"Only Life Changes"

Having then gifts, differing. As in a natural body, the various members of it have not the same office, and do not perform the same actions, thus they have not the same, but different faculties; one has one faculty, another another; the eye has the faculty of seeing, the ear of hearing thus in the spiritual body the church, as there are different members, these members have not the same work and business assigned them; some are employed one way, and some another. Paul has described an amazing thing every Christian is meant to do. In fact, this is the first thing Paul describes when launching into how we should live in response to God giving us mercy in Christ. Every Christian receives God’s Holy Spirit when we come to faith in Christ. The Spirit brings with Him spiritual gifts that God intends for us to use to serve each other in the church. Each of us is given different gifts to use for different purposes, but our universal command is to use those gifts according to the will of God. The one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Paul lists two more of those gifts in this verse. The first is the gift of serving. This gift of service, sometimes called “helps,” is the ability to step in and meet the practical needs of individuals or the church as a whole. People with the gift of service often don’t realize that it is, indeed, a gift. They assume that everyone can zero in on what another person needs help with and to provide that help at the right time and in the right way. They’re wrong, though. The body of Christ could not function if those with the gift of service neglected their role in the church.The second gift mentioned is teaching, and its one that most of us think of as a primary role in the church. It is the supernatural ability, in the Spirit, to make clear to a diverse group of hearers what God’s Word means. The early church relied heavily on Spirit-gifted teachers to help believers understand the truth, just as we do today.

As we read in Romans 12:6-8: Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

{Lets Pray}
Father God, I am unworthy of all the kindnesses You have showered upon me in the past. I want You to take my life and let it be consecrated to You. I give You my life Lord Jesus, I pour it out as a living sacrifice to You. I thank You and praise Your holy name for the amazing gift of salvation that You have given to me by grace, through faith. I thank You and praise You for Your great love for me. Help me to trust You for all my needs. You alone are worthy of my eternally appreciation, love and praise for ever and ever in Your Precious Name Amen.

Matthew 5:3–12 contains what have come to be known as the Beatitudes. This title comes from the Latin word beatus, which means “blessed” or “happy.” Each of the Beatitudes begins with a reference to those who are blessed, in connection to some behavior or attitude. The idea of being “blessed” in Jesus’ sermon does not mean feeling happy. So, it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus’ use of this form in Matthew 5, is deliberate, and sufficiently exclusive, such that the term “Beatitude” might be used to identify any expression that exhibits the same structure.
I know when my children and grandchildren was little. I would go outside with them with a old pan or empty bucket and we would collect rocks. We would show off our rocks we’d find or just see the different shapes or just say what they looked like. Maybe a heart or some animal. We would try to figure out what the shape looked like. It was fun. They didn’t get board at doing this.
Here is another poem by a Unknown Author:

“Stepping Stones”
The Lord came to me like a dream one
day and asked, “Why do you sorrow?”
I answered, “Lord my life is so full of
pain, I can’t face one more tomorrow.”
The Lord sat down beside me, and
gently took my hand. He said, “Let me
explain to you and then you’ll understand.
Each sorrow is a stepping stone
you must surmount each day,
And every stepping stone you climb
is a sorrow that’s passed away.
The road of life is a mountainside,
with crevices in which to be caught,
But as you struggle on your way,
I the Rock, will lend support.
Every stepping stone you climb,
makes spirit and heart grow strong.
Exercising character and faith
this road seems painful and long.
The way is paved with stepping stones,
to uplift your heart and soul,
Though difficult they aid your way,
to a City paved with gold.
I know that you are tired,
for I too have walked this way,
My sorrows did they multiply,
but I cleared many stones away.
I left my rock to lift you up,
I left behind my story.
To give you strength to make your climb,
to that special place in glory.
And never fear, the Rock is here,
You’ll never climb this mountain alone
Surmount life’s sorrows, continue on,
For they are but stepping stones.

• 
  Lets read: Matthew Chapter 5:3-12: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
  {Lets Pray}
  Father God, I thank You and praise You for Your beatitudes. I thank You and praise You for the Sermon on the Mount, and the many things we can learn from the truths contained within its message. I thank You and praise You for Your Word of truth and the lessons that it teaches all Your children. I thank You and praise You that You are the Messiah of Israel, Who will one day be crowned as their King. I thank You and praise You that You came as my Savior, to pay the price for my sins, and broke the power of sin and death within me. I thank You and praise You for the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, and that by Your grace my heart has been made new. I believe I will live a life that honors Your name and walk in spirit and truth all the days of my life in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
  {Power Verse}
  None who have faith in God, will ever be disgraced for trusting Him. Psalm 25:3

“Exhortation: an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something.” The mind can heal the body and direct it in the way it should go. The body can not function without the mind.

