ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

ORDINARY

“I'm just an ordinary man," he said.

I knew what he meant. He really was saying average. I don't believe in either ordinary or average. Average is for numbers, math class. The only place ordinary has in our life is right behind ‘extra.’ "EXTRAORDINARY!" How can anything God created be average? How can anyone be "ordinary?" I see the miracle in a grain of sand. I see beauty in a blade of grass. Did He not create both?

"You are not ordinary," I replied. "God does not make ordinary." He makes "brilliant!" He makes "dynamic." He makes even the meek powerful beyond measure. If we see ordinary, we choose to see it. If we feel average, we make it so. For each and every element in life is a miracle.

Therefore, if it is true that God created man in His image, how could anyone of us be less than extraordinary! Nothing average or ordinary about you!

"I wish you enough!"
…..Bob Perks (2believe@comcast.net) (http://www.IWishYouEnough.com) by way “ChristianVoices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

THE INSANITY OF SIN

Paul Tripp, President of Paul Tripp Ministries

"I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you." (Psalm 73:22)

The driven, watchful envy of a horizontal pleasure-oriented heart will drive you crazy. It will not only rob you of your satisfaction and joy, it will take your humanity from you. It will make you more of a brute than a friend. It will eat your heart and consume your soul.

You see, if you somehow fall into thinking that life is found in the pleasures and comforts of the physical; created people; things and experiences of this here and now world; then that is what you will live for. You won't live for God. You won't live for the good of others. You won't be motivated by what is loving, good, true and wise. No, you will live for you, and whether you know it or not, everyday will be a hot personal pursuit of your private definition of pleasure. You will have you at the center of your will. You will be your own king, seeking the control over people and circumstances that is necessary to ensure that you will, in fact, get the things that you have set your heart on.

You will become a hyper-vigilant observer of your own life and the lives of others. You will be an incessant pleasure/comfort accountant; measuring your experience of these things over against the experience of those around you. You will daily measure who has the biggest pile of pleasure and you will not be happy if it is not you. You will naturally judge that you are more deserving than your comfortable friends and you will question the goodness of God and the moral good of obeying, if, in reality, at the end of the day you end up with the shorter end of the stick. You will do this with regularity and perseverance, but you won't know you are doing it. You'll know that you're unhappy, but you will tell yourself that God has failed you. You will say that it simply is not fair that bad people get blessed while good people like you have to suffer through life with little. You will struggle to hold on to your faith, wondering if it is all worth it in the end.

What has happened is that the architecture of your life is shaped by an infrastructure of personal expectation and self-focused demands. You know all too well what you want from people and situations and you know what God needs to do in order for you to name him as good. What all of this means is that at the deepest, most profound and life-directing level of your heart, you have lost your senses. In the biblical sense of what the word means, you have gone mad. Sin has simply made you crazy. Without realizing it, you have taken on a distorted view of reality. You have a distorted view of yourself, others, life and God. Life will never operate the way you want it to. People will not submit to the laws of your kingdom for very long. God will not get up and give you his holy throne. Your reality is irrational and your hope is hopeless. Your dreams are gas. And the more you work to fill your heart, the emptier it becomes. The more you work to get your dream, the more it vaporizes in your hands. The more you live for you, the more envious you become.

It is socially acceptable madness. It cannot and will not ever work.

Asaph's confession in Psalm 73 is insightful and indicting. There is a way in which it indicts us all, because in his confession, he calls us to examine what sin does to each of us. God hardwired us to be kingdom-oriented people. We were designed to live with both king and kingdom consciousness, because we were designed to live for him. The architecture of our lives was to be shaped by all of the plans, purposes, words,and actions that would flow out of these words, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." It is inside the boundaries of these words that true and lasting peace of heart will only ever be found. Inside these boundaries is where real wisdom and real love lives. Inside this moral structure, life lives in gorgeous beauty. Outside is frustration, discouragement, anger, disappointment, and doubt. Sure, the temporary pleasures are pleasurable, but their shelf-life is short. The reality is that creation has no capacity whatsoever to satisfy your heart. Your heart has been wired to find its hope, peace and rest in God alone.

Living for the pleasures of here and now, as the principle quest of your life, is a vain attempt to re-create the world and how it was designed to operate. No, it is not wrong to find pleasure pleasurable. It is not ungodly to desire comfort. It is not evil to desire good and loving relationships. It is not wrong to appreciate beauty. But here's what you need to understand; all of these things were beautifully designed by God to point and connect you to him. These created pleasures were not made to be an end in themselves, but a means to an end. All of creation is a finger pointing to the Lord of creation in whom life can be found. Creation was made to introduce you to him over and over again. It was not meant to replace him.

