Tag Archives: Christ

2023 First 100 days – day 3 Reading Wisdom and Praise

2021 First 100 days – day 3, January 3

(first 100 days – day 3)

Image by James Chan from Pixabay

Psalm 3 – Cry for deliverance
- Ps 3:1 Lord, how my foes increase!
  There are many who attack me.
  2 Many say about me,
  “There is no help for him in God.”Selah
  3 But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.
  4 I cry aloud to the Lord,
  and He answers me from His holy mountain.Selah
Psalm 33 – a Song of Creation
- Psalm 33: 6 The heavens were made by the word of the Lord,
  and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth.
  ⁷He gathers the waters of the sea into a heap;^[a]
  He puts the depths into storehouses.
  ⁸Let the whole earth tremble before the Lord;
  let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
  ⁹For He spoke, and it came into being;
  He commanded, and it came into existence.
Psalm 63 – One of my favorites – I’ll write more later.
Psalm 93 and Psalm 123 echo each other
- Ps 93 – the glory of the Lord
  - The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty;
    The Lord is robed, enveloped in strength.
    The world is firmly established;
    it cannot be shaken.
Psalm 123 – the glory of the Lord
- - I lift my eyes to You,
    the One enthroned in heaven.
the Prayer for today,
- Psalm 63:1-4
  - God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You.
    
    I thirst for You;
    my body faints for You
    in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
    ²So I gaze on You in the sanctuary
    to see Your strength and Your glory.
    
    ³My lips will glorify You
    because Your faithful love is better than life.
    ⁴So I will praise You as long as I live;
    at Your name, I will lift up my hands

Proverbs 3 begins with author crying out “My son, don’t forget my teaching”. It goes on to talk about wisdomm, and how to set oneself up for a happy life, a secure life. Here’s a bit that is familiar:

Proverbs 3: 5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.[b] 7 Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

I said I’d write more about Psalms 63. It is one of my favorite Psalms. It gave and gives me great comfort in times of struggle, with those with whom I interact.

Ps 63: 1

God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You.
I thirst for You;
my body faints for You
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.

Do you hear the despair in the heart?

It reminds me of:

Psalm 42: 1 KJV

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Then it swells into a song of praise:

Psalm 63:2-5

So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory. 3 My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. 4 So I will praise You as long as I live; at Your name, I will lift up my hands. 5 You satisfy me as with rich food;[a] my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.

There is then, a confession of belief: Psalm 63:6-8

When I think of You as I lie on my bed, I meditate on You during the night watches 7 because You are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. 8 I follow close to You; Your right hand holds on to me.

I prefer the NIV version of verse 7

7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 63:9-11 is a profession of deliverance from these things that are disrupting, destroying, and causing despair. Ps 63:11(NIV)

11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Do you hear the release of the struggle? At least a momentary reprieve in the midst of the pain? Do you feel the strength being breathed into the soul that they have a deliverer on their side? Someone has their back. In times when I have felt that there is no way out of the intense despair that I am feeling, Psalm 63 is a life line for me.

Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

This webpage has been a place where I have shared my history with suicide, depression, and such. Today, one of my lifelines is part of reading wisdom and praise. Reading the Word of God daily is a lifeline for me. If you are struggling, I hope that you can find your psalm or proverb that can be your lifeline or lifelineS.

Hi! My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

2019 Lent Day 20 – the Way, the Truth, THE LIFE

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Three – for Catch up.
Lent Week Four started March 5, 2018 and March 23, 2019

Lent Day Twenty
The Way, the Truth & The Life John 14:5-14

Music
You are Life by Hillsong

Devotion
The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.
Tuesday, we looked at THE WAY.
Wednesday, we looked at the TRUTH.
Today, we will look at THE LIFE.

Pastor John Piper has a great sermon about the Life God gives us.

Here is his Easter sermon from 1984, talking about God giving you life in your mortal bodies.

I want to look at Jesus IS THE LIFE.

From BlueLetter Bible, the Outline of the Biblical Usage of this word is this:

life
the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate
every living soul
life
of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic “logos” and to Christ in whom the “logos” put on human nature
life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

Websters has these choices:
1a : the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body
c : an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism (see METABOLISM sense 1), growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
4 : spiritual existence transcending (see TRANSCEND sense 1c) physical death
5a : the period from birth to death

There are 20 entries!
My summary:
Life is being able for growth, reaction to stimuli and reproduction in a human.
Life is a spiritual transcendance of a human and the very nature of God
This is my favorite definition:

life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

To discuss how Jesus is LIFE, we need to find out where death came from!
Genesis 1

Genesis 1 King James Version (KJV)
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Before God created man, He created, period!

Light
Firmament of Heaven divided from Earth
Dry land separated from water, plants – first evidence of life
Sun, Moon, Stars – Day and Night
Water Creatures
Land creatures and Man

There are various creation theologies.
Back to John Pipers ministry, they provide Creation Theology in 12 points.
Here is a very deep explanation of Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 from Answers in Genesis.
The theological term is creatio ex nihilo, the Latin for “from nothing”.

This is the theological position I believe.
and here’s a few verses to back my belief up, though others will have verses that back up their theology.

Hebrews 11:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

John 1:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Why do I believe this?
1. In the Beginning – God.
Out of His creative character, and because only HE can create matter(First Law of Thermodynamics and the Law of Conservation of Mass Energy) God Created.
Nothing was made without him is the rephrasing of without him was not anything made that was made.
2. God is eternal, therefore, within Him resides ETERNAL life. Ps 90 All About God – Eternal God.
3.All beings with a spirit are Eternal or Immortal, but only God is without beginning or end. Daniel 12:2-3, All About God’s writing about is the Human soul mortal or immortal?
4. The order of Creation sets up the stage for LIFE on earth!
5. Man was not alive until God breathed life into him. Genesis 2:7
6. In the midst of the Garden there was a tree of life.
7. In the midst of the Garden there was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9

What happened? SIN
I’ve written about Adam and Eve on many instances, but my favorite is An Inconvenient Truth.

