Continued from yesterday, we need power to live in this broken world and the only power that will help us is God's power through prayer and His word and promises.
Psalm 130:5 " I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope." He has promised us the desires of our heart. Psalm 145:19 "He will fulfill the desires of those who fear Him. He also will hear their cry and save them." I love that promise.
Proverbs 30:5 "For every word of God is pure; He is a shied to those who put their trust in Him."
Matthew 4:4 "But He answered and said, 'It is written,' 'man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
Matthew 24:25 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."
Luke 11:28 "But He said, 'Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it."
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." I like to think of these verses just the way it is written. The Word is God's Son, so when we read His word, the Bible, we are really reading what He is saying to us personally. The Word is God Himself and His very thoughts to us.
John 15:7 "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." What a wonderful promise for those who abide in Christ and His words abide in them.
James 1:21 "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."
James 1:22 "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two edge sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
1 Peter 2:1,2 "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby."
Are you encouraged by the word of God, I am. I am growing every day, some days more than others but never the less I am growing through His word. Also life experiences that are brought to us teach us lessons, some hard to learn, but it is God's way of leading us in the right path to His kingdom. I pray that this lesson encouraged you to spend more time in His word. It is so wonderful to see how God chooses to lead in our life. May you be blessed. Grandma Joan
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Power Of God's Word -1
Everyone or almost everyone is seeking power over something or somebody but the power that we should be seeking is the Power Of God's Word. There is so much power in His word for anything needful, let's be seeking for that, seeking power over sin, over out thoughts, over our words, over our anger, over all the things that are pulling us down.
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall My word be that goes for from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." God's word accomplishes whatever He sends it out to do. We must believe that.
Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flowers fade but the word of our God stands forever."
Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Psalm 119:160 "The entirety of Your word is truth; and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever."
Psalm 119:11 "Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You." Hide His word in your heart and mind and it will fortify you against sin.
Psalm 119:130 "The entrance of Your words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple."
Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man cleanse his way, by taking heed according to Your word."
Psalm 18:30 "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust Him."
Psalm 33:4 "For the word of the Lord is right and all His work is done in truth."
Psalm 33:6 "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."
Do you think that God can create worlds but can't forgive you or heal your brokenness? He can but we must fortify our minds with His word, His promises are for you to cling to in your desperate need.
Actually, I have to confess that this lesson is for me, I need healing of my brokenness and my heart valve is critical right now and I know God has the power in His word to help me in whatever way He chooses. If you are a praying person, would you please pray for me. I need prayers. Grandma Joan
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall My word be that goes for from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." God's word accomplishes whatever He sends it out to do. We must believe that.
Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flowers fade but the word of our God stands forever."
Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Psalm 119:160 "The entirety of Your word is truth; and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever."
Psalm 119:11 "Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You." Hide His word in your heart and mind and it will fortify you against sin.
Psalm 119:130 "The entrance of Your words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple."
Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man cleanse his way, by taking heed according to Your word."
Psalm 18:30 "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust Him."
Psalm 33:4 "For the word of the Lord is right and all His work is done in truth."
Psalm 33:6 "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."
Do you think that God can create worlds but can't forgive you or heal your brokenness? He can but we must fortify our minds with His word, His promises are for you to cling to in your desperate need.
Actually, I have to confess that this lesson is for me, I need healing of my brokenness and my heart valve is critical right now and I know God has the power in His word to help me in whatever way He chooses. If you are a praying person, would you please pray for me. I need prayers. Grandma Joan
Monday, May 29, 2017
Can We Have the Mind of Christ?
What do you think? If it is possible to have the mind of Christ, we would think like He thinks, talk like He talks and love like He loves, right? Let's see what the Scriptures say about this subject. I think we will be joyfully surprised.
Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." How do we do this?
Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
1 Peter 1:13 "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." This verse is asking us to take control of our thoughts and set them on things above. Good counsel.
1 Corinthians 2:15,16 "He who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." Wow! What a text! Did you get that? Read it again if you didn't.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all thing have become new." All things have become new!
Romans 13:14 "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
Matthew 10:20 "For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."
Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore me imitators of God as dear children."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
All I can say about this study is, I need to read it every morning so my day will be filled with the mind of Christ. A wonderful study for us to contemplate daily and it will bring about miracles in our life as far as having the mind of Christ, thinking His thoughts, talking as He talks, and loving like He loves.
According to these verses it is all possible if we ask for it and are sincere in our asking and putting away our worldly ways and give them to God to remove from our lives. This is a great challenge, are you interested in taking it? I am. Grandma Joan
Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." How do we do this?
Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."
Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
1 Peter 1:13 "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." This verse is asking us to take control of our thoughts and set them on things above. Good counsel.
1 Corinthians 2:15,16 "He who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." Wow! What a text! Did you get that? Read it again if you didn't.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all thing have become new." All things have become new!
Romans 13:14 "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
Matthew 10:20 "For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."
Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore me imitators of God as dear children."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
All I can say about this study is, I need to read it every morning so my day will be filled with the mind of Christ. A wonderful study for us to contemplate daily and it will bring about miracles in our life as far as having the mind of Christ, thinking His thoughts, talking as He talks, and loving like He loves.
According to these verses it is all possible if we ask for it and are sincere in our asking and putting away our worldly ways and give them to God to remove from our lives. This is a great challenge, are you interested in taking it? I am. Grandma Joan
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Obedience, Is It Necessary?
So many of the promises that we have read and studied have the condition of fulfillment as obedience to God's will and commands. Is it necessary to obey God in all things? I think the following verses explain it very well. Lets check it out.
Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people." Would you like to be a special treasure to the God of the Universe? I want to be.
Psalm 25:11 "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies."
Psalm 19:16 "He who keeps the commandments keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways, will die."
Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
Luke 11:28 "But He said, more than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it."
John 8:31,32 "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."
John 14:23 "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will make our home with him."
John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love,just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His love." Jesus is our example.
Philippians 2:8 "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. He was obedient even when it cost Him His life.
Hebrews 5:8 "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."
Romans 6:17,18 "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered, and having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."
Romans 2:13 "For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified."
2 John 6 "This is love, that we walk according to His commandments."
1 John 3:22 "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."
Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
Jesus was our example in all things and learned obedience by the things that He suffered. Did He suffer? Indeed He did, all through His ministry and then on the cross for your sins and mine. Should we love Him in return, yes, and a lot more than we do. How do we show our love to Him? By the things that we do and the most important thing that we can do is do as He did, keep His Father's commandments. His reward to us is His great love towards us and eternal life with Him in an earth made new without sin. What a wonderful, glorious reward!!! Grandma Joan
Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people." Would you like to be a special treasure to the God of the Universe? I want to be.
Psalm 25:11 "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies."
Psalm 19:16 "He who keeps the commandments keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways, will die."
Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
Luke 11:28 "But He said, more than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it."
John 8:31,32 "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."
John 14:23 "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will make our home with him."
John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love,just as I have kept My Fathers commandments and abide in His love." Jesus is our example.
Philippians 2:8 "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. He was obedient even when it cost Him His life.
Hebrews 5:8 "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."
Romans 6:17,18 "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered, and having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."
Romans 2:13 "For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified."
2 John 6 "This is love, that we walk according to His commandments."
1 John 3:22 "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."
Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
Jesus was our example in all things and learned obedience by the things that He suffered. Did He suffer? Indeed He did, all through His ministry and then on the cross for your sins and mine. Should we love Him in return, yes, and a lot more than we do. How do we show our love to Him? By the things that we do and the most important thing that we can do is do as He did, keep His Father's commandments. His reward to us is His great love towards us and eternal life with Him in an earth made new without sin. What a wonderful, glorious reward!!! Grandma Joan
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Are there Promises For the Aged?
I am 86 years old and I have thought about my age a lot, are there promises for me when I am feeble and have a bad heart valve and am headed for surgery soon for that. I need all the help I can get from God and I need the hope that is in His promises. I like to take them personally. Maybe some of you are my age or even older and I am sure you will appreciate these promises as I do.
Psalm 71:9 "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails." This can be our prayer as we get older and our strength is failing. I never dreamed I would live this long and have as good of health that I have. It is a miracle in itself.
Psalm 37:25,26 "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous begging bread. He is ever merciful and lends; and his descendants are blessed."
Isaiah 46:4 "Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and I will deliver you." What a promise that He will carry us, He has made us and He will carry us and deliver us.
Psalm 71:18 "Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, untilI I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come." I am hoping that He will allow me to continue my blogging after my heart surgery and declare His strength to those I talk to and love, even my studies here on this blog.
Psalm 92:14 "They shall still bear fruit in old age, they shall be fresh and flourishing." I will claim this promise as I continue my journey here.
Psalm 92:15 "To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."
Proverbs 16:31 "The silver haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness."
This has been a wonderful study, and it has added strength to my old age and hopefully my silver hair is a crown of glory, I want to be found in the way of righteousness. I hope someone has been blessed by this study as much as I have. I needed these verses very much. It has strengthened my faith and I know that God is watching over me. How about you? I pray that you have been blessed. Grandma Joan
Psalm 71:9 "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails." This can be our prayer as we get older and our strength is failing. I never dreamed I would live this long and have as good of health that I have. It is a miracle in itself.
Psalm 37:25,26 "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous begging bread. He is ever merciful and lends; and his descendants are blessed."
Isaiah 46:4 "Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and I will deliver you." What a promise that He will carry us, He has made us and He will carry us and deliver us.
Psalm 71:18 "Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, untilI I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come." I am hoping that He will allow me to continue my blogging after my heart surgery and declare His strength to those I talk to and love, even my studies here on this blog.
