Seek His Presence

 

1 CHRONICLES 16:11

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence]. (Amplified Bible).

Psalm 105:4

Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

Isaiah 63:1

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. 

    God's people are always hungering for more of God. To see His face and His glory is the hope of every saint. When we seek God's kingdom, as He tells us to do (Matthew 6:33), we are seeking an audience with our King, a one-on-one moment, where we not only see Him clearly, but also hear Him quite plainly.

    To seek God's Kingdom is to believe that His plan of salvation through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son JESUS CHRIST on the cross, and then to have Him go through hell via death and the grave in order to conquer them once and for all, is to seek a personal intimate relationship with JESUS CHRIST. It is the most important love relationship a person will ever encounter. 

HEBREWS 6:11

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. 

    It takes wisdom to seek this CHRIST of whom so many have a limited knowledge, or even awareness of. It takes an inner determination to dig into The Word of God and find JESUS. All we have to do is ask. God reveals Himself and opens up our understanding of His Word, when we are earnestly seeking to know Him.

Matthew 7:7, 8

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened unto you.

For everyone asking receives; and the one seeking finds; and to the one knocking, it will be opened.

    God wants us to know Him better. God wants us to live with Him forever. But unless we believe that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD and repent of our wicked ways; turn from participating in the sins we once took delight in, and begin to focus our lives and hearts on what pleases God, we will never gain the eternal presence of God.

    When we die, not everyone goes to heaven. And the saints of God who do die before Christ's return, do not become angels. That is angel worship. Who we are inside these bodies will go with us into death. The body will perish, but the soul is eternal. If that soul is saved, it will live forever with God. If that soul is not saved, it will die forever in hell and the lake of fire afterwards. 

    Seek God. Seek Him now. Now is all we ever have to seek God. Let us read His Word and go to Him in prayer. Together.

SEEK FIRST - Jason Upton

The Two Fears: Part Two: Fear God

 

MATTHEW 10:28

"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

    Luke 12:4, 5

"I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you Whom you should fear: Fear The One Who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!"

Hebrews 10:31

"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of The Living God."

    Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. 

    Though God originally created hell for the fallen angel Lucifer and the angels who joined him in rebellion against God, people who have rebelled against God and died in their sins, will also be sent there. Matthew 25:41 "Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." 

    From the beginning of the written Word we learn that it is better to fear (reverence) God and be obedient to His Word, and learn to walk in His Way in our lifetime on this side of eternity. For after we die, there will be no more opportunities to do so. Hebrews 10:26,  27 "If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries." 

    Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we all have an appointment with death. Yet, not all who die will see Jesus and live with Him evermore. 

    You may think this study to be hateful, but you are mistaken. This is a study in the love of God. For God made a Way to avoid eternal punishment and damnation and that Way is JESUS CHRIST. John 3:16 "For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  

    It takes a small amount of faith to believe that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son. It takes another measure of faith to believe that God's Holy Way is True and Faithful. As our faith in Christ grows, and we walk our our faith daily, with Christ living in us, we become stronger in our faith: and Christ, through the power of God's Holy Spirit, becomes stronger in us. He is God's Love extended to the world through the power of the cross and the empty tomb. 

    God is Love and in His great Love for us, He sent His Word, wrapping It in lowly flesh and placing It, through the power of His Spirit, in a young virgin's womb. As Christians, it is our privilege to carry the gospel of salvation, the power of God's Redeeming Love, to every corner of the world until the whole world hears just how much God loves each and every person. 

    It is up to the hearer to listen, repent and receive God's grace and forgiveness, thereby turning away God's wrath from their souls and being brought into God's kingdom: through the blood of Christ, God's perfect Lamb, Which takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). 

    Now is the time to give your hearts to The Lord Jesus Christ. Now is the time to repent of your sins and receive God's forgiveness and Christ into your hearts. Now, today, is the day to begin to walk in God's Way and follow God's Spirit. A good place to start your walk is in The Book of John, then meander over to The Book of Romans. After which, perhaps, your fingers may find their way into the Epistles which Paul wrote to the various churches scattered throughout Asia, Rome and the middle East. 

    And never stop bringing God into your daily lives, for He wants to be with you always. If you let Him, He will show you Himself and what His Word means. 

Why Believers Are Not Afraid of Unbelievers

 

HEBREWS 12:2 

Looking unto JESUS, The Author and Finisher of our Faith,

Who for the Joy set before Him endured the cross,

despising the shame,

And is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.

