REMEMBER TO PRAISE - PART 2

Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Psalm 45: 17
I will make Thy Name to be remembered in all generations, therefore shall the people praise Thee forever.

This is our calling; this is our task; this is our joy, to make the Name of the LORD remembered forever. Each generation relies on us to teach and live the life of GODLINESS in our home, our work and in our worship. When we teach the next generation, we are really spreading the Good News to the generation to follow and the one that follows them. What we do, DOES have eternal consequences.

Joyous praise of the Living GOD and remembering His mighty acts, creates within the hearer the desire to join in the praise. Living praise, is magnetic; it draws others to join in. Just think what it is like at a football game, when one person in the crowd begins to cheer, the whole crowd joins in; when the whole crowd cheers, everyone is drawn into the cheers. Praise is contagious, it is magnetic; JOIN THE GREAT THRONG AND OFFER THANKSGIVING TO GOD AND PRAISE OF HIS HOLY NAME.

IF THE PEOPLE FORGET TO PRAISE THE LORD, THE STONES WILL CRY OUT.
THAT WOULD BE QUITE A "ROCK CONCERT".

REMEMBER TO PRAISE - PART 2

Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Luke 19:37, 40
And when He was come hear, even at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise GOD with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen...And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

All Creation shouts the praises of GOD

At the presence of JESUS, every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and everything will praise the LORD. If we forget to praise Him, the stones will cry out. Yes, all of the earth sings, shouts and rejoices in the LORD. It is a choir like none other and we are welcome to join that choir all the time and every moment of every day. The music of the spheres; the music of the trees; the music of the wind is praise to GOD, we are invited to join the celebration.

Listen, my dear friends, all of nature is singing, it is saying, "Blessed be the King who comes in the Name of the LORD; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest" (verse 38). When praise of the Living GOD goes up; Blessings come down. GOD inhabits the praises of His people. We can enter into His courts when we praise Him. We are welcome into the very presence of the Most High GOD when we glorify Him.

SING UNTO THE LORD ALL YOU PEOPLE; SHOUT TO GOD WITH THE VOICE OF PRAISE

REMEMBER TO PRAISE - PART 2

Monday May 30, 2011
II Peter 1: 12, 13
Wherefore, I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the present truth. Yea, I think it fitting, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.

REMEMBER TO PRAISE GOD FOR WHO HE IS

Praise is so powerful that we would be negligent if we didn't remind others and our self about the power of praise. The enemy would like for us to focus on other things in this world and not spend time adoring GOD, praising Him and exalting Him. Praise lifts us above the storms of life and brings us into the presence of GOD where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forever more.

Last week, I began the week with this same verse from II Peter. I am beginning this week with the same passage. We, at Living Faith Christian Center, "think that it is fitting, as long as we are in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance." We want to arm you with the way of victory that comes from praise. It is a truth that "when praise goes up; Blessings come down".
We want you to experience the overwhelming abundance of blessing.

REMEMBER: IF WE FORGET TO PRAISE, THE STONES WILL CRY OUT.

REMEMBER TO PRAISE

Saturday, May 28, 2011
James 4: 8a, 10
Draw near to GOD, and He will draw near to you...
Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and He shall lift you up.

Remembering to praise the LORD is the evidence of Faith.

When we draw near to GOD and He draws near to us, we have fellowship with the LORD and our faith is strengthened. Strengthened faith leads to acts of kindness, love and goodness which are the evidence of faith. Acts of kindness, love and goodness lead to shouts of praise for the Love, Kindness and Goodness of the LORD. What begins with GOD returns to GOD in the praise we offer. Remembering to praise the LORD, is evidence of faith.

Oh, that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful work to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders. (Psalm 107: 31, 32)

REMEMBER TO PRAISE

Friday, May 27, 201
Malachi 3: 16, 17
Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another; and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His Name. And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth His own son that serveth Him.

THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

Did you know that your thoughts, words, deeds and praises are written down in the book of remembrance? GOD wants to remember His Children for who they are, so a book of remembrance is written. It is just like that baby book that we all have for our children; pictures, cards, words, special first time events, we write them down with great joy so that we do not forget all the wonderful things our children have done. GOD does the same thing; He wants to remember us with great joy.

