "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."  1 Peter 5:6 (NIV).

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message)
  
Dear Lord,  Please give us the heart of a servant willing to sacrifice, thinking of the good of others, motivated by bringing You glory and shining Your light. 


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Here With Us

Chris Tomlin - Emmanuel (Hallowed Manger Ground)

Our Affection Set on God

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

"A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I'm thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, 'Will I ever make it—arrive and drink in God's presence?' I'm on a diet of tears—tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, pestering, 'Where is this God of yours?'"  Psalm 42  (The Message)

"You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.  But I'm in the very presence of God—oh, how refreshing it is! I've made Lord God my home. God, I'm telling the world what you do!"   Psalm 73:25  (The Message)

"How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living. I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it."  Psalm 119:10  (The Message)

"'If you'll hold on to me for dear life,' says God, 'I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!'"  Psalm 91:14 (The Message)

There are many things that compete for our attentions and affections in this life, especially at this time of year.  There is so much to do and so little time; we are easily distracted from the true goals of our lives and of this particular season.  When I was younger with young children, I worked so hard to make the Christmas season happy for my family that I sometimes felt lonely, empty, and disappointed when the day finally arrived.  Invariably, (and in my own mind), no one else put as much work or thought into making it happy as I did, and I was exhausted and in a constant state of fear that I would not have met the expectations of one of my children.  What I failed to remember was that the atmosphere of joy and peace, the warmth of being together, and the celebration of the birth of our Savior, was what was truly important. Not the trappings of the holiday, but the heart of the holiday was at issue.  The heart of Christmas is and has always been the unbelievable love of God for His children. 

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him."  John 3:16-18 (The Message)

Dear Lord,   Help us keep our affections set on You this Christmas season, not the trappings of the holiday but the Heart of the holiday, the gift of Your precious Son, Jesus...

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