Look around and you will see the evidence that we have gone crazy. We are a culture that is deeply in debt because our cravings are bigger than our means, and so we have charged ourselves into financial oblivion. Our cravings are bigger than what is needful and healthy, so we have eaten ourselves into ill health; obesity becoming a national health crisis. We have lived for the buzz; becoming addicted to an endless variety of substances and experiences that give us short term relief. We reduce one another to vehicles of happiness instead of objects of love; living in cycles of relational dysfunction and separation. We stand before closets that would clothe the third world and tell ourselves that we have nothing to wear. We stand in front of stuffed refrigerators and tell ourselves that we really have nothing to eat. We are jealous of one another and threatened by the prospect that the good life will pass us by, and we cope with it all by numbing ourselves with things that are not healthy, or with hour after hour of the brain-deadening pleasure-porn that we call entertainment. And we wake up no more at rest or at peace than the day before; hoping to succeed more, acquire more, enjoy more, possess more, experience more, love more, and feel more; all so we can smile more. We are driven crazy, but Psalm 73 gives us the answer.

Psalm 73 powerfully reminds us that this is not all there is. The name of the game is not personal, temporal pleasure. There is an end coming. All that is now wrong will be made right. You see, we are not only kingdom-oriented beings, we are beings with a future. We were made to live with God and for God—forever. (Continue to page two of the article.)

In pointing us to the final end of all things, Psalm 73 tells us what the drama of life is all about. Although we were made to have God as the one life-shaping treasure of our hearts, sin turns us in on ourselves. It cause us to forget who we are and that God exists. It turns us into little self-sovereigns, wanting to reign for our own glory.

But God, in his grace, invaded our madness in the person of His Son. Jesus did not transgress God's boundaries. He did not live for his pleasure. He lived a life that was perfect in his Father's eyes. But he did more, he willing took the penalty of our selfishness on himself. On the cross he was punished for us and purchased our forgiveness.

But there is still more. He gave us his righteous. In Jesus, all who believe not only don't get what they deserve (condemnation), they are given what they have not earned (righteousness). Because of this forgiveness and righteousness, we are accepted into God's family forever.

Psalm 73 reminds us that the greatest crisis of our human existence is not that we are horizontally unfulfilled, but that we are vertically cut off. Grace connects us once again to God, and in so doing, to the one place where are hearts can find rest and we can be given back our senses.

Grace not only connects you to God, but delivers you from you and from the madness of you and your propensity to make life about you in the here and now.

Paul Tripp is the president of Paul Tripp Ministries, a nonprofit organization whose mission statement is "Connecting the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life." Tripp is also professor of pastoral life and care at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas, Texas, and executive director of the Center for Pastoral Life and Care in Fort Worth, Texas. Tripp has written many books on Christian living that are read and distributed internationally. He has been married for many years to Luella, and they have four grown children. For more information, visit http://www.paultrippministries.org/store. 

This article was adapted from a post that initially appeared on Paul Tripp's blog at Christianity.com. Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulTripp. 

1 THESSALONIANS 4:16-17 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

 

Thoughts on today's verse

 

What do you have that is forever? Most of everything we have falls apart, breaks, or runs down in a short time. But we have three things that last forever: God, our Christian friends, and our praise of God. These are eternal.

 

Prayer:

 

God, I look forward to the day of your next great surprise. I join the angels in standing on tiptoe as I look to the clouds to see my Lord, your Son, return in glory and receive the welcome and honor he deserves. I praise you for that day now, even though I see it only by faith. Until I see you on that day, please know my heart's desire is to serve you, even when my weakness gets in the way of showing it as fully as I should. My thanks to you in Jesus name. Amen.

Visit heartlight.org 

A GOOD SHORT LESSON FROM BETH MOORE

For a 3 minute message, it has some punch to it! Even

if you're not in the middle of a trial, I believe this

message will speak to you because as the saying goes,

we're in the middle of a trial, coming out of one or

about to enter one.  

Stuck In Your Circumstance, Change Your Attitude and

Praise God!!

http://www.bible-knowledge.com/christianvideos/stuck-in-your-circumstance-change-your-attitude/

A BIT OF HUMOR

A pastor was in the mountains for a well-needed getaway and decided to go for a 
hike. He was enjoying the scenery until he heard a loud rustling from some 
bushes behind him.  He turned around just in time to see a huge grizzly bear 
bounding out of the bush and running straight toward him.  He knew immediately 
that he was in trouble and started running and praying as fast as he could.  
Inevitably, the bear caught up and knocked him down and just as he was about to 
go for the kill the pastor threw up one final, desperate prayer. 

