Seems like I have been very Emotional lately.
Cried Often..... and Yes, this one made me cry again.
Subject: Hi Dad....
In all ways acknowledge him and he will direct
thy paths. Proverb 3:6
After living what I felt was a
'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end.
The first thing I remember is sitting
on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.
The doors opened and I was instructed
to come in and have a seat by the defense table.
As I looked around I saw the
'prosecutor.'
He was a villainous looking gent who
snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I
have ever seen.
I sat down and looked to my left and
there sat My Attorney, kind and gentle looking man whose appearance
seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.
The corner door flew open and there
appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.
He commanded an awesome presence as
He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off Him.
As He took His seat behind the bench,
He said, 'Let us begin.'
The prosecutor rose and said,
'My name is Satan and I am here to
show you why this man belongs in hell.'
He proceeded to tell of lies that I
told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others.
Satan told of other horrible Perversions that were once in my life
and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.
I was so embarrassed that I couldn't
look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that
even I had completely forgotten about.
As upset as I was at Satan for
telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney
who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all.
I know I had been guilty of those
things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least
equal out part of the harm I'd done?
Satan finished with a fury and said,
'This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged
and there is not a person who can prove otherwise..'
When it was His turn, My Attorney
first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this
over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.
As He got up and started walking, I
was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty..
I realized why He seemed so familiar;
this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.
He stopped at the bench and softly
said to the Judge, 'Hi, Dad,' and then He turned to address the court.
'Satan was correct in saying that
this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes,
the wages of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished.'
Jesus took a deep breath and turned
to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died
on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has
accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.'
My Lord continued with, 'His name is
written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch him from Me.
Satan still does not understand yet.
This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.'
As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused,
looked at His Father and said, 'There is nothing else that needs to
be done.'
'I've done it all.'
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and
slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips..
'This man is free. The penalty for
him has already been paid in full. 'Case dismissed.'
As my Lord led me away, I could hear
Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one.'
I asked Jesus as He gave me my
instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'
Christ lovingly smiled and
said,'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has
received the same verdict as you, ~Paid In Full~'
P.S.
"Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead, tell the storm how big your
God is!"
Happy New Year
If you do Not Know the Lord Jesus As Your Personal Lord and Savior,
I Pray that This Is the Year that You Do.
And If You Already Do.....Isn't It Wonderful To Know That Your Sin Debt Is Already ...
Paid In Full.
Love,
Kay
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Is God Your Friend Or Is God Your Lord?
Is God Your Friend Or Is He Your Lord?
I have been reading in 2 Samuel 6:9
David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?
We might ask the same question.
The ark of the Lord was brought to David, by David Completely Obeying God.
Many people think that God is our Friend. Perhaps…. but more…
He is our Lord.
Just like a parent cannot become friends with their children while they are growing up…..they have to remain the Parent.
God remains our Lord.
In other words….God wants to Bring Us Up To His Level to Become our friend. We can Not Expect a Holy God to come Down to our Level.
{Our Sinful Nature}
If We Want God To Come Closer To Us……We Have To Come Closer To God.
Sin in our life separates us from God. Obedience brings us closer to God.
I have been reading in 2 Samuel 6:9
David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?
We might ask the same question.
The ark of the Lord was brought to David, by David Completely Obeying God.
Many people think that God is our Friend. Perhaps…. but more…
He is our Lord.
Just like a parent cannot become friends with their children while they are growing up…..they have to remain the Parent.
God remains our Lord.
In other words….God wants to Bring Us Up To His Level to Become our friend. We can Not Expect a Holy God to come Down to our Level.
{Our Sinful Nature}
If We Want God To Come Closer To Us……We Have To Come Closer To God.
Sin in our life separates us from God. Obedience brings us closer to God.
Friday, December 11, 2009
David and Goliath
David and Goliath
I have heard so many different sermons about David and Goliath.
Some simple observations. Taken From 1 Samuel 17
17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
David did not allow the Philistine to frighten him. We should Not let the Unbelievers or Doubters, or Atheist in this world scare us into Not Standing Up For What We Believe.
He had experienced victories before, in and through the Lord and he Knew God Would Deliver Him Again.
Who can Go against our God?
When God is For Us…Who Can Be Against Us?
It is a Win……Win situation. God Can’t loose…..We Can’t Loose.
But King Saul looked at everything through the eyes of man. Not through the eyes of faith in our Living God..
To trust God, We have to See what He Sees..Not What We See.
17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
Past victories! We can be assured that our God who has delivered us in the past….Will Do It Again.
The first thing David did was activate his Faith.
17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
David went to Battle, Not in his own might but in the Name of the Lord.
The Battle was God’s …….Not David’s…and David Knew It.
Nothing can Touch us unless God permits it. So the Battle Is Always His.
We must Face Each Day As We Are Doing Battle Beside The Lord.
We Are In His Army and He Never Looses.
Want to be on the Winning Side? Be On God’s Side.
And Above All Else…..Do Not Be Afraid or Ashamed To Proclaim It.
17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
Now With God on Our Side….Let Us Go Out There and Face The World With Confidence. David and Goliath
I have heard so many different sermons about David and Goliath.
Some simple observations. Taken From 1 Samuel 17
17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
David did not allow the Philistine to frighten him. We should Not let the Unbelievers or Doubters, or Atheist in this world scare us into Not Standing Up For What We Believe.
He had experienced victories before, in and through the Lord and he Knew God Would Deliver Him Again.
Who can Go against our God?
When God is For Us…Who Can Be Against Us?
It is a Win……Win situation. God Can’t loose…..We Can’t Loose.
But King Saul looked at everything through the eyes of man. Not through the eyes of faith in our Living God..
To trust God, We have to See what He Sees..Not What We See.
17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
Past victories! We can be assured that our God who has delivered us in the past….Will Do It Again.
The first thing David did was activate his Faith.
17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
David went to Battle, Not in his own might but in the Name of the Lord.
The Battle was God’s …….Not David’s…and David Knew It.
Nothing can Touch us unless God permits it. So the Battle Is Always His.
We must Face Each Day As We Are Doing Battle Beside The Lord.
We Are In His Army and He Never Looses.
Want to be on the Winning Side? Be On God’s Side.
And Above All Else…..Do Not Be Afraid or Ashamed To Proclaim It.