    When our focus is on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, spending time alone with Him in prayer and meditation of The Word of God, we will be able to endure the mocking cries of those who do not believe that Jesus Christ is Lord of All. 

    Our goal from the day we become born again believers through faith in The Name Above All Names -- JESUS CHRIST -- is to persuade others to believe in Him also. We call this soul-winning. Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise." 

    But our job doesn't stop with just telling someone about JESUS and what He's done for us, we must also encourage them to live a holy and righteous life in Christ through the power of God's Holy Spirit. It is The Spirit of God that is breathed into us which gives us the power and strength to preach and teach and disciple and evangelize wherever we are. Without the power of God's Holy Spirit anyone who declares themself to be God's anointed leader is a liar, for The Spirit of God is not in him or her. 

    When Paul preached the gospel of salvation through JESUS CHRIST in Caesarea to King Agrippa, the king stated that 'he was almost persuaded'. Paul made a very compelling defense, yet the king, at that time, was not quite convinced that this gospel was true. 

    Many believe the Holy Bible to be outdated. And that it is no longer applicable to today's generation of self-centered fulfillment. An unwillingness to change and an inability to see the need for change will continue to bring about the downfall of any nation who chooses to attack Christians who refuse to disobey God. Though the enemies of the cross may appear to be winning, that appearance is an illusion, for God is still on the throne and He is still in control. 

    As believers, we, too, must endure our crosses; for each of us who believe must put aside that which is in this world and take up our crosses, too. Luke 9:23 "Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to follow Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." 

    And each of us who make up the body of Christ must be prepared to suffer for the sake of the gospel of salvation through JESUS CHRIST. We must be found worthy to suffer. To get there we need to spend much time with our Lord and Savior. I used to regard my gardens as my sanctuary. There I would pray and write and sing and listen to God speak to my heart. I am older now and cannot play in the garden like I used to. But I can sit there and listen to Him even now. 

    The sufferings we go through are not as important as how we go through them: with HOPE, with GReAT exPEctAtions, with JOY, with a strong desire to see our Lord and Savior at the end of our sufferings. 

    We have a Peace That Passes Understanding when we have JESUS in our hearts and The Holy Spirit in our lives. A Peace that only comes from knowing that JESUS CHRIST is our LORD (ruler of our lives, for we have surrendered ourselves to His Authority) and SAVIOR (saving our souls from eternal damnation and punishment in hell). 

    Expect to be jailed for being a Christ-follower. Expect to be tortured for being a Christ-follower. Expect to be killed for being a Christ-follower. Expect to be taken into glory for being a Christ-follower. 

    We are not volatile, nor are we violent. As Christ stood silent before His accusers, so should we who follow Him. We do not debate with fools. The Word of God is their Judge, not us. I am a Christian, a faithful follower of my Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST. 

    Are you? Are you focusing on what God wants you to do or are you focusing on what you want to do in this life He has given you? The choices we make now will impact our destination after we die. And then it will be too late. Do you want to know real Peace? Then you need Jesus. Do you want to know Unspeakable Joy. Then you need Jesus. For whatever it is you are looking for to make you happy, you won't find it without knowing JESUS CHRIST as your personal Savior. It is a commitment each of us has to make on our own. Each one of us is responsible for the soul-saving decision of whether or not we believe in The Name Above All Names. And that includes you who are reading this. 

    I am not afraid. I have all of my armor on (Ephesians 6:10-20) and I am ready to be of service to my King. I am not ashamed of my Jesus. I am loved by Him and I love Him in return.

WE ARE NOT ASHAMED -music video-Carman

God's Faithfulness and Love Are Enduring

 

Psalm 36:5 

"Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies."

Psalm 57:10
"For Your loving devotion reaches to the heavens, and Your faithfulness to the clouds."
Psalm 103:11
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him."
Jeremiah 9:24
"But let him who boasts, boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am The LORD, Who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth--for I delight in these things," declares The LORD."

 

I LIFT MY EYES - Kristyn Getty/Jordan Kauflin/Matt Merkel

Psalm 121:1
"I lift up my eyes unto the hills, where my Help comes from."
Hebrews 13:5-6
"Let your conversation (character and lifestyle) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for He has said, 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you.'

So that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.'

  

GOODNESS OF GOD - Bethel Music

Hope In Christ

 

Hebrews 2:6

But Christ is faithful as The Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast. 

