John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."







Thursday, May 31, 2012

Blessed are those whose delight is in the Law of God


Psalm 1:1-6
1 Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; On his law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked shall perish.

Hello Everyone,
Today I would like to share this Psalm with you. In my experience, these six verses have made a big difference in my life. The psalmist says blessed is the man who doesn´t walk in the counsel of the wicked. For long time I thought no normal person is going to go to wicked people to ask them for advice. But, than I learned another lesson, wicked people don´t always show it to us, that they are wicked, but you can tell by how they live and if their counsel is based on what God calls good. This is how we can know if we should accept it. He continues saying; Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers.
If I as a Christian want to go and be in places where wicked people are, how can I expect God to bless me? If I act as a person that is not a child of God, or if I walk the ways our God does not agree on, how I can expect for Him to bless me?
Verses 2 he says: But his delight is in the law of the LORD; On his law he meditates day and night. Instead of asking the person we should ask our God for counsel, this is the right way to proceed. To read the Bible and meditate on it, is so blessed, this way we can find the right path in life. He compares the person with a tree, on the streams of water.
3 He shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
The blessing we receive from our God is the promise that we will bring fruit in its season. This means when we make life´s decisions on the Word of our God, than we will prosper in everything we do.
The wicked described by the psalmist here, are the people who do not seek the Lord our God for counsel, who do not live according to God´s commands. He describes that the wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
The Psalmist says; For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked shall perish.
Do you believe God knows your life, and how you decide what you do, and based on what you make your decisions? Who do you listen to, to make your decisions? Do you follow your heart to decide, or do you go after the wrong people to ask for help?
The psalmist had an experience in his life, that when he went to God for help, his life´s decisions had better results. I want to encourage you today, to seek the Lord Our God for help, and in His word we find the right answer.

Jesus came to give us life.


 John 10:10 “The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly”. 3-4 “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice”.
 Jesus says that he gives us life abundantly. What does Jesus mean with this? He died on the cross for our sins that we don’t need to go to hell. Now that he saved us, he has given us eternal life.

Now we can live in the kingdom of heaven and glory Jesus already here on earth. How can we live here on earth he has guide us? Verse says that his sheep hear his voice. He tell us how to walk in his Word. Aren’t you glad we have Jesus?

Thank you Aunt Antonina for helping me write it correctly, I have a great coach in you.
Monica

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.





Psalm 23:1-6
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
I love to study about David, his whole life is a blessing to learn from. We learn from him as a boy in the pasture where he was a sheep herd. He tells us many experiences in form of Psalms. He would write it in form of songs, so he could praise our Almighty God in the congregation. David always made a point of praising the one and only God he served, publicly.
In the 23rd. Psalm David makes a point of saying that he recognizes God as his Pastor, his shepherd.
What does it mean to recognize God as ones shepherd?
1.       David says the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes a declaration that he has the knowledge that in the same way as he, David, was watching his sheep, God was watching over him.

2.       He knows that is isn´t going to lack anything. His provider is watching over him.

3.       David says that God makes him lie down in green pastures. A shepherd knows that in order for a sheep not to become sick it needs to feed in green pastures. Sheep should not be lead to a pasture where it is already withered or maybe not healthy grass, this will put their health in danger.

4.       God always refreshes us with quiet waters. Does quiet waters means no problems? No, it means  that we can be confident and not dismayed, because we have the assurance that He cares for us.

5.       Verse three, David tells us of his experience of how God restores his soul. Restoring means to fix something that was broken or maybe not working probably. There are many reasons why a soul needs to be restored, experiences in life bring hurts; David went through a lot of battles in life, he needed restoration from his God.

6.       You and me have access to the same God, as David had, if we struggle, God will always be there for us as a truthful and faithful shepherd.

7.       David expresses it that God guides him in the path of righteousness, for His Name sake. And at this point, I would like to ask you to think of a moment where you can say: “I believe, God did guide me in the path of righteousness, for His Name sake”.

8.       Even if I do walk in the Valley of death, God is with me, this is the confidence David had. David´s son Absalom died when he was persecuting his own father David. David´s son died when he was a baby yet. David knew what it was to go through tough times. And David had always seen his God, guide him in the right path in spite of everything.
Are you and me at the point where we can say as David said; “I fear no evil, because I know God is with me”. David knew that God had a divine rod and staff which always did comfort him.  In his experience in life, David had seen God preparing a table before him in the presence of the enemy.
You and me have this same blessing, because in Christ Jesus our table is set as well before our enemy; devil. 
In Jo.1:12 we read that: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His Name”.  You and I have the right to become God´s children when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior in our lives.
Living with our God starts in the day that we come to Jesus and ask Him into our life. Jesus waits till we invite HIM. He will never pressure you or me, the Bible says in Revelation 3:20 that He knocks on the door and if we open it He will enter in. God is a respecter of person, He forces no one. He waits for you to invite Him, so that between Him and you may exist a loving relationship. The Bible also says that Jesus died when we sere still sinners. He loved us when we were far away from Him yet. He came to take our place on the cross.
Whatever David would do, he would first ask God, what He wanted him to do. God would tell him, and David would follow God´s instruction and he would have victory.  I want  to follow David´s example, how about you??
Me the peace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.

 Antonina.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Dwelling in the Shelter of the most High.


