OBSTACLES TO PRAISE

Praise is both important and powerful. So why is it so difficult at times to praise God? The Bible explains that, even with the power of the indwelling Jesus, our hearts are still "more deceitful that all else" ( Jer. 17:9). We sometimes forget that we are always dependent on God to live victoriously in this life. Satan therefore tries to persuade us that we will eventually reach a point where we can "do it ourselves." The Scriptures are clear that Satan "prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" ( 1 Peter 5:8). Disguised as an "angel of light," the devil and his host seek subtly to subvert the praises the children of God owe to their heavenly Father. God, however, has given us grace in times of need, provided we humble ourselves ( Matt. 23:12; James 4:5-10). Praising God allows us to defeat the strategies of the enemy. As God's adopted children, we no longer have to remain slaves to sin ( Gal. 4:6-7). We have a powerful spiritual weapon in praise, and it is guaranteed to be effective ( II Cor. 10:4-5).

Praise

Praise is defined as expressing gratefulness and love by words, singing, dancing or song, as an act of worship: a hymn of praise to God.   To worship is to glorify, honor, praise, exalt, and please God. Our worship must show our adoration and loyalty to God for who He's been to us, or because He is God.  Praise is to express your admiration for God and His goodness.  Colossians 3:16, says Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1 Chronicles 16:29, says Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

Miraculous things happen when you praise God.  Acts 16:16-34 says, Paul and Silas were in prison. As they began to pray and sing hymns to God, the foundations of the prison were shaken, the doors were opened, and their chains were loosed.


Let’s take a look at Psalms 23, that starts with the Lord is my shepherd.  A shepherd by define is one who cares for and guides those he’s in charge of.  According to dictionary.com, A shepherd is also one that teaches and ministers. Verse 3 in Psalm says He leadth me into righteousness for his name’s sake.  I love the 23rd Psalm, so I’ll go ahead and list it in it’s entirety. 

Psalm 23,
1.    The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
2.    He maketh me to lay down in the green pastures.  He leadth me beside the still waters
3.    He restoreth my soul
4.    He leadth me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Yey though I walk through the valley of the shadow death, I will fear no evil.  For God is with me.  Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5.    He prepareth a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  He anointh my head with oil; my cup runth over.
6.    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

We have many reasons to praise God.  First of all we should praise Him because of Who He is.  We should praise, honor and glorify God’s name, presence and power, because He created all things.  We should praise God because while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).  We should praise Him for His daily renewing grace and mercy.
The basis, no matter, how you praise God is to show acknowledgement of how wonderful and amazing He is! True worship requires total commitment of our body, mind and spirit. It’s about exalting and adoring God even while struggling or in well doing.  Praising God has everything to do with having an intimate and profound relationship with God. 

Praising God isn’t just done with words.  Psalm 150:1-6 says, Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! ...

There are several ways you can praise God.

    Singing and speaking – Psalm 35:28.

    Lifting hands – Psalm 63:4

    Shouting – Psalm 47:1.

    Clapping – Psalm 47:1.

    Dancing – Psalm 149:3 – 150:4.

    Playing instruments – Psalm 33:2, Psalm 150.

    Standing – Psalm 135:1-2.

    Bowing and kneeling – Psalm 95:6.

How has praise and worship helped you win spiritual battles?

PSALM 86

Prayer in Time of Distress
A prayer of David. Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and oppressed.
Preserve my life, for I am loyal; save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; pity me, Lord; to you I call all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant; to you, Lord, I lift up my soul.
Lord, you are kind and forgiving, most loving to all who call on you.
Lord, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help.
In this time of trouble I call, for you will answer me.
None among the gods can equal you, O Lord; nor can their deeds compare to yours.
All the nations you have made shall come to bow before you, Lord, and give honor to your name.
For you are great and do wondrous deeds; and you alone are God.
Teach me, Lord, your way that I may walk in your truth, single-hearted and revering your name.
I will praise you with all my heart, glorify your name forever, Lord my God.
Your love for me is great; you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol.
O God, the arrogant have risen against me; a ruthless band has sought my life; to you they pay no heed.
But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, most loving and true.
Turn to me, have pity on me; give your strength to your servant; save this child of your handmaid. Give me a sign of your favor: make my enemies see, to thei

Praise and Worship 6/09 - 6/15

Psalm 34 (MSG)

A David Psalm, When He Outwitted Abimelech and Got Away

34 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.