"Lord, please make this bear a Christian!" 

All of a sudden the bear stopped and looked toward the sky. The pastor, lying 
there in fear, can't believe that it worked!  His joy is confirmed when he sees 
the bear put his front paws together and start to pray. 

"Dear God, please bless this food which I am about to eat. Amen!"

[forward by Scott Waldron]

============================

I just finished writing a Broadway musical about the dictionary. It's the 
ultimate play on words.

=======================================

MIKEYSFUNNIES.COM

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

In Christ or Under the Law?

Romans 9:4e
... the receiving of the law...

 

Mosaic Law was given only to the people of Israel -- as a nation. Exodus 19:5-6: "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

God also gave Israel the Sabbath Day. Exodus 31:12-13: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Say to the Israelites, "You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy." ' "

In speaking with new believers, some have asked: "Why doesn't our church observe the Sabbath Day like the Jews? Isn't the requirement for keeping the Sabbath Day holy one of God's commandments? Has He changed His mind over the years?" I answer: "God is unchanging. The only thing that's been changed is us. We have been born again. With Jesus Christ in us, God has given us a completely 'new' relationship with Him." Because of God's covenant with Israel, all of mankind has received mercy and grace through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. However, to Israel alone belongs the Sabbath Day and the many other requirements of Mosaic Law.

 

In Romans 3:20 we learned: "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." In other words, the Law makes us aware of what sin is, and thereby we understand our desperate need for a Savior. Has Jesus taken His place as Redeemer and Lord of your life?

POCKETPOWER.ORG

ROMANS 12:15 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

 

Thoughts on today's verse

 

We are not alone. God has given us each other to live our lives for him and get us back home to him. Along the way, we want to share each others' burdens, soar on each others joys, and love each others' hurts. There is no such thing as a solo Christian.

 

Prayer:

 

Loving Father, lead me to the people today who need their burdens lifted and their joys shared. Let me be your presence in the world of your children today. This I ask in Jesus name. Amen.

Visit heartlight.org

http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/heartlight-daily-verse-phil-ware/

WHY WAS MIRIAM PUNISHED SO HARSHLY?

By Chaya Sarah Silberberg

Question:

I’ve been reading the biblical story where Miriam speaks ill about her brother Moses,1 and her punish­ment seems completely dispro­portionate to her “crime.” She is afflicted with leprosy, and sent out of the camp for seven full days.2 All this for expressing concern about her brother’s marriage?
I have always considered Miriam an example of strength and piety. Without her, Moses would never have been born, and surely would not have survived in the Nile. The way I see it, she spoke toAaron only out of concern for her brother and his wife, Tzipporah. For this she was punished so harshly?

Answer:

First, let’s consider what we know about Miriam:
As a young girl in Egypt, she midwifed alongside her mother Yocheved. Together they defied Pharaoh’s decree that all Jewish baby boys must be killed at birth.3 We also know that when Pharaoh demanded that all baby boys be drowned, Miriam’s father, Amram, decided to separate from his wife so that they would have no more children. Since he was a leader of the Jewish people, many followed his example. Miriam accused her father, “You are worse than Pharaoh! Pharaoh’s decree is against the boys; you are effectively causing that there are no Jewish girls also!” Through her urging Amram remarried his wife, and Moses was born.4
When her mother placed Moses in a basket on the Nile, it was Miriam who hid in the reeds and waited to see what would happen (she knew that this child was the prophesied redeemer, and that somehow he would be saved), and it was she who arranged that he be nursed by his own mother.5
Later, after the Exodus and the splitting of the Red Sea, Miriam led all the women and girls in song and dance.6 Together with Moses and Aaron, she led the Jewish people for the forty years they were in the desert.7 During this time, the Jews were provided with water in her merit.8
The Talmud teaches that like her two brothers, Miriam died through “the kiss of death” from G‑d. Her soul was so elevated that the angel of death had no power over it.9

Miriam’s Sin

Chana Weisberg puts Miriam’s wrongdoing in a different perspective in her article Lighting Up:

Throughout her life, the focus and essence of Miriam’s life was a determined objective of increasing family unity and harmony. This drive was part of her quintessential self and her path of divine service.
When Miriam witnessed her younger brother willfully separating from his wife, she could not stand by, but voiced her protest, to correct what to her was a reprehensible situation.
Moses differed from all other prophets in that he had to be ready to hear G‑d’s communication at any moment. He therefore had to be ritually pure at all times, meaning he had to refrain from marital relations with his wife, Tzipporah.
Miriam learned of Moses’ conduct by a chance remark of Tzipporah’s. Not realizing that G‑d had instructed Moses to do so, and feeling it was unjustifiable, Miriam criticized Moses to his older brother, Aaron, in the hope of rectifying the situation. Since both Aaron and Miriam were also prophets, but were not required to withdraw from normal family life, in their understanding neither was Moses so required.10
Miriam’s intentions were pure and upright, but she erred in her basic evaluation of Moses. Moses . . . was a unique individual, a prophet like no other. Being such a supreme prophet, standing head and shoulders above others, he was not to be judged by the same yardstick and the same parameters as any other individual—even another prophet as great as Miriam or Aaron.
Miriam was punished for her criticism, despite her proper intentions.

The Great Question

Miriam meant well. She felt that Moses’ behavior was arrogant, and might serve as a poor example for others to follow. She certainly did not intend to slander him! Moreover, she did not even confront Moses directly, but spoke to Aaron, who she felt could better address the situation.
So, why was she punished so harshly?
Because she was Miriam.
As a leader of the Jewish nation, even if she felt uncomfortable broaching the subject with Moses, it was her obligation to do so. Interestingly, this was the one time when Miriam did not speak up fearlessly when she perceived an injustice. The one time she goes to Aaron instead of confronting Moses directly is the one time she fails. And she gets called out on it by G‑d, as if to say, “From you I expect nothing less than total fearlessness.”

Remembering the Sin

In the daily morning prayer we read a paragraph called “Six Remembrances,” which includes:

Remember what the L‑rd your G‑d did to Miriam on the way, as you came out of Egypt.11

Why does this rank among the top six things we’re supposed to consciously remember daily?
Interestingly, we are instructed to remember “what G‑d did to Miriam” and not “what Miriam did.” What Miriam did was so innocuous that it is difficult to even call it a sin!
So why was she punished so severely? To teach us that G‑d does not dispense one-size-fits-all justice. Every individual is judged uniquely according to his or her abilities and potential. And for someone like Miriam, this behavior (which in an average person might be considered meritorious!) is considered sinful.
Consider the way a small stain may not even be noticeable on a plaid shirt, but will stand out sharply on a white shirt. Miriam is the white shirt. A wrongdoing so slight it might not be noticed in another, stands out sharply against her pristine background.
So perhaps the thrust of this Remembrance is: Remember that G‑d dispenses justice to all; even the greatest and holiest can’t “get away” with doing wrong. And remember that G‑d’s justice is custom-tailored to each individual, based on who the person is and what G‑d expects from him or her.

 

 

FOOTNOTES
1.	Numbers 12:1ff.
2.	Ibid. 12:10–15.
3.	See commentary of Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi) to Exodus 1:15.
4.	Talmud, Sotah 12a.
5.	Shemot Rabbah 1:22.
6.	Exodus 15:20–21.
7.	See Yalkut Shimoni, Ki Teitzei 937, and Targum to Micah 6:4.
8.	Talmud, Taanit 9a.
9.	Ibid., Bava Batra 17a.
10.	Sifrei, Behaalotecha 99.
11.	Deuteronomy 24:9.

BY CHAYA SARAH SILBERBERG

Chaya Sarah Silberberg serves as the rebbetzin of the Bais Chabad Torah Center in West Bloomfield, Michigan, since 1975. She also counsels, lectures, writes, and responds for Chabad.org’s Ask the Rabbi service.

More articles by Chaya Sarah Silberberg  |  RSS

http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/1888770/jewish/Why-Was-Miriam-Punished-So-Harshly.htm

A BIT OF HUMOR

Breakfast

Two children ordered their mother to stay in bed one Mother's Day morning. As she lay there looking forward to breakfast in bed, the smell of bacon floated up from the kitchen.

But after a good long wait she finally went downstairs to investigate. She found them both sitting at the table eating bacon and eggs.

"It's a surprise for Mother's Day," one explained, "we decided to cook our own

breakfast."
…..Docs Daily Chuckle (pkaine@roadrunner.com) and "Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

Satan: Alive and Well

"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith." (1 Peter 5:8-9)

"In a National Geographic article about the Portia spider, author Robert Jackson detailed the various ways it deceives its prey. Sitting still, the spider looks like a piece of dried leaf or foliage until a meal walks by. It also will crawl onto another spider's web and tap the threads, mimicking the actions of a trapped insect. When the host spider appears, the Portia devours it. Deception is the Portia's primary tool.