Short story:
Eve listened to the Serpent
Adam listened to Eve
God found out.
animal had to be killed to pay the price so they would not have to die.
At that point, death entered the world.
Cain killing Abel was the first murder.
and it goes down hill from there…
UNTIL

Jesus is born.
Eve had been given a promise.

Genesis 2:15
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

They did not have to suffer physical death instantly as the judgement of their disobedience demanded, but something had to. A sacrificial animal. The precursor to Jesus Christ, the sacrificial Lamb.
Here’s where you can learn more:

I am that I am – a statement of Life, complete existence in Himself – THIS IS THE FIRST NAME GOD GAVE HIMSELF.

Only HE who HAS can give to he who has not.

John 10:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Back to Genesis –

Genesis 3
22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Because of the disobedience, they were driven out of Paradise.
They were forbidden to eat of the Tree of Life!
We are in the midst of a study called Freedom created by The Church of the Highlands. I highly recommend it, to get a new and fresh look at the Trees from the Garden.

To eat of the Tree of Life would have meant that they would forever live in their sin. God prevented that.

Jesus is the Rod of Jesse – like a tree. Is 11:1-2
Jesus is the Branch – like a tree. Zech 6:12
Jesus is the Vine – a plant. John 15
Hebrews 11:17-24 talks about being grafted into the tree of the family of God.
Romans 6 talks about being dead to sin and alive to Christ.

When we are saved, the old man dies – the death payment for our sins, and the new man comes alive – the Life bestowed upon us for being IN CHRIST!

Acts 17:28 New International Version (NIV)
28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[a] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[b]

The interesting thing here is that Paul is talking to the people of Athens – and is quoting their own poet, who was speaking of THE UNKNOWN GOD. They knew there was some power that was in everything – and Paul declares Him as the God of Creation, who sent His son so that we could KNOW HIM!

Jesus broke down the walls that separated us from the Tree of Life!
In Jesus, WE HAVE LIFE!

That is worth celebrating!

Worship
I am the Vine by John Michael Talbot
Now my Lifesong Sings by Casting Crowns
LifeSong by Casting Crowns
In Him We Live and Move and Have our Being

~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

M. Christine Wildman

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.

2019 Lent Day 19 – The Way, THE TRUTH, The Life

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Three – for Catch up.
Lent Week Four started March 5, 2018

Lent Day Nineteen
The Way, the Truth & The Life John 14:5-14

Music
Song of Truth by Mark Shelton & Jonathan Malone

Scripture
John 14:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Devotion
The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.
Yesterday, we looked at THE WAY.
Today, we’re going to look at the TRUTH.

Jesus says he is the TRUTH, but what is truth?

From Websters Dictionary
Definition of truth (Entry 1 of 2)
1a(1) : the body of real things, events, and facts : ACTUALITY
(2) : the state of being the case : FACT
(3) often capitalized : a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality
b : a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true
truths of thermodynamics
c : the body of true statements and propositions
2a: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality
b chiefly British : TRUE sense 2
c : fidelity to an original or to a standard
3a : sincerity in action, character, and utterance
b archaic : FIDELITY, CONSTANCY

Blueletter Bible explains the Biblical usage in this outline
objectively

what is true in any matter under consideration
truly, in truth, according to truth
of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly
what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man, moral and religious truth
in the greatest latitude
the true notions of God which are open to human reason without his supernatural intervention
the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians

Strongs G225 simplified says this:
I. objectively;
1. universally, what is true in any matter under consideration (opposed to what is feigned, fictitious, false):

John 1:14 & 17 says

John 1:14-17 King James Version (KJV)
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

- - Jesus says He is the Truth.
  - John describes Him as bringing Truth.
  - The Religious leaders told him that he taught the truth in Mt 22:16, Mk 12:14, and Luke 20:21.
  - Jesus tells us that
    
    John 8:32 King James Version (KJV)
    32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
  - Jesus says we should do truth in John 3:21
  - Jesus says we need to worship God in Spirit and in Truth in John 4:24
  - Jesus prays about us being sanctified by the truth in John 17:17
    
    John 17:17 King James Version (KJV)
    17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
  - Jesus says to the Father – THY word is TRUTH!

Is Truth a Who? What? How?

Thing or Action – Our Salvation

Ephesians 1:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Action – Our responsibility to obey – Galatians 3:1 and 5:7

Thing – Part of our Armor! Loins girt about with Truth! Eph 6:14

Person or Character – God is not a liar – therefore God is true: – Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18 and

Numbers 23:19 King James Version (KJV)
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

In fact, Hebrews 6:18 says that it is an immutable thing…God cannot lie! Part of His Character!

Person – Jesus promises a comforter…the Spirit of Truth! John 15:26,

John 14:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Person – The Spirit of Truth is our Teacher.

John 16:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Who is this comforter? The Holy Spirit, the third person in the God head! For more info on the Tri-unity of God, Lent Day 7

Jesus is the Truth
God’s Word is True.
Jesus is the Word.
We are sanctified by the Word.
Jesus is God
God cannot lie.
The Holy Spirit is God.
The Holy Spirit is Truth
The Holy Spirit is the comforter that Jesus sends back to teach us all things of TRUTH!

What are the “doing” parts?
Part One – teachings – The Holy Spirit is guiding us into all truth…because Jesus promised that

John 8:32 King James Version (KJV)
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Part Two – actions

So that we can gird our loins with TRUTH.
So that we will not be deceived by the enemy.
So that we will be set free from the lies that surround us.

How can this be a concept, a person, thing and an action at the same time?

By Faith, we Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ – TRUTH as a person.
God’s heart is that all will come to the knowledge of truth – 1 Tim 2:4 – TRUTH as a concept to be taught.
We are told to obey the truth in Galatians – TRUTH as a concept and action.
We are told to gird our loins with TRUTH – TRUTH as a noun

God is only known in spirit and in truth. He is OTHER. This is a whole study unto itself. The thing is, that we believe it because God said it, and we trust His Words. It is because HE is. It is by faith, through grace.

Ephesians 2:8 King James Version (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 10:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

The opposite of truth is deceit.
I don’t want to list these verses, and fill up this blog, but, for further study, here is a list of scriptures about deceit from Bible Study Tools.