A Prophetic Word

Living in abundance 5/19 - 5/25

I recently had a conversation with someone that’s going through problems in their lives.  They were at their wits end and said what can I do life is a struggle then you die.  This interaction led me to consider how I look at life when struggles enter.    First thing I need to remember is that God is the creator of life.  Psalm 100:3 says, Know that the Lord is God.  It is He that has made us and not we ourselves.   Because man is made in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27), each life is of great value to God.  When troubles come, we also need to remember that as long as God is with you, we have everything that we need.

I remember hearing a Sunday School teacher say, if you never suffered:

How would you know that God is a healer.
How would you know God is a provider.
How would you know God is a restorer.
How would you know that God answers prayers.
How would you know God is a protector.
How would you know God is a problem solver.
How would you know God is a heart fixer and mind regulator.
How would you know that God is with you always.

The first thing that's very important is to make sure your walk is right with God.   Always keep in mind that when you're presented with a opportunity to sin, there's also an opportunity to turn away.  Also consider when you know the situation is a sinful one and still decide to walk down that road, God cannot go with you.  That's why repentance is necessary.  The rule is sin causes God to separate from us, but repentance brings Him back.

The keys to abundant living are:
Have a active prayer life.
    Pray without ceasing.
    Pray for one another, for governmental authorities, for families, for spouses, for kids, for church members, for preachers, for bosses and for co-workers.
    Pray for direction, guidance, wisdom & protection.
    Confess your sins, pray for forgiveness and repent.
    Pray for the sick, lonely, for those that are suffering and for those that are broken hearted.
    Pray prayers of intercession.  Even if they say they are praying, still pray for them anyway.  Much prayer, much power.
Pray for your enemies and for those that despitefully use you.
Think positive thoughts and keep your mind free from even thinking of committing sins.
Flee from sin.  Don't even let sin creep up in your mind.
Seek God's approval first and his righteousness.
Discover your gifts and/or talents.
Work in your gift/talents, speak it into existence, praise God in advance for your accomplishments, have faith, write a plan and carry it out.
Sow spiritual seeds.  Remember you reap what you sow.
If you say you are saved, then walk and live as if you're saved.
    Talk the talk, walk the walk.

Did You Know?

This segment will highlight facts, little know people and insightful inspirational nuggets to further implant God, God's word & Godly things into our lives. This week we will highlight God.

• Just as God has special ways to keep the sun, moon, and stars in place, He also wants you to know the facts that will make you safe and keep you in a loving relationship with Him.


• God loves you and wants to show you His wonderful plan for your life!


• Regardless of what people say, God is the creator of the earth and everything that’s in it, and what God has created He says is good. God loves us even if He doesn't love our sins.


• God created us to seek His will for our lives, to praise Him on earth like we would when we are in heaven, to study His words diligently, to pray to Him daily, and to build a close relationship with Him, like we’re family.


• God has given His people a call to be set apart from the world. He has given His people a call to be holy.


• In His Word, God gives us principles that guide our walk into holiness.


• Disobeying God’s rules is sin. A sin is an act that violates a known moral rule. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Sin causes closeness to God to be broken, and causes separation between us and Him.


• The true Christian obeys God because of what God has done for him in Christ. We obey Him out of gratitude for what He has done for us. We obey Him because we love Him, and we love Him because He first loved us and died for us on the cross.

Reference1

Reference2

APPROVAL

We’d discover that the only approval we need is God’s. How many of us try to win others’ approval? Perhaps we dress in the popular fashion, use language that really isn’t appropriate, or even compromise our integrity to be in the “in crowd,” get a good grade, get a promotion, or win an account. 

What if, instead of doing things to please others, we do things to please God? What if we take to heart the passage from 2 Timothy?

• “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him…” (NRSV).
• “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God…” (NASB).
• “Concentrate on doing your best for God…” (The Message).
• “For yourself, concentrate on winning God’s approval…” (Phillips).
• “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial)…” (AMP).

This sure would make life easier. We wouldn’t have to worry about others’ opinions, which change quickly. Polls show us how temporary approval ratings are. People are changeable; God is changeless. 

Nothing is more lasting, more satisfying, and more rewarding than God’s approval. And you know what? We already have it! God is very pleased with His creation: “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good” (Gen 1:31 NRSV). God always sees us as His beloved children. Knowing that God’s stamp of approval is already on us helps us make choices that reflect the good God already sees in us. When we concentrate on God, we are able to know what God approves. 