"Satan is like the Portia spider in that deception is his weapon of choice. He does whatever he can to counterfeit the words of God - to make the unwary and naïve think that God is present and speaking when in fact He is not. The apostle Paul wrote about Satan masquerading as an 'angel of light' and about his agents acting like 'servants of righteousness.'

The book of Revelation says a day is coming when the satanic Antichrist and False Prophet will deceive most of the world. Only those who know the Word of God will be prepared and protected. Know the truth - don't be deceived by a counterfeiter like Satan. The more you get to know the truth - and the One who is Truth - the easier it will be to spot deception when it appears.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9).

…..Dick Innes (www.actweb.org) by way of "The Daily Encourager" (dlangerfeld@harrisburgbaptist.orgA) and “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

The sequence of events in each of our lives has probably brought meaning to that expression. Perhaps early in life we had been warned to avoid high expectations at the risk of being disappointed. The idea; “Don’t get your hopes too high” comes with a warning voiced by Oswald Chambers in his writings as he cautions us to the contrary, when he states emphatically that our problem may be that often we do not expect as much as we should. That. “we expect too little”. His reference,of course, relates to the power and promises of the Lord; and that we might well expect miracles big and small.

Somehow belief is the “game changer”. Our lack of readiness and preparation for that which we do not know can be unsettling. We, in effect, allow for no opening and we lose it. Each opportunity is a teacher where we gain insight and personal growth.

In Luke 12: 32 Jesus said in effect;” Do not be afraid, it is my Fathers pleasure to give you the kingdom. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out. Be dressed for action, and have your lamps lit.”

For those that would yeild to the shallow resolution of “having good luck”, we might caution them to rethink the concept. Good luck is a transient gift with little foundation reserved for lotteries. God’s grace is predictable and constantly in the offering.

In all, I wonder if God really acts “out of the blue” totally unilaterally, or if He does not measure our expectations first? Would not our steps in preparation wholly signify our belief in His power and commitment to us.

In twelve days we will be moving into new quarters in high expectation that the Lord is placing us there for reasons that we do not fully comprehend. We will be among many seniors who have chosen it as perhaps their last transition. While not espousing an underlying “religious conviction” as a private “Senior Living Center”. I believe that He may well view it as an act of preparation for many who are there that have such faith.

We offered our house for sale despite the huge waiting list of people who committed upon one contingency of another. We had no contingencies and signed the agreement to move in June, 1…. period. Our house sold in five days and simultaneously we were move to the top of the list. We already had started packing before any of this. We could have well moved in a week ago.

I believe the Lord has a job for us there. But does He not for all of us who first prepare?

About 4hispraise

I am quite simply a child of our Lord God. What good that I have done or may do, I pray will reflect solely on the presence of The Holy Spirit who speaks for me in all things.

View all posts by 4hispraise →

http://ptl2010.com/2013/05/24/expecting-the-unexpected/

ACTS 20:24 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY

Acts 20:24

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

 

Thoughts on today's verse

 

How important is grace? Paul said it was more important than his life! Telling about grace was more important to Paul than his life! In fact, that was his life!

 

Prayer:

 

Almighty God, Holy Father, thank you for your lavish grace demonstrated and fully expressed in sending Jesus to die for me. As your child, and in thanks to your sacrificial gift, I pledge to you my life, my love, and my all. Through Jesus. Amen.

Visit heartlight.org

http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/heartlight-daily-verse-phil-ware/

ROSE AND LINDA'S JOURNAL TO KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT

Look up the scriptures to know more about the Holy Spirit.

 

The Names of the Spirit:

 

The Spirit of God 1 Cor. 12: 4-6, 2 Cor. 13:14, Acts 5:3,4.

The Spirit of Christ Rom. 8:9

The Comforter John 14:16

The Teacher John 14:26

Intercessor Rom. 8:26

The Holy Spirit/Ghost Matt 28:19, Mk 12:36

The Spirit of Truth John 16:13

The Holy Spirit of Promise Eph. 1:13

The Spirit of Grace Heb.10:29

The Spirit of Life Rom. 8:2

The Spirit of Adoption Rom. 8:15

 

Symbols of the Spirit:

 

Fire Is. 4:4, Matt 3:11, Luke 3:16

Wind Ez 17:6, Ez. 36:25-27, 47:1, John 3:5. 4:14, 7:38-39.