Colossians 3:9-10 King James Version (KJV)
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Deceit is part of the old man – the man without the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Remember, we are known by our fruit!

Jesus is the TRUTH – and by allowing him to enter into our lives, and make us new, set free from the old man, we are back in relationship with the God who Is TRUE, and we can be filled with the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will guide us into all truth!

In that light, we can
Psalm 37:3-6 King James Version (KJV)
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Truth is God, Godly and Godliness.
For more – Itty Bitty Bible Study Titus Ambassadors

Worship
Voice of Truth
Stronger by Hillsong

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

2018 Lent Day 18 – 3/6 – THE WAY, The Truth & The Life

Lent Devotions
Lent Week Three – for Catch up.
Lent Week Four started March 5, 2018

Lent Day Eighteen
The Way, the Truth & The Life John 14:5-14

Music
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life

Scripture
John 14:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Devotion
The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.

THE WAY
It really starts with verse 1:

John 14:1-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Way to the Father
14 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you.
3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.
4 You know the way to where I am going.”
5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus was trying to comfort them….”let not your heart be troubled”.

HOW?
“Believe in God, believe also in me.”
In Lent Day Eight, we discussed how he placed the choice before them…that HE cried out, and almost begs them to choose Him!
It is the basis of our salvation – Acts 16:31 – to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved!

He tells them that he is going to prepare a place for them…as I wrote about in Day Seventeen, Many Mansions.

Dear Thomas, so honest and transparent…”we don’t know where you’re going…how can we know the way!”

In lent Day Seven, we discussed the Tri-unity of God – His unity in plurality. Here, Jesus reminds them that He and the Father are one, as he stated in John 10:30.

This is NEW to the Jewish religion – that God is One in Three.
Here is a quote from Day Seven:

In the beginning God spoke let there be light.(Genesis 1) God’s voice is the source of creation – The Father

In the Beginning – the spirit hovered over the face of the waters – The Holy Spirit.

In the Beginning was the word and the Word was God and the Word was with God – Jesus (John 1) All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.

