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Complete Joy: “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.” 1 John 1:3-4 (NIV)

Have you ever shared some good news with a friend so they can rejoice with you? Families of high school graduates usually have open house parties to honor the work of the teens. Newly married couples have receptions to greet their friends. Brides-to-be and mothers-to-be receive shower gifts to help them being new chapters…  ( Click for more )

I like the Biblical character Ruth.

She gave up living in her native land to accompany her mother-in-law Naomi through the wilderness back to Bethlehem. It could have been very dangerous for travelers, let alone women, who went into the wilderness Enroute to distant places.

Ruth chose to adopt Naomi’s faith in one God. She treated Naomi as well as any daughter would her mother.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, she chose to stay with Naomi and work in order for them to have food.

Boaz owned the fields…  ( Click for more )

Where would we be without forgiveness?

We learn early in our Christian life that we have to forgive people who wrong us. As we explore the subject, we hear that sometimes we have to forgive for our own sakes and sanity. We have circumstances we need to get beyond and can only do this through forgiving the other person. If we didn’t extend or seek forgiveness when needed, we would live life in fear, almost in terror.

The Apostle Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus, and to us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ…  ( Click for more )

“A Friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

As I initially start to write this essay, I am preparing to go to a celebration of life. A very dear friend of ours has been allowed to go live with Jesus. This is a bittersweet time for those who knew her.

King Solomon spoke of two relationships in our focus verse. That of a friend, then of a brother.

As I was growing up, I heard people say, “I know who my true friends are.” Something had happened in their lives and certain “friends”…  ( Click for more )

A lady who follows my blog left a comment on a recent entry. Her comment spoke of a thought that she often had-“What would the world look like if we saw events and people through the eyes of God? This thought is not foreign to me. I have often wondered what God thought of the actions people take in this world. Our pastor has asked the question, “What would Jesus do, say, or think?”

In today’s world, we have school girls kidnapped with the purpose of selling them to be wives and mistresses. We see the rise of a nation, previously a world power, taking…  ( Click for more )

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul closes off his letter to the believers at Philippi with this encouraging thought.

Paul wrote this letter to them in order to lift their spirits about the state he was in. He was under house arrest in Rome and awaiting word about the final disposition of his case. Let’s look at this closing remark and see how it can bring comfort to new believers even in our 21th Century world.

“ . . my God will meet . . .” …  ( Click for more )

“Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 (NIV)

David writes words of hope here. After expressing God’s relationship with him (The Lord is my shepherd. . .) and the resultant feeling he has. (. . . I shall not want.)

GOODNESS

“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy peace . . . goodness . . . Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

When we see someone acting for the betterment of others instead of themselves, we realize they are…  ( Click for more )

A friend is the pastoral assistant at our church. From time to time, she preaches in place of our senior pastor. She had to preach at our Son rise Service on Easter Sunday. In her planning she got to thinking about Mary Magdalene.

When we think about this Mary, we hone in on the fact that Jesus healed her from seven demons. We don’t know what those were. We do know she appreciated the healing she received to the point she followed the Master as he taught and healed others.

My friend wondered if we who live in the 21Century have demons controlling our…  ( Click for more )

“. . . that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow in heaven,

on the earth and under the earth. . . “

Philippians 2:10

“. . . and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.”

Philippians 2:11 (NIV)

“ . . at the name of Jesus. . .”

When God announces His son’s name at the last judgment, I envision a time of people being either terrified or relieved at this time.

“. . .every knee shall bow. . .”.

When a person bows, they show respect to the person…  ( Click for more )

Thoughts about Peter

Journal Entry- February 26,2004

Mark 14:27-31

Do you have a favorite disciple? Have you ever thought about how human they were?

Peter boasted to Jesus, “The others might leave you but I will follow you even to your death.” Jesus replied, “Peter, you are wrong about this, in fact you will deny me today three times before the cock crows twice.” Mark 14:29-30

This man Peter is a very interesting person to modern day readers. He is best described as impetuous. William Barclay describes him as “having…  ( Click for more )

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit,

if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete

by being like-minded, having the same love,

being one in spirit and purpose.”

Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)

Paul writes to the Philippians; he encourages them to look into their hearts and consider their stance with Christ. He points out that they should receive a building up, an empowerment, from being in His presence. The apostle then spells…  ( Click for more )

Make My Joy Complete. . .

‘If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Holy Spirit,

if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete

by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Philippians 2:1 (NIV)

Paul writes to the Philippians; he encourages them to look into their hearts and consider their stance with Christ. He points out that they should receive a building up, an empowerment, from being in His presence. The apostle then spells…  ( Click for more )

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord.

‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

The Israelites were in exile, God told them to build houses and settle into the life of Babylon. God instructed them to give their children in marriage to those in that foreign land. He also told the exiles they would be there 70 years. This had to dishearten the Israelite people. (It would me.) Then He speaks the words of the verse shown above.

The spring of 1996…  ( Click for more )

Jesus released Mary Magdalene from the torture of seven demons. She was completely controlled by them. Before Jesus drove those demons out, we get a picture of Mary. “. . . bereft of will and reason, with vacuous eyes, screaming and tearing at her clothes.'1

After Jesus healed her, “She is thought to been beautiful and gracious. Her love was warm and glowing.”2She felt so grateful to her Lord that she, like other women who had received healing, became one of His followers. Mary exuded warmth and love. Her thankfulness was as noticeable to others as her…  ( Click for more )

Charity is an old word. In the King James Bible, the word means love. 1 Corinthians 13 uses the word charity several times. In the beginning verses, Paul paints a word picture to the church at Corinth about what people are like without it—a gong or a clanging symbol.

Paul further describes charity as being:

“. . . long-suffering and kind,” Is not short tempered and is gentle.

“. . . does not envy,” Respects the property of others. Returns borrowed items in better shape than when they were borrowed. …  ( Click for more )

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured in your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

“Give . . .” What we do for someone in the name of the Lord, whether devoting our time, talents, treasure, or telling, God notices it. No matter in what form we give, God honors our effort.

“. . . it will be given . . .” God sees what we do and he returns our deed through others. We might not receive back what we gave but in ways that we…  ( Click for more )

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, with all the saints, to grasp how wide

and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and

to know this love that surpasses all knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17b-19 (NIV)

“And I pray. . .” Paul talked to the Lord about the people who were in the Ephesian church. As Christians we have an obligation to pray for those on the front line in spiritual warfare- the pastors, the missionaries, the church…  ( Click for more )

Hannah: A Woman of Faith

Hannah was married to Elkanah. He loved her but she was barren. Elkanah took a second wife who gave him several children. In spite of Hannah’s state, Elkanah adored her.

In Old Testament times, the people measured their worth on having sons. Society looked down on a woman who hadn’t produced children, especially sons. Although it wasn’t God’s intent, the men of the time took a second wife for at least one of the following reasons:

1.) If they had no sons from the first wife, having a second wife gave them the possibility…  ( Click for more )

Faith: confidence in the testimony of another.1

“Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

As children of God, we believe that He watches over us as we go through each of our days. We know He stands alongside us as we go through the mundane tasks of living: caring for our children, doing the laundry, shopping for necessities-food, clothing, and paying bills. When God orders our days, we trust Him to allow us to do the important…  ( Click for more )

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

God told Jeremiah to deliver a letter to those Judeans exiled in Babylon. God has told them they would be in bondage for 70 years. The exiles were to establish themselves in Babylon, raise families, and work in the marketplace He told them that He had plans–good ones–for them. Two verses later the Lord speaks of what the Judean people would have to do in order to seek Him. Those exiled could seek Him only if they sought God with all their hearts. How else can we…  ( Click for more )

Praising God

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.”

Psalm 89:15 (NIV)

The act of praising God is a learned response. As we learn of his goodness, we feel the need to give back to God. We don’t say “praise the Lord” to impress those around us. We say it because we feel thankful to Him for what He has done for us in our time of stress- emotional, as well as financial- a need, or physical illness.

As we go through life, we walk paths assigned to us. We are not alone as we…  ( Click for more )

Daniel –A godly man: Daniel wanted to obey God even during his exiled in Babylon. The person who had charge of the young men being trained for the king’s service told the entire group to eat from the king’s table. Daniel thought about it and requested that he not be made to do it. He suggested that he and his friends be allowed to eat vegetables and drink water for ten days and then be compared to the others being trained.

Daniel and his three friends were given Babylonian names. Each of the group had names that had special meaning to the Jews. Their new…  ( Click for more )

The Bible, God’s Word, promises us hope. Through the words of those inspired by God, we learn of God’s desire for us, his children. Hope is defined as the reliance on God’s blessing and provision; the expectation of future good.1It is hope in the Lord that keeps His children going during times of financial strain, loss of occupation, health crises of ourselves and our families, and emergencies that enter our lives.

Biblical Views about Hope

In his first letter to the Corinthian believers, The Apostle Paul speaks of the qualities that remain in morally…  ( Click for more )

“Abide with Me”

KJV-

“Abide in me and I will abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” John 15:4-5

NIV-

“Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain on the vine. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” John 15:4-5

This conversation takes place in the upper room, shortly after Jesus Christ and His disciples ate their last supper together.…  ( Click for more )