Old Minds Cant Hold New Blessings, Sheryl Brady

When the Battle is Over

HALLELUJAH

When The Battle Is Over

When The Battle Is Over

school activity

rivers of living water

They that believe on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of their belly shall flow rivers of living water.  [Ezek. 47.1; Zech. 14.8] (John 7.38)

published it

The Lord gave the word:  great was the company of those that published it.  Psalms 68.11

harvest of blessings

We shall reap a harvest of blessings if we faint not.  (See Galatians 6.9)

what does the Bible say about halos?

Question: "What does the Bible say about halos?"

Answer: A halo, also called a nimbus, is a geometric shape, usually in the form of a disk, circle, ring, or rayed structure. Traditionally, the halo represents a radiant light around or above the head of a divine or sacred person. Since halos are found nowhere in the Bible, what is their origin in Christianity?

Interestingly, the word “halo” comes from the Greek word for a threshing floor. It was on these floors that oxen moved round and round in a continuous circle on the ground, making a circular path in the shape we now associate with halos. Many ancient societies, including the Egyptians, Indians and Romans, used a circular sign to suggest supernatural forces, such as angels, at work.

In art, halos originally appeared as disks of gold sketched upon the head of a figure. This depicted a sphere of light radiating from the head of the person, suggesting that the subject was in a mystical state or sometimes just very smart. Because of its shape and color, the halo was also associated with the sun and resurrection. By the fourth century, the halo had become widely used in standard Christian art. Essentially, it was used to mark a figure as being in the kingdom of light. Most commonly, Jesus and the Virgin Mary are shown with halos, along with the angels. In fact, halos are found in art forms all over the world. Sometimes, especially in the East, crowns are used instead of halos, but the meaning is the same: holiness, innocence and spiritual power.

With it not being found in the Bible, the halo is both pagan and non-Christian in its origin. Many centuries before Christ, natives decorated their heads with a crown of feathers to represent their relationship with the sun god. The halo of feathers upon their heads symbolized the circle of light that distinguished the shining divinity or god in the sky. As a result, these people came to believe that adopting such a nimbus or halo transformed them into a kind of divine being.

However, interestingly enough, before the time of Christ, this symbol had already been used by not only the Hellenistic Greeks in 300 B.C., but also by the Buddhists as early as the first century A.D. In Hellenistic and Roman art, the sun-god, Helios, and Roman emperors often appear with a crown of rays. Because of its pagan origin, the form was avoided in early Christian art, but a simple circular nimbus was adopted by Christian emperors for their official portraits.

From the middle of the fourth century, Christ was portrayed with this imperial attribute, and depictions of His symbol, the Lamb of God, also displayed halos. In the fifth century, halos were sometimes given to angels, but it was not until the sixth century that the halo became customary for the Virgin Mary and other saints. For a period during the fifth century, living persons of eminence were depicted with a square nimbus.

Then, throughout the Middle Ages, the halo was used regularly in representations of Christ, the angels, and the saints. Often, Christ’s halo is quartered by the lines of a cross or inscribed with three bands, interpreted to signify His position in the Trinity. Round halos are typically used to signify saints, meaning those people considered as spiritually gifted. A cross within a halo is most often used to represent Jesus. Triangular halos are used for representations of the Trinity. Square halos are used to depict unusually saintly living personages.

As we’ve stated at the outset, the halo was in use long before the Christian era. It was an invention of the Hellenists in 300 B.C. and is not found anywhere in the Scriptures. In fact, the Bible gives us no example for the bestowal of a halo upon anyone. If anything, the halo has been derived from the profane art forms of ancient secular art traditions.

Recommended Resources: Heaven by Randy Alcorn and Logos Bible Software.

Related Topics:

What happens after death?

Are there different levels of Heaven?

What are the New Heavens and the New Earth?

Will we have physical bodies in Heaven?

Will we be able to see and know our friends and family members in Heaven?

Questions about Heaven, Hell, and Eternity

GotQuestions.org

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-halos.html#ixzz3LWOnnr5j

believest thou this

Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.  Believest thou this? (John 11.26)

chapel Bible reading - let God arise

Psalms 68

1  Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered:  let them also that hate him flee before him.

2  As smoke is driven away, so drive them away:  as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3  But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God:  ye, let them exceedingly rejoice.