We know that God’s voice spoke words. We know that the word of God is Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus Christ was part of the creative power in the beginning. We know that God moves upon water as The Holy Spirit, in the beginning. We have a Triune God to manifest himself in Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Three distinct personalities in one complete person. Several times, when God speaks, the fullness of the Godhead is displayed.

~~~~Theology of the Trinity on Wikipedia, Answers in Genesis, Desiring God, and possibly my favorite – The Gospel Coalition~~~~

The WAY is to believe in the fullness of the Godhead! And, Jesus prepared the way for us, through His death, burial and resurrection! If you have questions on that concept, there are links in my signature!

Worship & Praise
What a Savior – Laura Story
One Way – Hillsong

The next few days will be about the Truth and the Life!

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Titus 1:6-9 Ambassadors

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

I utilize various resources to research and study these Itty Bitty Bible Studies.
This time, for Titus, I hooked up with Keith Loy’s Celebrate Titus on RightNow Media. RightNow Media is a subscription for everyone in a church.
If you don’t have RightNow Media on your computer or TV streaming channels, the Celebrate Titus dvd is available. I don’t know if it’s more or less information.

I am not an Amazon associate, so I don’t get anything out of sharing this! I will let you know that I will be quoting him!

In IBBS Titus the Introduction, we talked about Paul confessing to be a servant, and that translates to being a slave – but to whom?
In IBBS Titus 1:1-2, we talked about God’s elect and godliness.
In IBBS Titus 1:2, we talked about an eternal hope and promise.
In IBBS Titus 1:3-5, we talked about Who, What, Why, Where and Peace

Now, it’s about Qualifications for Leadership. Here’s some quotes from Keith Loy.

“Leadership is not a title to be earned, but a towel to be held.”

“Influence and Impact another is leadership”

“Godliness(Christlikeness) is all about public witness (Influence)”

“Reputation precedes effectiveness” – Joseph Hall?

“How one lives has everything to do with how one leads”

“Does my walk talk and does my talk walk?”

What is the point of all of these? As Christ like followers, we are Ambassadors to this world.

“You may be the only Jesus anyone ever meets” – unknown

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 King James Version (KJV)
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Got Questions has a very nice explanation of what does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ.

From this article, they say it much better than I could even try!

Christians are God’s ambassadors in that they have been “approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). As we go through this world, we represent another Kingdom (John 18:36), and it is our responsibility to reflect the “official position” of heaven. We are in this world, but not of it (John 17:16). God’s ambassadors are to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we must take the message of our King to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), imploring men and women everywhere to be reconciled to God.

This is not easy to accept.
I’d like to put all the responsibility of being an ambassador on the Elders and Bishops, as are listed here in Titus and in Timothy.
The problem is, Jesus didn’t just preach the sermon on the mount to the 12 disciples.
Another problem is, we are all to be trees that produce fruit(by Jesus’ words) and we know the fruit is in Galations.
Another problem is Paul’s excellent writing on Love…in 1 Corinthians 13. He’s not just talking to the Bishops and the elders.
If that’s not enough…Christ commanded several things:

Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus said Go YE…as in ME.
If I want to claim “and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” I have to claim the calling as well.

1 Peter 4:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

We’ve all been given a gift…and as we have, we are to minister to one another…and that is the evidence of us being good stewards of the grace of God!

another reason for maintaining the character and reputation as listed here is

1 Timothy 3:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

How many have fallen snare to the enemy, and lost their witness? Their church? Their families? Some, even their lives?

Can we agree that if we love the Lord Jesus, that we will want to be a good example of Him to others?
Can we agree that the combined commandment from Jesus is to Love God and Love others?

Ephesians 4:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

I have been gravely convicted of my lack of qualities as an ambassador of Christ…and yet, I am greatly comforted by the fact that in any way that I sin, I have the promise of an advocate for me with the Father (1 John).

I haven’t listed Titus 1:6-9 here yet.
I’ve tried to cross reference it with The Fruit of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Beatitudes.


Titus 1:6-9	Bishop Qualifications			Cross Reference
Fruit of the Spirit	Love Chapter	Beatitudes	Bishop	Others
Gal 5:22-23	I Cor 13:4-7	Matt 5:3-10	Titus 1:6-9
Love	Love		faithful to one wife	1 Tim 3:2-4
Joy	Rejoices in the truth			Neh 8:10 John 15:11, 16:24,33 Psalm 16:11
Peace		Peacemaker	Not violent	John 14:27 1 Tim 3:3 Prov 28?7, Phil 4:7
Patience	Patient		Not angry Not irritable	1 Tim 3:3 2 Tim 2:24 Prov 14:17, 15:18
Kindness	Kind	Merciful	Hospitality	1 Tim 3:2
Goodness		Pure in hearts	Blameless Holy	1 Tim 3:2 & 7
Gentleness	Not rude			2 Tim 2:24
Self Control	Endures all things	Meek	Not drunkard Not violent Not angry	1 Tim 3:2-3 2 Tim 2:25 Eph 5:18, Lev 10:9
Faithfulness	Bears all things Believes all things Hopes all things	Persecuted	Live wisely Devout Just	Pro 31:4-5
	Not arrogant	Poor in Spirit Mourn		2 Tim 2:24-25 1 Tim 3:6
			Not greedy	1 Tim 3:3-7
	2019(c) MCWildman and The WildBerry Patch

Here is a pdf of a Google doc of the qualifications of bishop.

Here’s a very clumsily hand written one:

All of this is to try to give you an overview of the various qualities written in Titus for the Bishop, and how they actually are the qualities that Christ expects of us as an ambassador.

I hope this gives you the same eye opening understanding about the qualifications of a Bishop…we are all ministers to the gospel. I had hoped to get away from this, as there is that qualification – husband of one wife…I am never going to be a husband! Titus 2 will bring that home!

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Titus 1:1-2

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

I utilize various resources to research and study these Itty Bitty Bible Studies.
This time, for Titus, I hooked up with Keith Loy’s Celebrate Titus on RightNow Media. RightNow Media is a subscription for everyone in a church. If you don’t have RightNow Media on your computer or TV streaming channels, the Celebrate Titus dvd is available. I don’t know if it’s more or less information.

I am not an Amazon associate, so I don’t get anything out of sharing this! I will let you know that I will be quoting him!

Titus 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Greeting
1 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior:

In IBBS Titus Introduction, we discussed Paul’s definition of himself as a servant or slave, and apostle.
We discussed the why – to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.

Here’s a few quick comments.
Who are God’s elect?
Got Questions has a great article on the theologies of Predestination and Election.

In Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 1:3-6, I discuss what I feel is the most important focus in this debate. I hope you go look at that…It points to the need for faith.

In Luke 18:7, elect is also translated as chosen.

Luke 18:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay to help them?[a]

Acts 13:48 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the message of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Ephesians 2:8-10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

In IBBS Ephesians 2:1-10, I talked about this very concept. We are saved by Grace, through faith BY GOD!

We know that we are a chosen generation, correct? 1 Peter 2:9
What about Godly?

Psalm 4:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.

What does that mean about who can be saved?

1 Timothy 2:3-4 King James Version (KJV)
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

and this puts both together:

2 Timothy 2:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Or complicates it…but, no matter what, Jesus said:

John 3:16-18 King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

I believe in the Whosoever doctrine!

You see, God desires that all men come to him.

1 Timothy 2:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Our time is short:

2 Peter 3:8-10 King James Version (KJV)
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The fields are indeed white for harvest. Matthew 9:37-38 – but we must be ready to be the workers!

Matthew 9:35-38 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Lord of the Harvest
