http://thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog The Jesus Name Church: Blog Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:32:21 -0600 http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=4ae8c0ecb8fa80e3311333c4e4dd4a9a_4af63b9e Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:31:42 -0600 A--A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. B--Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil wiht good. C--Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. D--Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. E--Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. F--For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. G--Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. H--Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. I--In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. J--Judge not, that ye be not judged. K--Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. L--Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. M--My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. N--No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. O--O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. P--Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Q--Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. R--Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. S--Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. T--Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. U--Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy. V--Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. W--Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. X--Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Y--Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Z--Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=ae71615b706d407070170d0f34266d5f_4ada406d Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:08:45 -0500 LOVE -- Seeks the highest good of others (the worship and adoration of God) JOY --Gladness not based on circumstances PEACE -- Contentment, unity between people PATIENCE -- Slow to speak and slow to anger KINDNESS -- Merciful, sweet, and tender GOODNESS -- Generous and open hearted FAITHFULNESS -- Dependable, loyal, and full of trust (unwavering in belief) GENTLENESS -- Humble, calm, non-threatening SELF-CONTROL -- Behaving well http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=ed0a85af3b04a48545298e67541e2261_49f3b92b Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:30:19 -0500 Faith is the act of believing the things that God has revealed about himself and acting on those beliefs. Or as the author of Hebrews clearly puts it: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). People who are righteous are to live by faith (Romans 1:17) Of the many examples of faith in the Bible, Abraham stands out as one of the best. Among other things, he left his comfortable home to go to an unknown place where God promised to lead him (Genesis 12, 13); he believed that God could give him a son, even in his old age (Genesis 15:1- 6; 17:15-22; 21:1-3); and he was willing to offer that son back to God (Genesis 22:1-19). While your faith is never likely to be challenged to the extent that Abraham's was, God will certainly provide opportunities for you to stretch it from time to time. Look for those opportunities and make the most of them. Your response in such situations can strongly affect the quality of your spiritual life. http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=965d93e5f02a7ed52bb41716927e8e6f_49e3d424 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:09:08 -0500 Faithfulness, in one sense, is a synonym for loyalty. Loyalty is strong devotion to a person or ideal. It's easy to exhibit loyalty when things are going well. But true loyalty is a willingness to stand by your friends and your beliefs when no one else seems ready to do so. But from a biblical perspective, it is possible to be loyal without being faithful. Faithfulness suggests being "full of faith," so it is a measure of your relationship with God. Faithfulness is simply a consistency of such faith. A classic example of loyalty is Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi. After Naomi's husband and two sons died, it looked like she would be left alone in the world. But Ruth expressed loyalty to her mother-in-law with the classic statement: "For whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people and thy God my God." Ruth's loyalty was rewarded as she returned to Naomi's homeland, found a husband, and eventually became the great-grandmother of King David. How do you feel when someone is disloyal to you? Can your friends count on your loyalty-no matter what? How do you think you might eventually be rewarded for your own loyalty to friends or family members? Sometimes little-known people stand out as role models. One such model of faithfulness is Enoch. We don't know much about Enoch. But in a long passage that records how a number of people "lived" and then "died," Enoch stands out because he "walked with God," and then later, "he was not, for God took him." Because of Enoch's faithfulness, he apparently didn't have to experience death like everyone else does. Is faithfulness a regular part of your character, or only an occasional trait? As you become more faithful to God, what possible benefits do you think you might receive? Why do you think faithfulness is so important to Christians? http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=d00ead785abe308d889c886cf70f19ab_48f7329e Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:25:02 -0500 We do not join the church -- we are born into it. To be a part of the chruch, we must be born again by a Pentecostal experience. John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. While Acts 2:38 (Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.) is a command, it is also a privilege. It is not simply, "Do I have to get the Holy Ghost?" It is, "Do I get to have the Holy Ghost?" When someone is born of the water and of the Spirit he will rejoice, the angels will rejoice, and the church will rejoice. It will be the happiest birthday he will ever have. http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=1a6deb87553cc2077566e7f2ee8c085a_48cda3a0 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:52:00 -0500 1. We must repent, turning our back on all sin and turning to God in faith. Repentence is motivated by godly sorrow, and it includes confession of sins to God. 2. We must be baptized (immersed)in the name of Jesus Christ. 3. God will pour out the gift of the Holy Ghost on us as He did on the disciples, and we will receive the same Bible evidence -- speaking in other tongues. http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=35fd587ad328deda2ba806c007acc8d7_48c3263f Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:54:23 -0500 I Corinthians 13 is considered to be the love chapter. Kinds of Love: 1. Brotherly Love -- is based directly on the affection of friendship. 