17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
Now With God on Our Side….Let Us Go Out There and Face The World With Confidence. David and Goliath
Monday, October 5, 2009
Wright Or Wrong
God Could Force Us To Do Right
But He Does Not
The devil Would Force Us To Do Wrong
But he Can Not
But He Does Not
The devil Would Force Us To Do Wrong
But he Can Not
Right and Wrong
God Could Force Us To Do Right
But He Does Not.
The devil Would Force Us To Do Wrong
But he Can Not.
But He Does Not.
The devil Would Force Us To Do Wrong
But he Can Not.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Does God Expect Us To Be Perfect?
I have been reading in the Old Testament lately
and in studing Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph and their life stories, I am amazed at how imperfect they were.
Yet they all had a great and close relationships with the Lord their God.
I believe it was always initiated from God, not from them.
Why is it that We tend to go to God as a last resort not as a first choice?
We could save ourselves so much time and trouble if we would just give everything up to God in the first place.
Prayer saves time.
God loved them and Used them in spite of their imperfections.
And He Can and Will use Us Today, in spite of our imperfections.
God looks at our Heart More than He Looks at our Actions.
Does this excuse our actions? NO.
Romans 6: 1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?
But as we repent and ask for forgiveness, He does forgive and remembers our sin no more.
We might ask God today to Forgive Us, Restore Us, and Use Us.
Surrender our will to 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.
Remember He gave us a Free Will and we have used that Free Will to Destroy Ourselves.
If We Surrender that Will Back To God....
Just imagine Receiving All Of The Good He Has In Store For Us.
Jeremiah 29:11 "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."
Praise the Lord.
and in studing Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph and their life stories, I am amazed at how imperfect they were.
Yet they all had a great and close relationships with the Lord their God.
I believe it was always initiated from God, not from them.
Why is it that We tend to go to God as a last resort not as a first choice?
We could save ourselves so much time and trouble if we would just give everything up to God in the first place.
Prayer saves time.
God loved them and Used them in spite of their imperfections.
And He Can and Will use Us Today, in spite of our imperfections.
God looks at our Heart More than He Looks at our Actions.
Does this excuse our actions? NO.
Romans 6: 1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?
But as we repent and ask for forgiveness, He does forgive and remembers our sin no more.
We might ask God today to Forgive Us, Restore Us, and Use Us.
Surrender our will to 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.
Remember He gave us a Free Will and we have used that Free Will to Destroy Ourselves.
If We Surrender that Will Back To God....
Just imagine Receiving All Of The Good He Has In Store For Us.
Jeremiah 29:11 "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."
Praise the Lord.
Friday, June 19, 2009
In Times of Need, Come Boldly
What To Do In Our Time Of Need?
As a Christian, We Should and Can Take it to the Lord.
We have a Loving and Merciful Father who Wants to Take Care of Us.
He Wants Us to Ask.
And we Do Not have to come, crawling, and begging, as some think…
We do not have a Father who does not understand.
He Waits and Waits… All Day Long, with Open Arms, for Us to Come To Him.
He Wants a Loving Relationship With Us. He Created Us to Have a Loving Relationship With Him.
And We Have that Relationship
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
So, when You have Needs…. Come Boldly… It is Your Christ Purchased Right, to Gods’ throne of Grace.
G…Gods R…Riches A…At C…Christ E…Expense
And You Will Find Mercy and Grace to Help You In Your Time of Need.
No One Else Can and Does Make That Promise To You.
And that one, as they say…. “You Can Take It To The Bank.”
And, I will take it one step further. When you ask…Knowing that it is in God’s Will, Go Ahead and say Thank You…Because You Believe It.
Remember to Pray the Solution. ...Not the Problem
As a Christian, We Should and Can Take it to the Lord.
We have a Loving and Merciful Father who Wants to Take Care of Us.
He Wants Us to Ask.
And we Do Not have to come, crawling, and begging, as some think…
We do not have a Father who does not understand.
He Waits and Waits… All Day Long, with Open Arms, for Us to Come To Him.
He Wants a Loving Relationship With Us. He Created Us to Have a Loving Relationship With Him.
And We Have that Relationship
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
So, when You have Needs…. Come Boldly… It is Your Christ Purchased Right, to Gods’ throne of Grace.
G…Gods R…Riches A…At C…Christ E…Expense
And You Will Find Mercy and Grace to Help You In Your Time of Need.
No One Else Can and Does Make That Promise To You.
And that one, as they say…. “You Can Take It To The Bank.”
And, I will take it one step further. When you ask…Knowing that it is in God’s Will, Go Ahead and say Thank You…Because You Believe It.
Remember to Pray the Solution. ...Not the Problem
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
God Leads Us Into His Protective Care
Gods Leads Us Into His Protective Care
Offers Us Life…Eternal
I heard a story once from the pulpit.
It seems that a flock of birds was flying south, later than usual
and got caught in an early snow storm.
As the birds surrounded the couple’s house, the couple became aware of the Dangerous Predicament of the birds.
They would probably Die Without Some Protection.
The man opened the garage doors and tried to frantically wave the birds inside. They, of course, had no idea what he was doing and did not come in.
He turned on the heat in the garage, tried to put out food for them …in short did everything he could think of to entice the birds to come into the warmth and peace and protection of the garage…..to no avail.
Finally in desperation, he said to his wife……. “If Only I could Become One Of Them……And Lead Them In..”
My Friend…this is what Christ did. He Became One Of Us In Order To Lead Us In…..To the Loving Arms Of His And Our Father’s Care.
John1:1- 2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
John 1: 14 And the Word became 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.
Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was made flesh, just as one of us.
He did live on earth as one of us…but Without Sin….That He could Die For Us On The Cross..Paying Our Sin Debt In Full…So that We May Obtain Eternal Live In The Father’s House.
What Love God has for Us……
John 3:16 For God so loved the world {You and Me} that He Gave His Only Begotten Son, that Whoever Believes in Him should Not Perish but Have Everlasting Life.
Offers Us Life…Eternal
I heard a story once from the pulpit.
It seems that a flock of birds was flying south, later than usual
and got caught in an early snow storm.
As the birds surrounded the couple’s house, the couple became aware of the Dangerous Predicament of the birds.
They would probably Die Without Some Protection.
The man opened the garage doors and tried to frantically wave the birds inside. They, of course, had no idea what he was doing and did not come in.