4  Sing unto God, sing praises to his name:  extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

5  A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6  God setteth the solitary in families:  he bringeth out those which are bound with chains:  but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

7  O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah.

8  The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God:  even Si'nai itself was moved at the presence of God, (Ex. 19.18) the God of Israel.

9  Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

10  Thy congregation hath dwelt therein:  thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11  The Lord gave the word:  great was the company of those that published it.

Put Your War Clothes On - Pr. Carlton Byrd

longsuffering - dissertation

Longsuffering

by Sammie L Turner Jr

     We may better understand what is meant by “longsuffering” when we think of one as having such qualities as patience, not fainting and being able to endure.  (2 Corinthians 6.4, patience; 2 Corinthians 6.1-6, patience, et al; Luke 18.1, not to faint and James 5.11, endure) 

     Longsuffering is the ability to hold on to your Christian faith even in the face of difficulty, pain, adversity, uncertainty, etc. 

     In Galatians 5.22,23 we hear the words of Jesus’ servant Paul, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law”. 

   

     What does Paul mean when referring to the fruit of the Spirit, he says, “against such there is no law”? 

     An explanation is, when one demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit, they essentially fulfill the requirements of God’s law.  The fruit of the Spirit dwelling within you automatically causes you to wholly love God, and to love your neighbor (that is, other people) as yourself.  (Matthew 22.36-40).  Thus, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit is equivalent to fulfilling God’s law.    

     Again, to say there is no law against the fruit of the Spirit suggests there is no rule, authority, nor government which can judge adversely against the power of God’s love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance abiding in our lives. 

     One way to please God is being willing to go through -- whether it’s being patient with others, holding on to your faith in Christ Jesus or for example, completing a difficult project or task. 

     When we live, work and interact with people in religious, social and recreational settings, we should be merciful, kind, humble, meek and faithful.  (1 Peter 5)

     When we suffer long, endure what is necessary and/or tolerate undesirable circumstances and events, we possess the virtue of the fruit of the Spirit which is called “longsuffering”.

     Paul admonishes us to “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another; if anyone have a quarrel against any:  even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”  (Colossians 3.12-15)

      

     Let’s stay with God.  Let us trust him to see us through, even in the face of loneliness, ill health, opposition or hurt.

    

     We should be responsible and caring; for others, church leaders, human rights advocates and family, have suffered for us.      We should be willing to help bear the burdens of others; for parents, teachers and friends suffer with us.  (See 1 Peter 5, tend the flock.)

     Listen to Psalms 103.8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy”.  Hear also Psalms 78.38, “But God being full of compassion, forgives our iniquity, and destroys us not:  yes, many times he turns his anger away, and does not stir up all his wrath.” 

     Despite our gross failures, Jesus cares for us as a hen gathers her chickens under its wings.  (Matthew 23.37) (See Exodus 34.6,1-9, God is longsuffering; Numbers 14.18,11-20, God is longsuffering; Psalms 103.10-13, the Lord pitieth his children; Isaiah 48.9, God defers his anger and Romans 2.4, God is longsuffering.)

    

     What enables us to suffer long?  The answer is in 1 Corinthians 13.4,7.  “Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth (boasts) not itself; is not puffed up, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things”.  Charity, God’s divine love, helps us to suffer long, excel and succeed, compared to others who may give up.  God’s love helps us to love, even if others are unloving or cruel.

     How do we attain God’s love to bear all things?  Simply, ask, seek, knock and believe, (Matthew 7.8; Hebrews 11.6), allow Jesus to abide in your heart (Revelation 3.20,21) and give God praise!  (See, Isaiah 12.1-6, Psalms 66.2,8, Psalms 66.1-20 and Psalms 150.)     

     How are we not to suffer?  Peter instructs us not to “suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters”.  (1 Peter 4.15)  Neither should we suffer when it is unnecessary.  The Israelites suffered needlessly 40 years wandering in a wilderness, for they displeased God with their complaining and unbelief.  (Numbers 14.26-34)

     How should we suffer?  Peter says, “If anyone suffer as a Christian, Let them not be ashamed; but let them glorify God”.  (1 Peter 4.16)  (See 1 Peter 4.19 and Matthew 5.10-12.)  God loves us when we serve him with thanksgiving and cheer.  (See Psalms 100, 2 Corinthians 9.6-11 and Ephesians 5.18-20.)  God does great things for us when we go through our trials with praise in our hearts.  (See Psalms 66.1-12,20.) 