A Seal Eph. 1:13, 2 Tim 2:19

[no scriptures listed for oil or dove as there are to many listed in the Bible]

Oil and Dove

 

Holy Spirit as a Person:

 

He can know things 1Cor.2:10-13

He has feelings Eph 4:30

He has a will and can make decisiions 1 Cor. 12:11

Scriptures refer to the Holy Spirit using personal pronouns John 16:7-8

 

He is treated like a person in Scripture since He can be:

Blasphemed Mark 3:29

Resisted Acts 7:51

Lied to Acts 5:3

Tempted Acts 5:9

Grieved Eph. 4:30

Outraged Heb. 10:29

 

God Bless

 

recj/LJG

 

ROSE AND LINDA'S JOURNAL HOLY SPIRIT

1 Corinthians Chapter 12-Chapter 13

Part 1

Having just returned from a study on the Holy Spirit we feel lead to write again on the subject. We have found through years of research that when we see a discrepancy in teachings it is usually universal.   We feel that it is in our articles that we can share the truth.  It is for this reason we always tell any who reads our work, ask questions, take not our word nor any man's for the truth.  Read and seek the face of God Himself for yourself.  We seem to see confusion between the actual gift of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues.  Just as one can be saved without baptism, one can be filled with the Holy Spirit and not speak in tongues.   

In Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians Paul begins by telling us in the first verse  he does not want us ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts.  Verse four tells us there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. Between 5 and 6 he tells us differences of ministries, and diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all. 

But he tells us starting in verse 7 and ends with verse 11 'But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things distributing to each one individually as He wills.'

From verse 12 to verse 27 Paul describes how together we make up the body of Christ.  Then in verse 28 he tells us God has appointed in this order apostles, prophets, teachers, after that miracles, gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.  Yes last on the list varieties of tongues.   But lets not stop there.  Paul goes on to ask are all apostles, prophets, teachers, all workers of miracles, do all have gifts of healing.  Then he asks in verse 30 'Do all speak with tongues?  Do all interpret? 31   But earnestly desire the best gifts.  And I will show you a more excellent way.'

In Chapter 13 only verse 1 speaks of tongues and tells us that to speak with the tongues of men and of angels without love we sound like brass or clanging cymbals. 

Again we want to share with you Acts 2:38-39  Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.' 

The gift of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter that Jesus promised to us.   The Holy Spirit a gift to all who believe and are saved.  Not something that we wait for, or ask for. 

Tongues, speaking in tongues, is also one of those gifts.  It is in Chapter 14 that Paul teaches on tongues.  That is what we will look at next.  Please understand though that the Holy Spirit is a gift given to all that ask the Lord into their life.  If you are saved you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you.

God Bless

recj/LJG

A BIT OF HUMOR

A grandmother is giving directions to her grown grandson who is coming to visit 
with his wife. 

"You come to the front door of the apartment.  I am in apartment 301.  There is 
a big panel at the front door.  With your elbow, push button 301.  I will buzz 
you in.  Come inside, the elevator is on the right.  Get in, and with your elbow 
push 3.  When you get out, I'm on the left.  With your elbow, hit my doorbell." 

"Grandma,that sounds easy, but, why am I hitting all these buttons with my 
elbow? 

"What?! You coming empty handed?"

[forwarded by JR Whitby]

============================

Don't judge a book by its movie.

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MIKEYSFUNNIES.COM

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

Promises Fulfilled

Romans 9:4d

...the covenants...

God made certain covenants (or promises) to individuals, many of which He has already fulfilled. For example:

God said He would make Israel (through the descendants of Abraham) a blessing to all peoples. Genesis 12:1, 3: "I will make you into a great nation...all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

God said to David, "the One" would come in his line. 2 Samuel 7:12b, 13-14a: "...I will raise up your offspring to succeed you...I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son."

Both of these covenants have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. However, God not only made covenants with individuals (examples of Abraham and David), He also made and fulfilled promises to the entire nation of Israel:

Exodus 34:10-11: "Then the LORD said: 'I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.' "

Leviticus 25:21: "I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years."

The preceding illustrate two (of the many promises) God has made specifically to the nation of Israel, and not to any other people on earth. These covenants belong to Israel historically. For us they provide a record of God's faithfulness and insight into His very nature. They demonstrate: God's great desire for deep, close, personal relationships; His willingness to provide, protect, and deliver us from our enemies; and most importantly, His great love and desire for our well-being.

God is faithful as proven by the fulfillment of His promises for centuries to the nation of Israel. Don't you think we can trust in His promises to us as well? What covenants has God made to you? Will you trust Him to come through for you? Will you depend upon Him?