If we’re ever wondering or confused about what God approves, we can get quiet and ask ourselves, “Would this thought, word, or behavior be acceptable to God? What would God want me to do?” We can trust that we’ll get our answer. But we have to be willing to change our thoughts and actions if we get a “no” answer. We have to have the courage to do only those things that are approved by God. We know God wants to bless us. So if the action doesn’t bless, then it won’t have God’s approval. Acting with God’s approval keeps us safe and satisfied; it makes us truly happy.

STUDY TO KNOW AND FEEL GOD’S APPROVAL

By Marjorie Foerster Eddington

What do we study? Homework, English, math, music, dance, business models, the stock market, politics, fashion, people, how to do something?

Why do we study? To get good grades, perform with excellence, get a raise, start a business, know about the world, succeed financially, learn, win approval from someone?

We read in the Bible, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 KJV).

How would our lives change if we really studied God and what God knows about us?

Relationship Status Check: 5/12 - 5/18

God & You: Assessing Your Relationship 

 I was spurred into thought about this topic by an article called “A Challenge to Your Faith” by Keturah Alvin recently. She asked several very pointed questions in the article, such as:

• Do you really trust God in even the worst situation or circumstance?
• What if the doctor tells you that you only have 6 months to live?
• What if your employer hands you a pink slip?
• What if your child is strung out on drugs?

Where is your faith then? ? Is it made void by the harsh circumstances of life? ?Is it replaced by fear and disbelief?? Can you stand firm and unwavering in your faith even if others call you nuts because they don’t understand?”

My feeble attempt reflects my personal perspective, based on what I perceive that God is saying we should be doing through the Bible. I don’t pretend to have the definitive answers or any unusual level of insight in this area, and frankly I don’t score nearly as well as I should using this – I think fairly objective – set of criteria. But I do think it makes for a very interesting spiritual exercise. After assessing your own situation based on these criteria, I’d appreciate hearing your feedback. Do you think that an objective set of descriptions is possible, practical, or useful? If so, what kinds of things would you included that are not listed here, and which elements do you think are not relevant? What do you think?

Even David sinned - A man after God's heart

2 Samuel 11:2-5 One late afternoon, David got up from taking his nap and was strolling on the roof of the palace. From his vantage point on the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was stunningly beautiful. David sent to ask about her, and was told, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite?” David sent his agents to get her. After she arrived, he went to bed with her. (This occurred during the time of “purification” following her period.) Then she returned home. Before long she realized she was pregnant.

As David walked on the roof of his house one evening, he saw a beautiful woman taking a bath. Someone told him she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, a Hittite soldier off fighting with David’s army. David should have put Bathsheba out of his mind when he heard she was married, but he didn’t. 

2 Samuel 11:5-13

David asked Joab, a commander in chief of King in his army, for news on the war.  Chapter 11 begins with David ordering the Ammonites to be destroyed for good.  Uriah was a solider fighting in this war.  After giving a report to David, Uriah was given instructions to go home and get a good night's sleep.  Verse 11 says Uriah responds to David “The ark, Israel, and Judah, are out there in tents, Joab and his servants are roughing it out in the fields. So, how can I go home and eat and drink and enjoy my wife? On your life, I’ll not do it!”  Verse 13 says
The next day David invited him to eat and drink with him, and David got him drunk. But Uriah still didn’t go home.

The Malicious Murder Plot
David instructed Joab to  put Uriah on the front line where the fighting was the fiercest and have the soldiers pulled back so Uriah will be exposed and killed.    The end result The enemy was too much for them. They advanced on them in the open field, and they were pushed back to the city gate.  Eighteen of the king’s soldiers died, including Uriah.  2 Samuel 11:14-27.

Covetousness 5/6 - 5/12

The Characteristics of Coveting

"You must not covet your neighbor's house. You must not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:12-17)

 As we search the Scriptures we learn that the coveting which is forbidden in the Tenth Commandment (and elsewhere in the Bible) has certain characteristics, which make it possible to identify this evil in it various forms:

(1) Coveting is a desire. It is a matter of the heart, an attitude, a matter of strong emotion. As such, coveting is somewhat unique among the evils condemned by the commandments. The evils prohibited by the other commandments were such that one could be tried and found guilty of committing a certain act. This act was based upon attitudes, of course, but a society cannot convict people for what they are thinking and feeling. The final commandment is a forbidden feeling, as it were, not a forbidden act.