When Paul and Silas were bound by chains in prison, they sang songs of praises to God.  Their outstanding faith and praise broke the chains that bound them, and the chains of the other prisoners.  God’s divine power and love freed them all from prison!  (Acts 16.25-34)

Trust Jesus to see you through!  His mercy and grace are abundant toward you!  Jesus will bless you with great love, peace, joy and fulfillment in life!  You are his beloved friend! 

     Jesus says, “Come unto me, ALL ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”.  (Matthew 11.28-30)    

    Jesus, our great example, never gave up!  He did not faint, fail, fall nor falter!  Neither will you!  In the name of Jesus, you are more than a conqueror!  Paul reminds us, “Nay, in ALL these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”  (Romans 8.37)

     The best is yet to come!  Hold on to God’s unchanging hands!  James, Jesus’ brother proclaims, “We count them happy which endure”!  (James 5.11)  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ proclaims, “Count it ALL joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh ‘greatness’!”  (James 1.1-3)  (See Romans 8.16,17, God’s children will be glorified with him; and 1 Peter 5.1,10, after suffering we will partake of his glory which shall be revealed.) 

     Remember, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”.  (Romans 8.18) 

     But one of the fruit of the Spirit is “longsuffering”.  (Galatians 5.22)

     Blessed be the name of our Redeemer and loving Savior, Jesus, the only Christ.  Amen.

Sammie L Turner Jr, President

New Life Christian Education and

Ministries – School of Divinity

sammielturnerjr.blogspot.com

#theologian

Shekinah Glory Ministry - Praise Is What I Do (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Praise is what I do

Shekinah Glory Ministry feat. William Murphy III-Praise Is What Is Do (E...

Donnie McClurkin - Language Medley

'Higher GROUND'- Pastor E.Dewey Smith Jr Singing Old School HYMN

Higher Ground (I'm Pressing on the Upward Way)

school activity

tenant - baptism

The Christian believer being baptized is immersed beneath the water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, which expresses the believer’s death to sin and the burial of their old life, and then brought out of the water, which expresses the believer’s resurrection to a new kingdom life in Christ Jesus. 

(Romans 6.1-23)

Dead to Sin but Alive in Christ

1  What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2  God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (Col. 2.12)

5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6  knowing this, that our old person is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7  For one that is dead is freed from sin.

8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9  knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

10  For in that he died, he died unto sin once:  but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

13  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:  but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

14  For sin shall not have dominion over you:  for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Servants of Righteousness

15  What then?  shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?  God forbid.

16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

19  I speak after the manner of people because of the infirmity of your flesh:  for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

20  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Colossians 2.1-23)

1  For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at La-odice'a, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2  that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto ALL riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3  in whom are hid ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4  And this I say, lest anyone should beguile you with enticing words.

5  For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

6  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7  rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Dead but Risen with Christ

8  Beware lest anyone spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of people, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9  For in him dwelleth ALL the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of ALL principality and power:

11  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:

12  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.  (Rom. 6.4)

13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, (Eph. 2.1-5) having forgiven you ALL trespasses;

14  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; (Eph. 2.15)

15  and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

16  Let no one therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:  (Rom. 14.1-6)

17  which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18  Let no one beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which they hath not seen, vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind,

19  and not holding the Head, from which ALL the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.  (Eph. 4.16)

20  Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

21  (touch not; taste not; handle not;
22  which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of people?

23  which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.

Uncommon Me by Isaac Carree

the shortest chapter in the Bible

Psalms 117

Praise for the Lord's Merciful Kindness

1  O praise the Lord, ALL ye nations:  praise him, ALL ye people.  (Rom. 15.11)

2  For his merciful kindness is great toward us:  and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.  Praise ye the Lord.

standing in the gap

standing in the gap

So I sought for one among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Ezekiel 22.30 NKJV

When the Lord planned to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18.24), Abraham stood in the gap and asked God if he would destroy it if there were fifty righteous there. God said he would not.  Then Abraham asked what if there were forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty, ten and then stopped.  It appears that God would have kept going as long as he had someone to intercede.  Abraham was the one that stopped at ten.