POCKETPOWER.ORG

WHAT GOD SEES AS PRECIOUS

Erik Raymond

 

In recent years Pinterest has exploded in popularity. Initially favored solely by women, the site now is used regularly by men and women, old and young to capture ideas, information, or any other image deemed valuable. Once the item is "pinned" friends may view the image and the "pin" is shared. It’s an incredibly efficient and practical way to promote ideas or images that we like among friends. And who isn't intrigued by what our friends value and enjoy? We take notice of what they like.
The Scriptures provide the framework for understanding what God likes. In the Apostle Peter's first letter we read of someone and something that is highly valued. Peter says that they are precious in God's sight. What are we talking about? The godly woman. Peter refers back to godly women who "hoped in God" (1 Pet. 3:5), this (and them) were  "in God's sight very precious." (1 Pet. 3:4)
Why is this hoping woman precious in God's sight? When we think of hoping we often thing in subjective, ideal terms. "I hope it doesn't rain for Timmy's baseball game." Or, "I hope there is not too much traffic on the way home." This type of hope is hardly precious like a diamond when it is common like a pebble. When the Bible speaks of hope it does so in terms of appraisal and trust. The one who hopes in someone else does so because they have appraised them for the task and found them suitable, able to do the job. Therefore, when Peter says that these women hoped in God he is saying that they appraised God for the task of being the basis of identity, covenant Lord, powerful protector, Savior, and their heart's deepest treasure. In other words, their hope in God means that God is their God! They have their joy and identity in him; they trust him to do what he said he will do. This is precious!
What does this look like? Does it leave any footprints? Yes, most vividly and powerfully. Peter goes on to give us three traits of women who hope in God.
THEY EMBRACE THEIR CALLING
A key component of God being your treasure is the fact that you believe, trust and obey his word. He is trustworthy (therefore you and I hope in him). But what about when God seems to deal you a bad hand? Peter anticipates that and reminds wives that one's hope in God is clearly seen in the midst of a tough situation.
The circumstance here is an unbelieving husband. The Christian woman is to continue to embrace her role as a wife even when her husband is it a believer. She is to still willingly and joyfully to put herself under his leadership (1Pet. 3:1). While this may not be ideal it is not impossible. The faithful woman hopes in God, therefore she submits to God and his word. This makes submission to her husband an overflow of her submission to God. It demonstrates her abiding faith in God, her treasure.
THEY PURSUE TRUE BEAUTY
The world is drawn to beauty. In particular women tend to be very much gifted at reflecting beauty. This is because they are made in the image of God and are, to a degree, reflecting him. God is the creator of everything, including beauty. He loves it!
Peter warns however, against pursuing beauty for beauty's sake.
"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. (1 Pet. 3:3-4)
Peter's point here is simple: beauty isn't the problem, idolatry is. Instead of pursuing the idol of beauty (their identity and joy) in their appearance women are to pursue the God of beauty (their identity and joy) through their treasuring, loving, and magnifying of him. In other words, don't hope in yourself and your fading beauty but hope in God and his imperishable, eternal beauty! When you see someone doing this you can be sure that they are hoping in God, and that this is precious in God's sight!
THEY SMILE IN THE STORMS
We are moved by strength and courage. It is attractive and foreign. In Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton is in on his way to be executed on the guillotine. When a young seamstress (also on death row) sees Sydney's love, resolve and composure, she is amazed and asks him to hold her hand for strength. This is timelessly precious.
Peter reminds us that women who hope in God will likewise be timelessly precious. Referencing Sara as one who hoped in God, we read,
..."And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening." (1 Pet. 3:6)
What a legacy of faithful, God-hoping women! They stare down the frightening shadows of life with an abiding smile in the God of promise.
When you see someone leaving these footprints you can be sure that they are hoping in God, and that is being displayed because it is precious in God's sight!

Erik Raymond is pastor at Emmaus Bible Church in Omaha, Nebraska. He and his wife, Christie, have six children. You can follow Erik on Twitter @erikraymond and read his blog at ordinarypastor.com .  

http://www.christianity.com/christian-life/spiritual-growth/what-god-sees-as-precious.html?p=0

ROMANS 12:10 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY

Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Thoughts on today's verse

Being "devoted to another in brotherly love" requires that our church conversations -- we're family, brothers and sisters, children of God -- must be more than mere words. We must enter each others' lives, getting to know one another so that we can serve, love, and bless each other. What have you done lately to get more involved in the lives of your fellow Christians? Devotion to others follows a commitment to know and be known by them!

Prayer:

Father, thank you for giving me a world-wide family. Thank you for loving me so completely. Father I ask that you help me be more open with myself and my time to those in your family. Give me a heart that burns to bless and be blessed by those you have made your children. Through my brother Jesus I pray. Amen.

