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Sunday, September 16, 2012
Your Daily Word
Word for Today
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Verse of the Day
Unite my heart to fear Your name Psalms 86:11
ESV 11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
Love and Truth
"For your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth."
Psalm 26:3
Walk in truth and be lead by love. These are twins of wise living. Love is our leader and truth our motivator. Love is our strategy and truth our tactic. Love is our goal and truth our inspiration. Love is our encouragement and truth our obedience. We need both to become better followers of Jesus. We are not under the bondage of the law, but we are under the sweet constraints of grace. Love, without truth, can be deceived with every new form of teaching. It can be easily swayed by emotion instead of remaining stable and confident in Christ. Truth without love becomes judgmental and harsh. It goes through the right motions while resentment builds unabated. Love and truth work together so we are able to live a compelling Christian life. They bring us into balance.
This is why we look forward to the love of God as a guide for our faith. Faith trusts God to accomplish His own decrees. This is why we do not have to steal, for we know God will provide for His children. This is why we do not have to get back at others in revenge, because God can and will handle them in His timing and in His way. This is what it means to be led by the love of God. You can trust God’s love to dispense justice when appropriate, and extend grace and forgiveness as needed. He sees the bigger picture and knows what is necessary to draw others closer to Christ. This is why we look ahead to the love of God. When we look to love as the leader, we trust. We follow love by faith.
Secondly, we walk grounded in truth. Truth governs our faith. Truth keeps us rooted in reality. It is obedience to God’s truth that proves our love for Him. Truth takes us back to the question, “What does the Almighty think I should be and do?” We walk in truth because it preserves us from sinful behavior. It is the assurance of God’s promises that causes us to imitate them as well as believe. Like a pilot who depends on instruments, radar, radio and GPS (Global Positioning System) to guide him on the best path to the right destination, so we walk in truth expecting the Lord’s best outcome. Some talk of truth, but it is much better to walk in truth. Some vow to do better in the future, but their resolutions come to nothing. Avoid those who say one thing and do another.
A companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 13:20). Stay away from those who stray from the truth. It may be a pastor, teacher, friend, or business client who handles the truth loosely. They lie even when the truth will do. These are vain people. Do not sit with them and be drawn in by their charisma. They are deceptive. However, those who walk in the truth will at times tell you things you do not want to hear. They are your internist on eternal matters. So listen when they prescribe doses of truth. The medicine may be bitter, but if applied, it will heal your heart. Therefore, walk in truth, and walk with those who walk in truth. Love leads and truth follows. Go with God. Go to Him often and receive gladly his infinite love and insightful truth. He is both.
Psalm 26:3
Walk in truth and be lead by love. These are twins of wise living. Love is our leader and truth our motivator. Love is our strategy and truth our tactic. Love is our goal and truth our inspiration. Love is our encouragement and truth our obedience. We need both to become better followers of Jesus. We are not under the bondage of the law, but we are under the sweet constraints of grace. Love, without truth, can be deceived with every new form of teaching. It can be easily swayed by emotion instead of remaining stable and confident in Christ. Truth without love becomes judgmental and harsh. It goes through the right motions while resentment builds unabated. Love and truth work together so we are able to live a compelling Christian life. They bring us into balance.
This is why we look forward to the love of God as a guide for our faith. Faith trusts God to accomplish His own decrees. This is why we do not have to steal, for we know God will provide for His children. This is why we do not have to get back at others in revenge, because God can and will handle them in His timing and in His way. This is what it means to be led by the love of God. You can trust God’s love to dispense justice when appropriate, and extend grace and forgiveness as needed. He sees the bigger picture and knows what is necessary to draw others closer to Christ. This is why we look ahead to the love of God. When we look to love as the leader, we trust. We follow love by faith.
Secondly, we walk grounded in truth. Truth governs our faith. Truth keeps us rooted in reality. It is obedience to God’s truth that proves our love for Him. Truth takes us back to the question, “What does the Almighty think I should be and do?” We walk in truth because it preserves us from sinful behavior. It is the assurance of God’s promises that causes us to imitate them as well as believe. Like a pilot who depends on instruments, radar, radio and GPS (Global Positioning System) to guide him on the best path to the right destination, so we walk in truth expecting the Lord’s best outcome. Some talk of truth, but it is much better to walk in truth. Some vow to do better in the future, but their resolutions come to nothing. Avoid those who say one thing and do another.
A companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 13:20). Stay away from those who stray from the truth. It may be a pastor, teacher, friend, or business client who handles the truth loosely. They lie even when the truth will do. These are vain people. Do not sit with them and be drawn in by their charisma. They are deceptive. However, those who walk in the truth will at times tell you things you do not want to hear. They are your internist on eternal matters. So listen when they prescribe doses of truth. The medicine may be bitter, but if applied, it will heal your heart. Therefore, walk in truth, and walk with those who walk in truth. Love leads and truth follows. Go with God. Go to Him often and receive gladly his infinite love and insightful truth. He is both.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
NKJV Psalms Chapter 86 - Great Is Your Steadfast Love
Great Is Your Steadfast Love - Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; For I
am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save
Your servant who trusts in You! Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to
You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I
lift up m..
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Friday, September 14, 2012
Identification with Christ
"What then shall we say? Should we continue in sin that grace may abound? Absolutely not! We who have DIED to SIN, how shall we still live in it? Or are you ignorant that all of us who have been baptized INTO Christ Jesus have been baptized INTO His death? We have been buried therefore with Him through baptism INTO His death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we might walk in NEWNESS of life. For if we have grown together with Him in the likeness of His death, indeed we will also be in the likeness of His resurrection. (Roman 6:1-5)
When we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into His death. His death has separated us from the world and the satanic power of darkness and has terminated our natural life, our old nature, our self, our flesh, and even our entire history. Our old man has been crucified with Christ, and it has been buried with Him through baptism into death. In the natural realm, a person first dies and then is buried ; but Paul's word indicates that in the spiritual realm, we are first buried and then die. We do not die directly ; we enter into Christ's death through baptism.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The Days of Awe: a Time for Self-Examination
The Days of Awe: a Time for Self-Examination
Rosh HaShanah (literally, The Head of the Year) begins this Sunday night with synagogue services, special prayers, and the blowing of the shofar. During the course of the service, the shofar will sound 100 times.
A special ten-day period called the Days of Awe or Ten Days of Repentance begins with Rosh HaShanah and culminates with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
This ten-day period is an intense time of introspection and self-examination. It provides everyone the opportunity to survey the condition of their lives and hearts and get right with God.
Interestingly enough, the very name Israel (pronounced Yis RA el in Hebrew) can be taken to mean ‘right with God,’ from two Hebrew words—Yashar (straight, right, or honest) and El—God.
This is a special time of forgiveness where we both request forgiveness from those we have wronged and extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Jewish tradition, in fact, holds that God cannot forgive us for sins that we commit against another until we obtain forgiveness from the person we wronged.
Indeed, Yeshua (Jesus) Himself identified unforgiveness as a crucial issue. He said that it would keep us from receiving forgiveness from our Heavenly Father.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
Since fallen human nature leads to sin and unforgiveness, God provided this special time to focus on repentance and forgiveness.
The shofar (ram's horn) is sounded before and during the High Holy Days.
Sounding the Shofar in Preparation of Rosh HaShanah
We don't wait for Rosh HaShanah to blow the shofar.
Because the Hebrew month of Elul before the Days of Awe is regarded as the time to begin the process of asking forgiveness, the shofar has been and is continuing to be sounded in many Orthodox Jewish communities.
It’s piercing, haunting sound stirs our hearts to seek God and repent of the sin in our lives.
A well-known and greatly respected Jewish sage of the Middle Ages, Maimonides, likened the sound of the shofar to an alarm call that awakens us: “Sleepers, arise from your slumber, and those who are dozing, awake from your lethargy. Review your actions, repent from your sins, and remember your Creator!”
Likewise, the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) exhorts us to wake from our spiritual slumber and make the most of our time by loving and following God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, rather than following empty or frivolous pursuits.
"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Messiah will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:14-16)
A tallit (prayer shawl) and a High Holy Day Jewish prayer book
Selichot Confessions
As the new year is approaching and the month of Elul is drawing to a close, the call to repentance is being felt all the more urgently.
Since Rosh HaShanah is next Monday, special penitential prayers called Selichot (pronounced s'lee-KHOT, meaning forgiveness) began just after midnight yesterday (Sunday).