Psalm 92:14 "They shall still bear fruit in old age, they shall be fresh and flourishing." I will claim this promise as I continue my journey here.
Psalm 92:15 "To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."
Proverbs 16:31 "The silver haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness."
This has been a wonderful study, and it has added strength to my old age and hopefully my silver hair is a crown of glory, I want to be found in the way of righteousness. I hope someone has been blessed by this study as much as I have. I needed these verses very much. It has strengthened my faith and I know that God is watching over me. How about you? I pray that you have been blessed. Grandma Joan
Friday, May 26, 2017
What to do with Hatred
I think that most of us know that hate is an evil trait, but maybe we don't know that it can destroy us. It never destroys the person we hate but burns in our own hearts until we can lose our health over it or we will just be plain miserable because we are harboring hate in our hearts. I had a step father that I hated, I even told him so and long after his death, I was prompted to think about what it was doing to me and I had to pray over it for a while and seek forgiveness, and to forgive him for the abuse that he gave me. It was possible and I have been free from that ugly thing for many years now. God is very good to us when we come to him with a humble spirit seeking forgiveness and also to forgive others.
1 John 2:9 "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now."
Ephesians 4:31 "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."
Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."
Proverbs 10:18 "Whoever hides hatred has lying lips."
Romans 12:9 "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil."
Luke 6: 27,28 "But I say unto you who hear. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, Bless those who curse you and pray for those who spitefully use you."
1 John 3:14,15 "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
1 John 4:20 "If someone says, 'I love God' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen."
We are told to let all these bad feelings go, put them away. Hatred stirs up strife. Don't be a hypocrite. Love our enemies and pray for them. They surely need it, don't they? Let us give our ugly feelings to God and let Him wipe them from our heart. Then we can heal if it has caused us harm, spiritually and physically too. Hatred causes all kinds of problems in ourselves. Usually the person we hate isn't bothered with it, so it is only hurting ourselves. Let's give it up. Grandma Joan
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Forgetting the Past
When we get middle age or even before and especially when our children are grown, we tend to remember things that we would like to forget, and then we beat ourselves up over the mistakes we have made or others remind us of our mistakes and some people don't let us forget what we were like or certain things that we have done that were unsavory acts or words. It is hard to forget, but we can learn to let it go. We have all made mistakes that we wish we hadn't done. Some worse than others but to us they seem terrible and we would like to forget about them.
One way to forget about them is to not talk about them to anyone. I am thinking that the only time something like that should be brought up is if you are using the experience to help someone through something similar and sharing your experience helps them to make it through whatever it is.
The devil keeps reminding us of certain things that we would like to forget and we often get depressed over it but we can resist the devils thoughts that he puts in our heads and draw near to God and He will draw near to us.
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
If we commit our works unto the Lord, our thoughts will be established. God will give us good things to think about in place of thinking about past mistakes and sin. God also thinks thoughts of peace and not evil to give us a future and a hope.
Psalm 37:5,6 "Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall being it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."
Psalm 37:8 "Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret--it only causes harm."
If we commit our way to the Lord and trust Him, He will bring good things to pass and our righteousness as the light and our justice as the noonday. Do not fret over our past mistakes, it will only cause us harm.
Psalm 37:11 "The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
James 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up."
1 Peter 5:5 "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble and if we are humble He will lift us up and God's peace which passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds and keep our thoughts on things above and we won't be tempted to think about our past mistakes. We must let His peace rule in our hearts to be able to forget the past and dwell upon today and what we can do today to make life worth living.
If you have anyone, I mean anyone that loves to dwell on the past, try to help them to forget the terrible past and think on the good things of today, how God is leading us on to a better life. My mother was kind of a stern person and I picked up on it and I have felt so bad about being like that when I was raising my children, not all the time because I did play with them and have fun with them but at other times I was stern and a disciplinarian. I am very, very thankful that God has wiped that all away and I love people and have lots of friends that love me and only wish I had learned the lesson of love many years ago. You can learn to love people now. Let God's love flow through you and out to others. It is an amazing experience and you will be surprised what your loving them will do for them. It brings them happiness and love in return. If you see children that need love, love them and let them know you love them, you will be their favorite person. I have friends children that call me grandma and I love it. Forget the past and live for today, it's the better way. Grandma Joan
One way to forget about them is to not talk about them to anyone. I am thinking that the only time something like that should be brought up is if you are using the experience to help someone through something similar and sharing your experience helps them to make it through whatever it is.
The devil keeps reminding us of certain things that we would like to forget and we often get depressed over it but we can resist the devils thoughts that he puts in our heads and draw near to God and He will draw near to us.
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
If we commit our works unto the Lord, our thoughts will be established. God will give us good things to think about in place of thinking about past mistakes and sin. God also thinks thoughts of peace and not evil to give us a future and a hope.
Psalm 37:5,6 "Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall being it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."
Psalm 37:8 "Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret--it only causes harm."
If we commit our way to the Lord and trust Him, He will bring good things to pass and our righteousness as the light and our justice as the noonday. Do not fret over our past mistakes, it will only cause us harm.
Psalm 37:11 "The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
James 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up."
1 Peter 5:5 "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble and if we are humble He will lift us up and God's peace which passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds and keep our thoughts on things above and we won't be tempted to think about our past mistakes. We must let His peace rule in our hearts to be able to forget the past and dwell upon today and what we can do today to make life worth living.
If you have anyone, I mean anyone that loves to dwell on the past, try to help them to forget the terrible past and think on the good things of today, how God is leading us on to a better life. My mother was kind of a stern person and I picked up on it and I have felt so bad about being like that when I was raising my children, not all the time because I did play with them and have fun with them but at other times I was stern and a disciplinarian. I am very, very thankful that God has wiped that all away and I love people and have lots of friends that love me and only wish I had learned the lesson of love many years ago. You can learn to love people now. Let God's love flow through you and out to others. It is an amazing experience and you will be surprised what your loving them will do for them. It brings them happiness and love in return. If you see children that need love, love them and let them know you love them, you will be their favorite person. I have friends children that call me grandma and I love it. Forget the past and live for today, it's the better way. Grandma Joan
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Bible Prayers to Inspire You
Have you ever heard someone's prayer and you just knew they were talking to God? Or have you heard a prayer that went on and on and you couldn't wait till they quit rambling on and on. I have heard both and frankly I love to hear honest heartfelt prayers. One time there was an old man in our church and it was prayer meeting and anyone could pray that wanted to and when it came his time, all he said was, 'God be merciful to me a sinner'. I was stunned, because quite frankly I didn't think he thought he was a sinner. His prayer brought me to my senses. Some prayers have so much meaning and to those that don't, I can't be the judge, a simple prayer means just as much to God and maybe more than a flowery speech. I would like to share some Bible prayers that we can copy if you think its worthwhile. I love David's prayer when he prayed, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me.' We could all pray that prayer and gain much from it. I have been praying it lately and believe that God is answering.
1 Chronicles 4:10 "And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil. That I may cause no pain!' What a prayer! Couldn't we all prayer that prayer and be blessed.
Psalm 51:1-17 NIV "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict ad justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean' wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide you face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take you Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, O God, will not despise."
I am not thinking that we should pray this complete prayer but I do think there are portions of it that are pertinent to each of us and it would do us well to contemplate it very closely. David prayed this prayer after he had an affair with Bathsheba and also had her husband killed to cover his sin. We don't all do these kind of sins, but the prayer does show his sorrow for what he had done and his confession was in earnest. I love this prayer, he trusted God to keep His promise to forgive and heal his transgressions and I know He did because of how David lived after that.
John 17: 1-25 is Jesus prayer that is so beautiful. I will let you read it, but wanted to emphasize verse 20-23 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave me, that they may be one as We are one--so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent me and have love them even as You have loved me."
He prayed for you and me and all those who believe on Him through the Disciples word. That really strengthens me to know that He prayed for me. I truly believe that. I hope it does the same for you.
Job 7:10 "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." I love the story of Job, he suffered so much and his friends caused him to suffer more by blaming him for his troubles. If you are not familiar with this story, please read it, it is a healing story of how Job forgave his friends and was blessed abundantly afterward. We can all learn from Job's story, there is something for everyone in this story.
If you have been blessed by my blogs, it would be nice to hear a comment or two from you. I have had several comments in the past but none recently but I know you are reading and that is wonderful and makes me very happy. I love God and want to share my blessings and what knowledge I have with others. I do pray you are being blessed day by day. Grandma Joan
1 Chronicles 4:10 "And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil. That I may cause no pain!' What a prayer! Couldn't we all prayer that prayer and be blessed.
Psalm 51:1-17 NIV "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict ad justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean' wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide you face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take you Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, O God, will not despise."
I am not thinking that we should pray this complete prayer but I do think there are portions of it that are pertinent to each of us and it would do us well to contemplate it very closely. David prayed this prayer after he had an affair with Bathsheba and also had her husband killed to cover his sin. We don't all do these kind of sins, but the prayer does show his sorrow for what he had done and his confession was in earnest. I love this prayer, he trusted God to keep His promise to forgive and heal his transgressions and I know He did because of how David lived after that.
John 17: 1-25 is Jesus prayer that is so beautiful. I will let you read it, but wanted to emphasize verse 20-23 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave me, that they may be one as We are one--so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent me and have love them even as You have loved me."
He prayed for you and me and all those who believe on Him through the Disciples word. That really strengthens me to know that He prayed for me. I truly believe that. I hope it does the same for you.