When we meditate day and night on the wonders of the LORD; when we praise Him for all His marvelous acts; when we remember the great love of JESUS and His willing sacrifice for the world; when we honor Him and glorify Him and magnify His Holy Name, He hears and focuses His attention on us. We are counted as His jewels, shining bright; He embraces us and gives us His Blessing.

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD; BLESSED BE HIS HOLY NAME FOREVER

REMEMBER TO PRAISE

Thursday, May 26, 2011
Psalm 50: 23
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me; and to him that ordereth His conduct aright will I show the salvation of GOD.

PRAISE GLORIFIES GOD

I love the image of standing in praise before the Father and seeing Him smile. The littlest of babies can fill their father with warm joy, when they say their first word, "Da, da". This first words are so pleasing to the earthly father, how much more pleasing to the heavenly Father are the words of praise and thanksgiving. ABBA gets so tickled when one of His children spends their time and the gift of breath just praising Him for who He is.

There is another form of praise that glorifies and magnifies GOD, a life that is lived in righteousness and "good conduct". We are a joyful praise of GOD when we act rightly; when we act according to GOD'S Word; when we act in Love. Many people need to be reminded, I know that I do, that praise is in word and in action. If we praise and glorify GOD with our mouth only, then go and "kick the cat" or bite and devour the neighbor, we are not being truthful with our praise of GOD. Good conduct brings the gift of salvation; the word of praise and the act of praise is a powerful message of the love of GOD. He responds with a Blessing.

REMEMBER TO PRAISE

Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Psalm 69: 30, 31
I will praise the Name of GOD with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

PRAISE PLEASES GOD

We all want to please GOD, our Father: it is part of the life of a child to want to please the Father. When we look at Psalm 69: 30 and 31, we find a shout of praise to GOD, an act that is more pleasing to GOD than any sacrifice or ritual.

In verse 34 of this Psalm, we hear these words, "Let the Heavens and earth praise Him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein." This gives me the understanding that when we praise the LORD,we are joining our voices with all of creation, which lives to praise the LORD.

Praise is not a singular act, or even a group act; praise is the whole act of all things that live and move and have their being. When we praise the LORD, GOD smiles and blesses. Look around you today, notice how creation is praising the LORD and then, with a song of praise, join all creation as they sing, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST; GLORY TO HIS HOLY NAME.

LET EVERYTHING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD; PRAISE YE THE LORD

REMEMBER TO PRAISE

Tuesday May 24, 2011
I Peter 2: 9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people of His own, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND WHOSE YOU ARE

Oftentimes, we forget who we are and to whom we belong. We forget that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people of GOD'S own. We forget that He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. When we forget these things, we also forget to praise him and show forth His praise. WE BELONG TO GOD.

We are the head and not the tail; we are victorious, not victims; we are chosen, not abandon; we are alive, not dead. All this is the gift of GOD for the children of GOD. It is the willing sacrifice of JESUS that brought us out of darkness into the marvelous light. We are alive and victorious, because of JESUS. Through JESUS we are the royal people, chosen of GOD and precious.

The shout of praise should forever be in our mouth as we remember the great love that GOD has for us, His children. Morning by morning; day by day; minute by minute as we remember, we are so filled with His glory that we shine as lights in this world, changing the atmosphere to the praise of GOD.

PRAISE YE THE LORD

REMEMBER TO PRAISE

Monday, May 23, 2011
2 Peter 1: 12
Wherefore, I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the present truth.

THE REMEMBRANCE OF PRAISE

Praise of the Living GOD is so essential to our walk with the LORD, that the more we are reminded to praise JESUS, the more light we have to guide our footsteps. Many people, when they hear a subject repeated tend to block it out and say, "I know that". Well, until we go to be with the LORD for ever, we do not know it all and need to be reminded of some of the basics, lest the enemy steals our joy.

Praise is directed toward GOD, it is part of our worship of Him. Sometimes, praise is with outward signs like the raising of hands and shouts of joy; sometimes it is with the heart praising GOD in the inner sanctuary; sometimes it is praise with the mind; sometimes, praise with the body and at all times, it is praise in the Spirit.