These prayers will be recited this week at the beginning of the daily morning prayer service. And they are not short; they add an extra 45 minutes to the regular daily morning service.
A central theme found throughout these prayers is the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy (Shelosh-Esreh Middot), which were revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai and enumerated in Exodus.
This beautifully embellished door is the front view of a
Jewish synagogue in the Old City, Jerusalem.
The Hebrew word selichot is related to slichah, which is the equivalent expression for excuse me, I’m sorry, and forgive me.
Although we strive to live a pure and holy life before God, all of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. Each one of us needs to repent and ask forgiveness for the many errors we make that hurt ourselves and others.
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:40)
In most Jewish communities, Selichot will continue to be recited in prayer services right through the Days of Awe.
During this season, may we each be challenged to look inside ourselves, asking the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to reveal hidden sin in our hearts and lives.
Saying sorry can be life changing.
Asking for forgiveness is pivotal to repentance, a closer walk with God and to successful relationships with our family, friends and fellowman. It is also important to leaving the past behind and moving forward with God's plan for our lives.
The call of the shofar is a call to teshuvah (repentance).
The following confession of sins is a portion of Selichot called Al Chet that is recited communally on Yom Kippur:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
Amen!
Le'shana Tova Tikoteiv Vetichoteim Le'Alter LeChaim Tovim U'Leshalom
May you be inscribed and sealed for a Good Year and for a Good and Peaceful Life
Rosh HaShanah (literally, The Head of the Year) begins this Sunday night with synagogue services, special prayers, and the blowing of the shofar. During the course of the service, the shofar will sound 100 times.
A special ten-day period called the Days of Awe or Ten Days of Repentance begins with Rosh HaShanah and culminates with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
This ten-day period is an intense time of introspection and self-examination. It provides everyone the opportunity to survey the condition of their lives and hearts and get right with God.
Interestingly enough, the very name Israel (pronounced Yis RA el in Hebrew) can be taken to mean ‘right with God,’ from two Hebrew words—Yashar (straight, right, or honest) and El—God.
This is a special time of forgiveness where we both request forgiveness from those we have wronged and extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Jewish tradition, in fact, holds that God cannot forgive us for sins that we commit against another until we obtain forgiveness from the person we wronged.
Indeed, Yeshua (Jesus) Himself identified unforgiveness as a crucial issue. He said that it would keep us from receiving forgiveness from our Heavenly Father.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
Since fallen human nature leads to sin and unforgiveness, God provided this special time to focus on repentance and forgiveness.
The shofar (ram's horn) is sounded before and during the High Holy Days.
Sounding the Shofar in Preparation of Rosh HaShanah
We don't wait for Rosh HaShanah to blow the shofar.
Because the Hebrew month of Elul before the Days of Awe is regarded as the time to begin the process of asking forgiveness, the shofar has been and is continuing to be sounded in many Orthodox Jewish communities.
It’s piercing, haunting sound stirs our hearts to seek God and repent of the sin in our lives.
A well-known and greatly respected Jewish sage of the Middle Ages, Maimonides, likened the sound of the shofar to an alarm call that awakens us: “Sleepers, arise from your slumber, and those who are dozing, awake from your lethargy. Review your actions, repent from your sins, and remember your Creator!”
Likewise, the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) exhorts us to wake from our spiritual slumber and make the most of our time by loving and following God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, rather than following empty or frivolous pursuits.
"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Messiah will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:14-16)
A tallit (prayer shawl) and a High Holy Day Jewish prayer book
Selichot Confessions
As the new year is approaching and the month of Elul is drawing to a close, the call to repentance is being felt all the more urgently.
Since Rosh HaShanah is next Monday, special penitential prayers called Selichot (pronounced s'lee-KHOT, meaning forgiveness) began just after midnight yesterday (Sunday).
These prayers will be recited this week at the beginning of the daily morning prayer service. And they are not short; they add an extra 45 minutes to the regular daily morning service.
A central theme found throughout these prayers is the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy (Shelosh-Esreh Middot), which were revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai and enumerated in Exodus.
The Lord, The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet He does not leave the leave the guilty unpunished.... (Exodus 34:6-7)
This beautifully embellished door is the front view of a
Jewish synagogue in the Old City, Jerusalem.