(2) Coveting is a strong desire. Coveting is a desire, a motivation so strong that the one who covets something will have it if there is any way possible to do so, even if it involves evil. Coveting is a consuming desire, which is highly competitive. It is an evil attitude, which will likely lead to an evil act. Coveting is a kind of conspiracy in one’s soul to commit evil.

(3) The coveting which the Tenth Commandment condemns is the desire to have something which one does not have, or which one does not think he or she has enough of. In brief, coveting wants more. It is not content with what it already has, no matter how much that might be. As Habakkuk put it, “He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, And he is like death, never satisfied” (Hab. 2:5).

Ecclesiastes also describes the futility of the man who is discontent with what he has:
There was a certain man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity and it is a grievous task (Ecc. 4:8).

(4) Coveting wants not only what one does not have, but what one cannot have. Coveting wants what is forbidden, that which belongs to another and which cannot be obtained. It is possible, of course to buy a neighbor’s animal, but not his wife. The assumption here, I believe, is that what we covet is what we cannot have, that is, what our neighbor either cannot give up (like his wife, or his land), or what he will not give up.

(5) Coveting is a deliberate desire, of which one is conscious, and for which one is responsible. The coveting which this commandment forbids is one for which the individual is responsible. In effect, the individual is held accountable for discovering the sin, and for dealing with it. This is necessary because no other human being can know our thoughts. God thus holds us responsible for what we determine in our hearts and minds.

(6) The coveting which the commandment prohibits is a well defined desire. Coveting must be distinguished from lust. Lust is a general desire. Greed is a lust for money and possessions. Coveting is a specific, focused desire, a desire to have a particular thing, which belongs to a particular person. Greed may desire money or material things; coveting desires our neighbor’s car, or his house, or his wife. Coveting is lust well defined and specifically focused. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exod. 20:17).

(7) Coveting is a selfish desire, which is willing to gain at the expense of others. The covetousness which is condemned is that which wants what one’s neighbor has. This kind of covetousness is clearly self-centered.

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth. Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies; For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you. You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, And waste your compliments (Prov. 23:4-8).

(8) Coveting is a devious desire that is complex and complicated, which is often well concealed. The heart, we are told, is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). We must expect that covetousness, which is a matter of the heart, is deceitful and deceptive, and that it may be well disguised.

(9) Covetousness is a detrimental, destructive, desire. One of the reasons why covetousness is condemned is because of its consistently detrimental effects. There are several dimensions of this destructive impact of covetousness. First, covetousness hinders the generosity which God requires of His people.

Praise and Worship

Praise and Worship is an important aspect of our spiritual well being.  We worship God to glorify, honor, praise, exalt, and please Him. Our worship must show our reverence, adoration and loyalty to God for His grace, blessing, protection, loyalty and love He constantly gives us.

Whether we know it or not, sin puts us in bondage.  God wants us to be free to live our lives without the restraints of consequences and judgment that sin brings.  God is a God of order, love, timing, peace and unity.

When entering worship we must prostrate of our souls before Him in humility, openness and repentance to be able to commune with Him.

James 4:6, 10 tells us, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up". Our worship to God is a very humble and reverent action.

Jesus says in John 4:23-24, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

Praising and worshiping

Praising and worshiping God creates the atmosphere for His presence. Like any atmosphere it must be ideal for Him to dwell with us. Just like a fish has water or plants have the earth, God's presence or His glory dwell in the atmosphere where He is praised and worshiped.

Need a reason to praise Him?

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 

Praise God becuase your in His sanctuary; Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! ...

Psalm 100:2 ESV /

Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Psalm 150:6 ESV / 

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Hebrews 13:15 ESV /

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Psalm 117:1-2 ESV /

Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

For Reflection

Radically Real Christian

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not shouting, "I am saved."
I'm whispering, "I get lost"
That is why I chose this way.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I am weak
And pray for strength to carry on.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible
But God believes I'm worth it.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I seek HIS name.

When I say, "I am a Christian,"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved.

Used by permission Copyright 1988 Carol S. Wimmer

This one, I agree with 100%. I am humbled by the author's sensitivity to God's true message, and how I have so often been so far from it!

Spiritual Wellness (4/29 - 5/5)

1 Timothy 4:7-9 (ESV)

⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

Hebrews 10:23-32  (ESV)

²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.