He turned on the heat in the garage, tried to put out food for them …in short did everything he could think of to entice the birds to come into the warmth and peace and protection of the garage…..to no avail.
Finally in desperation, he said to his wife……. “If Only I could Become One Of Them……And Lead Them In..”
My Friend…this is what Christ did. He Became One Of Us In Order To Lead Us In…..To the Loving Arms Of His And Our Father’s Care.
John1:1- 2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
John 1: 14 And the Word became 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.
Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was made flesh, just as one of us.
He did live on earth as one of us…but Without Sin….That He could Die For Us On The Cross..Paying Our Sin Debt In Full…So that We May Obtain Eternal Live In The Father’s House.
What Love God has for Us……
John 3:16 For God so loved the world {You and Me} that He Gave His Only Begotten Son, that Whoever Believes in Him should Not Perish but Have Everlasting Life.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Enlightened
The word Enlightened is very popular today.
I was asked once what I thought it meant....
My Answer.
To Know And Be True To God.
To Know And Be True To Myself.
Ephesians 1: 17-21
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatnessof His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is maned, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Psalm 18: 28 For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
We cannot have wisdom or knowledge without God.
And we cannot have Light withut God.
No Way to be Enlightened, on our own, Without the Lord Our God.
I was asked once what I thought it meant....
My Answer.
To Know And Be True To God.
To Know And Be True To Myself.
Ephesians 1: 17-21
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatnessof His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is maned, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Psalm 18: 28 For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
We cannot have wisdom or knowledge without God.
And we cannot have Light withut God.
No Way to be Enlightened, on our own, Without the Lord Our God.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Who Does Not Inhieit The Kingdom Of Heaven?
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, not adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
What can we expect from a President who openly states that We Are No Longer A Christian Nation?
1THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press Secretary___________________________________________________________For Immediate Release June 1, 2009LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009- - - - - - -BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATIONForty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.BARACK OBAMA
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, not adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
What can we expect from a President who openly states that We Are No Longer A Christian Nation?
1THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press Secretary___________________________________________________________For Immediate Release June 1, 2009LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009- - - - - - -BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATIONForty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.BARACK OBAMA
Know Jesus, Know Peace. No Jesus, No Peace.
Know Jesus, Know Peace.
No Jesus, No Peace.
Ever wonder just how We Can Have and Live in Peace when the entire world in such turmoil?
Only through Accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Jesus Promises us a Complete Peace, a Peace that Surpasses All Understanding..
Knowing that God is still on His Throne and in Complete Control.
We Can Trust In Him to Complete His Purpose In Our Lives
Lev: 26:6
I will give peace in the land and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid.
2 Peter 1:2
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord
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.
Ephesians 2: 14
For He {Jesus} is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation
John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me { Jesus } you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
So, Claim Your Promise…..Go Out and Have Peace Today.
No Jesus, No Peace.
Ever wonder just how We Can Have and Live in Peace when the entire world in such turmoil?
Only through Accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Jesus Promises us a Complete Peace, a Peace that Surpasses All Understanding..
Knowing that God is still on His Throne and in Complete Control.
We Can Trust In Him to Complete His Purpose In Our Lives
Lev: 26:6
I will give peace in the land and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid.
2 Peter 1:2
Grace and Peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord
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.
Ephesians 2: 14
For He {Jesus} is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation
John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me { Jesus } you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
So, Claim Your Promise…..Go Out and Have Peace Today.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Faith And Fear
Fear Knocked On The Door. Faith Opened It. And Lo, There Was No One There.
I love this statement.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus enstead of our problems we succeed.
Notice when Peter jumped out of the boat and started walking on the water to meet Christ....He did walk on water....Because His eyes were on Christ. When he took his eyes off Christ and began to look around at his surroundings, he began to sink.
Keep Your Eyes On Christ.
I love this statement.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus enstead of our problems we succeed.
Notice when Peter jumped out of the boat and started walking on the water to meet Christ....He did walk on water....Because His eyes were on Christ. When he took his eyes off Christ and began to look around at his surroundings, he began to sink.
Keep Your Eyes On Christ.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Ask And Receive
Ask And Receive
It is common for some Christians to just believe that they can ask
Anything of the Lord and He will answer in a positive way.
Meaning they will get what they ask.
NOT SO……. THANK GOODNESS.
God knows what is Best for Us. And He gives us What is Best.
And He does it in His timing.
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.
{ Notice the words…according to His Will, not Our will.}
If we want for our live, what God wants for our lives, He will give it to us.}
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
{We can have the confidence that, if we are asking in His Will, He is listening and answering.}
Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
{ Notice the words, Delight Yourself in the Lord. If we are delighted in the Lord we will not ask anything
That is Out of His Will.
The Desires of our heart will be to do His Will.
So when we pray, we need to be sure we are in line with what God wants for Us.
We could just Pray, that we submit to God’s Will for our life…Make ourselves available to His will…and trust Him to do what is best for us.
And He Will Every Time.
It is common for some Christians to just believe that they can ask
Anything of the Lord and He will answer in a positive way.
Meaning they will get what they ask.
NOT SO……. THANK GOODNESS.
God knows what is Best for Us. And He gives us What is Best.
And He does it in His timing.
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.
{ Notice the words…according to His Will, not Our will.}
If we want for our live, what God wants for our lives, He will give it to us.}
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
{We can have the confidence that, if we are asking in His Will, He is listening and answering.}
Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
{ Notice the words, Delight Yourself in the Lord. If we are delighted in the Lord we will not ask anything
That is Out of His Will.
The Desires of our heart will be to do His Will.
So when we pray, we need to be sure we are in line with what God wants for Us.
We could just Pray, that we submit to God’s Will for our life…Make ourselves available to His will…and trust Him to do what is best for us.
And He Will Every Time.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
God Does NOT Love Us Because We Love HIM
God Does Not Love Us
Because We Love Him
He Loved Us First.
And Gave His Only Begotten Son that we might be reconciled to Him
And have Everlasting Life.
John 3:16 For God so Loved the World { you and me}
That He Gave His Only Begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him
Should not perish, but have Everlasting Life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He who believes in Him { Jesus Christ and all He stands for…His life, His death, being God Himself.} is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
{So you see, God does Not Condemn us, we condemn ourselves by our unbelief.}
1 John 4: 19 We love Him, because He First loved us.
So you see, Everything you have Comes From God…….