Visit heartlight.org

http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/heartlight-daily-verse-phil-ware/

ROSE AND LINDA'S JOURNAL SPEAKING IN TONGUES

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

[EVIDENCE OF BEING FILLED]

The Bible teaches speaking with tongues. When the Holy Ghost comes in to set up His abode within a life today, He does just what He did on the day of Pentecost: with another tongue He speaks through the person being baptized. Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost baptism.

For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people(Isaiah 28:11).

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord (I Corinthians 14:21).

What Did Jesus Say about the Holy Ghost Baptism?

Jesus told the disciples that when the Holy Ghost came in, He would testify or speak. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me (John 15:26).

Jesus said that the Spirit would testify, and that the disciples would be the ones to witness. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning (John 15:27). But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). These verses speak of the witness by the disciples; read them along with John 15:26 which plainly tells that the Holy Ghost will speak when He comes in.

Just to make sure that Jesus meant exactly this, let us go to the second chapter of Acts and see what happened when the Holy Ghost filled the disciples at Pentecost: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance(Acts 2:4).

Did People Speak with Tongues after Pentecost?

Ten years after Pentecost, the Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Ghost; the Holy Ghost also testified through them when He came in. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God (Acts 10:44-46).

Twenty-five years later we find some people receiving the same Holy Ghost in the same way. He took over their vocal organs and spoke in another tongue. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues (Acts 19:6).

There is no place in the Bible that tells us the method has been changed, so why try to find another way? If you ever receive the real Holy Ghost as the disciples did on the day of Pentecost, you, too, will speak with tongues.

Have Tongues Really Ceased?

Some say that speaking with tongues has ceased: whether there be tongues, they shall cease (I Corinthians 13:8). But we must take the whole verse and discover what Paul was really saying. Verse 8 tells usCharity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. Paul said prophecies would fail, knowledge shall vanish away. Have prophecies failed yet? Has knowledge vanished away? No, of course not; and tongues have not ceased, either.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away (I Corinthians 13:9-10).

Paul was not referring to Christ here: Christ had already come when Paul was writing this. Paul said we know now in part and prophesy in part, but, when we get to Heaven where all is perfect, then we will see clearly.

Is Speaking in Tongues the Most Important Part of the Holy Ghost Baptism?

Speaking with tongues was the physical, initial evidence of the Holy Ghost baptism of the early church Christians and it is the physical, initial evidence of Christians who receive it today. The main purpose of receiving the Holy Ghost is not just to have something speak through you; speaking in tongues is simply the first evidence that He has come in; there are many evidences of the Holy Spirit. At Mount Sinai it was not the thunder, lightning, fire nor trumpet which were paramount, but the giving of the Law; and at Pentecost it was not the sound of wind or the tongues of fire, or speaking with other tongues which was paramount, but the giving of the Holy Ghost.

Is There a Pattern for Receiving?

Initial means entrance, beginning or making the commencement, first evidence. Remember, there are many evidences of the Holy Ghost in one’s life, but we are talking about the first evidence or the beginning. Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Ghost would testify when He came in; they expected that evidence. The disciples already had love, consecration and were in one mind and one accord. What is the one thing they all did which they had not done previously? And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4). This is the pattern of how people are to receive the Holy Ghost. It happened in the tenth chapter of Acts when the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost. The doubting Jews knew that the Gentiles had also received the Holy Ghost, not because of their joy, not because of the love of God in their hearts, but because they heard them speak with tongues(Acts 10:46). The initial evidence: speaking with tongues.

Peter said, And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. How did the Holy Ghost fall on them in the beginning? With the speaking in tongues. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God (Acts 11:15-17)?

Did Observers Recognize This Power?

Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city (Acts 8:6-8). Verses 17-19 go on to say: Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. What happened when Peter and John laid hands on them that let Simon know they were receiving something other than what Philip had told them about? It couldn’t have been joy—they had great joy before Peter and John got there. Simon saw the physical evidence of speaking with other tongues. He thought it such a wonderful thing that he even offered them money; however, the gift of God cannot be purchased that way.

Have You Received the Holy Ghost?

Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed (Acts 19:2)? Paul was talking to believers here. To be a believer means your sins are gone. These people received something more than the born-again experience. What did happen to them? The Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues (Acts 19:6). Here again is the pattern of how people are to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?

How Can You Receive Him?

Remember, the disciples were continually praising the Lord at Pentecost until the Holy Ghost came in. Consecrate your life to God. Yield yourself completely to Him. Rejoice in praises before Him and let Him come in.

God Bless

LJG/recj

https://www.ernestangley.org/read/article/what_is_the_initial_evidence_of_the_real_holy_ghost_baptism