Job 7:10 "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." I love the story of Job, he suffered so much and his friends caused him to suffer more by blaming him for his troubles. If you are not familiar with this story, please read it, it is a healing story of how Job forgave his friends and was blessed abundantly afterward. We can all learn from Job's story, there is something for everyone in this story.
If you have been blessed by my blogs, it would be nice to hear a comment or two from you. I have had several comments in the past but none recently but I know you are reading and that is wonderful and makes me very happy. I love God and want to share my blessings and what knowledge I have with others. I do pray you are being blessed day by day. Grandma Joan
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Remedy for Sin
Remedy means to heal, cure for health and also for sin. There is a remedy for sin and it is a wonderful remedy too. Just like a remedy for incurable disease, we would rejoice if they had remedies for every disease, wouldn't we? Well, the worst disease is the disease of the soul, our spiritual life and there is a remedy and a good reason for rejoicing which you will see and it will bless you immensely to apply it to your life. Let's check it out.
Matthew 20:28 "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
John 1:29 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
John 10:11 "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep."
Romans 5:6 "For when we were till without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
2 Corinthians 5:21 "For He made Him who know no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; 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 love me and gave Himself for me."
Ephesians 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
1 Peter 1:18,19 "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from you aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot."
1 John 2:2 "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world." Propitiation means forgiveness of sins or reconciling us to God.
1 John 4:10 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Revelation 7:14 "And I said to him, 'Sir, you know,' so he said to me 'These are the ones who came out of great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Do you see the remedy for sin in these verses? Who did Christ die for? For the ungodly and for the whole world. For you and for me. God sent His Son to take care of our sins on the cross, through much humiliation and suffering to make a way for us to escape from the damnation of the sins that we have committed or will commit. That is the remedy, so how do we apply this remedy? By surrendering our all to Him. Everything in our life that needs a remedy, needs surrendered. We can do that because He has promised that we, 'can do all things through Christ who strengthens us'. So we come to Him in full surrender and confess our sins and give them to Him to cleanse us from them and then He can clothe us with His righteousness, which is the remedy. This is not a one time thing, it is a daily, hourly, living for Him and a grateful heart and a heart full of love and happiness is the result of accepting this remedy. I pray that you are ready for this. Grandma Joan
Matthew 20:28 "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
John 1:29 "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
John 10:11 "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep."
Romans 5:6 "For when we were till without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
2 Corinthians 5:21 "For He made Him who know no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; 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 love me and gave Himself for me."
Ephesians 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
1 Peter 1:18,19 "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from you aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot."
1 John 2:2 "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world." Propitiation means forgiveness of sins or reconciling us to God.
1 John 4:10 "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Revelation 7:14 "And I said to him, 'Sir, you know,' so he said to me 'These are the ones who came out of great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Do you see the remedy for sin in these verses? Who did Christ die for? For the ungodly and for the whole world. For you and for me. God sent His Son to take care of our sins on the cross, through much humiliation and suffering to make a way for us to escape from the damnation of the sins that we have committed or will commit. That is the remedy, so how do we apply this remedy? By surrendering our all to Him. Everything in our life that needs a remedy, needs surrendered. We can do that because He has promised that we, 'can do all things through Christ who strengthens us'. So we come to Him in full surrender and confess our sins and give them to Him to cleanse us from them and then He can clothe us with His righteousness, which is the remedy. This is not a one time thing, it is a daily, hourly, living for Him and a grateful heart and a heart full of love and happiness is the result of accepting this remedy. I pray that you are ready for this. Grandma Joan
Monday, May 22, 2017
Transformed - 2
Let's finish this wonderful study on being transformed. I love even the thought of it, how much more if I let God finish His work in me to be completely transformed into His likeness.
John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life." What changes us? The words that He speaks to us and what is that word that He speaks? The Bible. So in order to be transformed we need to feed on the word of God, the Bible. Take the time for Bible reading every morning and with David's prayer you will be transformed into His likeness.
Colossians 1:21,22 "And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and blameless, and above reproach in His sight." What has He done for us? He has taken our sins in His own body through His death on the cross so that He can present us to His Father, holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight. What more could we ask for and what a great and precious promise to us frail sinners, who don't deserve this kind of treatment but because of His great love for us, He has provided a way for us to be transformed by His love and grace towards us.
Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." This is how we are transformed into His likeness. It is the Holy Spirit that works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. It is not us that changes us, it is God through the power of His Holy Spirit that changes us into His likeness.
1 Peter 1:23 "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." How are we born again or transformed into His likeness? Through the word of God, so don't forget this, it is a powerful truth. And the condition to these promises is in the following verses.
1 John 5:1,2 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves him who begot, also loves Him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments." Is it a hard thing to love Someone who loves us enough to die for us that we might be saved, is that a hard thing to do? Is it also a hard thing to keep His commandments when He gives us the power to do it and this is all He asks of us in return for all He is willing to do for us?
What a wonderful God and Savior, that He would stoop to come to this world of sin to give us special attention and special love, mercy and grace to redeem us back to God, His Father. Will you accept His offer of love to you, today? Will you let Him transform your life? You will never regret it, never. He offers us all the happiness that our hearts can hold, if we will just confess our sinfulness and repent of our sins and surrender our life to Him. You may have to ask Him to even make you willing to be willing to do this, but never fear, He will do whatever it takes to save you if you truly want to be saved. God bless you with the willingness to allow Him to transform your life into a life even as He lived in this world of sin. You can be like Him if you truly desire to be. Grandma Jo
John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life." What changes us? The words that He speaks to us and what is that word that He speaks? The Bible. So in order to be transformed we need to feed on the word of God, the Bible. Take the time for Bible reading every morning and with David's prayer you will be transformed into His likeness.
Colossians 1:21,22 "And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and blameless, and above reproach in His sight." What has He done for us? He has taken our sins in His own body through His death on the cross so that He can present us to His Father, holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight. What more could we ask for and what a great and precious promise to us frail sinners, who don't deserve this kind of treatment but because of His great love for us, He has provided a way for us to be transformed by His love and grace towards us.
Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." This is how we are transformed into His likeness. It is the Holy Spirit that works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. It is not us that changes us, it is God through the power of His Holy Spirit that changes us into His likeness.
1 Peter 1:23 "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." How are we born again or transformed into His likeness? Through the word of God, so don't forget this, it is a powerful truth. And the condition to these promises is in the following verses.
1 John 5:1,2 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves him who begot, also loves Him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments." Is it a hard thing to love Someone who loves us enough to die for us that we might be saved, is that a hard thing to do? Is it also a hard thing to keep His commandments when He gives us the power to do it and this is all He asks of us in return for all He is willing to do for us?
What a wonderful God and Savior, that He would stoop to come to this world of sin to give us special attention and special love, mercy and grace to redeem us back to God, His Father. Will you accept His offer of love to you, today? Will you let Him transform your life? You will never regret it, never. He offers us all the happiness that our hearts can hold, if we will just confess our sinfulness and repent of our sins and surrender our life to Him. You may have to ask Him to even make you willing to be willing to do this, but never fear, He will do whatever it takes to save you if you truly want to be saved. God bless you with the willingness to allow Him to transform your life into a life even as He lived in this world of sin. You can be like Him if you truly desire to be. Grandma Jo
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Transformed 1
Transformed means to make a dramatic change in appearance or in character. I wish that things were simply done and we would be a new person. Well, it's almost that easy, the only problem is in our very own hearts and mind. We are the ones that make it complicated. Speaking from experience and from allowing temptation to overtake me. It's complicated because we have been harboring sin for so long and possibly not knowing it was sin even, but when we are sincerely looking for a transformation of character, and really want to be different, all we have to do is ask God to take over our lives and let Him live His life out in us. Sounds simple doesn't it? The problem is we are a stubborn people and have wanted our own way for so long we can't imagine what it would be like to give ourselves completely to God and trust Him enough to let Him have full reign in our lives. Can you imagine yourself being transformed into a beautiful character full of love even for your enemies. Unselfish, helpful, kind and happily going about your daily work with a beautiful song in your heart and not worrying whether you will be saved or not? Can you imagine what that would be like? I can if I really concentrate on it. It would be a beautiful life to live and we would be so very happy in the Lord, its very hard to imagine, isn't it? Yes, it is but it is all possible if we allow it. Check these verses out and then do as they tell us to do and see the transformation taking place. Are you with me?
Psalm 51:10 David's prayer. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." A beautiful prayer to pray every morning when we wake up. The change in our hearts will be astronomical.
Psalm 139:23,24 Another of David's prayers. "Search me, O God, and know my heart today; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me." Add this to the other prayer each morning.
Ezekiel 18:31 "Cast away from you all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." Wonderful counsel!!
Ezekiel 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." And a wonderful promise, if we would only believe!!
Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove wh"at is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." A challenge that we should accept with God guiding in every aspect of our life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Ephesians 2:4,5 "But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses; made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved."
God is so very longsuffering and patient with us even when we are dead in sin, He will make us alive in Christ by His wonderful grace.
Ephesians 4:22-24 "That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." How do we do this? By coming before Him in prayer and in sincerity and confessing what a sinful person we are and telling Him our sins and in true sorrow that we have been like this, repent of them and pray David's prayer to have a new created heart and mind, and it will be done. The answer is in this next verse.
John 1:12,13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Do you believe in Him? If you do this promise is for you. If you don't, then pray for faith to believe that He will do just as He has promised.