Even Our Ability To Love Him.
Even Our Faith To Believe.
Because We Love Him
He Loved Us First.
And Gave His Only Begotten Son that we might be reconciled to Him
And have Everlasting Life.
John 3:16 For God so Loved the World { you and me}
That He Gave His Only Begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him
Should not perish, but have Everlasting Life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 He who believes in Him { Jesus Christ and all He stands for…His life, His death, being God Himself.} is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
{So you see, God does Not Condemn us, we condemn ourselves by our unbelief.}
1 John 4: 19 We love Him, because He First loved us.
So you see, Everything you have Comes From God…….
Even Our Ability To Love Him.
Even Our Faith To Believe.
Friday, May 15, 2009
We Can NOT Have GOD Without JESUS
Today, It Is Popular To Think
That You Can Believe In God
But Not Believe In Jesus Christ.
This is Just NOT Possible.
And I am talking about a Believing, Saving Faith, Type of Belief,
from the Heart, Not just Intellectual Knowledge.
We need to understand that Salvation is Belief from The Heart,
Not the Mind. Belief in Who He is and What He has done for us..
The Son of God. He is God.
The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are one.
Even the devils believed in Christ. They even acknowledged that He was the Son of God. They certainly did not trust Him for their Eternal Salvation, or make Him Lord of their Life.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe….and tremble!
When we accept Jesus Christ death on the cross as payment for our sins, repent and turn from sin, accept Christ as our Lord, Master of our Life….
Then we have Eternal Life Through Him.
Romans 6:23 For the Wages of Sin is Death, but the Gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Now, we can choose to pay our own penalty….die for our own sin.
This is actually what we deserve.
Or we can be wise….and choose Christ’s Payment For Our Sin, His Death on the Cross. Sin carries a Blood Penalty.
John 3: 16 For God so Loved the World {you and me} that He Gave His Only Son…….to pay Our Sin Debt. What Love has the Father for Us.
Who would you give your Only Child’s Life For???
1 John 2: 22-23 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti Christ who denies the Father and the Son.
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either, he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
The Father and Son are One.
Jesus said …….I and my Father are One.
You can Not have one without the other.
That You Can Believe In God
But Not Believe In Jesus Christ.
This is Just NOT Possible.
And I am talking about a Believing, Saving Faith, Type of Belief,
from the Heart, Not just Intellectual Knowledge.
We need to understand that Salvation is Belief from The Heart,
Not the Mind. Belief in Who He is and What He has done for us..
The Son of God. He is God.
The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are one.
Even the devils believed in Christ. They even acknowledged that He was the Son of God. They certainly did not trust Him for their Eternal Salvation, or make Him Lord of their Life.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe….and tremble!
When we accept Jesus Christ death on the cross as payment for our sins, repent and turn from sin, accept Christ as our Lord, Master of our Life….
Then we have Eternal Life Through Him.
Romans 6:23 For the Wages of Sin is Death, but the Gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Now, we can choose to pay our own penalty….die for our own sin.
This is actually what we deserve.
Or we can be wise….and choose Christ’s Payment For Our Sin, His Death on the Cross. Sin carries a Blood Penalty.
John 3: 16 For God so Loved the World {you and me} that He Gave His Only Son…….to pay Our Sin Debt. What Love has the Father for Us.
Who would you give your Only Child’s Life For???
1 John 2: 22-23 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is anti Christ who denies the Father and the Son.
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either, he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
The Father and Son are One.
Jesus said …….I and my Father are One.
You can Not have one without the other.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Theachers Are Held More Accountable
I love teaching the Bible.
Actually I love teaching anything.
I think I have a teacher’s mentality.
If I know something, I just can’t wait to share. I want you to know it too.
But this is a Big Responsibility. God holds Teachers more accountable.
According to Ezra 7:10 they are accountable in four ways.
They are to devote their hearts for obedient service.
They are to study the meaning of God’s Word.
They are to obey what they discover
They are to teach what they have learned.
For the most part, true Bible teaching is the overflow of one obedient life into the life of another.
Teachers need to be able to share of their own life and to relate to the lives of those they teach.
also to teach on a level that is easily understood.
If teachers are always teaching over people’s head, they will not be able to reach them.
All Christians, not just teachers need to watch what they do.
Not doing anything that weakens or kills their testimony or in any way leads other Christians astray.
· But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck. - Matthew 18:6
· "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck. - Mark 9:42
· It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck than to face the punishment in store for harming one of these little ones. - Luke 17:2
As Christians, we must always be aware that the world is watching us
And ACT accordingly.
Actually I love teaching anything.
I think I have a teacher’s mentality.
If I know something, I just can’t wait to share. I want you to know it too.
But this is a Big Responsibility. God holds Teachers more accountable.
According to Ezra 7:10 they are accountable in four ways.
They are to devote their hearts for obedient service.
They are to study the meaning of God’s Word.
They are to obey what they discover
They are to teach what they have learned.
For the most part, true Bible teaching is the overflow of one obedient life into the life of another.
Teachers need to be able to share of their own life and to relate to the lives of those they teach.
also to teach on a level that is easily understood.
If teachers are always teaching over people’s head, they will not be able to reach them.
All Christians, not just teachers need to watch what they do.
Not doing anything that weakens or kills their testimony or in any way leads other Christians astray.
· But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck. - Matthew 18:6
· "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck. - Mark 9:42
· It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck than to face the punishment in store for harming one of these little ones. - Luke 17:2
As Christians, we must always be aware that the world is watching us
And ACT accordingly.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Have You Died For Him Yet?
Christ Suffered and Died For US.
How can we NOT expect to suffer for HIM?
I am in First Peter now.
2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
{Christ suffered beatings and the Cross for Us. He did Not have to do this. He chose to do it, In order to do the will of His Father and to Grant, for Us, Salvation. He paid the Price for our sins.
Romans. The wages of Sin is Death. Taking our Sin upon Himself, He who knew NO Sin, was probably the hardest thing}
Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
{By the Grace of God, Our Sin Debt was Pain In Full.}
2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
{We deserve to be punished for our own sins. But Christ had No Sin to be punished for. He was punished and put to death for our sins.}
2:21 For even here unto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth
2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed
2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
{I am sometimes amazed when People start telling me what all THEY have done for the Lord.