God seeks intercessors that will pray for the nation, and for each other.  If you have someone who is lost, do not stop praying for them. Remember also to pray for the nation that we live in.  We live here, and if it prospers, we prosper. Jer 29.7

If you know the Lord today, chances are that someone has stood in the gap for you already. Now your prayer could be the one thing that changes everything for someone else.  God seeks those that will stand in the gap.

The Daily Word of Hope Devotional

Refreshing Hope Ministries – Pastor Dion Todd

www.refreshinghope.org

tenant - seventh day sabbath

(Exodus 20.1-17)

The Ten Commandments

(Deut. 5.1-21)

1  And God spake all these words, saying,

2  I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

5  thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:  (Ex. 34.17; Lev. 19.4; 26.1; Deut. 4.15-18; 27.15) for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6  and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.  (Ex. 34.6,7; Num. 14.18; Deut. 7.9,10)

7  Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain:  (Lev. 19.12) for the Lord will not hold them guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

8  Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.  (Ex. 16.23-30; 31.12-14)

9  Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:

10  but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God:  in it thou shalt not do any work, (Ex. 23.12; 31.15; 34.21; 35.2; Lev. 23.3) thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11  for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day:  wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.  (Gen. 2.1-3; Ex. 31.17)

12  Honor thy father and thy mother:  (Deut. 27.16; Mt. 15.4; 19.19; Mk. 7.10; 10.19; Lk. 18.20; Eph. 6.2) that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.  (Eph. 6.3)

13  Thou shalt not kill.  (Gen. 9.6; Lev. 24.17; Mt. 5.21; 19.18; Mk. 10.19; Lk. 18.20; Rom. 13.9; Jas. 2.11)

14  Thou shalt not commit adultery.  (Lev. 20.10; Mt. 5.27; 19.18; Mk. 10.19; Lk. 18.20; Rom. 13.9; Jas. 2.11)

15  Thou shalt not steal.  (Lev. 19.11; Mt. 19.18; Mk. 10.19; Lk. 18.20; Rom. 13.9)

16  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.  (Ex. 23.1; Mt. 19.18; Mk. 10.19; Lk. 18.20)

17  Thou shalt not covet (Rom. 7.7; 13.9) thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

Hallelujah Anyhow - The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Ricky Dillard - Because Of The Blood/War Cry

"God So Loved The World" Vanessa Bell Armstrong

benediction

It Is Well With My Soul - Acapella Arrangement

Hillsong It Is Well With My Soul

TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

The Canaanite Woman's Faith

Matthew 15

The Canaanite Woman's Faith

(Mk. 7.24-30)

21  Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

22  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

23  But he answered her not a word.  And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

25  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

26  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27  And she said, Truth, Lord:  yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

28  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith:  be it unto thee even as thou wilt.  And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

children's choir - an example

Dreamers Academy

God Loves Me - Joyce Meyer

Only A Test - GMWA

Once Blind - THE LIFE OF JOHN NEWTON

sacred musicology

sacred musicology

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep

(Psalms 4.1,8)

A Psalm of David.

1  Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness:  thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

8  I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:  for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

extraordinary

covet the best gifts

1 Corinthians 12

28  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, (Eph. 4.11) after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29  Are all apostles?  are all prophets?  are all teachers?   are all workers of miracles?

30  have all the gifts of healing?  do all speak with tongues?  do all interpret?

31  But covet earnestly the best gifts.  And yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

First Church Inspirational Choir 2 - True Praise

Cistercian chant - Testamentum Eternum - beautiful logias

the richer our Savior’s blood!

The viler the sinner, the richer our Savior’s blood!  

the richer our Savior’s saving, healing blood!

No one is hopeless or lost!  ALL who believe and have faith in Jesus will be saved!  The viler the sinner, the richer our Savior’s saving, healing blood!  Thank you Jesus!  Oh, The Blood of Jesus!