The meaning of Philippians Chapter 4 reading: is about Paul when he expresses his deep love for this church, conveying his joy toward them, and longing for his reunion with them. The verse concludes with the encouragement and reminder to persevere in their faith, walking steadily in what they know is truth. Chapter 4 speaks of Christ’s strength in times of suffering. This includes prayers and encouragement and a focus on God’s provision. Romans 12:16-20 says: Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Believing in unity with everyone.
A believer is to worry about nothing because he is to pray about everything. There is nothing in a believer’s life that should not be made an object of prayer. The answer of a famous preacher to a woman who asked if we were to pray about the small things in our lives is noteworthy: “Madam,” he said, “can you mention anything in your life that is big to God?”“With thanksgiving” means that the believer is to thank God for answering his prayer even while he prays. God always hears and answers the prayers of His children, but His answer is often no. Like his glorious body” is the goal toward which Paul is moving. Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.…Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
It reads in 1 John 3:2: Now are we the sons of God. Already we have the great privilege of being sons, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be. Our future glory is not yet manifest. Even we ourselves cannot understand it. But we know that, when he shall appear. One glorious revelation has been made
You enter this passage in worry, you come out in peace. The storm is still blowing, It is still the waves are still rolling high, the night is still dark. Things have not changed, but the believer who prays has.
Contemplation: (the action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time. Study!)of Christ — the sanctuary of power. Knowing God, we know He is God of all and He will complete His works in us through to eternity. I remember telling my grandson while we was laughing and having fun playing basketball. He said Jesus! When he missed the hoop. Basket ball just rolled right over the hoop. LOL! I said He’s all mine. Jo Jo said giggling no you have to share. It did make me think! Yes how so! Funny what can stick with you when it is said to make you think. I saw a bumper sticker on a ford truck the other day. Bumper sticker read: “Do you follow Jesus this close?” I thought! Well then you should! Back up a little! So I slowed down. Lol!
The Hebrew word the ESV translates as ‘steadfast love’ is checed, and is also translated as ‘love’, ‘faithful love’, ‘lovingkindness ‘, ‘gracious love’ or even ‘mercy’ in other translations. The word is hard to define because it a deeper kind of love. It is a unique covenant love that only God can give.
Here is a poem by unknown Author I wanted to share. “Steadfast Love”
Steadfast Love is appropriate for a woman who, while she was alive, filled multiple roles in the lives of her family and friends and brought joy through the sharing of her talents. Love and gifts shared have ripple effects that continue to spread outward and enrich people’s lives even after a loved one is gone.

You were mother, wife, and friend, (Father, Husband, and friend)
Sister, daughter, grandma, (Brother, Son, Grandpa)
Artist, adventurer, dreamer.
Since love is forever,
You’ll always be here,
Holding our hands
As we journey onward
Along life’s winding roads,
Carrying forward your gifts
As lamps to light our way:
Your compassion and humor,
Your luminous creativity,
The light in your eyes,
Your caring touch,
Your musical laugh,
And the sterling example
Of your steadfast love.
Thought of God when I read this poem, how His steadfast love never leaves us in the good times and the bad. We can rejoice in Him always.
Lets Read Philippians 4:1-9:
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing 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. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for Your gift of joy and for Your fruit of rejoicing. Let me take all my thoughts captive, especially those doubts and imaginings that are prompted by Satan to steal the heavenly gift of joy that is mine in Jesus Christ. I thank You and praise You, Heavenly Father, that You are worthy of all my praise and that Your joy is a heavenly medicine and spiritual muscle that strengthens my trust and increases my love for You. I believe I will never cease to rejoice in You all the days of my life. My heart may cry, bleed or feel crushed sometimes, but it is natural because you feel the same for us. You said in Your Word not to be anxious, but pray about everything and to talk to You about what I need. You told me also to have a thankful heart for all that You have done in my life. Lord, I am coming to You this very moment to tell You that I long to stop being so anxious and to ask that in Your grace You would keep me from all anxious thoughts, and give me Your peace that passes all understanding. I believe for all those who don’t know You that they will really embrace Your steadfast love today and never be the same again as they know they will be guided by You always. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
And the peace of God, which pass’s all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

“Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.”
What does the Bible say about correcting your child?
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Deuteronomy 8:5

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chastens his son, so the LORD thy God chastens thee. Psalm 103:13
Blessed is the one you discipline, LORD, the one you teach from your law. Disciplining children is needed. Psalm 94:12
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” When your children are young, you have a lot of control over their lives and choices.
What does the Bible say about adults choosing God’s way?
We can choose His way, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ” (Romans 8:22: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” ), or we can choose the way of self — which really is the devil’s way or “the law of sin and death.” There are only two ways: God’s or the devil’s.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30

Lets read Hebrews 12:1-6:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.
It reads in Proverbs 14:12: Before everyman there lies a wide and pleasant road that leads to death.
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for the Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior and His wonderful righteousness. I thank You and Praise You that You sent the Lord Jesus Christ for the sinner to show those who was ignorant of their own sin to shape up their own life’s. The only man who ever lived His life in total respect, compassion, complete trust in You and willing obedience, all for Your honor and glory. The Lord Jesus went through so much denial, ignorance of others, abuse, being spit at, carrying His cross to Calvary for the sinner. Jesus was totally innocent and didn’t deserve to die. As I look to Jesus and He rose to save every human being of their sins. I believe that I will not grow weary or lose heart in the difficult circumstances that I am facing, but I believe I will look to Him in utter dependence and willing obedience. Humble myself in the joy that I live, because He lives in my reassurance. that He is coming back or if I should go on home to Him. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
Anyone willing to be corrected is on the pathway to life. Anyone refusing has lost his chance. Proverbs 10:17

Since God’s forgiveness of our sins is so thorough, why do we need cleansing? Although God’s forgiveness abolished our record of sin and freed us from the penalty of sins, the stains of sin remained with us.

Before we were saved, we were filthy before God in our speech, our actions, and the thoughts of our heart. Our mouth was unclean with utterances like cursing, lies, obscenities, slander, and hateful expressions. We spoke this way because our heart was unclean, for Matthew 12:34 says, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Our deeds were filthy, and Paul states in Romans 6:19 that we presented the members of our body “as slaves to uncleanness.” Not only so, in God’s eyes even our good works were filthy, for Isaiah 64:6 tells us “All of us became like him who is unclean, and all our righteousness’s are like a soiled garment.”
“The washing of renewal purges away all the things of the old nature of our old man, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit imparts something new—the divine essence of the new man—into our being. In this is a passing from our old state into a wholly new one, from the old creation into the status of a new creation. Hence, both the washing of the renewing of the Holy Spirit are working in us continually throughout our life until the completion of the new creation.” Sin left its ugly stain on us. We desperately needed God’s cleansing!
God cleanses, by the blood of Jesus—to cleanse us of our behavior and deeds Hebrews 1:3, tells us Jesus, “having made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Jesus accomplished this purification by shedding His blood on the cross.
It reads in Ezekiel 36:25-27: I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
So stand firm by Gods strength and power. As it reads in Proverbs 11:8: God rescues good men from danger.
Your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against the wiles of Satan. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies. The evil kings of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up. But to this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan, And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Read Ephesians 6:10-17
As great as the world is, so full is it of signs of God’s mercies toward his faithful when he has removed their sins. In Hebrews 10:11-14 it reads: Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest {Jesus} offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time.
Father God, I thank You and praise You for the family unit, which was ordained by You, from the beginning. Let me to be a good parent and to instruct those in my care wisely. Let me also to be child-like in my relationship with others, and to respect and honor them, as unto the Lord. Father God, I am believing for all those adult sons and adult daughters, that You will guide, direct and send others in their lives to encourage them to walk right with You. Bless all today. You are a good and gracious Father, long-suffering and tender-hearted towards all Your children. I thank You and praise You for Your faithfulness towards Israel, Your chosen nation. Your never-failing promises to all Your people is such a reassurance, for it demonstrates that Your gracious compassion, patience and loving-kindness towards all Church-aged believers is equally sure and secure. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. I thank You and praise You that I am apart of the body of Christ and that You have told us the end from the beginning, and I thank You and praise You that all Your promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ Jesus my Savior. Teach me Your ways and keep me from straying from the path of holiness. I thank You and praise You that in Christ, I have a cleansed heart, and that by Your amazing grace I have the indwelling Holy Spirit of life, to guide me into all truth, all the way through to eternity. Bless and open the eyes of those still searching for You and guide them in Your direction. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:12