    Hope in Christ is the great expectation of the Christian. It is not for nothing that we have followed Christ this far, this long. We are the born again through the blood which Christ shed for us on Calvary. We are the saved, the uncondemned, saints of God, who wear the righteousness of Jesus Christ: the wedding garment He clothes us with when we accept His invitation to come to the cross, confess our sins to Him and receive the forgiveness which He proffers to us. 

    Hope in Christ is the hope of every believer who believes not only that God is, but that God's Word is True and Faithful. It is more than a doctrinal declaration: salvation through Jesus Christ is a way of life when we have His Holy Spirit leading us and guiding us along The Way of Holiness. This third Person in the Trinity is The Spirit of God. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to save us and He sent His Holy Spirit to transform us. It is The Spirit Who writes The Word of God on our hearts when we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died for us. 

    Not all religious paths lead to The One True God. There are many false prophets, false teachers and false witnesses out in the world. The enemy of our souls has sent them to speak his lies, to trick and deceive anyone who listens to their lying tongues and follows them blindly. They are the darkness of this world and the darkness is increasing. 

    But God. But God made a Way, a Light, that shines the Love of God into the darkness. The darkness of men's' minds and hearts; the darkness of prisons. The Love of God is brighter than the noonday sun and pierces farther than the eye can see, faster than the heart can imagine. God did what no one else can ever do no matter how hard they try. 

    God took The Word that He had spoken and wrapped it in flesh and through the power of His Holy Spirit, God placed His Word in a young virgin's womb to be borne by a woman and born of a woman. Jesus Christ is The Son of God, The Son of Man. It is in Him that we have placed our hope of salvation. It is in Christ that all must be found. For those not found in Christ, there is no more hope. Death is final and a person cannot leave hell and enter heaven after death. 

    Now is the time to make your decision of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ. All decisions must be made by us on this side of life. I have my decision. My hope is in Christ alone. Have you made yours? Come, The Spirit says to your hearts. Come to Jesus, Come to the cross. Let the Light draw you out of the darkness and into God's arms. Please, we urge you to come and see Jesus. 

    He isn't in the manger any more. He's not on the cross, nor is He in the tomb. All those places are empty. He's in heaven and He's in the believers' hearts. Is He in yours? He wants to be, but you have to open the door of your heart and ask Him in. It's an amazing grace that God would allow this feat to happen, but it happens every time someone comes to Jesus and believes in Him for salvation. 

ALL MY HOPE IS IN JESUS - Crowder

THE SOLID ROCK - Reawaken Hymns

I BELONG TO JESUS - Paul McClure, Hannah McClure 

IN CHRIST ALONE - The Gettys, Alison Krauss

THE RIVER - Brian Doerksen

Statements of Faith - Washed In The Blood

 

1 Corinthians 6:11

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in The Name of The Lord Jesus Christ and by The Spirit of our God. 

Hebrews 9:13-14

For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean,  how much more will the blood of Christ, who through The eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

THE REPENTANT HEART

Psalm 51:1-3

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.

Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

    The commandments of God revealed the impossibleness of being saved through the law and that a Savior from God was needed to bring us into a right relationship with God. This Savior from God came to this earth and showed us the Way back into God's grace and mercy. His Name is Jesus Christ and He is God's only begotten Son (John 3:16). 

    God took His Word and wrapped it in the fragility of flesh (John 1:14) and through the power of His Holy Spirit, God placed His Word in Mary's womb (Luke 1:35). His Name, Jesus, means "He shall save His people" (Matthew 1:21, Luke 1:31). 

    Not, however, through the conquering Kingship God's people were expecting. God's plan of salvation was to send His perfect Lamb to be the atoning sacrifice which would be the "once and for all" salvation of God's people. No longer would animal sacrifices be necessary. For when God's Lamb died, the veils to the holy of holies was ripped open wide and now all had access to God through Christ; but only through Christ Jesus. For "There is no other Name under heaven by which men must be saved." (Acts 4:12). 

    My sins have been washed in the blood of The Lamb of God and I am forgiven! Come to the cross and see The Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world! 

ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD? 

NO OTHER NAME BUT JESUS  

AT THE CROSS  

I Am Christian's Soul - Part Two

 

    I am Christian's soul. My soul is comprised of my heart, my mind, my strength. These three things are so intertwined it is impossible to separate them. What and how I think takes place in my mind. Then my thoughts travel to my heart, where I may ponder them and consider my next action regarding my thoughts. How I put my thoughts into action comes from my attitude towards what I am thinking about. 