John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said to him, 'most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, (transformed), he cannot see the kingdom of God." We want to be among those who actually see the kingdom of God in all reality, when He comes to claim His people who have been transformed by the power of His might and have allowed Him to come in and live within them and transform them. More next time on this very subject. There are so many promises for a transformed life, we must include many of them to show how wonderful it will be if we let Christ live within us and transform us into His likeness. See you tomorrow. Grandma Joan
Psalm 51:10 David's prayer. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." A beautiful prayer to pray every morning when we wake up. The change in our hearts will be astronomical.
Psalm 139:23,24 Another of David's prayers. "Search me, O God, and know my heart today; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me." Add this to the other prayer each morning.
Ezekiel 18:31 "Cast away from you all the transgressions you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." Wonderful counsel!!
Ezekiel 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." And a wonderful promise, if we would only believe!!
Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove wh"at is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." A challenge that we should accept with God guiding in every aspect of our life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Ephesians 2:4,5 "But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses; made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved."
God is so very longsuffering and patient with us even when we are dead in sin, He will make us alive in Christ by His wonderful grace.
Ephesians 4:22-24 "That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." How do we do this? By coming before Him in prayer and in sincerity and confessing what a sinful person we are and telling Him our sins and in true sorrow that we have been like this, repent of them and pray David's prayer to have a new created heart and mind, and it will be done. The answer is in this next verse.
John 1:12,13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Do you believe in Him? If you do this promise is for you. If you don't, then pray for faith to believe that He will do just as He has promised.
John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said to him, 'most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, (transformed), he cannot see the kingdom of God." We want to be among those who actually see the kingdom of God in all reality, when He comes to claim His people who have been transformed by the power of His might and have allowed Him to come in and live within them and transform them. More next time on this very subject. There are so many promises for a transformed life, we must include many of them to show how wonderful it will be if we let Christ live within us and transform us into His likeness. See you tomorrow. Grandma Joan
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Five Steps to Salvation
Sometimes its nice to simplify things so we can make sure we get it. This little study has helped me get the steps to Salvation down a little better than just guessing at it. I thought I would share these with you and see if it simplifies how to be saved and makes it a little easier to understand.
1) Recognize there is a problem, acknowledge you are a sinner!
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
2) Believe you can be saved.
John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;"
3) Confess your sins and repent.
Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
4) Willingly receive Jesus as our personal Savior, trusting in His instructions and obeying His word.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door (to your heart) I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me."
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new."
5) Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior to others! Share Him with others.
Romans 10:9,10 "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Mark 8:24 "When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, 'Whosoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me."
Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conduct be without coveteousness; be content with such things as you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you
I hope this has helped you as much as it has me. It pays me to go over things several times till I have it down pat. Maybe even memorize these five steps to Salvation. That would help a lot. May God bless you as you implement these five steps into your everyday life. Grandma Joan
1) Recognize there is a problem, acknowledge you are a sinner!
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
2) Believe you can be saved.
John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;"
3) Confess your sins and repent.
Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
4) Willingly receive Jesus as our personal Savior, trusting in His instructions and obeying His word.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door (to your heart) I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me."
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new."
5) Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior to others! Share Him with others.
Romans 10:9,10 "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Mark 8:24 "When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, 'Whosoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me."
Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conduct be without coveteousness; be content with such things as you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you
I hope this has helped you as much as it has me. It pays me to go over things several times till I have it down pat. Maybe even memorize these five steps to Salvation. That would help a lot. May God bless you as you implement these five steps into your everyday life. Grandma Joan
Friday, May 19, 2017
Rebellion
Rebellion means defiance, disobedience, insubordination, The Bible calls Rebellion as the sin of witchcraft. 1 Samuel 15:23.
In Israel's time, a rebellious son was stoned to death. Deuteronomy 21:18-21. Evidently rebellion is a serious matter, if it was serious then to require death, it is serious now but not the death penalty but when Christ shall come the rebellious ones will receive their punishment.
Ezekiel 20:8 "But they rebelled against Me and would not obey Me."
Zechariah 7:12 "Yes they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts."
Job 24:13 "There are those who rebel against the light: they do not know it's ways, nor abide in it's paths."
1 Peter 5:6,7 "Therefore humble yourselves uder the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. So be diligent because your adversary the devil walks about seeking whom he may devout."
Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, 'thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.'"
Have you ever known a rebellious person? I have and you cannot reason with them at all. Your very fortunate if you can even get a word in, they are so sure that they are right in their rebellion. It is the saddest thing I have ever encountered. If you have never known anyone rebellious, you are very blessed. I feel so sorry for the rebellious person, they do not know what they are doing to themselves let alone others that love them. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God if you are in rebellion against Him and His word, a fearful thing. The only thing you can do is pray for them. I do that daily and sometimes more. Love them anyway, that's what God says to do. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love and Pray is God's way. Grandma Joan
In Israel's time, a rebellious son was stoned to death. Deuteronomy 21:18-21. Evidently rebellion is a serious matter, if it was serious then to require death, it is serious now but not the death penalty but when Christ shall come the rebellious ones will receive their punishment.
Ezekiel 20:8 "But they rebelled against Me and would not obey Me."
Zechariah 7:12 "Yes they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts."
Job 24:13 "There are those who rebel against the light: they do not know it's ways, nor abide in it's paths."
1 Peter 5:6,7 "Therefore humble yourselves uder the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. So be diligent because your adversary the devil walks about seeking whom he may devout."
Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, 'thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.'"
Have you ever known a rebellious person? I have and you cannot reason with them at all. Your very fortunate if you can even get a word in, they are so sure that they are right in their rebellion. It is the saddest thing I have ever encountered. If you have never known anyone rebellious, you are very blessed. I feel so sorry for the rebellious person, they do not know what they are doing to themselves let alone others that love them. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God if you are in rebellion against Him and His word, a fearful thing. The only thing you can do is pray for them. I do that daily and sometimes more. Love them anyway, that's what God says to do. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love and Pray is God's way. Grandma Joan
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Special Gifts For You.
I love gifts small and great. It doesn't matter. Sometimes gifts bring tears when it is a surprise or when it is something overwhelming. That happens every once in a while to me. I still look forward to them and even small gifts are so thoughtful. Well, God has lots that He wants to give us but some-times there are conditions to His gifts so lets investigate some of these gifts.
Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
Luke 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much
more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."
Luke 12:32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 4:10 "Jesus answered and said unto her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you, 'give Me a drink', you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said to them, 'repent every one of you and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins' and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 4:7,8 "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift..."
Gifts of grace and glory, the Holy Spirit, His only Son, living water which is His word, faith and eternal life. I think this is exciting, all these gifts freely given, we have only to ask. How simple is that? He does ask of us one thing and that is to walk in His way so that the gifts will be used wisely. We wouldn't give gifts to our children if we knew they were going to squander them and not use them would we? God likes to give us gifts when He knows we will use them and share them. Something to think about. Grandma Joan
Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
Luke 11:13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much
more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him."
Luke 12:32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 4:10 "Jesus answered and said unto her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you, 'give Me a drink', you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."
Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said to them, 'repent every one of you and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins' and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 4:7,8 "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift..."
Gifts of grace and glory, the Holy Spirit, His only Son, living water which is His word, faith and eternal life. I think this is exciting, all these gifts freely given, we have only to ask. How simple is that? He does ask of us one thing and that is to walk in His way so that the gifts will be used wisely. We wouldn't give gifts to our children if we knew they were going to squander them and not use them would we? God likes to give us gifts when He knows we will use them and share them. Something to think about. Grandma Joan
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
The Redeemed
If you redeem something, you pay a price and buy it back. This is exactly what Christ did for us on Calvary. He paid the ransom for the lost souls that Satan has taken captive by giving up His life on the cross. He suffered immense agony for the sins of the whole world that was put upon His shoulders. We suffer when we sin, don't we? Usually its depression or guilt or could be anger that we stooped to something we knew was wrong. At any rate, can you imagine suffering for the guilt of the whole human race, from the beginning of time until the end of time. It can't possibly be under-stood, no amount of wisdom of our own can ever imagine such a thing but it was done for you and I. It's kind of like discarding something and selling it to the pawn shop and we are taken captive by Satan and sold into captivity of sin and Jesus comes along and buys us back to complete restoration in Him. He took our place and suffered the death that we would eventually have to suffer for our own sins if He had not rescued us from Satan's pawn shop. He paid an awful price for us, we need to be ever so grateful for His great sacrifice for each one of us.
Romans 5:17 "For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one (satan), much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One Jesus Christ."
Galatians 4:4,5 "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."
Colossians 1:21,22 "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, blameless and above reproach in His sight."
Titus 2:14 "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
Psalm 130:7,8 "O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities."
Revelation 5:9,10 "And they sang a new song, saying,' you are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals;t for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."
Don't these verses give you a lot of hope for our future with Christ in heaven and on the new earth? There is no reason that anyone should be lost, because Christ has paid for our redemption and He will see that we are saved for eternity if we will surrender our all to Him. Won't you do that just now? It is so very important to make sure we are ready when our time comes to pass to the grave that when He calls us we have surrendered our lives to Him and He can call us forth from the earth to eternal life with Him. That is my hope and I hope it is yours. Grandma Joan
Romans 5:17 "For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one (satan), much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One Jesus Christ."
Galatians 4:4,5 "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."
Colossians 1:21,22 "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, blameless and above reproach in His sight."
Titus 2:14 "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
Psalm 130:7,8 "O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities."
Revelation 5:9,10 "And they sang a new song, saying,' you are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals;t for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."