Deuteronomy plays a crucial role for understanding much of what happens in “Joshua: Joshua portrays the Lord as their general, the One who would lead His people in victorious battle if they would trust and obey. Joshua recounted a story of contradictions. On the one hand, God gave the land that He had promised to the nation. On the other hand, the people failed to possess the land completely, allowing some inhabitants to remain.” & “2 Kings continues the story of the nations of Israel and Judah. It is a history book, from the Old Testament of the Bible. In these history books, the Bible contains many important lessons for us today (2 Timothy 3:16 it reads: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ). 2 Kings describes how the kings of these nations refused to obey God’s law.” Throughout the book, Moses recounts much of the law he first introduced to the people at Mount Sinai. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 provides the Israelites with the unmistakable call to commit themselves to the LORD and His law with their whole being.
The ten commandments, in order, are:
1 — “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any strange gods before Me.“
2 — “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.“
3 — “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.“
4 — “Honor thy father and mother.“
5 — “Thou shalt not kill.“
6 — “Thou shalt not commit adultery.“
7 — “Thou shalt not steal.“
8 — “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.“
9 — “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.“
10 — “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.“
You’ll find the Ten Commandments in the Bible’s 2 books: Exodus and Deuteronomy. They are supposedly provided by God as guidance to all people. They center around ethics and worship.
“Moses’ obeyed God and did this that God asked Mose’s to do.
“And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there and I will give thee tablets of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. …and Moses went up into the mount of God.“
— Exodus 24:12–13
The message of Deuteronomy is focused on the book’s strong emphasis of covenant renewal to which Moses led the new generation as they were poised on the Plains of Moab to enter the Land of Promise {See, for example, In Deuteronomy 26:15-19 it reads: Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swears unto our fathers, a land that flows with milk and honey. This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken. } {It also reads in Deuteronomy 29:1-3: These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb. And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land; The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: }
After the victory at Ai, Joshua wanted to do everything he could to walk in obedience, so he led the nation in obedience to this command in Deuteronomy 27: In this, Joshua was showing himself to be a man of the Book, and Israel a people of the Book; they would order their lives after God’s Word.
Deuteronomy chapter 29 summary starts with Moses once again. The spokesperson for the nation proclaimed the words of the covenant of God to the children of Israel. This was a separate covenant than the one made in Horeb. This one was made in the land of Moab. Moses reminded them of God’s great works in Egypt.
The Greatest Commandment
Jesus declared, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-39
The miracle of the coin found in the fish’s mouth (In Matthew 17:24-27 it reads: After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes-from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours. “This may of been among the least dramatic of Christ’s miracles, but it is certainly instructive. The context involves the paying of the Temple tax, and not surprisingly, only Matthew, the former tax collector for Rome, reports it.
I know I have told this before. I can see why Jesus just ended the life of the fig tree. When I run out of figs in the refrigerator. I am like really! Who ate the rest of the figs? God being Jesus. He can do amazingly anything He creates He can change the path. Another way of showing sin is death. We need to die to self. By showing righteousness gives us promise of eternity. May of killed the tree, but obviously didn’t kill the seed. We still have figs and their trees.
It reads in Matthew 21:18-22: Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.}”The fig tree withered from the roots.” Mark does not make it entirely clear why Jesus felt the need to kill the fig tree, but he does record this odd miracle.
In chapter 4 of Exodus this Continues and concludes God’s discourse with Moses at the bush concerning this great affair of bringing Israel out of Egypt. Moses objects the people’s unbelief in verse 1, and God answers that objection by giving him a power to work miracles,
Exodus 4:6-12
Then the Lord said, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So Moses put his hand into his cloak, and when he took it out, the skin was leprous, it had become as white as snow. “Now put it back into your cloak,” he said. So Moses put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his flesh. Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second. But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.” Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I really didn’t understand this chapter. I lost my voice and I remember crying and begging God for my voice back. One of the hardest things I ever had to face was listening to my voice on the inside and nothing coming out on the outside. I looked like a crazy person at times and You was the only one that understood and answered me. I thank You and praise You for Your faithfulness to me. I begin to understand that disregarding my limitations and of how limited my ability was or how boundless my breathing, unless I am led of God and speak the words God instructs, I will be ineffective in my work for Him. I will never forget that You are the one who made me as I am, and to trust You to fulfil the work that You have prepared for me to do. I believe now more than ever that I will follow in Christ’s footsteps and learn to speak only those things that I hear from You. Guide me in Your will and ways. Lead me in the paths of righteousness and may Your will and not mine be done. I thank You and praise You that You never leave us in the bad times or good times. Thank You for Your blessings and miracles that come in Your timing. Assist me in using any means to teach Your word, Your very lifestyle and Your principles to those I come in contact with. Assist me to guard the truth, stand for what is right and and proudly proclaim You as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Let me be Your light and bless all those I come in contact with today. Let them see You. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Exodus 4:11