    My soul has a price, it has value. Because I have been purchased by the blood of The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, my soul belongs to Him. This redemptive process began when I believed on The Name of The Lord for my salvation. Now I am in the holiness stage where The Holy Spirit of God is making me holy, for without this holiness from God, I could not be with God. For He demands holiness from His people. 

    My 💙 is filled with the love of God, the agape kind of love, which is unconditional. No requirements are there to this love. When God loves us, He loves all of us. That's why He sent His Son, His Word, to us: that Jesus would Redeem us through His death and give us new life through His resurrection. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

    My 💙 contains my faith. My faith has come from hearing The Word of God in all its fulness and truth and applying it to my everyday way of life. When I waken, I thank Him for a new day and I praise Him for Who He Is. As I move through my day, He is with me by His Spirit, encouraging me in His Word and the music He provides to me.

    My 💙 is the seat of my emotions. I have known joy and I have known sorrow. I love, but I cannot hate. Compassion and mercy flow through me. I have both sympathy and empathy within me. A sympathetic heart commiserates with the unknown trials a person goes through. An empathetic heart, having gone through various trials, knows the value of the words spoken or unspoken in those given situations. 

    I am Christian and this is my heart. 

My 🤔 is sound and sober. Though a million thoughts may race through me at any given moment, the only thoughts that matter are the ones that stay. Memories live here briefly. Most remain in the heart. Some fade away with time. 

    Because I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), I am clear-minded and can see with clarity. No longer do I live in a rose-colored world, nor do I bury my head in the sand. I read and I watch. I am alert and aware of the events going on around me. But I am not afraid for God The Lord is with me. I live in anticipation of the soon and coming King, for I see prophecies being fulfilled before my eyes and I hear of great and mighty things happening not just in faraway places but right here up close and personal. 

    My 🤔 is focused on the job at hand, this field work which I have been given to do. Though some days I struggle, with The Lord so close to me, I am able to perform the task given. I never work alone. The Lord has given me many tasks in His Word. There are times when I can get more than one done at a time. Some of my tasks are woven into each other and are unbreakable. 

    His Word says to "seek first the kingdom of God", which means I need to know God first before I can go looking for His kingdom or even begin to increase His kingdom, advancing His cause across the regions. Knowing God:  Acts 17:24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is The Lord of heaven and earth, and does not live in temples made by hands." Know The Lord: Hebrews 8:11 "No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, 'Know The Lord,' because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest."

    I am Christian and this is my mind.

    My strength, my attitude, is how I perceive that which is spoken to me and by me; it is how I process the things which I have heard and seen with my heart and my mind. I can live in despair and doubt or I can live in hope and faith. I choose to live in hope and faith. I choose to persevere and move forward regardless of the pain of movement or the knowledge that what lies ahead could be dangerous and life-threatening.

     My life does not belong to me, therefore nothing should stop me from pursuing the righteousness of Christ that I may obtain the crowns which He has for me; only to lay these crowns at His feet. For everything I have has been received from Him and it is only fit and due that I give it all back to Him. Attitude: Acts 20:24  "But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]."

    My strength, my attitude is my will: it is the "I want", the "I have to have it" and "I need" of a person's desire. I am Christian and I have surrendered my will to God's will. For I have learned, and am still learning, that Father knows best. Therefore, what I want is what God wants: that all people everywhere should be saved. Having surrendered my will to His has changed my prayer life. His strength is my joy and my salvation. 

    I am Christian's soul and I am constantly being attacked by Satan and the little darts he throws in my direction. My shield of faith must always be raised to block them. So I will stand firm on The Word of God and I will be His steadfast servant. For I have armed myself with The Word of God, The Love of God and The Hope of My Salvation. I am strong in The Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10); I am fearless. Yet the enemies of my soul should live in fear of what Christ is doing through me and in me. 

    I am Christian's soul and I live in Christ Who lives in me. 

JESUS HAVE IT ALL - Jeremy Riddle
MAKE ROOM - Community Music

LIVING FOR JESUS 

The Lord Is -- April 2023

 

ATARAH TSBLY

(pronounced at-aw-raw' tseb-ee')

CROWN OF GLORY

Isaiah 28:5-6

On that day the LORD of Hosts will be a Crown of Glory, a Diadem of Splendor to the remnant of His people, a Spirit of Justice to Him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.