2. Romantic Love -- brings out compassionate attitudes and actions on our part. 3. Erotic Love -- (Eros) generally on a par with, or even below, animalistic behavior. 4. Patriotic Love -- devotion for one's country. 5. Divine Love -- agape, love that goes far beyond even the greatest expressions of brotherly, romantic, or patriotic love, and it does not even compare with the lust of Eros. Inadequate Proof of Love 1. Sweet-Sounding Words -- it is easy to profess love, but it is much harder to demonstrate it adequately. 2. Gifts of Prophecy and Understanding -- great knowledge and insight into the spiritual realm and plan of God are not enough to make up for a lack of love. 3. Benevolence to the Needy -- Just being involved in helping others is not enough. 4. Personal Sacrifice -- the ultimate sacrifice of life itself is insufficient without love. Characteristics of Genuine Love 1. Longsuffering -- benefit's the ones loved 2. Kindness -- to show oneself useful, act benevolently 3. Humility -- without seeking self- aggrandizement 4. Selflessness -- humility, act without regard to whether or not we will benefit 5. Rejoices in the Right Things -- looks to redeemed lives as a reason to rejoice 6. Strong in Support -- not be like wavering reeds in the winds 7. Strong in Faith -- keeps us pressing forward toward ultimate victory even though we may bear many frustrations today 8. Strong in Endeavor -- long hours, hard work, and great sacrifice are not unfamiliar to those who take seriously their commitment to bless others Results of Genuine Love 1. Solves All Problems -- does not resign 2. Facilitates Vision and Understanding -- changes the way we see the world 3. Abides Forever -- continue to exist through the ceaseless ages of eternity http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=ce2ec5baa5c7d77e85a5540c5fa736dc_48b09e4d Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:33:33 -0500 Does it really matter what you believe concerning the Bible, who Jesus is, who the Father is, or the Holy Ghost (Spirit)? Can a person be sincere in their beliefs yet be deceived and lost? Yes, and God has given some guidelines to examining ourselves. Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). He is the creator of heaven and earth, and of all living beings. He has revealed Himself to humanity as the Father (Creator), in the son (Savior), and as the Holy Ghost (indwelling Spirit). God is a Spirit (John 4:24). He is the Eternal One, the Creator of all things, and the Father of all humanity by creation. He is the First and the Last, and beside Him there is no God (Isaiah 44:6). There was no God formed before Him; neither shall be there any after Him (Isaiah 43:10). Jesus is the Son of God according to the flesh (Romans 1:3) and the very God Himself according to the Spirit (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16); the creator of all things (Colossians 1:16-17); God with us (Matthew 1:23); God made flesh (John 1:1-14); God manifested in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16);He which was, which is, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8);the mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus Himself testified of His identity as God when He said, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:7-11) and "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). It took shedding of blood for the remission of the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:22), but God the Father was a Spirit and had no blood to shed. Thus He prepared a body of flesh and blood (Hebrews 10:5)and came to earth as a man in order to save us, for in Isaiah 43:11 He said, "Beside me there is no Saviour." When He came in flesh the angels sang, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). The Holy Ghost is not a third person in the Godhead, but rather the Spirit of God (the Creator), the Spirit of the resurrected Christ. The Holy Ghost comes to dwell in the hearts and lives of everyone who believes and obeys the gospel, as the comforter, Sustainer, and keeper (John 14:16- 26; Romans 8:9-11). http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=a53a8219e98365be854b28a8a17b96e5_4871741f Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:40:47 -0500 If you are like most Americans you own a Bible. The Bible is one of the most widely owned books. Have you ever opened the cover and read inside? Sadly it is the least read book. There is no other book in existence that compares to the Bible. Many who do read the Bible on occasion still don't really study to see what it has to offer and teach them about God and his plan for them. I encourage you to open and look inside and really see what God is telling YOU! Remember that every word is divinely inspired, and God is ready to speak to you from the pages of the Bible. The Bible is our Textbook for life!!! http://www.thejesusnamechurch.zoomshare.com/:blog?id=da24ce237ca92b6188ecc2b56c7aa555_482283c3 Wed, 07 May 2008 23:38:27 -0500 Itching ears is a phrase used in the Bible to describe a person who looks for messages that please them and their standard of living, as opposed to searching for the truth that might make them uncomfortable. 2 Timothy 4:3-4: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (KJV) Paul is telling Timothy to always preach the truth but cautioning him that those who hear him will not always receive the truth. We sing and read and preach about grace, but too often, our talk about grace is simply another method of protecting our self- righteousness. The preaching we love to listen to may be truth-filled and Bible-centered, but if it only points out the problems of everyone else in the world, it misses its target. We love to sit in the pew and think the preacher is preaching to someone else. If we are not careful we will get the attitude that everything we do is like Baby Bear's porridge , rocking chair and bed...JUST RIGHT! Our ears are tickled when we ear a sermon that never makes us uneasy. Our hearts are unchanged when we listen to a sermon that never gets us to think, or feel uneasy about our destiny. Matthew 18:11-18 : For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Be careful about listening when a message is being given in your presence that you don't neglect it and become as an heathen. A heathen is an unconverted member of a people or nation that does not acknowledge the God of the Bible. Proverb 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be careful that you are listening to God and not leaning upon what feels right to you because it is the easy way out, or it doesn't make us have to change the way we are liveing. The flesh is always looking for the easy way out.