Don't these verses give you a lot of hope for our future with Christ in heaven and on the new earth? There is no reason that anyone should be lost, because Christ has paid for our redemption and He will see that we are saved for eternity if we will surrender our all to Him. Won't you do that just now? It is so very important to make sure we are ready when our time comes to pass to the grave that when He calls us we have surrendered our lives to Him and He can call us forth from the earth to eternal life with Him. That is my hope and I hope it is yours. Grandma Joan
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Practical Christianity
This study is taken from 1 Corinthians chapter 13. I have been impressed to try to put this into my very own words to help me understand it better and what real practical Christianity is and I believe it has helped me a lot. You might try the same thing and get different wording that will help you more. As long as we don't change the meaning, which I don't think I did, but you be the judge, we don't want to do that. I tried very hard not to but I think I made it simple enough for me to get the idea of what was being portrayed here. Be blessed.
Even if I can talk like learned men and even angels, and do not have love in my heart for them, I am just making a lot of noise.
And if I can prophecy and understand all mysteries and have all kinds of knowledge and all kinds of faith so that I can accomplish the impossible, I don't amount to much of anything without love.
And if I give everything I have to take care of the poor, and even if I give my body up to be burned and I don't do it out of love, it isn't going to do me any good.
Love is long-suffering and is very kind, love has no envy in it and there is no pride and does not get puffed up over anything.
Love does not behave in any wicked way and does not seek to benefit it's self and does not get easily angry and doesn't think about evil things.
Love does not rejoice and get happy in sin but rejoices in the truth of God's word. Love bears everything that comes to it and believes all of God's word and hopes in all of God's word and will endure until the end of all things.
Love never fails but prophecies may fail, talking may cease and knowledge may disappear because we only know a part of what we ought to know and only can prophecy in the same way, but when that which is perfect is shown to us, then that which in part will be done away with.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I understood as a child and I thought as a child but when I grew into an adult, I put away all those childish traits.
For now we don't see things very clearly but then we will see face to face. Now I have part of knowledge, but then I will be known for my knowledge.
And now we abide in faith, hope and love, but the very greatest of these is love.
This chapter is the closest to describing the practical Christian. If we can abide by these thoughts that I have received from this chapter, we will be practicing Practical Christianity. Love is one of the Christian traits that is fast disappearing and we must cultivate it to the very maximum. It is vital to our eternal life with Christ. I have found that it comes very easy to love all people if you ask God to plant His love in your heart. You will gradually see that your love will make others happy and they will catch on and love in the same way. It is so very important, please understand what this will do for you and all the others you associate with. It is a miracle that God wants us each to possess.
Study this out in it's entirety and be blessed above all blessings. Grandma Joan
Even if I can talk like learned men and even angels, and do not have love in my heart for them, I am just making a lot of noise.
And if I can prophecy and understand all mysteries and have all kinds of knowledge and all kinds of faith so that I can accomplish the impossible, I don't amount to much of anything without love.
And if I give everything I have to take care of the poor, and even if I give my body up to be burned and I don't do it out of love, it isn't going to do me any good.
Love is long-suffering and is very kind, love has no envy in it and there is no pride and does not get puffed up over anything.
Love does not behave in any wicked way and does not seek to benefit it's self and does not get easily angry and doesn't think about evil things.
Love does not rejoice and get happy in sin but rejoices in the truth of God's word. Love bears everything that comes to it and believes all of God's word and hopes in all of God's word and will endure until the end of all things.
Love never fails but prophecies may fail, talking may cease and knowledge may disappear because we only know a part of what we ought to know and only can prophecy in the same way, but when that which is perfect is shown to us, then that which in part will be done away with.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I understood as a child and I thought as a child but when I grew into an adult, I put away all those childish traits.
For now we don't see things very clearly but then we will see face to face. Now I have part of knowledge, but then I will be known for my knowledge.
And now we abide in faith, hope and love, but the very greatest of these is love.
This chapter is the closest to describing the practical Christian. If we can abide by these thoughts that I have received from this chapter, we will be practicing Practical Christianity. Love is one of the Christian traits that is fast disappearing and we must cultivate it to the very maximum. It is vital to our eternal life with Christ. I have found that it comes very easy to love all people if you ask God to plant His love in your heart. You will gradually see that your love will make others happy and they will catch on and love in the same way. It is so very important, please understand what this will do for you and all the others you associate with. It is a miracle that God wants us each to possess.
Study this out in it's entirety and be blessed above all blessings. Grandma Joan
Monday, May 15, 2017
God is Longsuffering
In Exodus 34:6 Moses ask God to show him His glory and this is what happened. "And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin.'
Is it hard to love Someone who is merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abounding in goodness and truth and keeping mercy for thousands and forgiving our sins? Is that hard to do? It doesn't seem like it should be and yet how many don't really understand the character of God? Seriously, how many do not understand what He is really all about. When I was young I had a step father that wasn't very nice to me and my picture of God was a frowning being that scared me. I was probably in my 50's or older when I realized how awful my picture of Him was. I have never had that picture come up in my mind again except to relate the experience. I finally understood that He is a very, very loving Father, which I never had, so it was hard for me to relate to anything else but severity. I am now able to understand it far better and actually relate to Him totally differently. It makes a difference how we see God, whether we will trust Him and love Him.
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:15 "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation."
God is so longsuffering that He is willing to be patient in making sure that we don't perish but come to repentance. Also the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. We must not forget His wonderful longsuffering and patience.
Take Noah for example, He preached for 120 years that God was going to send a flood to destroy the world because of its wickedness. His faith about it was so strong that He did as God commanded and built an ark to house the animals, and those that would believe on Him. He patiently waited for them to repent for 120 years, is that longsuffering, I think it is.
1 Peter 3:20 "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."
It is my prayer that we will understand just how longsuffering and patient God is and have a beautiful picture in our minds of a loving, smiling face beaming down on us. Wanting us to come to Him and be ready to accept His love and care for us. Pray for a picture like that. It is just what you need today
in this world of turmoil. Grandma Joan
Is it hard to love Someone who is merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abounding in goodness and truth and keeping mercy for thousands and forgiving our sins? Is that hard to do? It doesn't seem like it should be and yet how many don't really understand the character of God? Seriously, how many do not understand what He is really all about. When I was young I had a step father that wasn't very nice to me and my picture of God was a frowning being that scared me. I was probably in my 50's or older when I realized how awful my picture of Him was. I have never had that picture come up in my mind again except to relate the experience. I finally understood that He is a very, very loving Father, which I never had, so it was hard for me to relate to anything else but severity. I am now able to understand it far better and actually relate to Him totally differently. It makes a difference how we see God, whether we will trust Him and love Him.
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:15 "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation."
God is so longsuffering that He is willing to be patient in making sure that we don't perish but come to repentance. Also the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. We must not forget His wonderful longsuffering and patience.
Take Noah for example, He preached for 120 years that God was going to send a flood to destroy the world because of its wickedness. His faith about it was so strong that He did as God commanded and built an ark to house the animals, and those that would believe on Him. He patiently waited for them to repent for 120 years, is that longsuffering, I think it is.
1 Peter 3:20 "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."
It is my prayer that we will understand just how longsuffering and patient God is and have a beautiful picture in our minds of a loving, smiling face beaming down on us. Wanting us to come to Him and be ready to accept His love and care for us. Pray for a picture like that. It is just what you need today
in this world of turmoil. Grandma Joan
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Will I Be Forgiven For Sure
Sometimes in life we get the feeling that we are not saved or even worthy of being saved and usually it leads to indifference or maybe depression or just the fact that we are totally unsure of ourselves and what salvation is all about. It is a wonderful feeling when we know that we are saved moment by moment and day by day, I am not talking about once saved always saved, the Bible does not teach such a thing. I am talking about tripping up and making a mess out of things and giving up on the fact that we are worthy of being saved at all. We need assurance that God forgives us and we can know that He does. It is important to our every day health, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Our health really depends on our spiritual life and the peace that we can have just knowing that day by day we can have the assurance that we are saved. That we have been forgiven when we trip up and make a mess out of things.
Psalm 8:5 says,"For You Lord, are good, and ready to forgive. And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."
Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My sake; and I will not remember your sins." What a wonderful thought that He will not even remember our sins that we have confessed and forsaken. That really is abundant mercy.
Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." God is reminding us that He is a merciful God and keeps telling us that He will abundantly pardon. He doesn't want us to forget that He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever in His heavenly home.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This verse is the key to peace and happiness and living a wholesome life with Christ as our Companion in all that we do.
We must bring our sins to Jesus and confess them and repent of them in true sorrow for having hurt Him by either not trusting Him or coming to Him for the very first time. It is so important for our health and peace of mind. There is so much turmoil in this world today and the only place where we can find peace and contentment is at the foot of the cross in true repentance. I truly believe that this is the one and only way. Will you follow me in your commitment today? Let's bring all our filthy rags as Isaiah calls them to Jesus and leave them there as He wraps is robe of righteousness around us and says to us, 'go and sin no more', and if we do fall, ' He is faithful and just to forgive us.' Don't ever forget that part. He is faithful. His promises are true. He wants to wrap His loving arms around you, will you let Him? I pray that you will. Grandma Joan
Psalm 8:5 says,"For You Lord, are good, and ready to forgive. And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."
Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My sake; and I will not remember your sins." What a wonderful thought that He will not even remember our sins that we have confessed and forsaken. That really is abundant mercy.
Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." God is reminding us that He is a merciful God and keeps telling us that He will abundantly pardon. He doesn't want us to forget that He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever in His heavenly home.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This verse is the key to peace and happiness and living a wholesome life with Christ as our Companion in all that we do.