Psalm 3:3

But You, O LORD, are a Shield around me, my Glory, and the One who lifts my head.

Isaiah 60:1

Arise, shine, for your Light has come, and the Glory of the LORD rises upon you.

ANI QADOSH

(pronounced an-nee' kaw-doshe')

I AM HOLY

Leviticus 11:44

 For I am the LORD your God: you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I Am Holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Psalm 99:9

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the LORD our God is Holy.

Revelation 4:8

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

ANI YHVH QADOSH

(pronounced an-ee' yeh-ho-vaw kaw-doshe')

I THE LORD AM HOLY

Leviticus 20:26

And you shall be holy unto Me: for I The LORD Am Holy, and have severed you from other people, that you should be Mine.

Severed means "divided, seperated, made a distinction between". 

Deuteronomy 14:2 

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

1 Thessalonians 4:7

For God has not called us to impurity, but into holiness.

Isaiah 35:8

And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it--only those who walk in the Way--and fools will not stray onto it.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

YHVH QADASH QADOSH

(pronounced yeh-ho-vaw kaw-dash' kaw-doshe')

THE LORD MY SANCTIFIER IS HOLY

Leviticus 21:8

You shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God: he shall be holy unto you: for I The LORD, which Sanctify you, Am Holy.

Leviticus 20:8

And you shall keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

Ezekiel 36:23

I will show how holy My great Name is—the Name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal My holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign LORD, then the nations will know that I am the LORD.

THEOS KRITES PAS

(pronounced theh'-os kree-tace' pas)

GOD JUDGE OF ALL

Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.

    Psalm 50:6

And the heavens proclaim His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge. Selah

    Psalm 94:2

Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render a reward to the proud.

    Revelation 20:11-15

Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. 

The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. 

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.

And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

A Crucified Life - - Is The Temple of God

 

2 Corinthians 6:16

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the Living God, as God has said, I will dwell with them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3485

Temple:  that part of the temple where God Himself resides.

From the Greek word 'naos' (pronounced nah-os'): sanctuary (divine dwelling-place); temple (sacred abode). 

    The temple of God where God dwelt consisted of two rooms: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies (Hebrew 9:1-10). Hebrews 9:11-28 details how Christ became our Tabernacle and opened up both rooms for the Christian believer's access. 

    Where God is sin cannot be. No agreement, no tolerance, no working together. You cannot plait together nettles and hemp. The strength of the latter would be lacerated and shredded by the first, rendering the twining useless and revealing it for a complete waste of time and effort.

    God will not stay where He is mocked. Tear down the idols you have built up in your heart and your churches. Hasten to receive God into your hearts and be prepared to leave when He sends His Son to bring you with Him. 

    When the Ark of the Covenant was placed in a pagan temple, all the idols were knocked over (1 Samuel 5:1-4). For our God is greater and higher than any manmade object of worship. This includes self-righteousness, self-promotion. To put sin in the church and declare it to be of God is to call God a liar and bring His wrath on that church and its congregants.

    As God's temple, we are to be holy, a holy people for a holy God. And that only comes about when we have the Holy Spirit of God also living in us, working through and with us, to make us holy. That won't happen when a person is not only living a sinful lifestyle, but refuses to give up their sin, their uncleanness, their unholy living. 

    A crucified life recognizes sin for sin. The thorns and the nails have pierced the heart, nailing the sin to its place of humiliation. Repenting of the sin at the moment it is revealed brings forgiveness and restoration from God. The heart is made cleaner. The mind is restored to soundness and sober thinking (vigilant, rational thinking). 

    We need to knock down and destroy everything that is not of God and God's Word. We do that by receiving Christ into our hearts and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit of God. We go where we are sent. We speak what we hear. In the power of God we choose to live the life He has designed for us. 

    Do you want the presence of God in your heart, your mind, your whole life? Turn your hearts to God now. Turn your back on the sins you have been living in (repent) and seek God's desire for your life (seek first His kingdom). Turn your face to His face and be made complete in Him in Christ. There's no other way to have the presence of the Living God in us but to comply with His requirements to do so. 

    1 Peter 1:13-15

Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.

But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. 

    Hebrews 4:15,16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One Who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. 

