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1 Timothy 1

1/29/2014

1 Timothy 1:12-13
"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted His people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief."

Look how much God loves us, He used Paul even with his horrible past treatment of the Christians. God's love is for everyone and when we can understand that our strength comes from Him we can make a difference. Paul didn't question God's love He embraced it. Verse 12 says, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work." I love this because none of us are strong enough to do His work without surrendering our old lives and living through Him.

In verse 14 Paul says, "Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that comes from Christ Jesus." We have a gift that is so great and that can do so much, we need to grab on with joy and let it fill us with hope. Look at verses 15-16 which say, "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" - and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life." If that doesn't make you shout AMEN! I don't know what will. We can't worry about what we have done or who we are we have to believe that we had a past that God can use for His glory and that we are a loved tool that God will use if we let Him.

If you don't think so or are struggling with something you've done - let it go and let Jesus use you to reach the kingdom. Seek wisdom, ask for knowledge and knock everyday for help saying, thank you God for your love - your Son Jesus - and the Holy Spirit, let all of them fill me so I am more like them and less like me. We can't keep wondering if we're good enough because God has made us good enough through His Son Jesus, so we need to use what we know and continue to grow to be more like Him daily. Amen

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2 Thessalonians 1

1/24/2014

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2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
"And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus."

Two things make me want to study God's word more when I read this scripture. First, "God will provide rest..." Our rest might not come now but it will come and it will be wonderful. Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 11 verse 28, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." That is for us now and the more we come to Him the more we feel at ease.

I am so thankful for my relationship and what Jesus has done for me with His rest because a life with 7 kids can get tiring. Every morning I thank God for life and ask for guidance through my day. Just being able to do that gives me peace and helps me keep my focus. When I am focused I am more beneficial and I am a light shining Jesus and not myself.

Another verse that I like to read when I am getting tired from the daily routine is Jeremiah chapter 12 verse 5 which says, "If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses...?" As we accept Christ our lives are going to be full because we agree to die to self and think of others as better than ourselves. The responsibility to learn and grow helps us be a good witness for Jesus and it takes us being aware of the new life Jesus has promised us.

The second thing that makes me want to study God's word is; "He will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgement on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus." This is because I never want to be in belief but not desire to change or grow. The demons believed in Jesus but chose to live for themselves. The belief didn't make them have a relationship with Him it just made them know of Him. Knowing Him does nothing for us if we don't open our hearts and let God transform us. Look at what Jesus says in Matthew chapter 7 verse 21, "Not everyone who calls out to me, Lord! Lord! will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter." We must make our belief grow to faith and we must keep our faith growing by knowing God's word and letting it change our lives.

It's not about earning anything, Jesus' gift for us is free but no gift is worth anything if we don't use it. I want to finish with Philippians chapter 2 verse 12 which says, "Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I'm away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear." Never stop praying for growth and wisdom, then apply what you have learned to your life so your faith is seen true and your life glorifies God. Amen

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1 Thessalonians 4

1/17/2014

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1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live and you will not need to depend on others."

As I looked at this I kept seeing the importance for us as believers not get caught up in the silliness of this world and the arguments that take place. As we are growing and increasing in our knowledge we can see how our behavior can be looked at and could cause people to stumble. As we live our lives learning to be like Christ the Holy Spirit will guide us in our behavior and we will see how all things aren't needing our opinion but our silence.

Our number one goal is to love and know God and live in this world using the Holy Spirit to lead us into right living. This takes dying to self and opening our hearts for love. James puts it a great way in James chapter 4 verse 4 when he said, "You adulterers. Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God." We cannot desire to believe in Christ and try and keep parts of our old lives. That doesn't mean our personality, which God made changes, it means what we focus on changing and we don't try and please ourselves but God.

We need to believe that we are new creations in Christ and we need to release the old struggles we had and seek new life that Jesus has given us. This won't be done on our own strength, it can only be done with God's help. And He has given us so much help, all we need to do is use it by, asking, seeking and knocking. Read His word for transformation not just information. we can't worry about our knowledge, we need to ask God to reveal more so we can apply it to our lives. Pray and listen to the Holy Spirit who is our guide and comforter. He will only give us what is good. And finally, remember that our learning will be forever, there is no time of knowing it all, when we can say I'm done. The excitement is us seeing Gods work in every situation in our lives and us going to God as our Father. Keep working and make sure we are aware of the little things this world wants us to join in on that may cause to be stumbling blocks for the Kingdom. Amen

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Isaiah 30

1/14/2014

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Isaiah 30:18 "So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help."

It's not about earning anything it's about opening our hearts and going to God because He is love and wants us to know Him. This was written to the people in Jerusalem but it is so true for us as we seek to know Christ. Matthew chapter 11 verse 28 says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." There is so much joy and hope and peace when we join in our journey with the Lord. He won't make us but He has given us incredible stories of people who trusted and felt the power He gives.