We must bring our sins to Jesus and confess them and repent of them in true sorrow for having hurt Him by either not trusting Him or coming to Him for the very first time. It is so important for our health and peace of mind. There is so much turmoil in this world today and the only place where we can find peace and contentment is at the foot of the cross in true repentance. I truly believe that this is the one and only way. Will you follow me in your commitment today? Let's bring all our filthy rags as Isaiah calls them to Jesus and leave them there as He wraps is robe of righteousness around us and says to us, 'go and sin no more', and if we do fall, ' He is faithful and just to forgive us.' Don't ever forget that part. He is faithful. His promises are true. He wants to wrap His loving arms around you, will you let Him? I pray that you will. Grandma Joan
Saturday, May 13, 2017
How Do We Receive The Kind of Peace That We Need
We studied the promises for peace but maybe there are some things that we can do to give us the kind of peace we need. Let us see if the Bible tells us how we may find that kind of peace that passes all understanding. One of my favorite verses on peace is found in -
Philippians 4:6&7. "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 passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." We must be justified by faith in order to have the peace that God freely gives us.
Romans 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
We must be spiritually minded, having our minds fixed on spiritual things.
Romans 14:19 "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another."
Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you. Because he trusts in You."
Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peace makers, for the shall be called sons of God." We need to also be peacemakers don't we?
Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful." We for sure need to be thankful when the peace of God rules in our hearts, don't we? Yes, I am very thankful, very thankful.
James 3:18 "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
1 Peter 3:11 "Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it."
To sum it all up, "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes his enemies to be at peace with Him. Proverbs 16:7. I think that is a wonderful verse, that if our ways please God, even our enemies will be at peace with us.
I have found when someone is having trouble and I don't think they really like me, I tell them I care and will pray for them and what do you think happens? They become my friends. I'm working on this one still but it really does work. It's always good to do good to others even if we think they don't like us, usually we become friends. I have one more person to try that on, but God hasn't given me a go ahead with this one, but He will when its time. I'm sure of that. When our ways please the Lord, he makes our enemies be at peace with us. It's wonderful. Try it you just might like it. I want to be a peace maker, don't you? Then God can fill us with His peace. Grandma Joan
Philippians 4:6&7. "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 passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." We must be justified by faith in order to have the peace that God freely gives us.
Romans 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
We must be spiritually minded, having our minds fixed on spiritual things.
Romans 14:19 "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another."
Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you. Because he trusts in You."
Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peace makers, for the shall be called sons of God." We need to also be peacemakers don't we?
Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful." We for sure need to be thankful when the peace of God rules in our hearts, don't we? Yes, I am very thankful, very thankful.
James 3:18 "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
1 Peter 3:11 "Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it."
To sum it all up, "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes his enemies to be at peace with Him. Proverbs 16:7. I think that is a wonderful verse, that if our ways please God, even our enemies will be at peace with us.
I have found when someone is having trouble and I don't think they really like me, I tell them I care and will pray for them and what do you think happens? They become my friends. I'm working on this one still but it really does work. It's always good to do good to others even if we think they don't like us, usually we become friends. I have one more person to try that on, but God hasn't given me a go ahead with this one, but He will when its time. I'm sure of that. When our ways please the Lord, he makes our enemies be at peace with us. It's wonderful. Try it you just might like it. I want to be a peace maker, don't you? Then God can fill us with His peace. Grandma Joan
Friday, May 12, 2017
Is Peace What You Need?
Here is a quotation from Steps to Christ p. 49 "It is peace that you need - Heaven's forgiveness and peace and love in the soul. Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it,wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift, 'without money and without price: Isa. 55:1. It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it. The Lord says, 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.' Isa 1:18. " A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you.' Eze. 36:26."
Some Promises to memorize and have faith in:
Psalm 29:11 "The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace."
Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing shall offend them."
Romans 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed; says the Lord who has mercy on you."
Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You Because he trusts in You."
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid."
A great study on peace is what we need. I hope it has been an inspiration to you and has helped you have the peace that heaven offers. It is a much needed asset in this troubled world and it does not come by trying to create it, it comes through the promises of God and He wants to have that peace that passes all understanding. I will do another study on peace that will show us how to have the peace that we need. Watch for it soon. Grandma Joan
Some Promises to memorize and have faith in:
Psalm 29:11 "The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace."
Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing shall offend them."
Romans 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed; says the Lord who has mercy on you."
Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You Because he trusts in You."
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid."
A great study on peace is what we need. I hope it has been an inspiration to you and has helped you have the peace that heaven offers. It is a much needed asset in this troubled world and it does not come by trying to create it, it comes through the promises of God and He wants to have that peace that passes all understanding. I will do another study on peace that will show us how to have the peace that we need. Watch for it soon. Grandma Joan
Thursday, May 11, 2017
What Is Prayer -2
Prayer is the outpouring of our heart to God and talking to God as a friend. He wants us to consider Him as a friend, someone who wants only good for us and not evil. Someone who wants to help us over life's hurdles and take our hand and walk with us all through our life. If we could only see Him in this light, how different life would be, wouldn't it? Let's consider this as we study these verses on prayer. Also, let's remember the conditions that we studied in the lesson before this one and apply them according to the verses we list today.
1 John 5;14 -16 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."
2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven , and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Jeremiah 29:12,13 "Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."
Psalm 145:18 "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him; to all who call upon Him in truth."
Psalm 145:19,20 "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them." (those who reverence Him)
Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weakness for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." This is a wonderful promise to those of us who have difficulty wording our prayers. To know that the Spirit will intercede for us is awesome, so awesome.
Philippians 4:6 "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 passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Colossians 4:2 "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."
James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."
Has this little study on prayer helped you? It has me, we need to go over and over it to make sure we have it down pat, so that our prayers will always be heard and answered according to His will. I pray that you will have a wonderful prayer experience. Grandma Joan
1 John 5;14 -16 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."
2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven , and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Jeremiah 29:12,13 "Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."
Psalm 145:18 "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him; to all who call upon Him in truth."
Psalm 145:19,20 "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them." (those who reverence Him)
Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weakness for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." This is a wonderful promise to those of us who have difficulty wording our prayers. To know that the Spirit will intercede for us is awesome, so awesome.
Philippians 4:6 "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 passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Colossians 4:2 "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."
James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."
Has this little study on prayer helped you? It has me, we need to go over and over it to make sure we have it down pat, so that our prayers will always be heard and answered according to His will. I pray that you will have a wonderful prayer experience. Grandma Joan
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Some Things to Consider When We Pray
When we pray, there are some things we need to consider and I make sure it is all Biblical. But it is a concern to me because of what I have been through and some just recently. So let us consider together what these might be. May God Bless this study.
1) A sense of need.
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." We must realize our need of Him when we come to Him in prayer.
2) Knowledge of our own inability.
Psalm 94:17-19 "Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence, If I say, 'my foot slips,' Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."
3) Knowledge of the insufficiency of the world as well.
Psalm 60:11 "Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless."
4) Faith and Obedience.
1 John 3:22 "And whatsoever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
5) Abiding in Christ.
John 15:7 "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you."
6) Asking in His name.
John 14:14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
7) Pray in secret.
Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
8) Pray for a forgiving spirit.
Mark 11:25 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."
9) According to God's will.
1 John 5:14 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
When we pray, I believe that these conditions to answered prayer are very important to abide by if we truly want our prayers to be answered. Go over them carefully and consider the meaning for you in your life and how important it is to have God hear and answer your prayers. Some prayers are repetitive and spoken without true meaning from our hearts. Maybe its an automatic prayer that you learned growing up, maybe its a prayer that you have just made up to make yourself think that you are praying earnestly. But if you go by these 8 things that are listed, you will learn to pray earnestly and with answers. Each one is very important. I am going to study them too. I need to make sure my prayers are going to be heard and that God will answer according to His will. Grandma Joan
1) A sense of need.
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." We must realize our need of Him when we come to Him in prayer.
2) Knowledge of our own inability.
Psalm 94:17-19 "Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence, If I say, 'my foot slips,' Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."
3) Knowledge of the insufficiency of the world as well.
Psalm 60:11 "Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless."
4) Faith and Obedience.
1 John 3:22 "And whatsoever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
5) Abiding in Christ.
John 15:7 "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you."
6) Asking in His name.
John 14:14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
7) Pray in secret.
Matthew 6:6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
8) Pray for a forgiving spirit.
Mark 11:25 "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."
9) According to God's will.
1 John 5:14 "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
When we pray, I believe that these conditions to answered prayer are very important to abide by if we truly want our prayers to be answered. Go over them carefully and consider the meaning for you in your life and how important it is to have God hear and answer your prayers. Some prayers are repetitive and spoken without true meaning from our hearts. Maybe its an automatic prayer that you learned growing up, maybe its a prayer that you have just made up to make yourself think that you are praying earnestly. But if you go by these 8 things that are listed, you will learn to pray earnestly and with answers. Each one is very important. I am going to study them too. I need to make sure my prayers are going to be heard and that God will answer according to His will. Grandma Joan
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Self-Control, a Much Needed Character Trait
Oh, Oh, Maybe we want to control ourselves, but did you know that it is a necessary trait for us to have Christ dwelling in our temple? I believe that if we let Christ abide in us as we have studied in a past study, that we will have self-control. It is not possible for us to control our self without Christ's strength dwelling in us, it is totally impossible, but with Him all things are possible. I have learned this, you could say the hard way. I grew up believing that I had to earn my salvation by works of some kind. And when I learned that if I surrender my will to Him, He does the work in me, I was so overwhelmed with that thought, it was such a relief, then I had to learn to lean on Christ to do the works in me and not me trying to earn my salvation by struggling away, trying to figure out what I can do. God puts it in my heart and mind what He wants me to do and I have failed a few times and not obeyed His desires for me but when I do listen and let Him lead, I am so happy and life is so much sweeter. It hasn't been that long that I have known that I didn't have to earn my salvation and it was such a great relief to me. I have had to learn to surrender to His will in order to do His works but it is a pleasure. Lets see what the Scriptures say about self-control.