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

A TABLE FULL OF STRANGERS Vol 1 (what I listened to while I studied)

A Crucified Life - - We Speak Jesus

 

2 Corinthians 4:13-14

And in keeping with what is written: " “I believed, therefore I have spoken,” we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak, knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2980

Speak: talk, talkative

From the Greek word 'laleó' (pronounced (lal-eh'-o): I make myself heard.

THE SAME FAITH

    Paul was quoting David who wrote in Psalm 116:10 "I believed, therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted." Thereby acknowledging that the faith of they who believed without having seen God's Christ is the same faith we now hold within us. 

    Hebrews 11 is the chapter commonly referred to as The Hall of Faith, wherein is detailed to some extent who believed and that it was 'counted unto them for righteousness'. It begins with the definition of faith: "Now faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders (the ancients) obtained a good report."

    Our first example in this chapter is Abel. Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead."

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

    As we have been given, and still continue to give each other, the Word of encouragement, we also should lead by example and encourage one another even now with our faith in God. 

    Hebrews 11:6 tells us faith in God is necessary. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

    Faith in God produces action; we believe Him, therefore we obey Him. We believe His Words are Faithful and True, therefore we give voice to what and Whom we believe. And we cannot stop ourselves from proclaiming the nature of God and the Love of God in Christ. We want you to have this same faith, too.  

    Faith is knowing. See 2 Corinthians 4:14 "knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence." We have this Hope of Resurrection.

     Christ IN us cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Christ ON us is our righteousness. Christ on the cross FORGIVES and SAVES us. Christ resurrected from the grave CHANGES us. Though we have not yet obtained the glorious bodies we will be given, we determine to live as though we have. 

     We live by faith: Galatians 2:20. We walk by faith: 2 Corinthians 5:7. We overcome the world with faith: 1 John 5:4. The word of faith is what we proclaim/declare, make known to all will hear us speak: Romans 10:8. 

    We speak Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). 

SPEAKING JESUS

I Speak Jesus

Same God

I Know Whom I Have Believed

King of Glory

Heart & Soul - - True Heart

 

Hebrews 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 228

True Heart: real, genuine, made of truth

From the Hebrew word 'aléthinos' (pronounced al-ay-thee-nos'),  emphasizing the organic connection (authentic unity) between what is true and its source or origin. 

Antonyms, opposites of, true would include: inaccurate, counterfeit, false, flawed, deceptive, corrupt, evil and disloyal.

    It is important to have a True Heart, because without it we will not see God and live. Though all will see God on judgment day not all will remain with God for all eternity. Too many will have chosen not to be with God. By their own actions/inactions they will have sent themselves to hell, for that is the destination of the unbeliever. Even if a person says they are a Christian in their lifetime, their own words and actions deny that such a spiritual transformation has taken place. 

    THE COVENANT OF BLOOD

    When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, God had to kill an animal and cover their sinfulness with its hide, a shadow of the Lamb of God Who would die on the cross to cover/wash away/remove sins. The coverings Adam and Eve made for themselves were not enough to cover their nakedness completely, and so were inadequate. As filthy rags, our attempts to cover or remove sin are just as inadequate. We need a better covering and that Covering is Jesus Christ. (Genesis 3:21; Isaiah 64:6; Hebrews 8:6).

    When the tenth and last plague was about to cover the land of Egypt before the Israelites were kicked out of Egypt, God instructed Moses on the proper way to sacrifice a lamb whose blood would be used to cover the door frames of each Israelite's home where the lamb would be eaten. (Exodus 12:1-13).

    When Moses met God and heard what He had to say before Moses spent those first forty days and nights on the mountaintop with God, the LORD God spoke the Ten Commandments and the law to him, as a boss would dictate to his secretary. Moses wrote every word down making this writing the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 24:7), which he then sprinkled with the blood of the peace offering, of the young bulls which had been sacrificed for that purpose. Then Moses sprinkled the blood on the people, signifying the covenant between God and themselves. (Exodus 24:1-8). 

    When the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world came to us, the instruction is also made clear that this blood must be applied (1) Individually, and (2) By Faith. 

(1) John 1:12, 3:18, 20:31; Mark 16:16. 

(2) Hebrews 11 (the Hall of Faith); Ephesians 2:8, 9; Colossians 1:1-29. 

    The True Heart is the heart that has acknowledged its unrighteousness and evilness in living a life that was not pleasing to God. In so doing it also recognizes its need for a Savior to bring salvation which can cleanse the True Heart of its sins and bring it to a right relationship with God. 