35 Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every[a] disease and every sickness.[b] 36 When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

I believe that Paul is speaking to those that confess to be believers, and discussing how the body needs to be helped.

Therefore, yes, we are to share, preach, and minister to those outside the church, but especially the household of Faith:

Galatians 6:10 KJV
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

So often, we are told to build up one another in our most holy faith. Jude 1:20, 1 Thes 5:11, Eph 4:29 for a few.
This is the purpose of the Church body!
1 Corinthians 12 talks about the needs of the Body of Christ.

We are the Body of Christ. We should be encouraging one another

Ephesians 5:19-21 King James Version (KJV)
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Outside of the church, we are to go, preaching the gospel and making disciples.

Mark 16:15-16 King James Version (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Inside the church, we are to encourage one another, lift one another up, sometimes, exhort one another, but mostly..LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Why is Paul doing this?
He wanted to lift up those believers….
…securing their knowledge of the TRUTH…
To what end?
…leading to godliness.

So, outside, we have the unbelievers that need to know the truth of salvation, and at the end of this blog, I have several links that will share the truth of salvation.
Inside, teaching the truth that leads to godliness(vs 1)…what is that about? If they are believers, they(we) don’t need to be preached salvation to, right? What do we need to learn about?

1 Peter 2:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Living Stone and a Holy People
2 So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation,[a] 3 since you have tasted that the Lord is good.[b]

1 Corinthians 3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Problem of Immaturity
3 Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 because you are still fleshly. For since there is envy and strife[a] among you, are you not fleshly and living like unbelievers?[b]

Hebrews 5:11-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Problem of Immaturity
11 We have a great deal to say about this, and it’s difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. 12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. 13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

What is the indication of immaturity? Ungodliness. Therefore, Paul is writing to draw believers to the truth of faith that leads to godliness.

Does that mean perfection?
Well, there is a verse with which I used to beat myself over the head.

Matthew 5:48 King James Version (KJV)
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Thank you Blue Letter Bible!~ I’ve included the search link so that you can look even deeper.

Outline of Biblical usage
brought to its end, finished
wanting nothing necessary to completeness
perfect
that which is perfect
consummate human integrity and virtue of men
full grown, adult, of full age, mature

Can we choose to walk in integrity? Yes!
Do we have all we need to move into completeness in Christ? Yes, His word and the Holy Spirit!
Can we choose to walk in virtue? Yes!
Can we grow into the fullness of Christ, maturing day by day? Yes!

It’s not that we are perfect NOW, but that we are choosing day by day the things of God, rather than the things of this world!

How do we do that?
THE WORD OF GOD! Get in the Bible! God’s TRUTH leads to godliness.

Psalm 119:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 I have treasured Your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against You.

Proverbs 4:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
shining brighter and brighter until midday.

It’s a choice, a growth, moving towards something.

Even so, just like the truth about being saved by God, by a gift of faith, we grow in God by His working in us!

Philippians 2:13-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.

Godliness…defined:

Dictionary.com
conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devout; pious.
coming from God; divine.

The Meaning of Godliness by Classroom:

Godliness is a significant term in the Christian faith. According to Strong’s Concordance, the word is translated from the Greek word for “piety”, and is used in the New Testament fourteen times in the letters of Peter and Paul. While the expression also refers to the divinity of God, godliness in the Bible is mainly used to describe a positive way of life influenced by God, and inspired reflection in the tenets of the Christian faith.

We have all felt the condemnation of needing to be perfect.
It’s just that…condemnation.
Condemnation brings death.
Conviction brings life.
If it brings fear, worry, and doubt – it’s not from God.
If it brings challenge, love, and courage – it’s probably from God, even if it hurts.
Giving up our pet sins hurts.
Losing out on God’s best will hurt eternally!

Here’s some verses about truth leading to godliness:

Proverbs 1:1-7

Proverbs 1:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Colossians 2:2-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.[a] 3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.

Colossians 1:25-27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
25 I have become its servant, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The promise is that it’s GOD that began the work, and God will complete it!

Phil 1:6 HCSB
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Oops, here is another clue that there are differences…in this case, the apostles vs the other people following along. What’s up with that?

Matthew 13:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 He answered them, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them.

There are multiple types that are in the church.

Mature Believers – called, elect, chosen…however you want to depict them. See verses above.
Young, Immature Believers – can’t handle the meat of the word yet…but need nurtured. see the verses above.
Tares among the wheat…Matthew 13
Wolves…Matthew 7:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Remember, we were like them at one time.

Romans 2:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing[a] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Galatians 6:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

This gives some insight into expectations of those that are more mature in the Lord, and how they are to minister! We are all in a different place in our walk with Jesus – we can learn from all – beware that we not be tempted – but lovingly come alongside each other to grow together in Him!

Is godliness required?
We are to offer the sacrifices of righteousness…

Romans 12:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.[a] 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Psalm 4:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Offer sacrifices in righteousness[a]
and trust in the Lord.

With His Help:

Psalm 5:7-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 But I enter Your house
by the abundance of Your faithful love;
I bow down toward Your holy temple
in reverential awe of You.
8 Lord, lead me in Your righteousness
because of my adversaries;[a]
make Your way straight before me.

Did Jesus say this?

Matthew 5:20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus gave us some pretty clear instructions for behavior in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5, Mt 6, and Mt 7
We have a promise:

Isaiah 32:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 The result of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness
will be quiet confidence forever.

Romans 14:16-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
16 Therefore, do not let your good be slandered, 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by men.

For more about these promises, and more of an explanation of what righteousness is, Please go to
IBBS Ephesians 1:7-14
IBBS Ephesians 1:15-23

Remember, if we have received Christ as our Lord and Savior…and we have chosen to look forward, to become more like Christ…and we work out our own salvation day by day, we are right with God.

Righteousness with God…is being right with God.
Do we sin?
Yes
Does that separate us from the Father?
Only in the same way that disappointing a parent would briefly cause separation from our parent, until we repent, ask forgiveness, and turn from that behavior that causes separation.
It’s not a lose or keep salvation situation, it’s a fellowship situation.

Getting to know Jesus is key to being in fellowship with him.
Spending time in His word is key to getting to know Him.
Spending time with the Holy Spirit in prayer is key to connecting with the Godhead.

This is what Paul wants to prepare Titus for, to help with in the church at Crete.
This is what God wants us to be prepared for, in the church we attend.
He wants mature believers to minister to the other believers, so that they will have knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness…
and to share with those outside the church, the hope of eternal life, that God promised before time began.

And seriously, can’t we all be ministered to by remembering the hope of eternal life? …remembering that God keeps his promises?

