Categories
Prayer

Casting ALL Our Care

I’ve thought about this verse for a number of years.

I Peter 5:7:
Casting all your care upon him [God]; for he careth for you.

Categories
God's Word

Bearing Seed

Recently my oldest sister sent me some morning glory seeds in the mail. I opened the letter, took out the seeds and stuck them in the ground. Now I have a beautiful vine that blossoms each morning with deep violet flowers. I do need to water them occasionally, but God designed all the work to be done by the seed itself. It’s the same with the gospel. We just sow it, and God gives the increase.

Categories
Holy Spirit

Anointed with God’s Power

Acts 10:38:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Throughout the Bible, God had His chosen servants anointed with oil to set them apart for His service. This included prophets, priests, and kings. Jesus was all three. See Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King for more details.

But Jesus was not anointed with the traditional oil. His anointing was with the holy spirit. At his baptism by John, the spirit appeared like a dove—pure and simple. Isaiah had promised God’s coming savior would be anointed with His spirit in Isaiah 61:1. Jesus quoted that scripture when he opened his ministry in Nazareth.

Categories
God's Peace

Let Your Heart Be Untroubled, and Be of Good Cheer!

Let Your Heart Be Untroubled, and Be of Good Cheer!

David had troubles, his heart was enlarged,
His pain and affliction, could not be discharged.
God heard all his crying, and answered his prayer.
“Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Psalms 25:17,18]

A man sick with palsy, unable to walk,
Was lowered by friends as our Lord gave his talk,
“Your sins are forgiven,” a promise so dear.
“Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Matthew 9:2]

Jesus walked on the sea, after he sweetly prayed,
And to his disciples, said “Be not afraid.
It’s me, I come to you, to be ever near.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50]

His death was approaching, he spoke with great love,
“I prepare a place for you in mansions above.
You believe in my Father; trust me, have no fear.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[John 14:1-4]

“I will send holy spirit, to comfort your hearts.
My peace I give to you, the world can’t impart.
I’ll come again to you, my Father’s made clear.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[John 14:26-28]

“These things I have spoken, that you might have peace,
The world offers heartaches, that never will cease.
This world have I overcome, that you must hear,
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[John 16:33]

He spoke again to them, from death did he rise.
His hands and his feet, showing before their eyes.
“A spirit in flesh, and in bones can’t appear,
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Luke 24:38-40]

Paul was held captive, kept by Roman guard,
At night there stood with him, his Savior and Lord.
“You have witnessed of me, and to Rome you I’ll steer.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Acts 23:11]

Paul told all the others, who sailed through a storm,
“God’s angel has showed me, we’ll come to no harm.
For I believe God, all He speaks I revere.
Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[Acts 27:22-25]

When we are daunted, by Satan’s bold lies,
Remember our Lord’s words, let courage arise.
For though we are troubled, with trials and tears,
“Let your heart be untroubled, and be of good cheer.”
[II Corinthians 4:7-18]

Categories
God's Grace

Staying Humble in a Pride-filled World

Jesus was the humblest man who ever lived. He always did what his Father wanted. He put others ahead of himself. He could have claimed all his authority as God’s Son and the chosen Messiah to flaunt his power and make a grand show in the world. But God did not call him to do that. Nor has he called us to be egotistical. We are not self-centered, but God-centered. And therefore, like our Lord and Savior, we are service minded.

Categories
Holy Spirit

Filled with the Holy Spirit

A Christian friend had a good question today regarding the holy spirit not being given “by measure” to Jesus Christ in John 3:34 and 35. Here’s what it says.

John 3:34,35:
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

John the Baptist is talking here about his cousin, Jesus the Christ. What does it mean that God doesn’t give the spirit “by measure” to Jesus?

Categories
Fellowship

That’s the Time We Should Be Humble

That’s the Time We Should Be Humble

Ever notice, when your heart
Isn’t feeling well, you start
To let your thoughts, begin to grumble—
That’s the time, we should be humble.

Thinking how that, I can do,
Everything, to get me through,
“Don’t need help,” I start to mumble,
That’s the time, I should be humble.

Taking on, my every care,
Don’t acknowledge, God is there.
All I carry, my hands fumble,
That’s the time, I should be humble.

Trying to figure everything,
As my brain begins to zing,
All my thoughts are one big jumble,
That’s the time, I should be humble.

Paths before me, much to choose,
Without God, I’ll sadly loose,
Do it my way, then I stumble,
That’s the time, I should be humble.

Building up, facades of pride,
Fear still lingers, at my side,
All my structures, soon will crumble,
That’s the time, I should be humble.

Boldly speaking, without love,
Thinking I’m, God’s gift, above
Others, shouting my words rumble,
That’s the time, I should be humble.

Ever notice, we forget,
God’s work, isn’t finished yet,
Let His grace and mercy tumble,
Overflowing, when we’re humble.

Categories
FreedomLifeLight

CDA (Christ Does it Again) Marathon

I just finished running 26.2 miles in the CDA [Coeur D’Alene, Idaho] marathon. I sure had a lot of help. Mostly from old friends who were praying for me. The weather was perfect, and I know their prayers helped. And I met several new friends during the run. Also, I had 25 other “friends” to help me along the way—one for each mile of the run.

Categories
Holy Spirit One God

On the Deity

Living on earth for many decades can bring insight when a person is meek to the Creator. The greatest man who ever lived was only here for three decades, and yet he knew the Creator as a loving Father and made this eternal Spirit known to others. To understand the things of God, let’s consider four questions that every human will face during our brief existence in this world. Where did I come from? Why am I here? Why must I die? Where will I go after death?

Categories
One God

The Truth of John 3:16

I was reading about Philip the evangelist, a man who brought the good news of Jesus Christ to others.