Commissioned - 'Tis So Sweet

According to your faith

. . . According to your faith be it unto you.  Matthew 9.29

watch and pray

(Mark 13.33-37)

33  Take ye heed, watch and pray:  for ye know not when the time is.

34  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to everyone their work, and commanded the porter to watch.  (Lk. 12.36-38)

35  Watch ye therefore:  for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

36  lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37  And what I say unto you I say unto ALL, Watch.

we are the Church

God Is Love

God Is Love.  1 John 4.16

Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican

(Luke 18.9-14)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican

9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other:  for every one that exalteth them self shall be abased; and they that humbleth them self shall be exalted.  (Mt. 23.12; Lk. 14.11)

"Amen" - Mississippi Mass Choir

the Holy Ghost

(Acts 2.1-47)

The Coming of the Holy Ghost

1  And when the day of Pentecost (Lev. 23.15-21; Deut. 16.9-11) was fully come, they were ALL with one accord in one place.

2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled ALL the house where they were sitting.

3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4  And they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout people, out of every nation under heaven.

6  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that everyone heard them speak in their own language.

7  And they were ALL amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not ALL these which speak Galileans?

8  And how hear we everyone in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9  Par'thi-ans, and Medes, and E'lamites, and the dwellers in Mesopota'mi-a, and in Judea, and Cappado'cia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10  Phryg'i-a, and Pamphyl'i-a, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyre'ne, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

12  And they were ALL amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13  Others mocking said, They are full of new wine.

Peter's Address at Pentecost

14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye people of Judea, and ALL ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15  for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon ALL flesh:  and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18  and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19  and I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:

20  the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

21  and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  (Joel 2.28-32)

22  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23  him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  (Mt. 27.35; Mk. 15.24; Lk. 23.33; Joh. 19.18)

24  whom God hath raised up, (Mt. 28.5,6; Mk. 16.6; Lk. 24.5) having loosed the pains of death:  because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face; for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26  therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27  because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.  (Ps. 16.8-11)

29  Brothers and sisters, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; (Ps. 89.3,4, 132.11)

31  he, seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34  For David is not ascended into the heavens:  but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35  until I make thy foes thy footstool.  (Ps. 110.1)

36  Therefore let ALL the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Brothers and sisters, what shall we do?

38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to ALL that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:  and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Life among the Believers

43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44  And ALL that believed were together, and had ALL things common; (Acts 4.32-35)

45  and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to ALL, as everyone had need. (Mt. 19.21; Mk. 10.21; Lk. 12.33, 18.22)

46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47  praising God, and having favor with ALL the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Be Not Afraid - Kampong Kapor Methodist Church Chancel Choir

Be Not Afraid - Craig Courtney - GPC Exultation Youth Choir

Be Not Afraid with Lyrics

his anointed

Psalms 28

6  Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

7  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:  therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

8  The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

9  Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance:  feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

teach ALL nations

Go ye therefore, and teach ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Matthew 28.19

Carrot, Egg or Coffee Bean

Carrot, Egg or Coffee Bean

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.  She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.  She was tired of fighting and struggling.  It seemed as though just as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen.  She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.  In the first she placed carrots, in the second eggs and in the last coffee beans.  She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the stove.

She took the carrots and placed them in a bowl.  She took the eggs and put them in a bowl.  Then she ladled the coffee and poured it into a bowl.  Turning to her daughter she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs and coffee," she said.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.  She did, and noted they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.  After pulling off the shell she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.

The daughter smiled as she enjoyed its rich aroma and taste.  The daughter asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity:  boiling water.  But each reacted differently.

The carrots went in strong, hard and unrelenting.  However, after being subjected to the boiling water, softened and became weak.

At first, the eggs were fragile and the thin outer shell protected the liquid interior.  However, after being in the boiling water the inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans, however, were unique.  After they were in the boiling water, they changed the water.

Which are you?" she asked her daughter.  "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?  Are you like a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

*            *            *            *            *       

Think on this:  Which am I like?
Am I like the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I like the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?  Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?  Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean?  The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.  When the water gets hot, it releases its fragrance and flavor. 

If you are like the coffee bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
*            *            *            *            *

When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity?  Are you like the carrot, egg or coffee bean?

*            *            *            *            *   Don't get bitter.  Get better.

Put gratitude in your attitude.

Change your attitude and you'll change your altitude. 

Life can be sweeter as the years go by.  It's up to you.