Self-control Over the Spirit
Proverbs 16:32 "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city."
What a contrast to one who is slow to anger and rules his own spirit. We can all take heed to these words, can't we?
Self-control Over the Life
Acts 24:25 "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered. Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."
Is it wise to wait for a convenient time to give our hearts to God and live for Him? Most usually the convenient time never comes, because we are so busy doing our own things and don't give it much thought.
Self-control Over the Lusts of the Flesh
Romans 6:12 "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."
For some, the lust of the flesh is a terrible addiction and takes the power of God to help us through it. As with any addiction the same is true.
Self-control Over the Tongue
James 3:2 "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."
What an enlightening statement. Our tongue can be a world of evil. I have known quite a few people in my life time that couldn't control their tongue and one of those people was me. I don't like to admit that but the tongue is a powerful tool for good or for evil. Let's make sure that Christ controls our tongue. Shall we? Then if Christ controls our tongue, we will be a perfect example to others. Yes, I like that.
Self-control a Cardinal Virtue
2 Peter 1:5,6,7 "And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance, and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness: and to brotherly kindness, charity."
Giving diligence, and adding faith and virtue, knowledge, temperance which is self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity, which is love, takes self-control doesn't it and how do we get self-control, by letting Christ dwell within us, and being willing to be made willing should be our prayer. Grandma Joan
Self-control Over the Spirit
Proverbs 16:32 "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city."
What a contrast to one who is slow to anger and rules his own spirit. We can all take heed to these words, can't we?
Self-control Over the Life
Acts 24:25 "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered. Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."
Is it wise to wait for a convenient time to give our hearts to God and live for Him? Most usually the convenient time never comes, because we are so busy doing our own things and don't give it much thought.
Self-control Over the Lusts of the Flesh
Romans 6:12 "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."
For some, the lust of the flesh is a terrible addiction and takes the power of God to help us through it. As with any addiction the same is true.
Self-control Over the Tongue
James 3:2 "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."
What an enlightening statement. Our tongue can be a world of evil. I have known quite a few people in my life time that couldn't control their tongue and one of those people was me. I don't like to admit that but the tongue is a powerful tool for good or for evil. Let's make sure that Christ controls our tongue. Shall we? Then if Christ controls our tongue, we will be a perfect example to others. Yes, I like that.
Self-control a Cardinal Virtue
2 Peter 1:5,6,7 "And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance, and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness: and to brotherly kindness, charity."
Giving diligence, and adding faith and virtue, knowledge, temperance which is self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity, which is love, takes self-control doesn't it and how do we get self-control, by letting Christ dwell within us, and being willing to be made willing should be our prayer. Grandma Joan
Monday, May 8, 2017
Being an Overcomer - part 2
In the name of Jesus, let's be a conqueror, what do you say? So many promises to give us all the help we need. Let's continue gathering up verses for our hope in overcoming.
Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing will be impossible." What do you think of this verse?
John 14:27 "My peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 16:23 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace, in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Romans 8:37 "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
1 Corinthians 15:57 "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind."
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
1 John 4:4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
1 John 5:4 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."
1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
So many, many promises to strengthen us in our journey in this world. We can do it, not on our own but through Christ who strengthens us. God has given us power and love and a sound mind to be able to have the strength to go forward without fear of failing Him. As long as we cling to Him by faith, He will not fail us. We have a heavenly home to look forward to regardless of what happens in our life and we can believe that it is there for us when we believe that we can overcome by His power and strength. Be brave and go forward in His strength. Grandma Joan
Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing will be impossible." What do you think of this verse?
John 14:27 "My peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 16:23 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace, in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Romans 8:37 "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
1 Corinthians 15:57 "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind."
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
1 John 4:4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
1 John 5:4 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."
1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
So many, many promises to strengthen us in our journey in this world. We can do it, not on our own but through Christ who strengthens us. God has given us power and love and a sound mind to be able to have the strength to go forward without fear of failing Him. As long as we cling to Him by faith, He will not fail us. We have a heavenly home to look forward to regardless of what happens in our life and we can believe that it is there for us when we believe that we can overcome by His power and strength. Be brave and go forward in His strength. Grandma Joan
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Being An Overcomer
Overcoming means to prevail over temptation, to conquer. How do we overcome our weaknesses, our failures. Let's see what the scripture says about it.
Psalm 3:3 "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head."
Psalm 16:8 "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved."
Psalm 27:1 "TheLord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."
Psalm 118:14 "The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."
Psalm 119:50 "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life."
Psalm 120:1 "In my distress, I cried to the Lord and He heard me."
Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe."
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
These are such encouraging promises, I just love them. We should have no fear if we trust in His loving care over us. Overcoming is not a problem if we surrender our all to Him and let Him give us the power and the strength to do it. He is more than willing, we just need to ask Him to make us willing to be willing to surrender our all to Him so that we can abide with Him all day every day. Grandma Joan
Psalm 3:3 "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head."
Psalm 16:8 "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved."
Psalm 27:1 "TheLord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."
Psalm 118:14 "The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."
Psalm 119:50 "This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life."
Psalm 120:1 "In my distress, I cried to the Lord and He heard me."
Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe."
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
These are such encouraging promises, I just love them. We should have no fear if we trust in His loving care over us. Overcoming is not a problem if we surrender our all to Him and let Him give us the power and the strength to do it. He is more than willing, we just need to ask Him to make us willing to be willing to surrender our all to Him so that we can abide with Him all day every day. Grandma Joan
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Being Faithful and Steadfast to the Word of God
It is very important for us to be faithful to God and steadfast in our beliefs and to study to show ourselves approved, which is what I am striving to do and to share things that will help you in your walk with God. We need to know what we believe and be faithful and steadfast to our beliefs. I hope this study will help you do just that.
Joshua 23:7,8 "That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day."
Job 11:1415 "If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away , and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear."
1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, alway abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Philippians 1:27 "Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."
1 Peter 5:9 "Whom resist stand fast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
2 Peter 3:17 "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness."
What do you think? Do you think you can be steadfast, and unmovable in your beliefs. Christ has made us free, lets make sure we are not tangled up again in wickedness that we have put far from us.
We can be sure that any sin that we have been overcome by, others have suffered the same and even Christ has overcome anything that we have been tempted with. It is a great consolation that we have in Christ, that we can overcome any temptation that Satan throws at us, through the power of the name of Jesus. I am so thankful for that, and I am sure you are too." Grandma Joan
Joshua 23:7,8 "That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day."
Job 11:1415 "If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away , and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear."
1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, alway abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
Philippians 1:27 "Only let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."
1 Peter 5:9 "Whom resist stand fast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
2 Peter 3:17 "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness."
What do you think? Do you think you can be steadfast, and unmovable in your beliefs. Christ has made us free, lets make sure we are not tangled up again in wickedness that we have put far from us.
We can be sure that any sin that we have been overcome by, others have suffered the same and even Christ has overcome anything that we have been tempted with. It is a great consolation that we have in Christ, that we can overcome any temptation that Satan throws at us, through the power of the name of Jesus. I am so thankful for that, and I am sure you are too." Grandma Joan
Friday, May 5, 2017
Christ Dwelling in Our Temple - 2
The other day we studied about being the temple of God and I hope it sparked an interest in how this all happens. The following study will provide us with information on this study.
It is Revealed in the Coming of the Holy Spirit
John 14:20 "At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you."
We in Christ and Christ in us.
Demonstrates to the World Christ's Mission
John 17:23 "I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and has loved them, as Thou has loved Me."
Another clarification that I in them and Thou in Me and that God loves us as He loves His Son.
The Old Life Dies that the New may Live
Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Our old sinful life must die so Christ can live in us and then we will live by the faith of the Son of God who loves us so much, He gave Himself for us.
Obtained by Faith
Ephesians 3:17,18,19 "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
I believe these verses explain themselves very well, such a promise is overwhelming!!
A Glorious Mystery
Colossians 1:27 "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
A mystery which we cannot understand but only experience. And I know it is true because I have experienced it and I am sure many of you have.
Obedience Essential to
1 John 3:24 "And he that keeps His commandments dwells in him, and He in him, and hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us."
If we want Christ to dwell in us, it says that 'we must keep His commandments. Maybe we should look up the commandments Exodus 20 and see if we are keeping them, so that for sure Christ can dwell in us.
Possible to All
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him , and will sup with him, and he with Me."
So important to answer the door when Christ knocks and all can open the door and invite Him in. No one is denied that privilege. If we are willing to be made willing, He will make us willing to serve Him and be a temple for Him to dwell in. Oh, how I want to be that kind of temple that Christ can live in and direct each moment of my life by His Holy Spirit. I pray that you will be willing to be made willing and that you will invite Him in. Grandma Joan
It is Revealed in the Coming of the Holy Spirit
John 14:20 "At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you."
We in Christ and Christ in us.
Demonstrates to the World Christ's Mission
John 17:23 "I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and has loved them, as Thou has loved Me."
Another clarification that I in them and Thou in Me and that God loves us as He loves His Son.
The Old Life Dies that the New may Live
Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Our old sinful life must die so Christ can live in us and then we will live by the faith of the Son of God who loves us so much, He gave Himself for us.