Yes, we know all this, but when we are in the midst of a trial or a circumstance that causes us worry, we forget that praise of GOD is the key to lifting the circumstance to JESUS for His resolution. We can easily forget; so we have to be reminded often.

PRAISE YE THE LORD, PRAISE GOD IN HIS SANCTUARY; PRAISE HIM FOR HIS MIGHTY ACTS; PRAISE HIM ACCORDING TO HIS EXCELLENT GREATNESS.
LET EVERYTHING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD; PRAISE YE THE LORD

GOD IS FAITHFUL, ABLE AND WILLING

Saturday, May 21, 2011
Jude 24, 25
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise GOD, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

ABLE TO KEEP YOU AND PRESENT YOU FAULTLESS

"Into Thy Hands I commit My Spirit" These are the words of JESUS as He surrendered Himself to GOD, the Father. These, too, are our words as we surrender our life to GOD. GOD is faithful, able and willing to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. It rejoices the heart of JESUS to present us to His Father, redeemed, whole, without spot or blemish, faultless and pure.


By His Blood He reconciled us to GOD; He washed us from every stain of sin; He removed the garments of defilement and robed us in garments of righteousness; JESUS paid it all.


The response which our heart makes to this glorious gift is written in the last verse of this prayer written by Jude: "To the only wise GOD, our Savior, be glory and power, both now and ever. Amen

"NOTHING IN MY HANDS I BRING, SIMPLY TO THY CROSS I CLING"
JESUS IS LORD

GOD IS FAITHFUL, ABLE AND WILLING

Friday, May 20, 2011
II Thessalonians 3:3-5

But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the LORD concerning you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the LORD direct your hearts into the Love of GOD, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

FAITHFUL IS HE WHO HAS CALLED YOU, HE ALSO WILL DO IT.
(I Thessalonians 5:24)

The Apostle Paul reminds us, constantly, that the LORD GOD is faithful and he directs us to be full of faith. In the II Thessalonians passage he says, "the LORD direct your hearts into the LOVE of GOD". This reminds us of the first and great commandment: "Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." which is a direct quote from Deuteronomy and restated by JESUS. This is the basis of fullness of faith, to Love the LORD GOD.

GOD is Faith-full. He will do what He has promised. He stands with His Word and will never falter. When He calls you to do a thing for Him and His Kingdom, He will provide the way to do it perfectly and the means to fulfill His Word. We must be full of faith, that He has already gone ahead of us and prepared the way and provided the means.

To be full of faith, means that we are filled up with the Love of GOD and the determination to do His will only. To be full of faith means that there is no room for doubt; we do, because He has commanded.

What if He says, "wait"? Are we so filled with faith in Him, that when He says "wait" we stop? Paul has directed us to "wait patiently for Christ". Wait for Him to move or to open the door for us to move out into the call He has promised. Waiting, is an act of faith; GOD waits until the time is right to move, this is part of His faithfulness.

How do we know when to move or when to wait? In faith, believing that He is faithful and able and willing, we watch and wait until He directs and leads. We stand on His Word and watch in prayer.
JESUS is LORD; He is able; He is willing; He is faithful; JESUS is LORD.

GOD IS FAITHFUL, ABLE AND WILLING

Thursday, May 19, 2011
II Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless the foundation of GOD standeth sure, having this seal. The LORD knoweth them that are His; and Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

CHRIST, THE SURE FOUNDATION

JESUS CHRIST is the foundation, having established it by His act Redemption, through His Blood. He has sealed, forever, the salvation of those who believe on His Name and stand with Him. The seal is the mark of ownership and authentication. When we embrace JESUS we are marked as GOD'S own forever and signed with the seal by the Holy Spirit. NO ONE can remove us from His Hand.

GOD is faithful to his own; He is able to keep His own and He is willing to support, strengthen and share His Heart with His own people. GOD is our all and all, we need nothing more than Him. He knows His own by name; He shares His Name with His own. We are seated with Him in Glory with complete access to the Throne of Grace through JESUS.

All He asks of us, is to believe on His Name; stand on His Word; depart from iniquity; and be His Hands and feet in this world.

JESUS IS FAITHFUL; JESUS IS ABLE; JESUS IS WILLING
TRUST HIM

GOD IS FAITHFUL, ABLE AND WILLING

Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Hebrews 10: 23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering for He is faithful that promised...