Romans 15:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

My One Word 2019 – Guard your heart – Prov 4:23

Proverbs 4:23 English Standard Version (ESV)
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.

From January 2015 –

I was given a suggestion – one little word. Based upon Ali Edwards’ One Little Word. (scrapbooking focused)
…
Another friend recommended the site My One Word for those that don’t scrapbook.

The word was prepare – as in faithfully prepare. I wrote a lot.

In 2017 the word was teach me to number my days – Psalm 90:12
Again, I wrote a lot.

In 2018, I gave up on getting a word! Be Like Jesus was the focus. I didn’t write as much specifically on my one word, but I wrote in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and led a Roman’s Bible Study – so, I think that those things added up to getting into that focus!

This year, as usual, I didn’t get a word…I got a verse, or a phrase (Be Like Jesus is very much the whole Bible!)

Proverbs 4:23 English Standard Version (ESV)
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.

This is one time that I did play around with different versions.
The Bible Hub makes it so easy! Proverbs 4:23

Young’s Literal translation says it this way:

Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it are the outgoings of life.

Break it down.
KEEP YOUR HEART
Keep your heart is translated as guard mostly.
Watch is also used.
One version specifically says with all watchfulness.

Thanks to Blue Letter Bible,
The KJV translates Strong’s H5341 in the following manner: keep (38x), preserve (13x), watchmen (3x), besieged (2x), keeper (1x), monuments (1x), observe (with H7521) (1x), preserver (1x), subtil (1x), hidden things (1x), watchers (1x).

Outline of Bible usage:
to guard, watch, watch over, keep
(Qal)
to watch, guard, keep
to preserve, guard from dangers
to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
to guard, keep secret
to be kept close, be blockaded
watchman (participle)

You see, I’m no Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek scholar – I’m dependent upon Strong’s Concordance.
My point of view is that God will let me see what I need to know about the verses I’m studying.
In my language.
Isn’t that what Wycliff, Guttenburg, Tyndale and Luther wanted? It was their passion, and in many cases, the death of them.
For your enjoyment, here’s a great summary of how we got the Bible in English! English Bible History by Greatsite.

Men were hunted and killed for wanting to give us the Bible in common language. That’s pretty serious! We need to respect the seriousness of their work, their passion, and their gift to us who follow!

Even in the midst of the enemy’s desire to destroy God’s word, God insisted that the Bible live on, and protected the work of the men that gave their lives to translate for the common/indigenous peoples…the first being the very ones attending the churches! The first indigenous bibles were in German, English, and other such languages that were common, not limited to those scholars and priests, in the ivory towers and cathedrals.

It’s possible that the first protest…as in protestant…was to read the Bible for themselves!

Guard my heart – I want to dig into the words, because I want to know a bit more about the words!
Why?
Well, I believe everything started with a word (phrase, actually)

Genesis 1:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Jesus is the Word…and was there in the beginning!

John 1:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Prologue
1 In the beginning was the Word,[a]
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.

To be like Jesus, I need to know Jesus more.
Jesus is the incarnation of God the Father, and the way that God made for me to KNOW Him better.
The Holy Spirit is the indwelling person of the Godhead. To know Him, I need to spend time with Him.

And the way to do that is through the WORD of God!

Psalm 119:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Yes, Be like Jesus was “so last year!”
Seriously, which phrase/word actually has only a year’s worth of application?

Teach me to number my days…why?

Psalm 90:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Be Like Jesus – is there a verse for that?

John 13:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Prepare? I found plenty of content for preparing the way for the Lord!

Mark 1:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The first part was to mind the foundations.

I will confess, looking over the previous years One Word posts is very convicting.
But I have to guard my heart.
I tend to fall into condemnation.

Romans 8:1 King James Version (KJV)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The truth is, though I sometimes have trouble seeing it in myself, I desire to walk after the Spirit!
I desire to grow fruit!

Galatians 5:22-25 King James Version (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

My heart’s desire is that I would live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit! God gives me a promise in Psalm 37!
Specifically:

Psalm 37:3-7 King James Version (KJV)
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Isn’t that beautiful? The whole Psalm is so comforting.

Guarding my heart is a verb, an action.
So are these:

trust in the Lord
do good
delight in the Lord
commit thy way to the Lord
trust, again…
rest in the Lord
wait patiently

These are key activities to guarding my heart and being watchful!

Walking and living in the Spirit will keep my heart! Guard my heart.

Some companion verses to drill this home for me:

Proverbs 22:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 There are thorns and snares on the path of the crooked;
the one who guards himself stays far from them.

And to be sure that I don’t trust in my own heart:

Jeremiah 17:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Deceitful Heart
9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else,
and incurable—who can understand it?

Proverbs 28:26 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
26 The one who trusts in himself[a] is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

Bible Gateway has a collection of references to loving the Lord with all my heart.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27

The ten commandments, rolled up into two – and the first is so foundational to the second:

Luke 10:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 He answered:
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind;
and your neighbor
as yourself.

Praise Break!

Today, I was listening to my youtube channel on Grounding Worship, and I heard “Come thou fount”. This is Jim’s favorite hymn.

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above
Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

Chris Tomlin has such a great way of honoring the great hymns with something new!

I wanted to find the history of this hymn, and through much searching, found a blog by Stephanie that talked about her desire to know more about this hymn as well…and she led me to a new resource, Wordwise Hymns, and the information on Robert Robinson, the author of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

Guard my heart….

Proverbs 4:20-22 King James Version (KJV)
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Psalm 40:8 KJV
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

and again:

Psalm 119:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

This year, I plan to surround myself with His word…to drive it deeper and deeper still into my heart, and renew my mind!

Romans 12:2 KJV
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Colossians 3:10KJV
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

The next part of the verse is with all diligence/ vigilence, utmost care and above all else.
It is serious.
It is to be done intentionally.
I’m going to study that the next time!

https://youtu.be/wCYOpAfo61E

One last thing to share…I created a bracelet to remind me of this year’s focus.
The heart has “life” inscribed on it.
The round charm says Pr 4:23.

I think I have my work cut out for me! I’m so grateful that God has my back, and as long as this is the desire of my heart, He will give this to me! I’m committing my way to His grace, mercy, and guidance!

My prayer:

Psalm 51:10 KJV
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Do you have a word for this year? Share it with me!

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Titus Introduction

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

I utilize various resources to research and study these itty bitty Bible studies.
This time, for Titus, I hooked up with Keith Loy’s Celebrate Titus on RightNow Media. RightNow Media is a subscription for everyone in a church. If you don’t have RightNow Media on your computer or TV streaming channels, the dvd is available. I don’t know if it’s more or less information.

I am not an Amazon associate, so I don’t get anything out of sharing this! I will let you know that I will be quoting him!

From Wikipedia