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Chapter 5 of First Peter contains charges to the elders of the church and their respective flocks who were being commanded by Peter to shepherd the God’s flock among them and serve as overseers. In the first five verses of 1 Peter chapter 5, Peter assigned the elders duties as shepherds and the young ones as the flock. Gives specific instructions to elders about how to lead the flock of God willingly, eagerly, and by their own example. Peter closes out his letter to the scattered Christians in the churches of Asia Minor with some final instructions. He counsels the elders about how to lead, includes how and why to live in humility with each other, and gives a final warning to be clear-minded and alert. Peter counts himself as one of the elders. Elders are important to the church because, first and foremost, they are the leaders that Christ has appointed to oversee His church. This is not mere suggestion – it is the biblical mandate. Every church not only needs elders, but they need the right kind of elders. Every church needs men who meet the qualifications (It reads in Titus 1:5:The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.)Also: ( It reads in Titus 16: 1:“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”) (Also reads in: Timothy 3:1-7: Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own immediate living in the same household family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.) Who are willing to do the work. Elders are the shepherds of the flock (It reads in Acts 20:28:Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.) and as such, they have a very important role: Not surprisingly, the New Testament views elders as shepherds as well! Message: The apostle Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim power to rule over all pastors and churches. It was the peculiar honor of Peter and a few more, to be witnesses of Christ’s sufferings; but it is the privilege of all true Christians to partake of the glory that shall be revealed. As it reads in 1 Peter 5:1-4: The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.) The elders’ mission is to lead, teach, protect and love their church members the way shepherds care for the sheep in a flock, so that the church members will grow up into spiritual maturity ( It reads in Ephesians 4:11-13: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. ). 2. Elders are pastors. But a pastor is an elder, and an elder is a pastor. Elders should do those things in a local church that they assume a pastor would do, even if they spend fewer hours per week than the paid pastor. Elders should do those things in a local church that they assume a pastor would do, even if they spend fewer hours per week than the paid pastor. Elders are not only the congregation’s shepherds, they are each other’s shepherds as well. They mentor each other, hold each other accountable, teach each other, and confess their sins and struggles to each other. At least that’s the way it should be. Each and every one of us needs to be led. I am stressing this on the elders of the church, because they may be singled out by individuals. But this is not the case of the church. Our church hold or elders dear to our heart. All people in the church is held dear to our hearts. If a individual does not recognize a elder as a important part of the church and that elder wants to leave the church. I say elder think a 2nd time. It is not the church but the individual that is still learning.
1 Peter 5:1-10
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
{Ley’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for these instructions to church elders, to feed the flock of God with sound, biblical doctrine, and to take responsibility for the nurturing and encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Help each one of us to grow in grace and in a knowledge of You, and may all Your children live humbly and walk circumspectly before You, throughout our Christian life. I thank You and praise You for limitations that gives us patients, wisdom and compassionate heart. Heavenly Father God ,I believe that You are no respecter of persons and are ready to use any one of us who is willing to be used, and looking to Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith, even me. Give me opportunities to shepherd, nurture and bless those that are weaker in the faith than I, and excite in me a desire to learn from elders and officials in the church, who are fulfilling their God-given role within the body of Christ. Give me a spirit of humility and grace to finish the race that is set before me, and may I do all to Your glory and honor. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
O God You have helped me from my earliest childhood, I have constantly testified to others of the wonderful things You do.