Sometimes they will recite all that they feel the Lord has asked them to give up. And then go into great detail how they complied, In order to sacrifice to the Lord.
I am reminded of the verse that says …It is better to obey than to sacrifice.}
And then 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
{One of my all time favorites}
I want to ask these people…….
Have you DIED for Him yet.
Have you DIED To Him yet?
NOTHING we can ever do for Christ can equal what He has done for Us.
If Christ Never does another thing for Me..
His Death, for me, on the cross, is more than enough.
How can we NOT expect to suffer for HIM?
I am in First Peter now.
2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
{Christ suffered beatings and the Cross for Us. He did Not have to do this. He chose to do it, In order to do the will of His Father and to Grant, for Us, Salvation. He paid the Price for our sins.
Romans. The wages of Sin is Death. Taking our Sin upon Himself, He who knew NO Sin, was probably the hardest thing}
Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
{By the Grace of God, Our Sin Debt was Pain In Full.}
2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
{We deserve to be punished for our own sins. But Christ had No Sin to be punished for. He was punished and put to death for our sins.}
2:21 For even here unto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth
2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed
2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
{I am sometimes amazed when People start telling me what all THEY have done for the Lord.
Sometimes they will recite all that they feel the Lord has asked them to give up. And then go into great detail how they complied, In order to sacrifice to the Lord.
I am reminded of the verse that says …It is better to obey than to sacrifice.}
And then 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
{One of my all time favorites}
I want to ask these people…….
Have you DIED for Him yet.
Have you DIED To Him yet?
NOTHING we can ever do for Christ can equal what He has done for Us.
If Christ Never does another thing for Me..
His Death, for me, on the cross, is more than enough.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Do we Believe our God or Not?
I have been reading in the book of James.
I find it interesting that sometimes we pray
And make request to God, but never really expect Him to Answer
Or to Grant Our Petitions.
So, why do we even bother?
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6. But let him ask in faith, with NO DOUBTING, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord
8. For he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Sometimes, I wonder how we can Trust God for something as important as Our Salvation……And then NOT trust Him to take care of the everyday things in life.
Remember Worry is a subtle form of un-belief.
If we take our petitions to God and truly trust Him to take care of them, we have no need to continue to worry about them.
I am trying to keep the Bible Study Blog Short.
So Perhaps I can Blog every other day.
I do hope it will somehow be a blessing.
I have been reading in the book of James.
I find it interesting that sometimes we pray
And make request to God, but never really expect Him to Answer
Or to Grant Our Petitions.
So, why do we even bother?
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6. But let him ask in faith, with NO DOUBTING, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord
8. For he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Sometimes, I wonder how we can Trust God for something as important as Our Salvation……And then NOT trust Him to take care of the everyday things in life.
Remember Worry is a subtle form of un-belief.
If we take our petitions to God and truly trust Him to take care of them, we have no need to continue to worry about them.
I am trying to keep the Bible Study Blog Short.
So Perhaps I can Blog every other day.
I do hope it will somehow be a blessing.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Jesus, Our Great High Priest
Jesus, Our Great High Priest
I am now in the book of Hebrews
And it is one of my very favorite Books of the Bible.
Theme: The Priesthood of Christ.
Jesus, the beginning and the end.
Ever wonder why we pray “In Christ Name”
As the end of our prayers.
Our Only Access to God is through Jesus Christ.
We come to know God by Salvation through Christ and
Our relationship with God continues through Jesus Christ.
Many try to gain access to God by other means.
It just Does Not Work That Way.
A brief Explanation about our Need for a Priest
Someone to represent us before the Lord our God..
During the time of the Old Testament Covenant,
The temple was built after being moved around for many years in tents.
The High Priest was the only one allowed to go into the Holies of Holies { the innermost sanctum} and then only one time each year to make atonement for the sins of the people.
He offered sacrifices for himself first and then for the people.
Hebrews 5:3
Usually a lamb, but only One Without Blemish.
And the sins of the people were essentially rolled forward one more year.
Remember it is Not possible that sin is forgiven by the blood of bulls and goats.
And rolled forward every year after that, to be placed upon and Covered By the Blood of Christ.
When Christ, who was and is our Lamb Without Blemish {remember Jesus Never Committed Sin and He also Did Not Inherit the Sin Principle.
When Adam and Eve sinned, every birth after that inherited the Sin Principle { You might think sort of in their DNA} Everyone….They were Conceived in Sin.
But Jesus was Not Conceived by man, but Conceived by the Holy Spirit so He did Not inherit the sin principle , Nor did He Ever One Time Commit Sin.
So Christ was the Only One Pure that could Die an Atoning Death and Pay the Eternal Price for Your Sin and Mine.
If Christ were conceived in sin or ever committed sin, then one could say that He died for His own sin.
But He did NOT.
Remember when Christ was Crucified, the Temple Veil was Torn from Top to Bottom.
Torn by God, Not Man.
We could Never open up our own access to God.
God open it down to Us.
Christ, being the final sacrifice.
He now allows us to come Directly into His Holy Presence.
And God is so Holy that He can Not look upon sin. But He now sees us as Righteous, just like His son. Purified by the Blood of Christ.
This is why only un-confessed sin in our live can hinder our communication with God.
He can not hear us. He cannot look upon us.
We confess first and then take our concerns to Him
Now, we are told that we can Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace and Obtain Mercy and Grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
This is another one of my favorite scriptures. And I use it at the start of many prayers. I remind God that He has told me that I can come boldly to His throne, and YES I can Name Drop.
Ever accused of Name Dropping? Here we Can and Should Name Drop the Name of Christ. For it is through Him, because we KNOW Him and are Known by Him that we can come to Gods’ Throne.
And I remind Him, not because He needs to be reminded but that I need to be reminded of His Promise to me.
The scriptures tell us that Christ is now sitting at the right hand of God Making intercession for us, often with moaning and groaning.
Have you ever reached the time when you really just do not know how to pray or what to pray for? When I reach this pint, and I do, I just go to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to pray to the Father for me.
Jesus is my Great High Priest and He alone is the only one that can intercede for me. And YES, He is right there and has the Father’s ear.
Remember to call upon the Lord when you are tempted, Hebrews 2:18
Christ understands, He also was tempted, but without sin. He alone understands and can help us to overcome.