When we come to Christ and learn to be like Him, He gets the glory and He shines brighter and we surrender more of us and act more like Him. John chapter 3 verse 16 says, "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so That everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." I love this because when we believe in something we actually come to it or show that we believe. It's not I believe and then I don't do anything with it. I looked up the word believe and the definition is: To entrust a thing to one, to credit, have confidence. I also looked it up in the context of it's use in that verse and the Thayer's Greek Lexicom said it was: To have a faith directed unto, believing or in faith to give one's self up to Jesus. That is amazing when you read it in that way. Look at John 3:16 now, "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that (everyone who give's one's self up to Jesus) will not perish but have eternal life."

Makes you want to thank God and work hard to learn more and more. He loves us and is waiting for us to talk to Him, we shouldn't deny ourselves of this relationship. At The Rock Church we are in a series called "Exploring God" and learned that when we know His word we can truly know Him. I say let's not wait to talk to God, let's talk to Him daily. Amen

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Colossians 2

1/11/2014

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Colossians 2:3 "In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Think about that because when we realize how amazing knowing Christ is our hearts will open and we will seek to know Him. Paul is sharing to the church in Colosse that Jesus is the plan and they should stop searching for some other way. The plan is Jesus Christ and when they, and now when we, realize that what a difference our life becomes. We get stronger because of Christ, we look at others instead of ourselves because of Christ, we love all people because of Christ. Verses 6-7 say, "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

If we want more peace, joy, patience, self control and the rest of the fruit we need to continue to follow Him and let our lives be built on Him. That is when our faith has a chance to grow. Jesus is our rock and our salvation as we surrender and let the Holy Spirit, who was given to us by God when Jesus ascended into heaven, keep us focused on Christ as we mature.

People that show by their lives to have more faith work on developing that faith and opening their hearts to seek all they can about Jesus. The more we grow the more we learn. Our Christianity isn't measured on years being a Christian, it is in our maturity and willingness to develop and let God transform us into the image of Jesus. I love "when, then" statements because they always make me re-read them to see what they are saying. It says when we build our live on Jesus, then our faith will grow. There is no special pill or special saying, it is our desire to be like Christ and to continue to learn to be less of who we want to be and more of who God wants us to be.

Let's look at this warning from Paul and how much God can do for us as we open our hearts and learn. Verses 18-19 say, "Don't let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For He holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it." God does all He can to nourish us are we willing to join in the relationship and let it grow? Amen

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Philippians 1

1/7/2014

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Philippians 1:21 This is my favorite verse in the bible and I love how Paul uses it to show his surrender to God's will. "For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better."

Living is living for Christ not ourselves. This is so important as we battle our own desires in life. His life has one purpose and that is to serve and work for Christ and nothing is going to get in his way. Verses 23-24 says, "I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live." He knows his life isn't what he gains from it, but how others gain from it.

When we are just living like Christ people see love and that living in love is what makes people curious in why we are different and not condemning. When we are not willing to grow in the Lord, we may be good but we are missing out on the strength given to us from the Holy Spirit. Paul continues to share the importance of him being there still in verse 23, "Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith."

Life is tuff but when we know Jesus we have hope because He is the hope of the world. When we all work for the same purpose; glorifying the Lord, and helping others see Christ in us the kingdom is affected and God gets the glory. I have always said I want all that knowing Christ offers and I will always seek it because the joy of my faith is what shines the light of Christ for all to see. Even in our storms people can't see defeat but victory because of who is in control of our life. Thank you God for all your love and making me who I am. Keep me focused and help me understand all that you have planned for me. Amen

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Ephesians 5

1/4/2014

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Ephesians 5:15-20 "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing palms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and make music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

We need to really take a look at these Scriptures because there are many "don'ts" and we as followers should be aware of the "don'ts". The very first verse says, "So be careful how you live..." When we are living day by day the worlds opinions and the worlds wisdom will flood us with it's ideals. If we are not careful we can get caught up thinking like the world and we should be in the world but not of the world. God has given us His word to study and learn all the wisdom we will need, all we need to do is take the time to seek it.

We are shown by Paul in verse 17 to think about what we should do and know we all have a purpose to learn what the Lord wants. "Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." This takes us being a part of out relationship with the Lord; learning and growing so we can understand all we need to. It's not about just reading God's word as a choice, it's reading it for knowledge and growth and really knowing Jesus Christ. We are told by Paul in 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." There is no other book like this, it will make our life different because it is the essence of Jesus Christ Himself.

If we put the time in to learn our hearts will open up and change to be like Christ. The Spirit in us will be louder and we will desire more understanding. We will notice what is good and what is bad and we will want to do what is right. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 17 says, "God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work." He's not trying to confuse us He wants us to see a life worth living. I say we should all practice what it says in Ephesians chapter 5 verse 20 and never stop seeking God's wisdom. "And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Amen

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1 Timothy 1

2 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 4

Isaiah 30

Colossians 2

Philippians 1

Ephesians 5

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