I Corinthians 6:14,15 states, “Didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works.”

The Blood

Protected By The Blood

Ex 12:7,12-13 (NIV) "... they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs... On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn--both men and animals--and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt."
Rom 5:9 (Wey) If, therefore, we have now been pronounced free from guilt through His blood, much more shall we be delivered from God's wrath through Him.

Cleansing Blood
Heb 9:15-22 (Phi) Christ is consequently the administrator of an entirely new agreement, having the power, by virtue of his death, to redeem transgressions committed under the first agreement... For, as in the case of a will, the agreement is only valid after death. While the testator [the person named in the will] lives, a will has no legal power. And indeed we find that even the first agreement of God's will was not put into force without the shedding of blood... "This is the blood of the agreement God makes with you." And you will find that in the Law almost all cleansing is made by means of blood; it implies again and again "No shedding of blood, no remission of sin."

Life In The Blood

Lev 17:11a (NIV) For the life of a creature is in the blood.

Which is more "real" and permanent: the world we see or the spiritual world? What mystery are we participating in, what truth is being revealed in the Communion elements?

John 6:41-60 (Phi) At this, the Jews started grumbling at him... "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose parents we know? How can he now say that 'I have come down from Heaven'?"... Jesus answered and said, "I myself am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate manna in the desert, AND THEY DIED!... The bread which I give you is my own body, and I shall give it for the life of the world."

This led to a fierce argument among the Jews, some of them saying, "How can this man give us his body to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Unless you do eat the body of the Son of Man and drink his blood, I assure you that you are not really living at all. The man who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up when the last day comes. For my body is real food, and my blood is real drink." ...Many of his disciples heard him say these things and commented, "This is a hard teaching indeed; who could accept that?" Mat 26:27,28 (Phi) "Drink this, all of you, for it is my blood, the blood of the new agreement shed to set many free from their sins."
Mark 14:24 (TEB) Jesus said, "This is my blood which is poured out for many, my blood which seals God's covenant."
Luke 22:20 (JNT) "This cup is the New Covenant, ratified by my blood, which is being poured out for you."
1 Cor 11:25 (NIV) "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
1 Cor 10:16 (NIV) Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

Sin cont. 4/22 - 4/28

Is all sin rebellion?  I believe so.  The path you take could unintentionally lead you to sin, but you do decide whether to participant in the sin or decide to turn away.  Rebellion is knowing what's right, but choosing to satisfy self, rather than sacrificing to please God.  Let me reexamine this, because I just actually made an assumption that we all know what's right and wrong in the sight of God.  Now that I think of it unintentional sin could apply to those that don't know God's will.

Sinning unintentionally, means that you do not observe all that God has commanded you, that you have sinned unintentionally without the knowledge of wrongdoing. In this case a prayer of intercession must be prayed on your behalf.  Even if you don't know that you've sinned, a prayer of forgiveness still needs to be prayed for that sin.  Intercession is one way your sin can affect someone else. 

What motivates you to sin?

People sin because:

• "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18). 
• "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6)
• we deceive ourselves, saying that we haven't sin.  1 John 1:8
• we sin because we speak negativity. Proverbs 18:21
•  We sin because we are led astray by bad influences. 1 Corinthians 15:33,Proverbs 13:20, 

The bottom line is we are willful people.  What me want, we pursue.  What we think, we speak, then what we speak, we want and what we see, we do.  Because of our sinful nature, we sin because it's more desirable to sin.  If we want a relationship with God, we have to train ourselves to resist temptation even though it seems so unnatural to resist it.  We also have to surround ourselves with people that are pursuing a relationship with God and rightousness.


 The one thing I can't stress enough is that God didn't create us to live alone (Genesis 2:18).  His design is for us to be apart of a unit.  Whether through family, marriage, friendships, partnerships & fellowship in a church, God wants us to be apart of a community.  More importantly God wants us to experience on earth the oneness & unity He wants us to experience with Him. But why? 
Hebrews 10:24-25, says relationships with other Christians allow us to stimulate one another to love and encourage others in good deeds.

How God Wants Us To Live

Matthew 22:37-40 ESV

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

John 15:5 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Matthew 7:1-29 ESV

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ...