Psalm 71:17

Do you know any “People of the light”? People of the light spread light, joy and stand for truth. They give, care and are there for you when all seems loss. Truth may seem hard but truth gives a open door to God. People of the light are like walking in a garden with beautiful flowers, butterflys and hummingbirds. Staying stuck in sin is like walking through quicksand, dead trees and dead bushes with spiders and flies everywhere hitting you in the face. People of the light will guide you in assisting the sinner to grow in the restoration of fellowship into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate {Holy Spirit} with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He Himself is the propitiation ( atonement, especially that of Jesus Christ.) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. These verses encourages and warns Christians about sin. John reassures his readers that when a saved believer sins, Christ will plead our case with God. Jesus is our substitute, taking the punishment for our sins. At the same time, John warns that those who claim to know Christ, yet disobey Him, are lying to themselves and others.

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
1 John 2:1-6
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I believe I will continue to learn and I believe I will keep Your word in my heart and let the love of God flow out from me to others, how wonderful to know that Christ’s example is one that we can all follow. I long to walk as He walked, in dependence on You… just saying and doing those things that are pleasing in Your sight and to be the light of Jesus in all lives I come in contact with. I need to abide in Christ so that His life may empower me and others to bring forth much fruit, compassion and hope to those who are hurting or just need to know You. Jesus brought the light into this dark world. I want to be a person of the light to the next generation with Your guidance. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
Turn me away from wanting any other plan but Yours. Psalm 119:37

{Let’s Pray}
Father God, give me the words to speak and let this message touch someone’s heart today. I thank You and praise You in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
“Pressing On Toward The Goal”
In Philippians 3:12-21 takes up where Paul left off in verse 11. Our text has two main paragraphs, verses 12-16 and verses 17-21. In general terms, verses 12-16 explain Paul’s perspective on the past, the present, and the future. The Christian does not live in the past, but with an eye to the future. Verses 17-21 contrast Paul’s perspective on the past, the present, and the future with that of the enemies of the cross. They pride themselves in their past accomplishments and live for the present, ignoring the future. Paul does not take the saints who erred in verse 15 nearly as seriously as he does these unbelievers in verses 18-19. Together, these two paragraphs sharpen our focus on the goal toward which every Christian should be striving. Let us carefully listen and learn from these divinely inspired words, which are as applicable to us today as they were to the Philippians centuries ago. Let’s consider the things of our pre-Christian past. When Paul came to faith in Jesus Christ, he realized that all the things in which he had boasted were really “dung.” He also realized that in persecuting the saints he had been opposing his Lord. Paul would certainly not wish to cling to the past in terms of these “accomplishments,” because they were not accomplishments at all, spiritually speaking. But he also needed to accept the fact that when he came to faith in Christ, he became “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), and that the guilt of his past had been washed away by the blood of Christ. There was no great profit to his agonizing over his past. Paul was deeply committed to the doctrine of sovereignty, and thus he must trust that God had used even his wicked deeds against the saints for their good, and for God’s glory (Romans 8:28).
We get so down on ourselves from past sufferings, hurts, hang-ups, divorced of a spouse, disappointed your children, or rebelled against God’s Word. I could go into many more but choose not to. It is easy to beat yourself up over issues, shame, or guilt from your past and assume that God can’t possibly use you. This is a lie from Satan which only results in discouragement. You need to know that all of your past is forgiven, forgotten, forever. If the Apostle Paul has not arrived spiritually, then certainly no one else has either. The consequence of this fact is that no one is free to sit back, resting upon their laurels, as though all they must do is to wait for our Lord’s return. (“To rest on one’s laurels means to be satisfied with one’s past accomplishments and not put forth any further efforts. In ancient Greece, the laurel was a plant that was sacred to the god Apollo , which grew into a {Laurel Tree is a Bay-leaf tree}. Laurel wreaths were awarded to the winning athletes in the Pythian games, held in honor of the god Apollo every four years. Commonsense: If someone does not rest on their laurels, they continue working hard to make sure that they continue to be successful rather than relying on the success they have already had.”)The Christian is not to be content with the status quo but must press on toward the goal that has been set before him. And that is precisely what Paul does, while challenging us to follow his example. The goal is two-fold; it is both general and specific. The general goal toward which every Christian is to strive is that of the “upward call “either the day of our death, or the day when our Lord returns for His saints, to snatch them up from this world to be with Him forever. In one sense, this is an event in the future, which draws nearer by the passing of time. In another sense, it is a future event which we are to pursue, and to seek to hasten. I can tell you that I am not perfect, and I have to keep learning for in learning, as God fills in the past of my mistakes, whether it be teaching my children what I failed to teach them, restoring what I destroyed, rebuilding what I have torn down or others have torn down in me, restoring a broken heart or body back to new, redeeming what was stolen.
Hence forth, it’s never too late to press on in Christ and be who He wants you to be. God can make a great finish out of a slow start. Ultimately, there is no past defeat so devastating as to exclude us from going forward in the present; there is no past success so great as to exempt us from going forward to more victory. So, we must consciously refuse to dwell on the things which lie behind us. Past failures will keep you depressed, discouraged, and leave you going nowhere. To learn from your past and move on to bigger and better plans God has for you. Where I see myself as a disappointment, God sees me and you as a winner, His unique child. God don’t see us as a loser, He sees us as His children that are uniquely gifted with something of use as His kingdom work. At least when we look for the Lord Jesus, He is right here with us. Amen! It reads in 2 Corinthians 5:17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come! What a difference there is between the sinner and the saint. It is especially evident in our attitude and actions regarding the past, the present, and the future. The Christian does not live in the past; he does not dwell on the things of the past but presses on toward the “upward call” of our Lord. The certainty of His return, of our resurrection and transformation, and of out eternal bliss is such that it motivates us to “take up our cross” in this life, knowing that our eternal rewards await us in the next. The sinner sees things in exactly the opposite way. They tend to dwell on the past and their perceived accomplishments. They ignore or deny the future, the coming of our Lord, and particularly His judgment. Instead of living for tomorrow, they live only for today, indulging themselves in every conceivable pleasure. Paul is deeply aware of the incredible transformation that Christ has brought about in his life, as he came to faith in Jesus as his Savior. But he is also deeply aware that he was called for a purpose. He knows very well that he has not arrived, and that the road of sanctification lies before him, requiring discipline and endurance and sacrifice. Paul calls upon you and me to follow him in the path of discipleship, pressing on until the time of our “upward call.” He warns us to watch out for those who live for today, and who are enemies of the cross of Christ, living in self-indulgence an shame.
Philippians – Chapter 3:12-21
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also, I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that You have established the path that You want me to take. I believe that in the power of the Holy Spirit I may press on to the goal of my calling and lay hold of all that You have purposed for me to do. I thank You and praise You for Your many precious promises of God, and that one day, all who believe on Christ, will have our lowly bodies changed into the image and likeness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You that You have promised to transform the bodies of Your blood-bought children, into a body that will be like His resurrected, body in glory. I believe for all those who don’t know You will see Your goodness today and want to know more about You Lord Jesus, I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Your Precious Name Amen.