Not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Titus was noted in Galatians (cf. Gal. 2:1, 3) where Paul wrote of journeying to Jerusalem with Barnabas, accompanied by Titus. He was then dispatched to Corinth, Greece, where he successfully reconciled the Christian community there with Paul, its founder. Titus was later left on the island of Crete to help organize the Church, and later met back with the Apostle Paul in Nicopolis. He soon went to Dalmatia (now Croatia). According to Eusebius of Caesarea in the Ecclesiastical History, he served as the first bishop of Crete and remained there in his old years.[citation needed] He was buried in Cortyna (Gortyna), Crete; his head was later removed to Venice during the invasion of Crete by the Saracens in 832 and was enshrined in St Mark’s Basilica, Venice, Italy.[cit

That gives a good basic understanding of who, when and where Titus was.

Bible.org has another great introduction to Titus, explaining that this goes hand in hand with 1 & 2 Timothy as the Pastoral Letters.

Titus 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Greeting
1 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up[a] the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads[b] to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior:

In IBBS Galations 1:1-10, I discuss Paul describing his calling.

Galatians 1
1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—

In the old days (hahaha), folks put their authorship at the beginning of letters. It’s kind of like a return address.

In Ephesians 1:1 he just declares himself an apostle, by the will of God. (IBBS Ephesians Intro)

Ephesians 1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Greeting
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:

In IBBS Philippians 1:1-2, we discussed the aspect of Paul describing his walk as a servant.

Phillipians 1
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers[b] and deacons:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Servants – websters – one that serves others a public servant; especially : one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer of Christ Jesus – the point of servant is that it has a master…and they declare who their master is, Whom they serve, right up front!

In Galatians, for whatever reason at the time, Paul really spent a lot of the letter talking about WHY he was actually an apostle.
IBBS Galatians 1:11-24 & 2:1-10 covers that explanation.

Let’s break down the first verse.

Titus 1:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Greeting
1 Paul,
a slave of God and
an apostle of Jesus Christ,
to build up[a] the faith of God’s elect and
their knowledge of the truth
that leads[b] to godliness,

Who? Paul. The one who was Saul, the leader of those that persecuted Christians. You can read about that in Acts 9.

What? Slave of God.

Definition of slave (Entry 1 of 4)
1 : a person held in servitude as the chattel of another
2 : one that is completely subservient to a dominating influence

This term was so despised in Paul’s time, that it was like shock and awe for him to use it. Of course, it does hearken back to Christ at the last supper in John 13.

Remember, Peter was offended that his Lord and Savior would do a servant’s work! Jesus had a different view:

John 13:12-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Meaning of Footwashing
12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined[a] again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.
16 “I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master,[b] and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

In Romans, Paul gives another explanation:

Romans 12:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Many Gifts but One Body
3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

We are all called to be slaves to Christ.
In IBBS Ephesians 2:20-22 part one and Part two we talked about how we are slaves.

The truth is, we are slaves.
BUT WE GET TO CHOOSE TO WHOM!!!

What, part two – apostle of Jesus Christ.

Definition of apostle
1 : one sent on a mission: such as
a : one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ’s 12 original disciples and Paul

An apostle is a specific ministry position in the Christian Church.
There are almost as many beliefs about what, who and when an apostle is as there are church buildings!
In one church we attended it was taught as the ‘fivefold ministry’.
Oddly enough, Wikipedia has an entry on this! It’s really very good for an overview without bias.

Paul wrote about these offices in Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4:11-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

That ties the What and the Why together!
WHY?

to build up the faith of God’s elect and
their knowledge of the truth
that leads to godliness,

That sounds like

build up the body of Christ
unity in the faith,
knowledge of God’s son
growing into a mature man
with stature measured by Christ’s fullness

Oh my.
The purposes for the ministry could very well apply to you and me.
While I am not called to be an apostle, pastor, or what else…I do teach. Do you?
Do you ever share your testimony?
Do you ever lead a bible study?
Or even host a table in a larger group for bible study?
Ok, here’s one…do you ever share a Bible meme on facebook?
You preach…teach…and your light is your ministry!

Aren’t we all called to help each other grow into the fullness of Christ?
1 Corinthians 12 says yes.
Ok, yes, another letter by Paul.

Did Jesus ever ask us to share with each other?

Matthew 5:13-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Believers Are Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket,[a] but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine[b] before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

I said in IBBS Ephesians Introduction:

I have often had difficulty wondering if the letters written to those people were actually applicable to me.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Romans 15:4
4 For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

And with that…my difficulties disappeared! Granted, again, these two verses are again, written by Paul.
I do think that Jesus’ words make it very clear that we are expected to be Jesus on the earth, to share Jesus’ love, joy, and light and to help each other to grow into the fullness of Christ. I just can’t see how we can get out of having to live up to our calling!
Remember 1 Corinthians 12, with Christ’s words about salt and light.

worship Break!

With that in mind…I’ll move on with Titus, as it applies to US!

coming up:

But first, we’ll finish with Paul’s purpose for the letter, and Titus…who was he?
And then, the beautiful prayer he prays so often….

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Habakkuk 3a

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

IBBS Habakkuk Introduction
IBBS Habakkuk 1
IBBS Habakkuk 2

Habakkuk 3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Habakkuk’s Third Prayer
3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. According to Shigionoth.[a]

2 Lord, I have heard the report about You;
Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds.
Revive Your work in these years;
make it known in these years.
In Your wrath remember mercy!

Please read all of Habakkuk 3 – but for now, I want to continue some thoughts from the previous posts.

To review:
In IBBS Habakkuk 1, we discussed that sometimes bad things happen to discipline us. that is not always the case.

Sometimes, it’s to test us…(though we are told not to blame God for our temptations!

James 1:12-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 A man who endures trials[a] is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God[b] has promised to those who love Him.

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil,[c] and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

There are those that fall because of their own lusts…and they need Psalm 38

The truth is, that there are those that are refined by the fire, and that refining has a higher purpose!

I discussed those who experienced a higher purpose with the refining fire. The question is, do we realize that God uses EVERYTHING to cause us to grow into the fullness of Christ?

Does God discipline his children?
I believe the answer is yes.

Job 33:16-25

Job 5:17-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 See how happy the man is God corrects;
so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.
18 For He crushes but also binds up;
He strikes, but His hands also heal.

Proverbs 3:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe His discipline;
12 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
just as a father, the son he delights in.

Psalm 94 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 Lord, happy is the man You discipline
and teach from Your law
13 to give him relief from troubled times
until a pit is dug for the wicked.

Revelation 3:19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed[a] and repent.

1 Corinthians 11:28-32 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,[a] eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.

Deuteronomy 8:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Keep in mind that the Lord your God has been disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.

2 Chronicles 6:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 may You hear in heaven
and forgive the sin of Your servants
and Your people Israel,
so that You may teach them the good way
they should walk in.
May You send rain on Your land
that You gave Your people for
an inheritance.