GOD IS FAITHFUL

As I read the Scriptures and meditate on the promises made by GOD to us, I am struck by the enormity of the love that He has for each individual. He has promised life, not death; answers, not doubts; patience, not anxiety; love, not hate; compassion, not torment and faithfulness, not rejection. He has promised to be with us forever, never to leave or forsake. He is a GOD who does not abandon us in the time of trouble, but stands with us in the trouble.

It is true, however, that we tend to waver in our faith in Him to be willing and able to stand with us. We shrink from the pain and torment that surrounds, thinking that we are alone. Even the most faithful of Christians in times of plenty, shrink in time of need. We shrink in silence, wavering in our thoughts, unsure in our profession.

The Letter to the Hebrews catches us and points us in the right direction. This small verse in Hebrews 10 shouts a command to our heart, "Hold Fast the profession of our faith".

I asked a person, "what was the difference between a professional and an amateur musician?" He was quick to respond, "A professional is always perfecting his art, always growing better in his performance; an amateur is an occasional studier, never grows, stays the same." This is also true of the Christian, the profession of a faithful follower of JESUS is known by the fruit of His life; the occasional follower bears little fruit. By their fruit you shall know them.

We live in a time when doubts and fears are all around us, screaming for our attention, and we are asked to respond. What do you profess? Who is your Rock, shelter, shield, dwelling place?
WHOM DO YOU PROFESS?

HOLD FAST TO JESUS, HE IS THE REDEEMER, DELIVERER, ATONEMENT, THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
HOLD FAST TO HIM!!!

GOD IS FAITHFUL, ABLE AND WILLING

Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Revelation 19: 11-13

And I saw heaven opened and, behold, a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and His Name is called The Word of GOD.

HE IS CALLED FAITHFUL AND TRUE; HIS NAME IS THE WORD OF GOD

JESUS is the Word of GOD and He is the faithful One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. JESUS is GOD; in Him is life and wholeness. JESUS is able to set the captives free, break every yoke, heal every disease and change every circumstance to good. JESUS is GOD; in Him is the desire to bring all things together for your good, no matter what circumstances you are in at the time. JESUS is GOD; He is able, willing and faithful.


Since JESUS is GOD and is faithful, able and willing, our part is to believe in Him, trust His mercy and give to him the full extent of our life. He works wonders through and with those who put their entire trust in Him.


TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART; ... IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH

GOD IS FAITHFUL, ABLE AND WILLING

Monday, May 16, 2011
II Kings 4:8-10
And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, "Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of GOD, who passeth by us regularly. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, with walls; and let us set him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a lampstand. And it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in there."

A Woman of Great Hospitality

I marvel at the story of this woman and her husband. She opened her door and her heart to a stranger, constrained him to eat some bread every time he passed through her town. She was welcoming and offered her home and her food to him. She perceived that he was a Holy Man of GOD and that in serving him, she was serving GOD. She asked nothing in return.

This great woman, wanted to provide even more for this Holy Man of GOD, so she asks her husband to build a room just for Elisha to stay when he passed through. It is interesting that what she asked for were things for his comfort, after he had bread he could rest in his own room with a bed, table, stool and lampstand. She wanted him to have a little guest suite all his own. Elisha was made a part of the family through the love and hospitality of this Shunemite woman.

When JESUS comes to our house and stands at the door and knocks; do we open the door and invite Him in to our heart, where we welcome His presence and bid Him sup with us and we with Him? Do we recognize JESUS as GOD coming to dwell with us? Do we make room for Him so that He may abide in comfort within our life? Do we provide a lampstand for the Light of the Word to shine in our heart day and night?

JESUS STANDS AT THE DOOR AND KNOCKS; IF ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE AND OPEN THE DOOR, HE WILL COME IN TO HIM, AND WILL SUP WITH HIM. ( Rev 3:20)

HANNAH, THE BLESSED MOTHER

Saturday, May 14, 2011
I Samuel 1: 17, 18
Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the GOD of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him". And she said, " Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight". So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

First, I want to apologize for the one missed day. Last night, the blog was down for repair, so I could not post the Word from the Word. I had to remember the focus of this week's Scripture, so I put myself and the Word from the Word in the hand of GOD. Troubles had come to my blog, so I prayed and released the work to the LORD, this brought great peace. Sometimes we get an opportunity to live the Scripture and its meaning, not just write about it.