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Jesus came according to prophecy, He became the fulfillment of the law. Paul wrote, “For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God” (1 Corinthians 7:19 reads: For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. ). Circumcision remained a controversy for the very early church, though the apostles clearly taught that such rituals were not necessary for Christians (Acts 11:1–18 reads: The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” ). Here, Paul notes that what circumcision does, physically, faith in Christ does, spiritually. In other words, what matters is knowing Christ, not physical circumcision.
Colossians 2:11, NLT it reads: “When you came to Christ, you were ‘circumcised,’ but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision–the cutting away of your sinful nature.”
We will read in Colossians 2:6-15. Paul agonizes over the danger of believers being deluded or led away from God’s truth. He issues a “watch out” here so we will take notice. The danger is very real.

Colossians 2:6–15 describes Christ’s superiority in defeating sin. :Colossians 2:6-15 reads: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
{Lets Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that in Christ we have all that we need for life and godliness. I believe that together with other members of Your body we may earnestly contend for the truth of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ and stand together.. united in Him, in love, for Jesus is the Anchor of our soul and the Rock upon Whom our faith is built. I thank You and praise You for the wise warnings of Paul to the Church of Jesus Christ. Guide us in being increasingly aware of the dangers of allowing the enemy of our soul to be deception of our heavenly rewards, by falling for foolish flattery, deceptive practices, worldly philosophies and other empty deceit of religious fakes. Keep me low at the cross and broken before You and safeguard me from developing any false humility or from becoming self-centered. Give us the determination to overcome all obstacles in our way. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.