Hebrews 12:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons:
My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly
or faint when you are reproved by Him,
6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves
and punishes every son He receives.[a]

Jeremiah 31:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
18 I have heard Ephraim moaning,
“You disciplined me, and I have been disciplined
like an untrained calf.
Restore me, and I will return,
for you, Lord, are my God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

There’s a difference designated…those who are God’s people,and those who are not.

Job 27:8 For what hope does the godless man have when he is cut off,
when God takes away his life?

None…because those that Love the Lord have the hope of living out eternity with God in His Kingdom.

Eccl 8:12-14
12 Although a sinner commits crime a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before Him. 13 However, it will not go well with the wicked,and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God.14 There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.

As I said above, Psalm 38 is a cry for repentance. Those that Love God, and are wanting to please Him, know when they have sinned, and they cry out. There is now no condemnation…but there is conviction!

Romans 8 King James Version (KJV)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Read the rest of Roman’s 8 to find our what the child of God’s position of sin ought to be.

The question IS who is righteous and who is unrighteous in God’s eyes.

To point that out we just need to list a bunch of scriptures about righteousness versus unrighteous. Google gives options. I’ve linked and posted a few above.

Or, we could utilize Ray comfort’s method for determining if we are good enough to make it into heaven.
Or my version of his questions:

Or we could just settle with the scripture

Romans 3:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the[a] glory of God.

with

Romans 6:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It is only in Christ Jesus that we are considered righteous. There is no room for pride or elitism.

And since sacrifices in the Old Testament were the foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, trying to live your life according to all the rules of the Old Testament, and then confessing your sins and having faith in the sacrifices, that was what was considered righteous back then.

The thing is, the concept of grace and mercy is far misunderstood today.

Grace is getting that which you do not deserve and
mercy is not getting that which you do deserve.
Got Answers has a great explanation of the difference.

We all deserve the wages of sin which are death.
We all can embrace the gift of God which is eternal life by falling upon The Mercy Seat that had the final sacrifice of Christ’s blood applied.

I’m often disturbed by how many Christians look at God as a Santa God. Only providing good things and never asking us for anything in return.
Jesus himself gave some very clear commands!

Mark 12:30-31 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.[a][b]
31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself.[c] There is no other command greater than these.”

That doesn’t sound like he wiped out the Ten Commandments, or any of the other laws and Prophets as guides for how we should live!
What He wiped out is that we will not have to answer for being Human and failing.
We will have to answer for a lack of faith,
for lack of enduring to the end,
for a lack of holding on,
for a lack of continuing in well-doing,
for not walking in those works for which we were created.

Now, salvation is based on Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and having him being the Lord and Master Of Our Lives.
There are plenty of verses that say that there are rewards for those who have their heads chopped off for the kingdom.
Or for those who have lost all things in this world for Christ, or for those who…???
Yet, that isn’t always the requirement.
AND they are NOT the REQUIREMENT for salvation. They are the EVIDENCE!

The Bible says that those who teach are held to a higher standard than those who are ignorant. Something for which I am very aware.

I find it hard dealing with the physical and mental issues the God has allowed to continue in my life.
I find it hard to be joyful in the face of discouragement,
to be patient in the face of an ongoing trial, or
to be gracious to someone who has hurt me over and over and over possibly more than 70 times 7.

What I’m saying is, sometimes, when I get a little too comfortable in my life, I need the Lord to get my attention and if that is his disciplining hand to remind me that I am his child, I will say thank you for that!

What does this have to do with Habakkuk?
In Habakkuk’s day, being taken to Babylon was God’s disappointing hand to a people who had become too comfortable and we’re turning their backs on the one who gives them life.
God was promising Habakkuk that there would come a day that there would be judgment and that the joy of the people would be restored.

I’m going to answer that question, and discuss Habakkuk 3 in IBBS Habakkuk 3b.

In Itty Bitty Bible Study Galatians 1:1-10, you can read about how quickly the believers fell away!
In Itty Bitty Bible Study Galatians 2:11-21, you can read about Paul’s perspective on how Grace and a sinful life relate!

Itty Bitty Bible Study Galations 5 talks about how we can become UNentangled from sin!

Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 1:2-6 talks about WHY Jesus did what he did.

In Itty Bitty Bible Study Ephesians 1:15-23I talk more about the WHY. What is it that Paul is praying for us? How to overcome the world, through Christ.

I know there is a lot of scripture in this blog.
I know there is a lot of reference to additional blog posts.
The thing is, in my world, there is only one truth…ONE TRUTH…and that is the Word of God.
Nothing I say can set you free…only the SON can set you free!

John 8:31-36
This is Jesus speaking! BIBLE!

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

My prayer for you is that through Habakkuk, and all studies of the Word of God, you will be set free, and know The Prince of Peace!

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

Naomi’s Heart Ministries
Obed’s House Ministries
Project Based Missions, Global
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Compassion

Advent 2015 Day 17 – Peace

Advent day 17
light the 17th candle

Advent 17

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

luke 2:14

When Jesus was born, the angels sang.

Isaiah 9:6:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

So many people talk about the peace of Jesus. BEing right with God through Jesus is peace indescribable.

In the midst of the storm, Jesus says Peace be still:

Mark 4:39

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

To the woman who had suffered years with an incurable illness,
Mark 5:34

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Jesus knows the fears and anxieties of our lives, and he speaks peace into us.
John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

“let not your heart be troubled”…honestly, that’s easy for Jesus to say! He’s God!!!

Romans 5:1

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

I do have peace that I am justified by faith, and that I have peace with God through my Lord Jesus – I have peace that my salvation is secure in Him. It’s the stuff around me that causes anxiety! The world. The diseases. The suffering. the tribulations of my friends and family. And Jesus even provides peace for those situations:

1 Peter 5:7

casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.

Ps 55:22

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Matthew 6 – do not worry, do not worry, do not worry! here, Jesus lists quite a few things that cause me anxiety. food, clothing, and everything else is implied by pointing to the flowers and the birds that are cared for.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

This gift of peace, is also a gift of rest…fear and anxiety and worry are just constant poisons within that weaken the spirit.

2 Tim 1:7

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

And Romans talks about striving to enter into His rest – being the rest at the end of our walk, and stepping into Heaven. But the peace of God can abide with us now.

Phil 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Col 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

an added bonuse to God’s peace:
1 cor 14:33

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

When I am anxious, I get confused, and I am definitely NOT in peace. Concerns for the health of my family, dealing with pains in my body, listening to the news around the world, and even here in America – these things can get me confused, and I can forget Who reigns. He’s not the author of confusion! Therefore, if I take my anxiety, my fears, my concerns to HIM – he will fill me with His peace, and more.

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

More Advent Devotions

Merry Christmas!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I want to thank

for the ability to search the Bible online.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

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