In these verses from I Samuel, Hannah had poured out her heart to GOD with tears and with fasting, she could not eat because of her grief. Eli, the priest, was a witness to her torment, and asked her to explain herself. When she did, Eli agreed with her prayer and sent her forth with a blessing.

The blessing of Eli should be a part of our ministry with others who are in deep pain. He said, "Go in peace, and the GOD of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him". Many times; I would say, most of the time, people who ask us to pray with them, only want us to agree with them and give them the blessing of the LORD. I like to ask a person, how can I agree with you in prayer, what are your requests of GOD? Then I bless them in the Name of JESUS.

The Blessing of the LORD brings peace to a troubled heart. In the case of Hannah, her countenance changed and she was able to eat. In the case of many troubled souls, agreement by a person of prayer and the blessing of the LORD in the Name of JESUS, brings a swift change in the others life. Peace will follow and the reaction to the circumstances will change the outcome, and the LORD will be glorified.

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU; MAY HE GRANT YOUR PETITIONS AND BRING YOU HIS PEACE.

HANNAH, THE BLESSED MOTHER

Thursday, May 12, 2011
Philippians 4: 6, 7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto GOD. And the peace of GOD, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ JESUS.

HANNAH LEARNED HOW TO PRAY

These two verses are really powerful for me. We get anxious about things when we cling to them like a scared child in a pool of water with a floating devise. Have you ever tried to get that child to let go and transfer over to you? If you are not careful, their anxiety will pull you down and you will both drown. The question here is, "Whom do you trust?"

When we put our whole trust in JESUS, when He says, "Let go and let me have your circumstances," you say, "Yes, Sir" and do it. Prayer, builds the strong relationship with GOD; supplication is asking the one you trust for help; thanksgiving is the heart saying, "JESUS is LORD and I know He is able", Thank you.

When we release the matter unto the One who is trustworthy and let it go to Him, THEN the peace of GOD which passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind through Christ JESUS.

Hannah learned this lesson through tribulation; so can we.

HANNAH, THE BLESSED MOTHER

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Psalm 37: 7, 9b
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass...those who wait upon the LORD shall inherit the earth.

TROUBLES TEACH YOU HOW TO PRAY AND WAIT

Hannah had to learn patience, and the challenge of waiting upon the LORD. When we see her, her patience had run out, she had been tried beyond her strength and ridiculed beyond her limits. Her prayer was from deep in her heart unto the LORD, a cry that reached the heart of GOD.

The Psalmist really captures the condition of Hannah when he says, "fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way." Hannah was at the end of her rope, because of fretting over her inability to have a child, and the taunting of Peninnah who could bring forth children. She was loved by Elkanah, but that love could not overcome the distress she felt. Only the LORD could meet her need. So she turned to Him.

When we come to the LORD in prayer, we should come as one who yearns for HIM and HIM alone. His love for us is beyond our understanding, it is total and unconditional; when we come to Him we should come with thanksgiving and praise for who He is and for the Love He has demonstrated by His life. We should come empty of all our baggage, our prejudices and our notions of who we think He is. Come to Him for who He is and love Him. Wait on Him in the same manner that you would wait on the one you love the most. Lavish Him with all the devotion of the heart and cherish the moments spent in His presence.

There is no time for fretting, worrying, or a downcast look, the King of Kings is pouring out His love on you, receive His Love and be thankful. Those who wait upon the LORD shall inherit the earth.

HANNAH, THE BLESSED MOTHER

Tuesday May 10, 2011
2 Corinthians 1: 8,9
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life; but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, BUT IN GOD.

IN LIFE WE WILL HAVE TROUBLES

One of the lessons we need to learn from all the key people in the Bible is: IN LIFE WE WILL HAVE TROUBLES. Troubles come to all of us, but it is how we handle the troubles that makes the difference. Do we become the victim of our troubles or are we victorious through our troubles? The victorious ones have learned to praise and thank GOD through it all; they have learned to TRUST GOD WITH THEIR LIFE.

