The Lord Is Light

 

2 Peter 1:19

And we have the more certain prophetic word, to which you do well taking heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until this day shall have dawned and the morning star shall have arisen in your hearts,

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

John 1:14

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.

    David writes in Psalm 27:1 that "The LORD is My Light and My Salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the Strength of My Life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Indeed, where Light shines there is no fear, there is no doubt, there is no one to be afraid of. For this Light is the Knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And I love that face. By faith in my Savior I will see Him face to face one day. 

    This precious Knowledge we have been given is The Truth of God's Word and it sets us free from the entanglements of sin (John 8:32), releasing us to be joyful, content and rested. This Truth breaks chains, tears down walls of separation and division; it not only brings people into the family of God through the blood of Jesus Christ, but it splits families in two. 

    For where The Word is believed by one or two, it is come against by the many, yet we gain ground in the kingdom of God when we stand fast on His Word. To stand fast ON His Word is to trust Him fully, even when our situations look grim. To stand fast IN His Word is to have His Word enveloped around us, encompassing our every thought and move. We are saturated in the anointing of His precious Holy Spirit and God makes Himself known to us. 

    The LORD is My LIGHT. And My SALVATION. He SHINES in my heart and in my mind. He is The Strength of My Life. Without Him I would be nothing; I wouldn't even exist. He is my Breath for it is He Who gives me breath, gives me life, gives me everything. I am known by those who do not know me, for when they see me, they see JESUS. Sometimes even those who do know me, can just glance in my direction and say, 'She's been with The Lord.' 

    And when I see His Face, I will see His Light shine ever more brighter. In Him I am complete. In Him I am content. In Him I am the lighthouse out of which His LIGHT shines, to warn of the hidden dangers in the darkness of sin. 

    Can you see The Light? He is The Light of Christmas in the Christmas season. He is The Light of Salvation in the Resurrection. He is The Light of Life in the heart of every believer. Is this Light shining in your heart? Do others see Jesus in you? If you let only your light shine, the day will come when your light will be snuffed out: like a candle you will have shined briefly. But if you allow The Light of God, Jesus Christ, to shine in your heart and remove the darkness from within you, then your light becomes His Light and you will shine for Jesus evermore. 

    We sing This Little Light of Mine in Sunday School because we are aware that our lamps are small and frail. However, we also know that The Light that shines in us can spread to every heart who is seeking The Light. Then when our little lights unite, a great LIGHT shines. 

    I'm so glad His LIGHT shines in me and through me. Aren't you?

THRONE ROOM - Kim Walker-Smith

I AM THE LIGHTHOUSE 

SHINE JESUS SHINE - Vineyard Music

The Lord Is....June 2023

 

HUPERBALLO CHARIS

(pronounced hoop-er-bal'-lo khar'-ece)

SURPASSING GRACE

2 Corinthians 9:14

And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the Surpassing Grace of God in you.

1 Timothy 1:15

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

ANEKDIEGETOS DOREA

(pronounced an-ek-dee-ay'-gay-tos do-reh-ah')

INDESCRIBABLE GIFT

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift!

Romans 5:15

But the free Gift [of God] is not like the trespass [because the Gift of Grace overwhelms the fall of man]. For if many died by one man’s trespass [Adam’s sin], much more [abundantly] did God’s grace and the Gift [that comes] by the Grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to [benefit] the many. 

ED

(pronounced ayd)

WITNESS

SAHED

(pronounced saw-hade')

ADVOCATE

Job 16:19

“Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, And my Advocate [who vouches and testifies for me] is on high."

KURIOS THERISMOS

(pronounced koo'-ree-os ther-is-mos')

THE LORD OF THE HARVEST

Luke 10:2

And He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask The Lord of The Harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest."

1 Corinthians 3:7

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

John 15:1,2

“I am The True Vine, and My Father is The Keeper of the Vineyard. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful." 

A Crucified Life - - Has A Heart For Israel

 

    2 Corinthians 10:1

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2107

Desire: good pleasure

From the Greek word 'eudokia' (pronounced yoo-dok-ee'-ah): what seems good or beneficial to someone.