The Hebrew word selichot is related to slichah, which is the equivalent expression for excuse me, I’m sorry, and forgive me.
Although we strive to live a pure and holy life before God, all of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. Each one of us needs to repent and ask forgiveness for the many errors we make that hurt ourselves and others.
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:40)
In most Jewish communities, Selichot will continue to be recited in prayer services right through the Days of Awe.
During this season, may we each be challenged to look inside ourselves, asking the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to reveal hidden sin in our hearts and lives.
Saying sorry can be life changing.
Asking for forgiveness is pivotal to repentance, a closer walk with God and to successful relationships with our family, friends and fellowman. It is also important to leaving the past behind and moving forward with God's plan for our lives.
The call of the shofar is a call to teshuvah (repentance).
The following confession of sins is a portion of Selichot called Al Chet that is recited communally on Yom Kippur:
“Lord I repent and ask forgiveness:
- For the sin that we have sinned before You by hardness of heart.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You with an utterance of the lips.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You with immorality.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You through speech.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You through inner thoughts.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You by insincere confession.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You by foolish talk.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You through impure lips.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You through denial and false promises.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You through scorning.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You with food and drink.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You through gossip.
- For the sin that we have sinned before You in business dealings.
For all these, O God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, and grant atonement.
Over the next couple of weeks, let’s join with the Jewish People worldwide and here in Israel, repeating the prayer of the Psalmist David:“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
Amen!
Le'shana Tova Tikoteiv Vetichoteim Le'Alter LeChaim Tovim U'Leshalom
May you be inscribed and sealed for a Good Year and for a Good and Peaceful Life
My Daily Inspiration
“When we're infused with either enthusiasm or awe or fondness … it changes what we see. It changes what we remember.”
–Rob Legato
–Rob Legato
Fwd: YouVersion - Day 154 of your Joseph Prince's Devotional Bible plan
Joseph Prince's Devotional
Day 154 of 365
When faced with a challenge or crisis, our tendency is to get all anxious about it. But God does not want us to react this way. He does not want us to be anxious about anything. Instead, whatever the problem is, He wants us to go to Him in prayer and supplication, telling Him what we need and thanking Him for the answer. When we do that, His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds from all worries, anxieties and fears.
‚"Pastor Prince,it is easy for you to say,‚ÄòBe anxious for nothing.'Try living with my husband for one day. Try disciplining that wayward teenager of mine. Look at the balance in my bank account! How can I not be anxious?‚"
Hold it! I am not the one who said, ‚"Be anxious for nothing.‚" The apostle Paul said it. Yet, it was not him - he was prompted by the Holy Spirit. And when Paul wrote that, he was a prisoner under house arrest in Rome. He had been sent to Rome because he had appealed to Caesar regarding his death sentence. The Jews in Jerusalem wanted him to be put to death. (Acts 28:16-20)
Yet, under those trying conditions, he wrote these words: ‚"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.‚"
My friend, if you are anxious or worried about something, remember those words. Let's say that you are anxious about a huge debt. Go to the Lord and pray, ‚"Lord Jesus, I no longer want to be anxious about this problem. I hand it over to You and ask for supernatural cancellation of this debt. It is in Your care now. You are in charge. I thank You for taking care of it.‚"
God is true to His Word. As you pray this prayer and cast your care to Him, you will find His peace setting your heart and mind at rest. So be anxious for nothing - let the One with whom nothing is impossible take care of it for you!
Thought For The Day
Cast your cares to God in prayer, and find His peace setting your heart and mind at rest.
Philippians 4:6-7
Philippians 4:6-7 KJV
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Daily Word Soul Detox-1
2 Timothy 2:14-26
"Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."
"Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."
The right people will build you up and lead you towards Christ, but if you are around the wrong people they can be very toxic. They can hurt your soul. They can hurt your relationships. They can lead you into temptation. They can drag you down. They can very easily take you away from God's best.
In what ways have toxic relationships polluted your life and your relationship with God?
In what ways have toxic relationships polluted your life and your relationship with God?
Monday, September 10, 2012
Up and Coming Blog
Hello and welcome to GICTC-Home of the Warrior's blog page. Newly published and still in the baby stages, but soon post will be made.
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