 
In Psalm 91 verses 1-2 we read: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in tha Shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my Fortress. My God in whom I trust".
It is wonderfull to know that we can have this kind of trust of which the Psalmist writes here. If we dwell it says. When ever there is an "if" in a sentence it means it´s  conditional. If your dwell in the shelter of the Most High, than we will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Many people want the blessing of being under the shadow, the protection of the Almighty, but they do not like to dwell in His shelter. Dwelling place is where a person lives.
I would like to ask you something do you know how to find the shelter of the Most High?
We can find it in Jesus Christ. If we come to Jesus and invite Him into our life, He becomes our shelter, than we can say: My refuge is my God in whom I trust as the psalmist says in these two verses..
May God bless you

YOU CAN OUTRUN CHARIOTS

Hello Everyone, I wanted to share this daily devotional I received today. It is such a blessing.

David Wilkerson Today
MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012
YOU CAN OUTRUN CHARIOTS
by Gary Wilkerson

Jezreel was known as a city of chariots. It excelled in warfare because of its
vast fleet of iron vehicles made for swift movement in battle. Chariots
represent the strength of man. They signify the power to speed ahead with great
agility, the ability to accomplish something through a powerful, dominating
resource.
Today there is a "chariot lifestyle" — one of comfort and ease, where all our
needs are provided. If we need something, we write a check for it. If we want to
do something, we go ahead and do it.
To a Christian, the chariot lifestyle can have great appeal. In the world's
standard of success, we see impressive "chariots" and "stallions." These are
the means, the material wealth, that provide people with ease, security and
comfort at all times.
But the servant of God does not seek those things primarily. Instead, he seeks
to obey his Master's voice and pursue the concerns of His kingdom. The
Christian learns early in his faith walk that by pursuing the Lord first, "all
these things will be added to him" (Matthew 6:33).

This same believer sometimes may find himself without the needed resources to
do certain things for his family. He doesn't see his calling or ministry being
fulfilled, so he is tempted to think, "The resources are out there, and the
world is using them to great effect but I don't have any of them. I need them
to accomplish God's work. How can I get hold of them?"

Elijah knew better than to look to the world's resources. Imagine the scene as
he addressed King Ahab. There stood the king, perched high in his brilliant
chariot, towering over the lowly prophet. Yet Elijah spoke boldly to Ahab:
“Prepare your chariot and go down” (1 Kings 18:44, ESV).

Next we read, "The hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his
garment and ran before Ahab to . . . Jezreel" (1 Kings 18:46). God's man outran
a chariot over a distance of many miles! How did Elijah accomplish this? The
phrase "gathered up his garment" means, essentially, “to gird up your
loins” which means that he prepared himself.

The apostle Paul tells us we have been called by God to run a race. Peter
refers to this race also when he tells us to gird up the loins of our mind.
He's saying we need to prepare ourselves for the contest by reinforcing our
belief and trust in the Lord. When you see chariots in front of you carrying
people swiftly toward their goals, don't despair. Do not be dismayed at the
power they have and you lack. God has a different way for you. When you set
your eyes on the Father and let His powerful hand come upon you, you too can
outrun chariots.


Pulpit Series Newsletters
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Monday, May 14, 2012

I would like to share an email I received from a dear Friend

Please take this challenge with me.
I found these12 points in my Joyce Meyer Bible.  I believe we should read them out loud every day for 40 days while looking at ourselves inthe mirror.  Please consider taking this challenge with me.  Let’s try to get as many women to take this challenge with us. I really believe that if we can take the time to write down the positivechanges as they occur using a journal or notebook we will see incredible results.  As you start on your road to discovering the strong woman of God inside of you, I am confident these words will not only change you but will also change the way others see you too.  Are you ready to take this challenge with me?  Are you ready to see what happens when you truly believe what you are now saying about yourself?


Not sure where I heard this but it’s a good thought to start with too:
“We never have enough information to judge anyone. 
Maybe we should have compassion instead.”


Here are a few thoughts that reflect a wholesome, God-centered self-image:
1.    I know God created me and He loves me.
2.    I have faults and weaknesses, and I want to change.  I believe God is working on my life.  He is changing me bit by bit, day by day. While He is doing so, I can still enjoy myself and my life.
3.    Everyone has faults, so I am not a complete failure just because I am not perfect. 
4.    I  am going to work with God to overcome my weaknesses, but I realize that I will always have something to deal with;therefore, I will not become discouraged when God convicts me of areas in my life that need improvement.
5.    I want to make people happy and have them like me, but my sense of worth is not dependent on what others think of me.  Jesus has already affirmed my value by His willingness to die for me. 
6.    I will not be controlled by what people think, say or do.  Even if they totally reject me.  I will survive.  God has promised never to reject me or condemn me as long as I keep believing (see John 6:29). 
7.    No matter how often I fail, I am not a failure unless I quit trying. Therefore, I will not give up, because God is with me to strengthen and sustain me.  He has promised never to leave me or forsake me (see Hebrews 13:5). 
8.    I like myself.  I don’t like everything I do, and I want to change – but I refuse to reject myself.  
9.    I am in right standing with God through Jesus Christ. 
10.God has a good plan for my life.  I am going to fulfill my destiny and be all I can be for His glory.  I have God-given gifts and talents, and I intend to use them to help others. 
11.I am nothing, and yet I am everything!  In myself I am nothing and yet in Jesus I am everything I need to be. 
12.     I can do ALL the things I need to do, and EVERYTHING that God calls me to do, through His Son, Jesus Christ (see Philippians 4:13).


This is something we all can  benefit from,

In the love of the Lord Jesus
Antonina

Rev. Billy Graham