Matthew 4:4 ESV

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Ephesians 5:1 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Mark 12:30 ESV

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Luke 9:23 ESV

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Ephesians 5:17 ESV

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

John 7:24 ESV

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Hebrews 6:1 ESV

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Acts 17:23 ESV

For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

Psalm 103:1-3 ESV

Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

Psalm 73:25 ESV

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

2 Peter 1:3 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Galatians 5:22 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Psalm 83:18 ESV

That they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.

Question: "How does my personal, private sin affect others?"

Question: "How does my personal, private sin affect others?"

Answer: If you lived isolated on an island in the middle of the sea, then perhaps your private sin would not affect anyone but yourself. However, since the maxim is "no man is an island," there is a good chance that you have a family or at the least friends and acquaintances that you come into contact with on a continual basis. All of them will be affected in some way by sin because sin has consequences (Romans 6:23). 

That is a principle that follows the pattern laid down at the creation. Everything created has a seed from which it propagates itself after its "kind" (Genesis 1:11, 21, 25). In other words, you do not plant corn and expect to harvest beets. You cannot “plant” sin—even in private—and not expect to reap a harvest of consequences. And consequences have a way of spilling out over everyone and anyone that comes into contact with us because of another principle called "association." This means that those around you can be blessed or hurt by association with you and the choices and actions you make, both privately and publicly.

The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:2-17

The Message (MSG)

20 ^1-2 God spoke all these words:

I am God, your God,
    who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
    out of a life of slavery.

³ No other gods, only me.

^4-6 No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don’t bow down to them and don’t serve them because I am God,your God, and I’m a most jealous God, punishing the children for any sins their parents pass on to them to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation of those who hate me. But I’m unswervingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments.

⁷ No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won’t put up with the irreverent use of his name.

^8-11 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don’t do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.

¹² Honor your father and mother so that you’ll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.

¹³ No murder.

¹⁴ No adultery.
¹⁵ No stealing.
¹⁶ No lies about your neighbor.

¹⁷ No lusting after your neighbor’s house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s.

Sin is Rebellion against God

First of all, to know that you've sin is to know that God is the creator and has designed the right way to live.  Sin sends a message that you reject God's design and authority. Dealing with sin can put you in some unbearable situations.  I’m here to remind everyone what bible says about fleeing from sin.
•       1 Corinthians 6:18 says when we sin, we offend our own bodies.
•       2 Timothy 2:22, says Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness 
•       Matthew 26:41 Says watch and pray, so you won’t not fall into temptation.

Why do you think God is so concerned whether we sin or not?  Even though sin is rebellion against God’s grand design, He’s more concerned about how your sinful decisions affect you and the innocent, unsuspecting people around you.  See He loves you so much that He was
willingly to enter flesh to firstly be an example for righteous living and to be the living sacrifice needed for the remission of sins.

Let's examine Moses's story..  Needles to say Moses took a lot of flack from people with displaced anger & frustration.  The Israelites were frustrated about wondering in the dessert seemingly without a plan or purpose.  I can't say I'm entirely unsympathetic to their plight.  But before accepting his calling, Moses knew he had a temper.  Often times Moses let his temper get the best of him.  Now God knows that we are flawed people, he has called us to get control of our bodies.


For those that think losing your temper isn't all that bad.  Consider the following scriptures:

Proverbs 13:3
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin
 
Proverbs 14:17
A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Proverbs 15:18 
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Someone once asked me a very good question about the judgement God handed down to Moses.  After Moses in anger struck the rock and included himself as having something to do with bringing water from it.  The question was were was God's forgiveness for Moses?  I agree that Moses was a dedicated servant of God.  I was also very sadden to that it ended for him the way that it did.  One very important thing we need to see is that Moses tried to horn in on receiving praise for a gift that was given from God.  Moses was simply the vessel being us to bring the blessing forth.  It's very dangerous & shortsighted for us to try to get praise for a blessing that was given by God.  Especially if it's taking praise from God. Give praise were praise is due!

Scriptures to Keep in mind

1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

Ephesians 5:17
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

Ephesians 6:6
not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Colossians 3:5 
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

1 Thessalonians 4:4
that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,

James 1:19
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 17:27
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Proverbs 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 14:29 
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 13:3
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin

Proverbs 14:17
A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

Colossians 3:8 
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Faith Fair

http://agodlyword.blogspot.com/p/upcoming-events.html

There are several gifts God has for us as we're traveling on this Christian journey. God never promised a life without suffering. The fact is people today make decisions based on what makes them happiest and don't consider how their decisions may affect those around them, people either they know or don't know. We've seen many instances, especially in recent days, that the actions of one can affect masses of people. How do you know that you're protected from those with evil intentions? Can you ward off evil spirits? Can you ensure that no matter what goes on around you, your household is safe from all hurt, harm and danger? If you're were suddenly put in a life and death situation, do you have assurance that you'll be with God in the end?