There are so many lessons in these 4 chapters, and I would love to share them all. I also know that our time is limited and so is our attention span.
Perhaps in another blog.
We can talk about coming into Gods’ Rest.
Or that Obedience is better than sacrifice.
And above all else, remember, that while in today’s society it is not considered good to Name Drop……Nothing pleases God More.
When you pray, consider it an Honor and a Privilege to Name Drop the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pray in Christ’s Name.
Your Friend In Christ,
Kay
If you have friends who might enjoy the Bible Study Blog,
Please give them the link.
If you have questions that you would like to see studied,
Please let me know.
We can discuss it in the same conversational form.
These studies are my interpretations and you may or may not agree. But this is OK.
My goal is to provoke thought and desire for study.
I am now in the book of Hebrews
And it is one of my very favorite Books of the Bible.
Theme: The Priesthood of Christ.
Jesus, the beginning and the end.
Ever wonder why we pray “In Christ Name”
As the end of our prayers.
Our Only Access to God is through Jesus Christ.
We come to know God by Salvation through Christ and
Our relationship with God continues through Jesus Christ.
Many try to gain access to God by other means.
It just Does Not Work That Way.
A brief Explanation about our Need for a Priest
Someone to represent us before the Lord our God..
During the time of the Old Testament Covenant,
The temple was built after being moved around for many years in tents.
The High Priest was the only one allowed to go into the Holies of Holies { the innermost sanctum} and then only one time each year to make atonement for the sins of the people.
He offered sacrifices for himself first and then for the people.
Hebrews 5:3
Usually a lamb, but only One Without Blemish.
And the sins of the people were essentially rolled forward one more year.
Remember it is Not possible that sin is forgiven by the blood of bulls and goats.
And rolled forward every year after that, to be placed upon and Covered By the Blood of Christ.
When Christ, who was and is our Lamb Without Blemish {remember Jesus Never Committed Sin and He also Did Not Inherit the Sin Principle.
When Adam and Eve sinned, every birth after that inherited the Sin Principle { You might think sort of in their DNA} Everyone….They were Conceived in Sin.
But Jesus was Not Conceived by man, but Conceived by the Holy Spirit so He did Not inherit the sin principle , Nor did He Ever One Time Commit Sin.
So Christ was the Only One Pure that could Die an Atoning Death and Pay the Eternal Price for Your Sin and Mine.
If Christ were conceived in sin or ever committed sin, then one could say that He died for His own sin.
But He did NOT.
Remember when Christ was Crucified, the Temple Veil was Torn from Top to Bottom.
Torn by God, Not Man.
We could Never open up our own access to God.
God open it down to Us.
Christ, being the final sacrifice.
He now allows us to come Directly into His Holy Presence.
And God is so Holy that He can Not look upon sin. But He now sees us as Righteous, just like His son. Purified by the Blood of Christ.
This is why only un-confessed sin in our live can hinder our communication with God.
He can not hear us. He cannot look upon us.
We confess first and then take our concerns to Him
Now, we are told that we can Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace and Obtain Mercy and Grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
This is another one of my favorite scriptures. And I use it at the start of many prayers. I remind God that He has told me that I can come boldly to His throne, and YES I can Name Drop.
Ever accused of Name Dropping? Here we Can and Should Name Drop the Name of Christ. For it is through Him, because we KNOW Him and are Known by Him that we can come to Gods’ Throne.
And I remind Him, not because He needs to be reminded but that I need to be reminded of His Promise to me.
The scriptures tell us that Christ is now sitting at the right hand of God Making intercession for us, often with moaning and groaning.
Have you ever reached the time when you really just do not know how to pray or what to pray for? When I reach this pint, and I do, I just go to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to pray to the Father for me.
Jesus is my Great High Priest and He alone is the only one that can intercede for me. And YES, He is right there and has the Father’s ear.
Remember to call upon the Lord when you are tempted, Hebrews 2:18
Christ understands, He also was tempted, but without sin. He alone understands and can help us to overcome.
There are so many lessons in these 4 chapters, and I would love to share them all. I also know that our time is limited and so is our attention span.
Perhaps in another blog.
We can talk about coming into Gods’ Rest.
Or that Obedience is better than sacrifice.
And above all else, remember, that while in today’s society it is not considered good to Name Drop……Nothing pleases God More.
When you pray, consider it an Honor and a Privilege to Name Drop the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pray in Christ’s Name.
Your Friend In Christ,
Kay
If you have friends who might enjoy the Bible Study Blog,
Please give them the link.
If you have questions that you would like to see studied,
Please let me know.
We can discuss it in the same conversational form.
These studies are my interpretations and you may or may not agree. But this is OK.
My goal is to provoke thought and desire for study.
Monday, April 13, 2009
First Bible Study Blog, John, Chapter 17
A Study of John, Chapter 17
This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.
You will see why….
The scripture is quoted and my comments are in parenthesis. { }
17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee
{After Jesus and his disciples had left the Upper Room He went with them to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. Outside, at night, He lifted His eyes to God in Heaven. He said that His hour had come. This was the very purpose for Christ coming into this world.
Jesus always did what brought Glory to God, the Father. And the Father glorified Jesus for bringing Him Glory. If we, as Christians, obey the Father and live according to His commands, we bring Glory to the Father.}
17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
{Eternal Life comes only through belief in Jesus Christ.
And we cannot come to the Father except He draws us. We cannot just one day decide, today I am going to come to the Lord. God speaks to our hearths. We are under the power of conviction. We respond. We can accept or reject. It is our God Given Right.
God wants us to choose Him, but He does not force us to.
We can choose to accept Christs’ death on the cross or we can choose to die in our sins and pay the penalty for our own sin…eternal separation from the Lord.
For the wages of sin is death.}
17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
{We, our soul, is going to live eternally somewhere. As a believer, it will spend eternity in the presence of the Lord. Or as an unbeliever, it will spend all of eternity in the dark, outside the presence of the Lord}.
17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
{ Jesus finished teaching the disciples and the work of our redemption was just starting. Notice Jesus said I have finished {Speaking it as if it already were.} Because it was as good as done. This was the work God had given Jesus to do on earth. Have you ever wondered what work God has given you to do? You know, when you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, you could have gone to Heaven right then and there. Wonder why God left you here? To help lead others to Him. Who are you going to take with you?}
17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
{In the Beginning God created the Heavens and the earth. And Jesus was there with Him when He did it. As part of the God Head, the Trinity.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
John 1, In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. Al things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.