    2 Thessalonians 1:11,12

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Colossians 1:9-12, specifically verse 9, which brings us to why we pray for the salvation of others.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

    (v13,14) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

    Isaiah 45:22

Look unto Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I Am God, and there is none else.

    We pray for your salvation through Jesus Christ. We pray for Israel to know the salvation of God through His Lamb who paid the penalty for sin, once and for all (Hebrews 7:25).

    Isaiah 59:16

He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him.

    Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!

    Romans 8:34

Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God--and He is interceding for us.

    1 Corinthians 1:21

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

    Hebrews 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 

    It is not enough to have the 'heart's desire' for someone's salvation. We can have hopes, wishes, and dreams all day long. But unless we're willing and obedient to put in the effort and time to pray for that person's salvation, hope is rendered useless on our part. 

    And so we pray, as Paul prayed for the people in his Israelite heritage. He knew they were zealous for God (2 Corinthians 10:2), but their knowledge of God's plan of salvation was lacking. Having believed the Lord for his own personal salvation, Paul now seeks that all Israel may know this joy which he himself has found in Christ Jesus. 

    As, too, we should have an urgency in our spirit to pray for Israel's salvation. For they are God's elect, the people God set apart for Himself, taken out of all the tribes of earth because they had a heart to worship Him. 

    You may ask, 'What does it mean to be God's elect'? Simply put, elect means chosen. God called Abram (Genesis 12:1), gave him promises (Genesis 12:2-3) and Abram acknowledged God as Lord (Genesis 12:4). 

    When God calls and we respond to His call, acknowledging Him as our Lord, we become His people. Genesis 28:10-22 tells us of Jacob's first meeting with God, where God called him, gave him promises and Jacob acknowledged God as Lord (v21). 

    God Changes Jacob's Name to Israel

Genesis 32:24-32 gives us the history of how Israel got its name. They are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But only the seed receives the blessing of salvation, not the descendants. So we pray for the descendants (the bloodline of Israel) to become the seed (the bloodline of Christ). 

   

RISE UP by CAIN

LIFE AFTER DEATH by TobyMac

    

A Crucified Life - - Is Extremely Thankful For the Gift of Christ

 

    2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift!

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 411 & 1431

    Indescribable: inexpressible, that which cannot be thoroughly related

From the Greek word 'anekdiégétos' (pronounced an-ek-dee-ay'-gay-tos). Beyond words; impossible to estimate; unspeakable.

    Though it has a few definitions, this word 'indescribable' occurs only once in the New Testament Scriptures. 

    Gift: free, without repayment, freely given and not acquired by merit; expresses a brand of giving that highlights the beneficent desire of the giver. 

    A crucified life is worth living. For the life that is lived without Christ does not know its full worth or value until it comes to salvation through Christ. The veil of sin covers the heart of the unredeemed, blinding that soul to the Truth of God's Word. But when a sinner repents (acknowledges their sins against God and turns away from that sin), then that soul is redeemed by Christ. This is why we Rejoice! 

    The Gift we receive from God is both a What (redemption through repentance) and a Who (the Redeemer of our Souls Jesus Christ) which is given to the believer (the one who believes that Jesus Christ is Lord and follows Him {lives by faith}). 

    Romans 5:15

But the Gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's Grace and the Gift that came by the Grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!

THANKS BE TO GOD

    1 Chronicles 16:8

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His Name, make known His deeds among the people.

    2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, Who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

    1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

INEXPRESSIBLE JOY

    1 Peter 1:3-9, specifically v.8

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy.

THE GIFT OF GOD

    John 1:14

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.

FAITHWALKERS

    1 Corinthians 5:6,7

Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.

REJOICING

    Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

 

    1996 Winds of Worship album

Spirit of The Sovereign God by Lindell Cooley

    

    

A Crucified Life - - Knows Surpassing Grace

 

    2 Corinthians 9:14

And their prayers for you will express their affection for you because of the Surpassing Grace God has given you.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No.

Surpassing: beyond, exceed 

From the Greek word ' huperballó' (pronounced hoop-er-bal'-lo): excel.