Obtained by Faith
Ephesians 3:17,18,19 "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
I believe these verses explain themselves very well, such a promise is overwhelming!!
A Glorious Mystery
Colossians 1:27 "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
A mystery which we cannot understand but only experience. And I know it is true because I have experienced it and I am sure many of you have.
Obedience Essential to
1 John 3:24 "And he that keeps His commandments dwells in him, and He in him, and hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us."
If we want Christ to dwell in us, it says that 'we must keep His commandments. Maybe we should look up the commandments Exodus 20 and see if we are keeping them, so that for sure Christ can dwell in us.
Possible to All
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him , and will sup with him, and he with Me."
So important to answer the door when Christ knocks and all can open the door and invite Him in. No one is denied that privilege. If we are willing to be made willing, He will make us willing to serve Him and be a temple for Him to dwell in. Oh, how I want to be that kind of temple that Christ can live in and direct each moment of my life by His Holy Spirit. I pray that you will be willing to be made willing and that you will invite Him in. Grandma Joan
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Denying Christ
How do we deny Christ? There are examples in Scripture that we will study this time and hopefully we will not be one to deny Him.
Matthew 10:33 "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 26:34 "Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night before the cock crow, thou shall deny me thrice." Spoken to Peter.
Matthew 26:69,70 "Now Peter sat without in the palace and a damsel came unto him, saying, thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest."
Mark 8:38 "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Acts 3:14 "But ye denied the Holy One and the Just and desired a murderer to be granted unto you."
2 Timothy 2:12 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us."
2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
1 John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist that denies the Father and the Son."
Are you ashamed of Jesus, do you pray before your meal when you are eating out? Does that embarrass you? This is one area that I couldn't do for a long time but it doesn't bother me now like it use to. I am a very timid person and I don't like to be made fun of but I am not ashamed anymore to say a prayer before I eat in public. My Prayer is, 'Lord, help me never, ever be ashamed to be a Christian and to always demonstrate it wherever I am'.
There are all kinds of doctrines out there, but let's not get caught up in something that is not Biblical.
Isaiah 40:8 says, "The Word of God shall stand forever." I believe that, it has stood for thousands of years so far and it will keep on until Jesus comes again. It has help for every situation, so let's keep studying and learning. It has helped me so much and I know it will help you. Grandma Joan
Matthew 10:33 "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 26:34 "Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night before the cock crow, thou shall deny me thrice." Spoken to Peter.
Matthew 26:69,70 "Now Peter sat without in the palace and a damsel came unto him, saying, thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest."
Mark 8:38 "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Acts 3:14 "But ye denied the Holy One and the Just and desired a murderer to be granted unto you."
2 Timothy 2:12 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us."
2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
1 John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist that denies the Father and the Son."
Are you ashamed of Jesus, do you pray before your meal when you are eating out? Does that embarrass you? This is one area that I couldn't do for a long time but it doesn't bother me now like it use to. I am a very timid person and I don't like to be made fun of but I am not ashamed anymore to say a prayer before I eat in public. My Prayer is, 'Lord, help me never, ever be ashamed to be a Christian and to always demonstrate it wherever I am'.
There are all kinds of doctrines out there, but let's not get caught up in something that is not Biblical.
Isaiah 40:8 says, "The Word of God shall stand forever." I believe that, it has stood for thousands of years so far and it will keep on until Jesus comes again. It has help for every situation, so let's keep studying and learning. It has helped me so much and I know it will help you. Grandma Joan
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
The Glory of Christ - 3
We know from our last study that Christ was glorified, and today we will get a glimpse of His glory.
Manifested at His Second Coming
Mathew 16:27 "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to His works."
Shared by Believers
Mathew 19:28 "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Beheld Upon the Mount
Luke 9:32 "But Peter and they that were with Him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him."
Revealed in the Incarnation
John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
Possessed Before the Foundation of the World
John 17:5 "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me withThine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was."
Ascribed by the Heavenly Host
Revelation 5:12 "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing."
When Christ comes in His glory, we shall see Him face to face and see His glory first hand. I trust Him to save me and I am looking forward to seeing Him and casting myself at His feet in thanks-giving and praise. As I have said before, I am not perfect but I trust in His power to save me and all those who come to Him in faith. I pray that each of you will be there. Grandma Joan
Manifested at His Second Coming
Mathew 16:27 "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to His works."
Shared by Believers
Mathew 19:28 "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Beheld Upon the Mount
Luke 9:32 "But Peter and they that were with Him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him."
Revealed in the Incarnation
John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."
Possessed Before the Foundation of the World
John 17:5 "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me withThine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was."
Ascribed by the Heavenly Host
Revelation 5:12 "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing."
When Christ comes in His glory, we shall see Him face to face and see His glory first hand. I trust Him to save me and I am looking forward to seeing Him and casting myself at His feet in thanks-giving and praise. As I have said before, I am not perfect but I trust in His power to save me and all those who come to Him in faith. I pray that each of you will be there. Grandma Joan
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Abounding Grace -2-
We learned yesterday that grace is unmerited favor, something that we cannot earn, it is given freely to every sinner who repents and surrenders to Christ.
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." We must come boldly to God's throne of grace, knowing that our help comes from Him to overcome sin in our lives.
Hebrews 13:9 "Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines, for it is good that the heart be established by grace..." We must test every doctrine by the word of God to make sure we are not led astray by doctrines of men instead of doctrines of God.
James 4:6 "Therefore He says, 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"
If we come to Him with humble hearts He will pour out His grace upon us.
2 Peter 1:2 " Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. This verse and the next one tells us how to have His grace multiplied upon us, we must study His word and gain the knowledge of Him and of Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
Titus 3:5-7 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." We are not saved by our righteous works but by His grace is how we become heirs of His kingdom.
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you that you, always having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every good work." God will make sure that we have all the grace we need so that we may abound in every good work.
I am so thankful for the free grace that God bestows upon us through Christ. We are not worthy but Christ is and He is the one that presents us to the Father, just as if we had never sinned, in His righteousness. That is the most awesome gift that we could ever receive, there is nothing like it in this world. To have an eternal home with Christ forever and ever and sit at His feet and learn and learn as much as we want to learn. Talk about an education, so wonderful to ponder. Grandma Joan
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." We must come boldly to God's throne of grace, knowing that our help comes from Him to overcome sin in our lives.
Hebrews 13:9 "Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines, for it is good that the heart be established by grace..." We must test every doctrine by the word of God to make sure we are not led astray by doctrines of men instead of doctrines of God.
James 4:6 "Therefore He says, 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"
If we come to Him with humble hearts He will pour out His grace upon us.
2 Peter 1:2 " Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. This verse and the next one tells us how to have His grace multiplied upon us, we must study His word and gain the knowledge of Him and of Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
Titus 3:5-7 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." We are not saved by our righteous works but by His grace is how we become heirs of His kingdom.
2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you that you, always having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every good work." God will make sure that we have all the grace we need so that we may abound in every good work.
I am so thankful for the free grace that God bestows upon us through Christ. We are not worthy but Christ is and He is the one that presents us to the Father, just as if we had never sinned, in His righteousness. That is the most awesome gift that we could ever receive, there is nothing like it in this world. To have an eternal home with Christ forever and ever and sit at His feet and learn and learn as much as we want to learn. Talk about an education, so wonderful to ponder. Grandma Joan
Monday, May 1, 2017
Christ's Blood Shed for Us
Our salvation is dependent on accepting Christ's blood for the forgiveness of our sins. If He had not died and shed His blood for our sins, we would have to die for our own and that would be the end of us. But because Christ died on Calvary and shed His innocent blood in our behalf, we are able to accept His sacrifice for our sins and therefore we do not have to die for our own sins, because He did that for us. Because He shed His blood for us, He can present us to the Father as if we had never sinned, because He died in our place. But that does not excuse sin, sin needs to be repented of and forgiven which is freely done if we are sincere.
Mathew 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sin." Remission meaning, cancellation of a debt.
Acts 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood."
Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Justified meaning, just as if we had never sinned.
Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
1 Peter 1:18,19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold, from our vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
Revelation 1:5 "And from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood."
Revelation 7:14 "And I said unto Him, Sir, Thou does know. And He said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Our redemption is through the blood of Christ, There is no other way. We must accept His way and His way only. We must accept His blood as our redeeming power to overcome as He overcame. It's that simple, yet, it is hard to give up our selfish ways to His selfless life and live our lives for others instead of for ourselves. Thats why the Bible says we must walk as He walked, 1 John 2:6, we cannot do it on our own, it is impossible, but the Bible also says that, 'I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me.' Philippians 4:13. In Christ Jesus there is power. That's why it is easier to be saved than to be lost. Think about it and God bless you with the strength to obey. Grandma Joan
Mathew 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sin." Remission meaning, cancellation of a debt.
Acts 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood."
Romans 5:9 "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Justified meaning, just as if we had never sinned.
Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
1 Peter 1:18,19 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold, from our vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
Revelation 1:5 "And from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood."
Revelation 7:14 "And I said unto Him, Sir, Thou does know. And He said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
Our redemption is through the blood of Christ, There is no other way. We must accept His way and His way only. We must accept His blood as our redeeming power to overcome as He overcame. It's that simple, yet, it is hard to give up our selfish ways to His selfless life and live our lives for others instead of for ourselves. Thats why the Bible says we must walk as He walked, 1 John 2:6, we cannot do it on our own, it is impossible, but the Bible also says that, 'I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me.' Philippians 4:13. In Christ Jesus there is power. That's why it is easier to be saved than to be lost. Think about it and God bless you with the strength to obey. Grandma Joan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)