My goal is to encourage people to work to increase their faith. The bible says that the word is the bread of life. Are you hungry for it? It's through the study of Scripture that we'll build a stronger faith in God. I want to create opportunities to include God in our daily lives, highlight scriptures to ensure we're putting on the whole armor of God and promote a renewed connection with God. I will organize community events aimed at generating reading groups, disseminating suggested bible study topics and discussing the bible. Matthew 18:20 says, For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Can We Talk?

The question of the day is:

God being the creator of the world and everything in it, did He create evil?

http://www.openbible.info/topics/god_creating_the_world

Daily Scripture for the day

Isaiah 45:12

I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.

Jeremiah 27:5

“It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me.

Isaiah 45:18

For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the Lord, and there is no other.

Psalm 102:25

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Genesis 1:26-27

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion

Who are I?

Keeping in line with the topic of the week I'm presenting the greatest example of a rebellious sinner.  This Personality's name means 'day star,' or 'son of the morning.  He had the favor of God upon him, but pride and sin cost him everything.

            

He was created to dwell eternally in the throne room of heaven, in the very presence of God.

He was a step above the others in his class, not only in appearance but also in intellect. His wisdom far exceeded that of other beings. He understood the ways of God. 

Even though he had wisdom, beauty, ability, perfection, he wanted more; he wanted to be worshiped like God. 

Once he was rejected by God, his goal became to constantly attempt to oppose the all mighty's plan. He even attempted to tempt Jesus. 

His name changed to The Prince of Darkness once he was ousted.

What's Wrong with sin?

It's so hard to minister to people about sin, when they believe  the decisions they make doesn't also effect those around them.  Or the people that believe their sin isn't all that bad.  I want to challenge them to revisit who they have wronged and see how their decision has effected others.  Let's take an example, we are visual people after all.  What about the first sin ever committed, Adam and Eve.  I can see it from the world's view, it's just a piece of fruit.  They're not hurting anyone, but aren't they?  God himself gave a direct command not to eat from the tree of knowledge of Good and evil or you'll surely die (Genesis 2:16-18).   

Now I again can hear the world again say, okay they made a mistake, didn’t God overreact by kicking them out.  We have to understand that forgiveness of sins comes after confession and repentance.  Once they were caught in their sinfully situation do you think they were sorry and sought forgiveness?  Let's take a look at Genesis 3:9-13.  Adam blame God & Eve.  Eve then blamed the Serpent, and you know what happened from there.  They were kicked out, kicked out of paradise.   I wasn't even there, but I certainly feel for them. 

Seeking Blog Host & Writer

My goal is to create a Christian Talk show, but before we get started I want to make sure we have an audience for this project.  I started this blog in order to test the market for the subject I want to showcase.  The subject is God of course, but I want to give people a sneak peek of the type of show and material I will present.  The official position I'm seeking to fill is Blog Writer & Host.

I'll test this position for a three month period. I will broadcast a new topic on a weekly basic.  The Writer and Host will work with me (producer) to develop story lines, plan activities, write, edit & produce segments and create context and story elements. During non-production days the talent will assist me with researching topics, organizing field shoots and conducting interviews, writing scripts, suggesting & selecting music; overseeing the production process and editing shots.

I'm looking to begin filming in two weeks and then post the video segments on the blog by May 11, 2013. The position will pay $25 per episode.  We will create 1 episode weekly for a trial three month period.  Because I'm working with a very limited budget, I'm only seeking non-union talent at this time.

If you're interested, I've included a story at http://agodlyword.blogspot.com/2012/09/audition-tape-blog-host.html that I would like to see you deliver by video submission.  This will be considered your audition tape.  I would love to see you deliver the subject matter will zest, clarity, confidence and feel free to add a personal touch to your video submission.  You can then submit the audition tape through the electronic submission form via the agodlyword.blogspot.com website.  Just go all the way down to the bottom of the webpage.  All entries must be submitted by April 20th 2013.

Thank you for you time.  Good Luck!