Grace: gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ; kindness, the Lord's favor

From the Greek word 'charis' (pronounced khar'-ece). "The merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues" (quoted from Strong's)

    One of the exercises of Christian virtue is our willingness to share with others what we ourselves have received from God. Namely, His Son Jesus Christ, Who is Himself our Surpassing Grace. 

    It takes Holy Spirit boldness and a brave spirit to reach out to someone you've known your whole life (usually family) and say, "I've just met Jesus!" It takes Holy Spirit power to reach across the expanse of this globe to reach someone you've never met with the Love of God expressed through Christ. 

    That is just what these young churches were doing. Exerting, exercising, their increase in faith to help spread the gospel through the work of Paul and his companions. Their cup was overflowing and the overflow went to Paul.

     Is our cup of grace overflowing? where is the excess going to?

    

Surpassing Grace

There Is One Gospel - CityAlight

Greater Is The Blood - Mark & Sarah Tillman

Grace Like Rain - Todd Agnew

This Is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham

Until Grace - Tauren Wells, Gary LeVox

Walking Free - Micah Tyler

Fill My Cup - Andrew Ripp

I Need A Ghost - Brandon Lake

Hands & Feet - Audio Adrenaline

I Will Serve Thee

I Speak Jesus - Here Be Lions

I See Grace - Micah Tyler

    

A Crucified Life - - Acknowledges Christ

 

    2 Corinthians 9:13

Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.

    *Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3671

Confession: agreement, affirmation, profess

From the Greek word 'homologia' (pronounced hom-ol-og-ee'-ah). 

    Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;).

    Hebrews 3:1

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus. 

    The proof of our ministry is our obedient confession of Christ, acknowledging Him as the only Lord and Savior. The Lord of All, of Everything (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-29). The Savior of those who believe on His Name (John 1:12; John 3:16-18; Romans 10:9-10, 13; Acts 2:21). The proof is our willingness to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son.

    Because we believe what we believe, we are compelled by the Spirit to act on said belief. Our faith in Christ causes us to speak out our faith to anyone who is willing to listen (Acts 24:14-16) to why we believe what we believe about the Bible, the Scriptures.

    So we go into all the world, as Christ instructed His disciples to do (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). We go ourselves, we send people out and support them financially, we support other Great Commission minded groups/people who are committed to spreading the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

    It is our act of obedience in our confession of our faith to do so. Our actions are aligned with our words. We are more than walking the walk and talking the talk: we are walking the talk. 

    1 Corinthians 1:23,24

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

    Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

ACKNOWLEDGING CHRIST in worship

The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson

My Portion - Mark Barlow

Creed - Third Day

I Know Whom I Have Believed 

The Proof of Your Love - For King & Country

    

A Crucified Life - - Overflows in Expressions of Thanksgiving

 

    2 Corinthians 9:12

For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

    *Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2169

Expressions of Thanksgiving:  thankfulness, giving of thanks, gratitude

From the Greek word 'eucharistia' (pronounced yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah). Active grateful worship to God. 

    Being able to financially support God's kingdom is a blessing, for though not everyone can give lots of money into supporting the needs of God's missionaries, yet even the smallest amount counts and God can multiply the little into a lot. When our hearts give cheerfully and willingly, God is able to turn that little into a lot. 

    Because the little goes farther than any of us can imagine, through that little "many expressions of thanksgiving to God" are given. The many people who get blessed through out giving turn around and praise God for our giving. 

    As the widow gave her mite into the offering box, the Lord said her little was greater than the little the wealthy put in the offering box. Why? They gave large portions of their wealth; she gave all that she had. They gave what they deemed worthy to give; she gave what God deems worthy to give. But it wasn't about the money: it was about what is in our hearts. (Mark 14:41-44).

    We read of the times when the Lord used a child's lunch to feed thousands of men and women. God multiplied their littles into many. (Matthew 16:39-48 & Luke 9:10-17).

    Our littles, when we give what the Lord directs to give, will honor and glorify God. It will bring Him thanksgiving from the lips of untold numbers. Therefore, let us give generously of ourselves into God's kingdom, that our God would be praised from many grateful hearts. Whether we give financially or in His service, going where He directs us and leads us to go. 