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.
Jesus sat aside His own Glory to come to earth and be our atonement for sin so that we may live eternally in Heaven with the Father.
J17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
{ Just as Jesus declared the word and will of God to all who would believe, we also are to declare the name of the Lord.}
17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
{Although the disciple did not completely understand all that Jesus would teach them. They did believe He was the Son of God. And they believed that Jesus spoke the words of the Father. And they had already declared that they believed that Jesus was sent from God.}
17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
{Notice that Jesus prayed for His Own. Not the unbeliever, the world. He died for unbelievers. But here He prays for believers. All are created by God…Believers are given to Jesus. And we Belong to God. We will belong to God forever. Never to be lost again. Jesus died to give us Eternal Life. Not life for a short time. His Death was Sufficient Forever.
17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
{When we belong to Jesus, we belong to God. It is popular today for people to say, I believe in God, and yet they do not believe in Jesus. This is NOT POSSIBLE.
We can Not come to God Without Coming Through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said “No man comes to the Father but by Me.”
We cannot KNOW GOD WITHOUT KNOWING JESUS.
And we should be careful to always glorify God in our daily life.
Since the Holy Spirit lives in each believer, if we let the Holy Spirit live through us, we will bring glory to Him.
One of my favorite scriptures is Galatians 2:20
For 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 the faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
This is allowing the Holy Spirit to live through us.}
17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
{Jesus was not going to take the disciples with Him at this time. They had been close to Him for 3 years. Learning at His feet. Now they would be left in this world as Christ went back to His home in Heaven. Jesus would send to them, and us, a Comforter. The Holy Spirit. Notice that nothing is good enough to take care of us besides the God Head, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He did not leave us in the care of any earthly being. Or for that matter, in the care of ourselves. Jesus ask the Father to keep us through His Name, the name of Jesus, whom we believe. The Same. We are saved by and are not safe in any other name.
And that we may be one with Jesus and God, just as Jesus is one with God.
If the Holy Spirit lives within us, then we are one with the Father.
Because the Holy Spirit is the Father.
Jesus prayed for our security in salvation. We are SEALED. Our name is written in the Lambs Book of Life.
Notice, this is not just the Lambs Book…..But the Lambs Book of Life. Eternal Life.}
{Beginning in this verse, the Lord makes five wonderful petitions for His disciples. These are: (1) security in salvation (John 17:11); (2) victory over Satan's temptations (John 17:15); (3) sanctification through the Word (John 17:17); (4) unity with God and each other (John 17:21); and (5) ultimate glorification with God in heaven (John 17:24). The Father had already promised the Son that not one whom He had given to Him would be lost (John 6:37-39), and we are now given still further assurance through this prayer. The Father will certainly answer the prayer of the Son.}
17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
{Jesus wanted the disciples and us to know that we were safe in Him even though He was going back to the Father. He is actually sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.}
17:13 And now, come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
{Jesus knew that teaching the disciples these things would bring them joy, knowing that they were safe in the name of the Lord.}
17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
{The world as a whole rejects the word of God and it rejects those who believe in the word. We are not of this world as we are of the world of Heaven.}
17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one.
{We are left in the world. Jesus did not pray for the disciples to go immediately to Heaven with Him. Christ work here would be finished, but their work was just beginning.
Jesus prayed that we would be kept from Satan. From Temptation.}
17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
{As believers, we are now children of God. Gods’ home is in Heaven. So is ours. Our citizenship is now in Heaven and we just tarry here until our work on earth is done.}
17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
{When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we become Justified… Just-as-if -we had never sinned.
And then God begins the work of Sanctification. Setting us apart for His work.}
17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
{Jesus spoke often of God the Father sending Him into the world to do His work.
And Jesus keeps us in the world to do His work. We are to lead people to the Father just as Christ came to lead us, and to prepare, to become the way to the Father.}
17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
{Because Jesus is Sanctified and Jesus lives in us as believers, we also are sanctified.}
17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
{This is my Favorite part. Jesus prays for ME. Those who Shall Believe on Me through their word. We who will later believe on Jesus through the written word that we have. I had read this verse many times, but I well remember the first time that God truly revealed to me that Christ was praying for ME and just before He was about to die. What Love He has for US. He prayed one of His last prayers for us before He died and went on to die for us. How He Loves Us.}
17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
{Christ’s prayer for unity between us and Him and the Father was spoken 5 times. Jesus wanted us to know we are one with the Father. Forever.}
17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
{Did you ever stop to think that you have the glory of the Father?
If the Holy Spirit lives in us, and the Holy Spirit is Glorified as the God Head.
Then we are also glorified.}
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 hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
{Jesus is in us, we are in Jesus, Jesus is in the Father, therefore we are all in One.
And God has loved us just as He loved His Son. He sent His Son to Die for Us.
I wonder just how many people we would let our only child die for?
I know it is a common thing to hear these days. “”Not to take things so personally”. But Please, Do Take This Personally. Christ Died for You.}
17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.
{We are promised that if we abide in Him and His word abides in us that we may ask what we want and it will be given to us. Note here….Jesus always abided in His Father’s will, so we can be assured that these prayers for us are not just going to be answered, but already are.
And notice the wording….If we are truly abiding in Him, our prayers Will be Answered because we will not ask anything outside of His will for us}.
17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
{As believers, we can KNOW the Father, because we Know Jesus.}
17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
{Just as Jesus has declared the name of the Father, so shall we.
And we shall be in Him and He in us.}
This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.
You will see why….
The scripture is quoted and my comments are in parenthesis. { }
17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee
{After Jesus and his disciples had left the Upper Room He went with them to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. Outside, at night, He lifted His eyes to God in Heaven. He said that His hour had come. This was the very purpose for Christ coming into this world.
Jesus always did what brought Glory to God, the Father. And the Father glorified Jesus for bringing Him Glory. If we, as Christians, obey the Father and live according to His commands, we bring Glory to the Father.}
17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
{Eternal Life comes only through belief in Jesus Christ.
And we cannot come to the Father except He draws us. We cannot just one day decide, today I am going to come to the Lord. God speaks to our hearths. We are under the power of conviction. We respond. We can accept or reject. It is our God Given Right.
God wants us to choose Him, but He does not force us to.