    The True Heart is more than sincere in its desire to know God personally, it recognizes the urgency to meet God face to face and the strong desire to hear Him speak with it in private: a one-on-one encounter that will forever change a person. 

THE WASHING OF THE WORD

    Having received Christ into its heart by faith in the Name of the Son of God (Romans 10:8-10), the True Heart now sees the need for outer purification as well and is baptized, submerged beneath the water, representing being buried with Christ in the tomb, then raised to new life in Him. 

    The heart gets sprinkled with the blood of Christ by faith; the body gets washed in the water of purification in a public display of this transforming power of God to change a person from the inside outward. 

    While it is not always possible to receive a water baptism after proclaiming one's belief in the Name of the Son of God, those who can, do so. There were two thieves hung on their own crosses next to Christ, one on each side. One died in his sins, the other declared his faith in Christ. There was no time for him to be baptized, but with Christ he is now and forevermore. 

    Christ, as our example always, was baptized by His cousin John, where those who were nearby heard John cry out to them, "Behold! The Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world!" (John 1:29-31) Upon Christ also came the Spirit of heaven, like a dove, which rested upon Him (John 1:32-34).

    And just before Jesus was arrested He washed His disciples' feet. This was the example of servitude He set for them. They/we should not consider themselves/ourselves above the needs of other just because they were/we are His disciples. We are the body of Christ and we should interact with each other as Christ interacted with His first disciples. (John 13:1-17). 

    Let us come now with True Hearts and receive today what God has in store for His faithful people. 

    

TRUE HEART 

Thanks Be To God - - For His Continued Presence

 

HEBREWS 13:5

Let your manner of life be without covetousness, being satisfied with the present; for He Himself has said: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."

LIFE LIVED IN PEACE

Conversation means lifestyle, manner of life. We are to live peaceable lives which glorify God. Lives lived in such a way do not covet, desire, what is not theirs to have. It's okay if we don't keep up with the Joneses of this world. We have God for our God and He is Enough.

Exodus 20:17

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

LIFE LIVED SATISFIED

We are to live a satisfied life, a life that says, I am content with the God who provides for me. As long as I follow His Word, His lead, He will be my God and I will be of His people. 

Philippians 4:11-13

11. I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.

12. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.

13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

LIFE LIVED FEARLESSLY

We are to live our lives in Him, with Him and for Him: for He is with us always, as long as we are with Him. 

Hebrews 13:6

So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

LIFE LIVED IN HIS PRESENCE

We are to give this life we have been given back to the One who gave us life. Romans 12:1 tells us to 'surrender our bodies a living sacrifice'. God wants us to live in Him and He wants to live in us. 

If we want to live fearlessly in this world, we need to live life according to God's Word and maintain a loving, working relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is the foundation on which we build satisfied, fearless lives. 

Matthew 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My Righteousness.

LIFE LIVED IN CHRIST

If we want God to remain with us, we need to remain with Him. Once saved, always saved is not a viable option. His Word warns us against leaving Him, for without His continued presence amongst His people, His wrath will fall on us. We will be judged and found lacking. But when we obey His Word and follow His Spirit, we will lack nothing, for He is with us. 

John 15:4

Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 

Romans 12:4, 5

4. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,

5. so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.

1 Peter 2:5

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3306

Remain: stay, abide, wait for; I stay, I wait for, I abide; not depart, not leave, continue to be present

Dear God, 

As Sarah said, You Are The God Who Sees. See me, see my heart and prepare me to face those who will come against me as I follow You in Your Word. Strengthen my heart to be better equipped to serve You. 
Lord, I long to see Your face and hear Your voice: help me to do so. With joy I search Your Word and ask You to reveal Yourself more everyday. Be strength for those who have walked this journey before me, whom I have loved and admired. Be their memories and their wisdom; remove not their testimony, nor their witness. 

As our elders leave us, meet us where we are and bring us to where You are. Though our hands are weak and our knees are feeble, You are our Strength: You impart Yourself to us and we are made the stronger for it. You give us vision for the days ahead, wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent. 

Help us to glorify Your name wherever we are or may go. As we strive to remain in You, may we be more aware than ever that You are with us. Even now.

In Jesus' Beautiful Name, I pray,

Amen

Nothing Without You by Will Reagan

Whom Shall I Fear? by Chris Tomlin