    We are the body of Christ and we are an expression of worship in everything we do for God. Let us sing His praise, thanking Him for His many blessings which we have received of Him through the generosity of other saints.

EXPRESSIONS OF THANKSGIVING

Greater Is The Blood - Mark & Sarah Tillman

Gratitude - Brandon Lake 

While I Wait - Lincoln Brewster

Thank You Jesus For the Blood - Charity Gayle

When You Walk Into The Room - Bryan & Katie Torwalt

I Give Myself Away/Here Am I to Worship - William McDowell

Great Are You Lord - All Sons and Daughters

Goodness of God - Cece Winans

Shout to The Lord - Darlene Zschech

Ten Thousand Reasons - Matt Redman

Good Good Father - Chris Tomlin

A Crucified Life - - Is Enriched For Purpose

 

2 Corinthians 9:11

You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4148

Enriched: cause to abound in

From the Greek word 'ploutizó' (pronounced ploo-tid'-zo): to bring fullness, make abundant.

    Used three times in the New Testament. In addition to today's verse: 1 Corinthians 1:5 and 2 Corinthians 6:10.

    1 Chronicles 29:12-14

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious Name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give You only what You first gave us!

    James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

    What is the purpose of God giving His people increase? (To Praise Him & Thank Him. (2) That we might give our increase back to Him through our giving to advance His kingdom. We are the conduit through which the Power of God (His Holy Spirit) flows, dispensing and dispersing His gifts where He so chooses. 

    1 Corinthians 12 describes the spiritual gifts which we receive as the body of Christ. Verse 4: many gifts, one Spirit. Verse 5: different administrations, same Lord. Verse 6: diverse operations, same God. 

    1 Corinthians 12:7

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for the  profit of all." 

    Manifestation simply means 'disclosure', a revealing of; bringing into the light (illuminating). In other words, making clearly known. It is not a shimmering, vague spirit, but The Holy Spirit Who makes known the gifts God has given His people. 

    Gifts which advance God's kingdom. These gifts are the tools and weapons whereby we are able to spread and share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. God loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. This best includes His Son, His Spirit and His enriching power which is given us in the gifts He gives us.

    Whatever gifts God gives His people we are meant to share with all of His people in the way in which the Spirit leads us to share said gifts. We are to be good stewards of the blessings we receive. We learn this lesson in the Parable of Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). And again, in The Sheep and The Goats (Matthew 25:31-46 [the least of these]).   

    We need to take responsibility for our gifts and how we use them. It is not for our personal gain that God gives us good gifts and perfect gifts: it is for our spiritual gain. Are we using that which God has given us for His glory and honor? Are we a people after God's own heart? 

ENRICHED FOR PURPOSE

Who Are We - Mercy Me

Spirit of God - Canyon Hills Worship

Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets

To Live Is Christ - Sidewalk Prophets

Torches - Forerunner Music/Lauren Alexandria

Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective

By Our Love - For King & Country

Storm All Around You - Forerunner Music/Jon Thurlow, Mike Bickle, Todd White

    

A Crucified Life - - Receives Its Increase From God

 

2 Corinthians 9:10

Now the One supplying seed to the one sowing and bread for food will supply and will multiply your seed for sowing and will increase the fruits of your righteousness. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 837

Increase: mature, to cause to grow, to augment

From the Greek word 'auxanó' (pronounced owx-an'-o): For the believer it is non-stop progress in discipleship, continually growing in the Lord as we walk our our Faith in Him.

    Hosea 10:12

Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.

    Ecclesiastes 11:6,7

  As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. 

  Sow your seed in the morning, and do not rest your hands in the evening, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.

    What is the seed that I must sow? The love of God to us through Christ Jesus. When do I sow it (plant it)? In the morning, the early part of the day, as the sun's rays hit the horizon. Early in life when our children are young and eager to learn, we sow the seed of Christ into their lives:

    Reading them Bible stories

    Worship music/songs 

    Praying together (teaching them to seek God at all times),            Studying the Bible together 

    Speaking words of Love within our homes and in all our relationships 

    Speaking words of Forgiveness to each other and to those who have done us wrong

    

    Throughout the day the seed gets watered and receives sunlight. Our seed gets watered when we weep, when we cry out to God to hear our prayers and answer them. 

    Sometimes our children turn from the path we have set them on, making their own decisions independent from the way we have raised them, making their own mistakes and finding their way back to God. Just like we did. How? Somebody was praying for them just like somebody was praying for us. 

    We let them go so they can grow. In the evening of life we draw near to God and strive to stay there. In his presence is where prayers get answered. We need to learn to listen in our prayers, as well as speak our needs and requests. 

    In order to reap the harvest of souls whom we have been teaching, leading and praying for, we need to remain near the One who supplied us in the first place. It is God who gives both the seed and the fruits of that seed. 

    Let us work together in His fields, doing the work He has set forth for us to do: Seek and to Save the Lost; Seek God's Kingdom; Seek His Face. The day is waning, the hours to complete this work are fast arriving and soon the harvest will be ended. 

HARVESTING SEEDS

Heart In Hand Overture - Christy Nockels

All of Me - River Valley Worship

What If Cartoons Got Saved? - Chris Rice

The B-I-B-L-E - Heritage Kids

Somebody's Prayin' - Ricky Skaggs

'Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus - classic hymn

Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross - classic hymn

Seek First - Jason Upton

    

A Crucified Life - - Is Scattered Abroad

 

2 Corinthians 9:9

As it has been written: "He has scattered abroad, He has given to the poor: His righteousness abides to the age."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4650

Scattered Abroad: dispersed, distributed

From the word 'skorpizó' (pronounced skor-pid'-zo):  One who dispenses blessings liberally (generously, abundantly, extensively, etc.); to put to flight

Psalm 112:9

He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be lifted high in honor.

    Five times this word is used in the New Testament:

-Matthew 12:30

-Luke 11:23

-John 10:12

-John 16:32

-2 Corinthians 9:9

    The born again believer is a gift to be scattered abroad across the nations. We carry the Good News of redemption, repentance and revival within us. We are the light that shines in the darkness of men's lives that the Light of God's Love may shine in their hearts, transforming the old life into the new. 

    While some of us choose to go where and when we are sent, many more are driven to other nations through persecution. It is not a new thing for the born again believer to be under attack from those who do not want to hear about God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. 

    As it was in the early days of the New Testament church, so it is now in these later days, these last hours, of the New Testament church. We follow a Leader who informs us we would be scattered abroad to the nations. Not only that, but how we would be dispersed.

(1) Matthew 24:9-14 (2) Mark 13:9-13 (3) Luke 21:10-19 and:

    Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

    Acts 8:3,4

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 

    And what are we delivering? The message of reconciliation with the Father through His Son Jesus Christ Who died on the cross, wherein He paid the penalty for our sins; Who rose from the dead and walked out of the grave into newness of life. 

    We preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified, as the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in his first letter to them (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). We preach the Truth and the Love of God (1 John 4); discernment and wisdom. 

    Wherever we go we go with God for He has said to His people that He would never leave us, nor forsake us. So we go in His strength, in His power, in His righteousness, in His victory. Every battle we fight we win, for Christ has gone before us and overcome all our enemies. We're just following His lead, trying to catch up to Him and bring as many folks as we can with us.

IN THE DISPERSAL 

Where You'll Find Me - First15 Worship

Though You Slay Me - Shane & Shane

Every Wave - Summit Sounds

Break - Nikki Mathis

Seek First - Jason Upton

You've Already Won - Shane & Shane

Walk With You - Michael Bethany

A Crucified Life - - Abounds In Grace

 

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4052

Abound: over and above; exceed the ordinary (the necessary); overflow

From the Greek word 'perisseuó' (pronounced per-is-syoo'-o). Go beyond the expected measure; what surpasses.

    -Ephesians 3:20  More Than We Can Ask or Imagine

    -Philippians 4:19  Supplies All Needs

    -1 Peter 4:10  Manifold Grace

    -Ephesians 1:19  Exceeding Greatness of His Power to Us Who Believe

    When I have Christ, I have all the righteousness of God.

-Philippians 3:8-14

    When I have Christ, I have my needs met.

-Philippians 4:11,12

    When I have Christ, I have the sufficiency of God.

-2 Corinthians 12:9

    When I have Christ, I have God's extensive mercy.

-Exodus 20:6; Psalm 103:17; Luke 1:50

     Your turn. When you have Christ, what do you have?

ABOUNDING IN GRACE

Jireh - Elevation Worship & Maverick City

You Are My All In All - Aaron Shust

God Of The Impossible - Lincoln Brewster

I See Grace - Micah Tyler

What Grace Is Mine

Great Is Thy Faithfulness - Austin Stone Worship

Your Love Never Fails - Chris Quilala/Jesus Culture

You Are My Strength - Hillsong Worship

Drinking From My Saucer - Michael Combs

    

A Crucified Life - - Gives Cheerfully

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 

Cheerful: ungrudgingly, joyous

From the Greek word 'hilaros' (pronounced hil-ar-os'):  spontaneous non-reluctant giving.

    Though this description of the word cheerful is used only once in all of Scripture, it has a big impact here. Here the word cheerful refers to the nature of giving to support the mission to spread the gospel far and wide. 

    Exodus 25:2, when the temple of the Lord was being built, the Lord required a willing offering (of goods). And, again, in Deuteronomy 15:10, a generous heart received God's blessing.

    God blesses the willing giver, the one who wants to see souls saved; the one who desires to advance the kingdom of God.  

    2 Corinthians 8:12, when given eagerly the gift given is acceptable. Cheerfully giving depends on the state of one's heart. When our hearts are right with God, everything else follows suit.

    Mark 14:3 tells us of the woman who came to where Jesus was fellowshiping with friends with a box of alabaster in her hands. She broke it open and poured all of it out onto Jesus' head. 

    Can you imagine enjoying a meal at a new friend's house and someone just walks in, opens a bottle (small flask) of sweet oil and pours it on your head? Yet she did just that. Willingly sacrificing a year's worth of wages to purchase this oil just so she could anoint Jesus' head. 

    Whether to honor Him as Chief Priest that He might be presentable to God (Exodus 28:41, 29:7; Psalm 133:2) or prepare Him for death (2 Chronicles 16:14; John 12:39-40), the oil was poured onto the top of His head. Eager to honor Christ with her gift, she strolled into Simon the Leper's house, broke open the valuable box/bottle and poured every drop onto the top of Christ's head, filling the dining area with the sweet scent. 

    The anointing indicated Christ being consecrated: set apart to be holy unto the Lord God by becoming the sin offering which would take away the sins of God's people. Herein is the setting in which the woman gave out of the joy of her heart. Her intention matched her giving. Would that we should be so generous when we give to the Lord.

CHEERFUL GIVER

Poor In Spirit - Nikki Mathis

Alabaster Heart - Kalley

Gaze of The One - Destiny McDonald

Where You'll Find Me - First15 Worship

Find Me At the Feet of Jesus - Christy Nockels

Worthy of It All - Cece Winans

You Deserve The Glory - Juanita Bynum

A Crucified Life - - Sows Generously Into The Kingdom of God

  

    2 Corinthians 9:6

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 

Sparingly: stingily

From the Greek word 'pheidomenós' (pronounced fi-dom-en'-oce).

    Proverbs 11:25

A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. 

    To sow sparingly into the kingdom of God is to be stingy with the finances God has given us. Not only are we commanded to bring a tithe into the house of God, but offerings above said tithe are commended and rewarded. As long as the offering is coming from a giving heart and not a begrudging greedy heart. 

    The 'anything goes' church attendees are besmirching and killing the church. Believers support it because they recognize that they are the church. The self-righteous church sees no need to support missionaries. Believers want to support their missionaries, recognizing the strength of their financial support is multiplied when given over to God: for He causes the increase and makes their little cover many needs.

     Whether we are giving into our church's missionary support system or to other mission-minded groups. For instance, VOM encourages us to provide Bibles to nations where the Bible is prohibited. Gideons Int'l supplies Bibles wherever they are needed. That's missionary support, too.

    Operation Outpour  is building an orphanage and a school, a garden to grow their own fruits and veggies, and helping by its efforts to support the little town in which the orphanage is. They even have a fair trade boutique where you can pick up nifty items for home and garden. 