We can choose to accept Christs’ death on the cross or we can choose to die in our sins and pay the penalty for our own sin…eternal separation from the Lord.
For the wages of sin is death.}
17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
{We, our soul, is going to live eternally somewhere. As a believer, it will spend eternity in the presence of the Lord. Or as an unbeliever, it will spend all of eternity in the dark, outside the presence of the Lord}.
17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
{ Jesus finished teaching the disciples and the work of our redemption was just starting. Notice Jesus said I have finished {Speaking it as if it already were.} Because it was as good as done. This was the work God had given Jesus to do on earth. Have you ever wondered what work God has given you to do? You know, when you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, you could have gone to Heaven right then and there. Wonder why God left you here? To help lead others to Him. Who are you going to take with you?}
17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
{In the Beginning God created the Heavens and the earth. And Jesus was there with Him when He did it. As part of the God Head, the Trinity.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
John 1, In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. Al things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made.
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.
Jesus sat aside His own Glory to come to earth and be our atonement for sin so that we may live eternally in Heaven with the Father.
J17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
{ Just as Jesus declared the word and will of God to all who would believe, we also are to declare the name of the Lord.}
17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
{Although the disciple did not completely understand all that Jesus would teach them. They did believe He was the Son of God. And they believed that Jesus spoke the words of the Father. And they had already declared that they believed that Jesus was sent from God.}
17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
{Notice that Jesus prayed for His Own. Not the unbeliever, the world. He died for unbelievers. But here He prays for believers. All are created by God…Believers are given to Jesus. And we Belong to God. We will belong to God forever. Never to be lost again. Jesus died to give us Eternal Life. Not life for a short time. His Death was Sufficient Forever.
17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
{When we belong to Jesus, we belong to God. It is popular today for people to say, I believe in God, and yet they do not believe in Jesus. This is NOT POSSIBLE.
We can Not come to God Without Coming Through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said “No man comes to the Father but by Me.”
We cannot KNOW GOD WITHOUT KNOWING JESUS.
And we should be careful to always glorify God in our daily life.
Since the Holy Spirit lives in each believer, if we let the Holy Spirit live through us, we will bring glory to Him.
One of my favorite scriptures is Galatians 2:20
For 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 the faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
This is allowing the Holy Spirit to live through us.}
17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
{Jesus was not going to take the disciples with Him at this time. They had been close to Him for 3 years. Learning at His feet. Now they would be left in this world as Christ went back to His home in Heaven. Jesus would send to them, and us, a Comforter. The Holy Spirit. Notice that nothing is good enough to take care of us besides the God Head, The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He did not leave us in the care of any earthly being. Or for that matter, in the care of ourselves. Jesus ask the Father to keep us through His Name, the name of Jesus, whom we believe. The Same. We are saved by and are not safe in any other name.
And that we may be one with Jesus and God, just as Jesus is one with God.
If the Holy Spirit lives within us, then we are one with the Father.
Because the Holy Spirit is the Father.
Jesus prayed for our security in salvation. We are SEALED. Our name is written in the Lambs Book of Life.
Notice, this is not just the Lambs Book…..But the Lambs Book of Life. Eternal Life.}
{Beginning in this verse, the Lord makes five wonderful petitions for His disciples. These are: (1) security in salvation (John 17:11); (2) victory over Satan's temptations (John 17:15); (3) sanctification through the Word (John 17:17); (4) unity with God and each other (John 17:21); and (5) ultimate glorification with God in heaven (John 17:24). The Father had already promised the Son that not one whom He had given to Him would be lost (John 6:37-39), and we are now given still further assurance through this prayer. The Father will certainly answer the prayer of the Son.}
17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
{Jesus wanted the disciples and us to know that we were safe in Him even though He was going back to the Father. He is actually sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.}
17:13 And now, come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
{Jesus knew that teaching the disciples these things would bring them joy, knowing that they were safe in the name of the Lord.}
17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
{The world as a whole rejects the word of God and it rejects those who believe in the word. We are not of this world as we are of the world of Heaven.}
17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one.
{We are left in the world. Jesus did not pray for the disciples to go immediately to Heaven with Him. Christ work here would be finished, but their work was just beginning.
Jesus prayed that we would be kept from Satan. From Temptation.}
17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
{As believers, we are now children of God. Gods’ home is in Heaven. So is ours. Our citizenship is now in Heaven and we just tarry here until our work on earth is done.}
17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
{When we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we become Justified… Just-as-if -we had never sinned.
And then God begins the work of Sanctification. Setting us apart for His work.}
17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
{Jesus spoke often of God the Father sending Him into the world to do His work.
And Jesus keeps us in the world to do His work. We are to lead people to the Father just as Christ came to lead us, and to prepare, to become the way to the Father.}
17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
{Because Jesus is Sanctified and Jesus lives in us as believers, we also are sanctified.}
17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
{This is my Favorite part. Jesus prays for ME. Those who Shall Believe on Me through their word. We who will later believe on Jesus through the written word that we have. I had read this verse many times, but I well remember the first time that God truly revealed to me that Christ was praying for ME and just before He was about to die. What Love He has for US. He prayed one of His last prayers for us before He died and went on to die for us. How He Loves Us.}
17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
{Christ’s prayer for unity between us and Him and the Father was spoken 5 times. Jesus wanted us to know we are one with the Father. Forever.}
17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
{Did you ever stop to think that you have the glory of the Father?
If the Holy Spirit lives in us, and the Holy Spirit is Glorified as the God Head.
Then we are also glorified.}
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 hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
{Jesus is in us, we are in Jesus, Jesus is in the Father, therefore we are all in One.
And God has loved us just as He loved His Son. He sent His Son to Die for Us.
I wonder just how many people we would let our only child die for?
I know it is a common thing to hear these days. “”Not to take things so personally”. But Please, Do Take This Personally. Christ Died for You.}
17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.
{We are promised that if we abide in Him and His word abides in us that we may ask what we want and it will be given to us. Note here….Jesus always abided in His Father’s will, so we can be assured that these prayers for us are not just going to be answered, but already are.
And notice the wording….If we are truly abiding in Him, our prayers Will be Answered because we will not ask anything outside of His will for us}.
17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
{As believers, we can KNOW the Father, because we Know Jesus.}
17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
{Just as Jesus has declared the name of the Father, so shall we.
And we shall be in Him and He in us.}
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