At the beginning of I Corinthians, there is a point that makes a difference to me when I am going through the troubled waters. Verses 3-7 tells the purpose for troubles; that they are the training ground for ministry to others in a similar need. Troubles are a training ground and a shaping of our ministry. It gives us the wisdom and the understanding; compassion and mercy; gentleness and kindness that comes with suffering. A person can not really say,"I understand" unless they have traveled the same road.

Another point about suffering and troubles, when the LORD brings you through, those who have supported you through the troubles will join in the praise and celebration of the mighty acts of GOD. Troubles shared brings greater thanksgiving to GOD and is a strong message that JESUS Christ is LORD, working His mighty miracles TODAY.

Hanna had troubles and turned to the LORD who delivered her from her distress. When you have troubles, turn to the LORD, put your trust in Him and He will deliver you.

HANNAH, THE BLESSED MOTHER

Monday, May 9, 2011
I Samuel 1: 10, 11
She (Hannah) was in bitterness of soul and prayed unto the LORD, and wept bitterly, and she vowed a vow, and said, "O LORD of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a male child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head."

THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD

Hannah is the blessed Mother, who was barren and the LORD granted her a male child. Hannah considered herself "the handmaid of the LORD", a prophecy of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of JESUS. Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the LORD; be it unto me according to Thy Word."

We see this term used often in Scripture; each story shows us an aspect of humility. This week, we will look at the humility of Hannah and see in her the reflection of our self, as women of GOD.

The first characteristic of Hannah is her understanding that she is the handmaid of the LORD. Psalm 123:2 says: "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the LORD our GOD, until he has mercy upon us." Here, David gives us an understanding of what was in the heart of Hannah. She looked to the LORD and waited upon Him like a servant, knowing that He would give her her heart's desire, He would show mercy.

Hannah is an example to us of the humility of obedience, patient waiting, and service of the LORD GOD, who gives us life.

RESURRECTION OF JESUS-PART II

Saturday, May 7, 2011
John 14:19, 20
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me. Because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me and I in you.

THE RESURRECTION ASSURES OUR FUTURE

The world can not see JESUS, but we can, because JESUS lives in us by the Holy Spirit. We are the temple of the Living GOD who is within us, who believe on the LORD JESUS. JESUS continues to show Himself to us in both small and big ways; He is here, in the unfolding drama of nature; He is here, in the love of family and friends; He is closer than our breath, He is in our breathing; HE is all and in all.

This is not just the words of another writer of the Scripture, THESE ARE THE WORDS OF JESUS, THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.

BECAUSE HE LIVES, WE SHALL LIVE ALSO AND KNOW THAT HE IS IN THE FATHER AND WE ARE IN HIM.

John 17:23
I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them as Thou has loved Me.


THE RESURRECTION FILLS ALL THINGS

The resurrection fulfilled or filled full, all of the prophecies of the Messiah. Everything that was spoken about JESUS in the Old Testament, He completed, including the resurrection from the dead. Now He has made a full atonement for our life and has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, so that, by that Spirit, He indwells us. EVERYTHING IS COMPLETE IN JESUS, THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAT WE NEED.


THE LOVE THAT THE FATHER HAS FOR THE SON, IS THE LOVE HE HAS FOR US.
IT IS FINISHED!

RESURRECTION OF JESUS-PART II

Friday, May 6, 2011
Romans 8: 9, 10, 11
But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of GOD dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up JESUS from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.

THE PURPOSE OF THE RESURRECTION DEMONSTRATES GOD'S SOVEREIGN POWER

Philippians 3:10, 11 says: "That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto His death, if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."

The sovereign power of GOD is seen, unquestionably, in the resurrection of JESUS. That sovereign power is appropriated to us by the action of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, who believe on the LORD JESUS Christ. When we "know Him" and are known by Him, we have access to the path He followed, which includes the resurrection of our mortal bodies. JESUS mortal body was raised to immortality, thus our mortal bodies will be raised to immortality by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

I Peter 1: 3, 4 says this, "Blessed be the GOD and Father of our LORD JESUS Christ, who, according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a living hope by the resurrection of JESUS Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."

Oh, WOW, I have a home in heaven reserved for me, where I will live forever. I have inherited it by the death, and resurrection of JESUS. His shed Blood bought me back from the grip of death and gave me the inheritance of immortality. WOW!!!