    Maranatha CR is reaching the unreached in Costa Rica. Both JMM and  Samaritan's Purse are international aid relief ministries. 

    These are just a few of the many, but I used them here because they have remained faithful throughout the years to the cause of Christ: to spread the gospel by sowing seeds into the nations/cultures to which they have been sent. 

    When we listen to the Spirit of God, He directs where our missionary support goes. They covet our prayers, as well. We need to remain faithful in our prayers for them and it helps to know how many of these missionaries want to be prayed for.

    This book changed the way I pray for missionaries and the persecuted church. For me, it was life-changing, because I can see the effect my prayers for someone else are having on me. 

    Don't let the devil make you feel bad if your wallet/pocketbook is full of cobwebs and dust. When I had nothing financially to give, I asked God to make me a blessing. He's still doing that. 

    We are merely commanded to "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33) and everything we need will be 'added to us'. Worry does not move the heart of God: faith does. 

    Galatians 5:22,23 tells us about the fruit of the Spirit, indicating that it is one fruit with many segments. Should one segment be missing the fruit is incomplete and will not accomplish its purpose. The fruit will rot on the vine and need to be removed. 

    Let us not be rotten fruit on the vine, but Spirit aligned. It is not too late to sow into God's kingdom. Christ has not yet been sent by the Father to bring His people home. There's still time to reach one more person, one more soul.

The Generous Sower 

Seek First - Jason upton

Give Me Your Eyes - Brandon Heath

Give Us Clean Hands - Chris Tomlin

Sow In Tears - Danny Daniels 

To Live Is Christ - Sidewalk Prophets

The Proof of Your Love - for KING & COUNTRY

Happy Day - Jesus Culture

Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective

    

    

A Crucified Life - - Is A Gatherer's Life

    2 Corinthians 8:15

As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

    This word 'gathered' is used 384 times in the Bible and has quite a few definitions. But in this context the definition is:

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4863

Gathered: to lead together, to collect, assemble; to come together, to receive with  hospitality

From the Greek word 'sunagó' (pronounced (soon-ag'-o). 

      Matthew 13:8

Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

    Matthew 9:37,38

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

    2 Thessalonians 3:1

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for not all are of the faith.

    It's not a question of how many people we reach when we share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. It's a question of obedience to the gospel ourselves. When we are faithful and fully committed to spreading the good news that God loves us and sent His Son to save us from the penalty of sin, then the Spirit will move on the hearts of the listeners. It's up to the hearer to respond to the Spirit.

    It's not about the quantity of souls gathered in by our actions, it's about our actions being done in love, sprinkling grace, mercy and compassion into our conversations. The fields that are ready to be harvested are the hearts of those people who are seeking a better Way, something, Someone they can believe and place their trust in.

    We know that 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus' and we encourage the people we meet in our lifetime, including the family we are born into and is born through us, to also lay claim to the promise of trusting in Christ. When they do, we are gathering a harvest that had been planted before ever we arrived on the scene. 

    Stop comparing your ministry to another's. Do what God has called you to do. Plant the seed of the Word of God when opportunities are given to do so. Water the seed you have planted with the tears of your prayers. Be prepared to harvest the seed others have planted, others have watered. 

    Preparation is preparedness. A crucified life has put aside that which is not profitable in the kingdom of God. What is not profitable in the kingdom of God? A couple of examples are:

~tainted faith (Matthew 5:13)

~lack of motivation to fully obey God's Word (Matthew 25:30)

    A crucified life follows the path of the crucified Savior, preaching the kingdom of God; the kingdom of Divine Love, Divine Forgiveness and Divine Grace. These tools are what is needed to gather in the harvest to which we are called. Let us be found faithful and not lacking in any way.

GATHERING THE HARVEST

Grave Clothes - Stephen McWhirter

Bringing In The Sheaves - Shiloh Worship

Shall We Gather At The River - Burl Ives

The Commission - CAIN

The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson

Come To The Table - Sidewalk Prophets

I Speak Jesus - Here Be Lions

One Gospel - CityAlight

Taste & See - Shane & Shane

Sinner Saved By Grace - Gaithers