Embrace JESUS; He is embracing your heart; love JESUS and live with Him forever.

RESURRECTION OF JESUS-PART II

Thursday, May 5, 2011
Romans 4:23-25
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him, but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up JESUS, our LORD, from the dead; who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

JESUS secured our justification by His shed Blood, it is through faith in His Blood and the belief in the resurrection from the dead, that we are saved and set free. All our sins are gone, washed away in the sea of forgiveness. OUR SINS ARE GONE; WE ARE ALIVE, BECAUSE JESUS LIVES. WE ARE JUSTIFIED.

I encourage you to read Romans 3:21-5:21 for a clear understanding of Justification by faith. Paul is very strong in his presentation of this most important fundamental. "We had a debt we could not pay; JESUS paid the debt He didn't owe"all for loves sake.

WE ARE ALIVE, BECAUSE JESUS LIVES.

RESURRECTION OF JESUS-PART II

Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Romans 1:4
And who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of GOD by His resurrection from the dead: JESUS Christ our LORD.

THE PURPOSE OF THE RESURRECTION

The resurrection of JESUS from the dead is proof that JESUS is the Christ, the anointed One, the Messiah, the Son of the Living GOD. He is who He said that He is. JESUS fulfilled every Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. JESUS, most of all, fulfilled the plan of GOD the Father for the redemption of the world.

I John 5:20 says this: "We know also that the Son of GOD has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in him who is true - even in His Son JESUS Christ. He is the true GOD and eternal life."

The resurrection of JESUS from the dead is the proof of the fact that He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Holy One of GOD, the promised One.

THE RESURRECTION UNQUESTIONABLY REVEALED THE MESSIAH

RESURRECTION OF JESUS-PART II

Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Acts 4:32, 33
And the multitude of those that believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them that any of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the LORD JESUS, and great grace was upon them all.

The Power of the Resurrection - the core conviction.

The multitude of believers were of one heart and soul and, we could add, one mind. This is a direct reference to the great commandment: "Love the LORD your GOD with all your Heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind". These believers were living this commandment by being in "One accord".

The central point of their teaching and preaching was the Resurrection of JESUS, which brought great grace upon them. Our teaching and preaching should be centered in the resurrection of JESUS, for without the resurrection, our faith is vain. It is through the resurrection of JESUS that we have eternal life with Him in glory. By His Blood, He reconciled us to GOD; by His Resurrection He defeated death and opened the way to eternal life.

Our life, as believers in JESUS, follows the path He established by His Life. This means that we will be with him in Glory. He said this many times: "Where I am, there you shall be also."

JESUS is the way; the truth and the life, follow Him and be saved

RESURRECTION OF JESUS-PART II

Monday May 2, 2011
John 21:15
So when they had dined, JESUS saith to Simon Peter, Simon, Son of Jonah, lovest thou Me more than these? He saith unto him, "Yea, LORD, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed My lambs.

THE PURPOSE OF THE RESURRECTION

The Disciples were dining with JESUS after He had risen from the dead. Wonder of wonders, the one who was crucified is now alive and eating supper with His friends. Last week we discussed the proof of the resurrection, now we are going to discuss the purpose of JESUS Christ Resurrection from the dead.

I have often been struck by the question that JESUS asked Simon Peter after they had dined; Lovest thou me more than these? Here is a question that JESUS is asking to each of us; Do you love JESUS more than anything else, even your own life?

The Resurrection from the dead, by JESUS the only begotten Son of GOD, is AN ACT OF LOVE. It is not an act of self preservation for JESUS, it is an act of love for us. If JESUS was not raised from the dead, our faith would be in vain and death would have the final word. BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD, THE FIRST FRUITS OF THEM THAT SLEPT. This act of love opened the door for our life eternal with Him.

Since His Resurrection is is His act of love, He is calling us to love the same way, TO FEED HIS LAMBS AND HIS SHEEP. If we die to self, He raises us to the new life in Him; when others see the hope that is in us, hear the Gospel from us, and the love of GOD pouring through us, they will be drawn by the Holy Spirit to JESUS and be saved. Our life is an act of love, when we are in Christ JESUS who lived LOVE and gave LOVE and who was LOVE.

LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE?