Eternity
There is only one of two places in eternity that we can go: Heaven or Hell. Each one of us will be placed in one of these two places on Judgment Day to be there forever and ever. Our Lord in speaking of eternity in Matthew 25:46 says, "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life". Notice that the duration of the lost in Hell is exactly the same as the duration of the saved in Heaven, "forever and ever". It is hard for us as mortals to grasp how long eternity will be, but after we have been there a billion years, eternity will have just begun.
According to the U. S. News & World Report, January 31, 2000, 36% of people do not believe in Hell. But Hell is a real place. To say there is no Hell is to make God a liar. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). Satan does not want you to believe in Hell. Satan is accomplishing his purpose since there is very seldom any teaching on Hell today. It is not a “politically correct” subject. A person who does not believe Hell is real will most likely go there. Ignoring or scoffing at Hell will not do away with it.
We do not like to think about eternal punishment. But it evidently must be very important or God would not have told us about it. Let's first consider what the Lord says about eternal punishment of Hell and then we will turn our attention to a more pleasant thought, Heaven. Jesus spoke as much about the eternal punishment of Hell as He did any other subject. He took our punishment and gave His life to keep us out of Hell. In His attempt to persuade us not to go there, He has given us numerous warnings in His word.
Our Lord in describing how horrible that Hell will be for the many who will end up going there, says in Matthew 13:42, "And will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth". This definitely will be a horrible and terrible place beyond description. Jesus says in Mark 9:43-48 concerning those who are lost, that they will be "cast into Hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched".
Jesus tells us if there is anything in our life that is going to cause us to be lost, to correct it or to get rid of it now. Notice Jesus says a person is cast or thrown into Hell. The worm is a flesh-eating maggot that does not die, but will continuously feed forever and ever on the lost in Hell. In Hell, one is burning over every square inch of his body and even all on the inside but is never consumed. The continuous fire and the worms will never accomplish the annihilation of any of the lost. The lost in Hell will prefer to cease their existence, but they cannot. Their perpetual nightmare of torment will continue forever and ever. It will never cease. The lost “shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night” (Revelation 14:10-11). The occupants of Hell will never know relief or rest from their torment. Hell is such a horrible place. Hell is not a fictitious place, it is real.
There will be no reprieve or appeal to a higher court, because we will have been judged by the highest. The Lord is trying to get our attention and to give us fair warning. He is pleading with us not to go there because He has already paid our price and taken our punishment. But we make the choice. The choice is ours. We will bear the responsibility and the consequences.
One of the many warnings Jesus gives us is the true account of the rich man and Lazarus. “There was a certain rich man” and “there was a certain beggar named Lazarus”. [The rich man was lost],“And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, son remember…and besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us” (Luke 16:19-20, 23-26). Notice it says there was a certain rich man and a certain beggar named Lazarus. This is not a fictitious fairy tale. In Hell people will be in continual unceasing torment and pain in which all will be constantly pleading for mercy. With their unquenchable thirst they will beg for even one drop of water, but they will not receive it. How much relief and how long would one drop of water last on the tongue of those who are being eternally tormented in the burning fires of Hell? It would not last even one second. We must wake up and heed our Lord’s warning. Their desperate and hopeless state is permanent where they will remain eternally. They are condemned there forever. In Hell people are conscious and will see, feel, wail, and remember as they endure the continual intense pain and suffering.
The many who end up in eternal punishment will not be there alone. They will have company. Revelation 20:10 says, "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever". Not very good company to be in. Notice that the torment goes on "day and night forever and ever".
There are many people who scoff at the idea of eternal punishment, but they are scoffing at what God says. The fire will burn forever and those who are lost will be there in the fire for eternity whether they want to believe it or not. In eternity their scoffing will quickly change to weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. We must take what our Lord says in the Bible seriously. Hell is real! There is no way for the horrors of Hell to be adequately described in human language. Many people do not realize the danger of eternally losing their souls. This is very serious!
Those lost in Hell will be those “whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (2 Peter 2:17). Those in Hell will attempt to find God, “Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; they will seek Me diligently, but they will not find Me” (Proverbs 1:28). They will not be able to forget their rejection of God. There will be no atheists in Hell, because all those in Hell will believe that there really is a God, but it will be too late then.
“The Lord knows how to…reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment” (2 Peter 2:9). Hell must be avoided at all costs. No one can begin to exaggerate how horrible Hell is going to be. Its misery and anguish is beyond description. It will never, never, never, ever end.
We are being warned, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) and “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). We must make sure we don’t end up in Hell, and we must warn other people who will listen. We “must be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). Jesus has promised, “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Anyone who ends up in Hell will only have himself to blame.
In Hell there will be billions of people crying out in indescribable pain and agony for which there will be no relief or hope that things will ever get better. There will be haunting memories of all the opportunities of salvation that they passed up. Eternity is forever and has no end. There will be no opportunity for second chances. Hell is eternal, final, and irrevocable.
We read in Revelation 14:11, "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night." But reading further we see in Revelation 20:15, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire". It is imperative that our name be found in the Book of Life. Is your name in that book? Do you know for sure, or are you making a wishful assumption? It will be too late on the Day of Judgment to find out that your name is not there.
Heaven
Now let us turn our attention to something more pleasant, Heaven. Our Lord says in John 14:2-3, "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also". Heaven will be a very wonderful place. For the few who go there it will be beyond their wildest dreams and they will be totally surprised and amazed. As we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." There is no way that the glories of Heaven can be adequately described to us mortal beings. The only way will be to see it.
Heaven will be the very opposite of eternal punishment. Revelation 21:4 says, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away". There will be no weeping, and no wailing, and no gnashing of teeth as will be happening in eternal torment. But there will forever and ever be nothing but joy, and peace, and happiness, beyond description. What a wonderful place Heaven will be. But again, the choice is ours. We cannot escape the consequences if we make the wrong choice. We will not accidentally end up in Heaven. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Our Lord says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." Going to Heaven has got to be our number one goal in this life. We must want to go to Heaven more than anything else.
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Questions Lesson 3
Eternity
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Matthew 25:46) Those who are lost will go into
Purgatory.
Annihilation.
Everlasting punishment.
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2) All people will be placed into one of two places in eternity.
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3) (Matthew 13:42) Eternal punishment is described as
A furnace of fire.
Not very hot.
There will be no eternal punishment.
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4) Eternal punishment will be horrible and beyond description.
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5) (Mark 9:45-46) The fire of hell
Will never be lit.
Will soon go out.
Will never be quenched.
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6) If we end up in eternal punishment we will be able to appeal our sentence.
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7) (Revelation 20:10) Eternal punishment will last
1000 years.
A short period of time.
Forever and ever.
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8) Satan will also be punished in the lake of fire and brimstone.
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9) (Revelation 20:15) If we are not found in the Book of Life
We will cease to exist.
We will be cast into the lake of fire.
We will have another chance.
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10) Even after death we can have our name added to the Book of Life.
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11) (John 14:2-3) Heaven is described as
Many mansions.
The earth made over.
A bad place.
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12) Christ will be in Heaven with the few who are saved.
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13) (Revelation 21:4) In Heaven there will be
Sorrow and crying.
No sorrow or crying.
Pain and suffering.
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14) People will die after they get to Heaven.
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Bible Study with The Joy of Jesus
Becoming a Child of God
Galatians 3:26-27 (KJV) says, "For you are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." All of us want to be children of God, but it is our faith in Christ that leads us to become children of God. This verse also tells us how our faith leads us to be children of God. It says, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." The word for as used in this scripture is a preposition, which means for the purpose of or in order to be. Therefore, we are baptized for the purpose of or in order to be God's children.
To be a child of God and part of His family, we must be born into His family. Our Lord said in John 3:3, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven." Then He tells us how being born again takes place in John 3:5, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." When one is "born again" by being baptized into Christ he becomes a child of God. The blood of Christ will only forgive the sins of those who are "born of water and the Spirit" when they are baptized for that reason.
We might ask the question, "If I had to prove that I was a child of God in order to get into Heaven, could I do it?" Only those who are God's children will inherit Heaven. In 1 Peter 1:4 we read "To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you." Are you eligible for that inheritance? Have you become a child of God by being baptized into Christ? If you haven't then you have no inheritance in Heaven. You will inherit eternal punishment. Why would anyone in their right mind not want to be a child of God?
Has your faith led you to be baptized, so that you can become a child of God? If not then you are not a child of God; you belong to Satan. To be a child of God, our faith must be a faith that will accept and do all that the Lord tells us to do. It must be an obedient faith, because God says in James 2:17,20 & 24, "Thus also faith, by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." We are not saved by the salvation-robbing doctrine of "faith only". If our faith is not one of action, it is a dead faith. A dead faith will do you no good on the Day of Judgment. This is the only place in the Bible that speaks of "faith only" and here the false doctrine of "faith only" is condemned. It also refers to one who believes in "faith only" as "O foolish man" because he will lose his soul in eternity.
Are you a child of God? Have you been baptized into Christ so you can be a child of God? As Hebrews 2:3 says, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" We know there is no escape. Please don't neglect your salvation.
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Questions Lesson 16
Becoming A Child Of God
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Galatians 3:26-27)) How does faith in Christ lead us to become Children of God?
By being baptized into Christ.
All people are already children of God.
Faith only.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) We are baptized in order to be a child of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (James 2:17, 20, &24) One who believes in faith only is
A wise man.
A foolish man.
Going to be saved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) We are justified by faith only.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (James 2:17) Faith that has no works is
A dead faith.
A living faith.
A saving faith.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) To be a child of God our faith must cause us to accept and do all the Lord commands.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) (1Peter 1:4) Who will inherit a home in heaven?
All People.
All sincere religious people.
Only God's children.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) Heaven is reserved only for God's children.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) (Hebrews 2:3) If we neglect our great salvation
We will be given another chance in purgatory to go to Heaven.
There will be no escape.
We will still be able to escape.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) We will still go to Heaven if we neglect our great salvation.
Galatians 3:26-27 (KJV) says, "For you are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." All of us want to be children of God, but it is our faith in Christ that leads us to become children of God. This verse also tells us how our faith leads us to be children of God. It says, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." The word for as used in this scripture is a preposition, which means for the purpose of or in order to be. Therefore, we are baptized for the purpose of or in order to be God's children.
To be a child of God and part of His family, we must be born into His family. Our Lord said in John 3:3, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven." Then He tells us how being born again takes place in John 3:5, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." When one is "born again" by being baptized into Christ he becomes a child of God. The blood of Christ will only forgive the sins of those who are "born of water and the Spirit" when they are baptized for that reason.
We might ask the question, "If I had to prove that I was a child of God in order to get into Heaven, could I do it?" Only those who are God's children will inherit Heaven. In 1 Peter 1:4 we read "To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you." Are you eligible for that inheritance? Have you become a child of God by being baptized into Christ? If you haven't then you have no inheritance in Heaven. You will inherit eternal punishment. Why would anyone in their right mind not want to be a child of God?
Has your faith led you to be baptized, so that you can become a child of God? If not then you are not a child of God; you belong to Satan. To be a child of God, our faith must be a faith that will accept and do all that the Lord tells us to do. It must be an obedient faith, because God says in James 2:17,20 & 24, "Thus also faith, by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." We are not saved by the salvation-robbing doctrine of "faith only". If our faith is not one of action, it is a dead faith. A dead faith will do you no good on the Day of Judgment. This is the only place in the Bible that speaks of "faith only" and here the false doctrine of "faith only" is condemned. It also refers to one who believes in "faith only" as "O foolish man" because he will lose his soul in eternity.
Are you a child of God? Have you been baptized into Christ so you can be a child of God? As Hebrews 2:3 says, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" We know there is no escape. Please don't neglect your salvation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 16
Becoming A Child Of God
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Galatians 3:26-27)) How does faith in Christ lead us to become Children of God?
By being baptized into Christ.
All people are already children of God.
Faith only.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) We are baptized in order to be a child of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (James 2:17, 20, &24) One who believes in faith only is
A wise man.
A foolish man.
Going to be saved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) We are justified by faith only.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (James 2:17) Faith that has no works is
A dead faith.
A living faith.
A saving faith.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) To be a child of God our faith must cause us to accept and do all the Lord commands.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) (1Peter 1:4) Who will inherit a home in heaven?
All People.
All sincere religious people.
Only God's children.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) Heaven is reserved only for God's children.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) (Hebrews 2:3) If we neglect our great salvation
We will be given another chance in purgatory to go to Heaven.
There will be no escape.
We will still be able to escape.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) We will still go to Heaven if we neglect our great salvation.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Scripture for Life/The Joy of Joy of Jesus Today
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
International Standard Version (©2008)
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. Although he was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
International Standard Version (©2008)
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. Although he was rich, for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich.
GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Bible Study with The Joy of Jesus for Life
The Cleansing Blood of Christ
Hebrews 9:22 says, "Without shedding of blood there is no remission." I John 1:7 tells us that "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin." God, in choosing the cleansing agent for our sins, chose the very best that He had, the blood of His own Son. It is by the precious blood of our Lord, that we are cleansed from all of our sins. Revelation 1:5 says, "To Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." Yes, it is only by the blood of our Lord, that we get our sins washed away. John 19:34 says, "But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out." Jesus shed His blood for us, in His death, when He died on the cruel cross of Calvary.
How do we come into contact with that cleansing blood, which our Lord shed in his death, in order to have our sins washed away? Romans 6:3 tells us how. "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" Since Christ shed His blood in His death, when a person is baptized into our Lord's death, it is there that he spiritually comes into contact with the blood of Christ and his sins are then washed away. Baptism is the only means of reaching His death by being "baptized into His death", where His blood was shed, so we can have forgiveness of our sins. So, when Ananias told Paul in Acts 22:16, "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins," it was the blood of Christ that washed away Paul's sins when he was baptized.
There are many differing humanly devised plans of salvation with their flowery theological phrases. One of these says all you have to do is "accept Jesus as your personal saviour" and then "say the sinner's prayer" to be saved. Others say you must be sprinkled, or touch the radio, or speak in an unknown tongue in order to be saved. There is not a verse in the Bible that teaches any of this. All of these are false and become a mockery of God and what He says in the Bible. But as we are told in Galatians 1:7, "But there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." These perverted humanly invented plans of salvation will result in many good people being lost. If people would only read the Bible for themselves to see what God requires to be saved so they can go to Heaven.
Salvation does not originate with men but with God. The Lord's salvation is offered on His terms, not ours. To refuse the Lord's terms of salvation and pardon is to forfeit eternal life in Heaven.
Have you been baptized to have your sins washed away by the blood of Christ? If you haven't, then you still have every sin that you have ever committed. Your sins have separated you from God. With your sins you can't go to Heaven to be with God when you die, but you will have to go to the eternal punishment of Hell where there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth forever and ever. You may have been baptized into a denominational church, but not for remission of your sins so you can be saved. If you have not been baptized for the remission of your sins, so that you can be saved, then the blood of Christ will be of no benefit to you, and Christ’s death for you was in vain. But please take advantage of Christ having died for you. Only you can do this for yourself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 15
The Cleansing Blood Of Christ
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (1 John 1:7 & Revelation 1:5) What cleanses us from all sin?
We have no sin to be cleansed.
Nothing can.
The blood of Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) We are cleansed from our sins when we are washed in the blood of Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (John 19:34) Where did Christ shed His blood for us.
In His death on the cross.
When He cut His finger.
He never shed any blood.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Our sins are washed away when we come into contact with the cleansing blood of Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (Romans 6:3) How do we get into Christ's death to spiritually come into contact with His blood?
When we die physically.
When we are baptized into His death.
We can't spiritually come into contact with His blood.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) We come into contact with the saving blood of Christ when we are baptized into His death.
Hebrews 9:22 says, "Without shedding of blood there is no remission." I John 1:7 tells us that "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin." God, in choosing the cleansing agent for our sins, chose the very best that He had, the blood of His own Son. It is by the precious blood of our Lord, that we are cleansed from all of our sins. Revelation 1:5 says, "To Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." Yes, it is only by the blood of our Lord, that we get our sins washed away. John 19:34 says, "But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out." Jesus shed His blood for us, in His death, when He died on the cruel cross of Calvary.
How do we come into contact with that cleansing blood, which our Lord shed in his death, in order to have our sins washed away? Romans 6:3 tells us how. "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" Since Christ shed His blood in His death, when a person is baptized into our Lord's death, it is there that he spiritually comes into contact with the blood of Christ and his sins are then washed away. Baptism is the only means of reaching His death by being "baptized into His death", where His blood was shed, so we can have forgiveness of our sins. So, when Ananias told Paul in Acts 22:16, "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins," it was the blood of Christ that washed away Paul's sins when he was baptized.
There are many differing humanly devised plans of salvation with their flowery theological phrases. One of these says all you have to do is "accept Jesus as your personal saviour" and then "say the sinner's prayer" to be saved. Others say you must be sprinkled, or touch the radio, or speak in an unknown tongue in order to be saved. There is not a verse in the Bible that teaches any of this. All of these are false and become a mockery of God and what He says in the Bible. But as we are told in Galatians 1:7, "But there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." These perverted humanly invented plans of salvation will result in many good people being lost. If people would only read the Bible for themselves to see what God requires to be saved so they can go to Heaven.
Salvation does not originate with men but with God. The Lord's salvation is offered on His terms, not ours. To refuse the Lord's terms of salvation and pardon is to forfeit eternal life in Heaven.
Have you been baptized to have your sins washed away by the blood of Christ? If you haven't, then you still have every sin that you have ever committed. Your sins have separated you from God. With your sins you can't go to Heaven to be with God when you die, but you will have to go to the eternal punishment of Hell where there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth forever and ever. You may have been baptized into a denominational church, but not for remission of your sins so you can be saved. If you have not been baptized for the remission of your sins, so that you can be saved, then the blood of Christ will be of no benefit to you, and Christ’s death for you was in vain. But please take advantage of Christ having died for you. Only you can do this for yourself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 15
The Cleansing Blood Of Christ
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (1 John 1:7 & Revelation 1:5) What cleanses us from all sin?
We have no sin to be cleansed.
Nothing can.
The blood of Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) We are cleansed from our sins when we are washed in the blood of Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (John 19:34) Where did Christ shed His blood for us.
In His death on the cross.
When He cut His finger.
He never shed any blood.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Our sins are washed away when we come into contact with the cleansing blood of Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (Romans 6:3) How do we get into Christ's death to spiritually come into contact with His blood?
When we die physically.
When we are baptized into His death.
We can't spiritually come into contact with His blood.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) We come into contact with the saving blood of Christ when we are baptized into His death.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Joy of Jesus is Believing
Believe in God and in Christ
Jesus says in John 8:24, "For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." In order to do the will of the Father, we must believe in God and in Christ, otherwise we will die in our sins and be lost. If we don't believe in God and in Christ, we will certainly not do what They tell us we must do. If God is to be believed at all, He must be believed fully. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." We must diligently seek to know all that God wants us to do and then gladly do it.
Do you believe in God and Christ with all your heart? Do you believe in Them to the point that you have all the confidence in the world in Them and you will do anything and everything They tell you to do? Not what we choose to do, but what God tells us to do. If we will not, then we are no different than those people that we read about in John 12:42-43, "Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." These people believed Jesus, but they were not saved, because they would not confess and obey Him.
Many people falsely believe that redemptive faith is merely a willing disposition to trust in Christ as their personal savior, independent of any further acts of obedience. This notion is completely alien from the truth found in the Bible. A belief that will not accept and do all God tells us to do is not enough. If this is the case, then we are no better than the devils in James 2:19, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the devils believe and tremble!" The devils believe in God and they tremble, but this does not save them. So "faith only" does not save anyone, or otherwise the devils would also be saved. God's word says, "You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith only" (James 2:24). Man's doctrine of "faith only" is foreign to the Bible.
Our belief is a work of God that God requires of us. John 6:29, "Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." Our belief must be an obedient belief in all the things that God tells us to do. When our faith in God and in Christ has caused us to do what they tell us only then can we be saved. We do not earn our salvation but we qualify for it only when we have done what God has told us we must do.
Satan is trying to tell people today they do not have to do anything to qualify for God's gift of eternal life. Satan is successful with many people. We cannot have selective obedience and be pleasing to God. Our obedience is how we show our love to God and Christ. Jesus says in John 14:21, "He that has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved of My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." If we love Christ we will abandon all we do religiously that is not found in the Bible and then do all things that Christ wants us to do.
Just before Jesus ascended back into Heaven, He commanded His apostles in Matthew 28:19-20 to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." Our faith in Him must lead us to observe all things the Lord has commanded us to do in order to be pleasing to Him. We cannot select just certain commands of God to obey. We cannot ignore or rationalize away any of His commands we don’t like and expect to be saved. To believe in Him is to obey Him fully.
In speaking of Christ, Hebrews 5:9 says, "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." If Christ is to be the author of our eternal salvation, He must be obeyed with an obedient faith. Respect for Jesus as our Lord means doing all He says and for the reason He says. In Luke 6:46 Jesus says, "But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do the things which I say?" Jesus is not our Lord if we do not do what He says. Are you willing for Jesus to be your Lord?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 10
Believing In God And Christ
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (John 8:24) If we do not believe in Christ
We will still be saved.
We will die in our sins and be lost.
Our sins will still be forgiven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) If we die in our sins we will still be saved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (Hebrews 11:6) Without faith in God
It is impossible to please Him.
We can still please Him.
We can still go to Heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) If we don't believe in God and Christ we will still do what they tell us to do.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (John 12:42-43) Many people who believe in Christ are ashamed to confess Him
Because they love Christ.
Because they do not want to embarrass Christ.
Because they love the praise of men more than the praise of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) It is good to love the praise of men more than the praise of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) (James 2:19) If we believe there is one God, we do well,
The demons also believe and tremble.
The demons do not believe in God.
And this alone will get us to heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) The demons do not believe there is one God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) (John 6:29) Believing in Christ whom God sent
Is not a work of God.
Is not required by God.
Is a work of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) The work of God is not to believe in Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11) (John 14:21) We show our love for Christ
When we say we love Him but don't do what He says.
When we have His commandments and keep them.
When we only observe some of His commandments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12) Our obedience shows our love for God and Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13) (Matthew 28:19-20) We are to observe how many of the commandments of Christ?
Some.
Those we choose.
All.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14) We need to only observe some of the commands of Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15) (Hebrews 5:9) Christ is the author of eternal salvation to
Everyone.
No one.
All who obey Christ.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jesus says in John 8:24, "For if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." In order to do the will of the Father, we must believe in God and in Christ, otherwise we will die in our sins and be lost. If we don't believe in God and in Christ, we will certainly not do what They tell us we must do. If God is to be believed at all, He must be believed fully. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." We must diligently seek to know all that God wants us to do and then gladly do it.
Do you believe in God and Christ with all your heart? Do you believe in Them to the point that you have all the confidence in the world in Them and you will do anything and everything They tell you to do? Not what we choose to do, but what God tells us to do. If we will not, then we are no different than those people that we read about in John 12:42-43, "Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." These people believed Jesus, but they were not saved, because they would not confess and obey Him.
Many people falsely believe that redemptive faith is merely a willing disposition to trust in Christ as their personal savior, independent of any further acts of obedience. This notion is completely alien from the truth found in the Bible. A belief that will not accept and do all God tells us to do is not enough. If this is the case, then we are no better than the devils in James 2:19, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the devils believe and tremble!" The devils believe in God and they tremble, but this does not save them. So "faith only" does not save anyone, or otherwise the devils would also be saved. God's word says, "You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith only" (James 2:24). Man's doctrine of "faith only" is foreign to the Bible.
Our belief is a work of God that God requires of us. John 6:29, "Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." Our belief must be an obedient belief in all the things that God tells us to do. When our faith in God and in Christ has caused us to do what they tell us only then can we be saved. We do not earn our salvation but we qualify for it only when we have done what God has told us we must do.
Satan is trying to tell people today they do not have to do anything to qualify for God's gift of eternal life. Satan is successful with many people. We cannot have selective obedience and be pleasing to God. Our obedience is how we show our love to God and Christ. Jesus says in John 14:21, "He that has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved of My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." If we love Christ we will abandon all we do religiously that is not found in the Bible and then do all things that Christ wants us to do.
Just before Jesus ascended back into Heaven, He commanded His apostles in Matthew 28:19-20 to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." Our faith in Him must lead us to observe all things the Lord has commanded us to do in order to be pleasing to Him. We cannot select just certain commands of God to obey. We cannot ignore or rationalize away any of His commands we don’t like and expect to be saved. To believe in Him is to obey Him fully.
In speaking of Christ, Hebrews 5:9 says, "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." If Christ is to be the author of our eternal salvation, He must be obeyed with an obedient faith. Respect for Jesus as our Lord means doing all He says and for the reason He says. In Luke 6:46 Jesus says, "But why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do the things which I say?" Jesus is not our Lord if we do not do what He says. Are you willing for Jesus to be your Lord?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 10
Believing In God And Christ
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (John 8:24) If we do not believe in Christ
We will still be saved.
We will die in our sins and be lost.
Our sins will still be forgiven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) If we die in our sins we will still be saved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (Hebrews 11:6) Without faith in God
It is impossible to please Him.
We can still please Him.
We can still go to Heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) If we don't believe in God and Christ we will still do what they tell us to do.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (John 12:42-43) Many people who believe in Christ are ashamed to confess Him
Because they love Christ.
Because they do not want to embarrass Christ.
Because they love the praise of men more than the praise of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) It is good to love the praise of men more than the praise of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) (James 2:19) If we believe there is one God, we do well,
The demons also believe and tremble.
The demons do not believe in God.
And this alone will get us to heaven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) The demons do not believe there is one God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) (John 6:29) Believing in Christ whom God sent
Is not a work of God.
Is not required by God.
Is a work of God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) The work of God is not to believe in Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11) (John 14:21) We show our love for Christ
When we say we love Him but don't do what He says.
When we have His commandments and keep them.
When we only observe some of His commandments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12) Our obedience shows our love for God and Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13) (Matthew 28:19-20) We are to observe how many of the commandments of Christ?
Some.
Those we choose.
All.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14) We need to only observe some of the commands of Christ.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15) (Hebrews 5:9) Christ is the author of eternal salvation to
Everyone.
No one.
All who obey Christ.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Faith in The Joy of Jesus Today!
Faith is more than a theoretical belief in Christ; it is a principle of action. To have faith in Christ is to be willing to act on your belief in Him.
Faith in Christ leads you to want to change your life for the better. As your faith increases, you will desire to repent of your sins. In other words, you will want to change those thoughts and actions that are not in harmony with the teachings that Heavenly Father has revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ.
As you obey Heavenly Father, He blesses you. He gives you inner strength and determination to meet life's challenges and helps you change the desires of your heart. Through your faith in Jesus Christ, you can be healed, both physically and spiritually.
Heavenly Father promises that when you repent and change your life, He will forgive your sins and bless you. Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance lead to baptism in His Church.
Faith in Christ leads you to want to change your life for the better. As your faith increases, you will desire to repent of your sins. In other words, you will want to change those thoughts and actions that are not in harmony with the teachings that Heavenly Father has revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ.
As you obey Heavenly Father, He blesses you. He gives you inner strength and determination to meet life's challenges and helps you change the desires of your heart. Through your faith in Jesus Christ, you can be healed, both physically and spiritually.
Heavenly Father promises that when you repent and change your life, He will forgive your sins and bless you. Faith in Jesus Christ and repentance lead to baptism in His Church.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Bible Study with The Joy of Jesus
Our Eternal Salvation
Are you really sure of your eternal salvation? This is a very important question, and one that will have lasting eternal consequences. If you were to die today, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven? This is a question about which we cannot afford to be wrong, because eternity is very permanent. One day each of us will know the true answer to this question, "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ", Romans 14:10. Every one of us have two appointments that have already been made for us and that we will definitely keep, whether we want to or not. They are, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment", Hebrews 9:27. These two appointments, death and the judgment, cannot be cancelled.
The tragedy of what happened in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001 shows the uncertainty and brevity of life. God tells us in James 4:14, "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even as a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
We must not make an error concerning our salvation in following what "seems right" to us, or that we "feel in our heart that we are saved". The Bible says in Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death". Our feelings are not a safe guide, but only the Bible is.
What prior assumptions have we already made about our salvation? Many of these assumptions, that people make, contradict what God says in his word to us. All we have to do is to look around at all of the many differing doctrines that are being taught, and then compare them to what God says in the Bible, and we can see a great difference. Our Lord says in Mark 7:7, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men". Our worship is vain if it comes from the doctrines of men and not from God. Can we say that all these many differing doctrines have come from God? I think not. I Corinthians 14:33 says that, "God is not the author of confusion." Or are they from men? Where else could they have come from, if they did not come from God? This becomes a very serious question. Our worship becomes vain and useless, if our doctrines come from men when they meet in their conventions and conferences to decide what they are to believe and do.
As the apostle Peter told the Jewish council in Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men". Do not believe anything that I tell you, because we are not going to be judged by what I say. Do not believe anything any other person tells you, because we are not going to be judged by what some other person says. In fact, we are not going to be judged by what we personally believe. On the Day of Judgment we are going to be judged only by what the Lord says in the Bible. That is going to be the only standard for judgment, for our Lord says in John 12:48, "The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day". So, if I or any other person cannot point to it in the Word of God, then please do not believe it, because there is too much at stake – your soul!
Our soul is worth more than the whole world and everything in it. Jesus says in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Our soul is the part of us that is going to continue to live on forever throughout all eternity. We cannot afford to lose our soul and be eternally punished.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 1
Our Eternal Salvation
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Romans 14:10) Who will appear before the judgment seat of Christ?
Only the lost.
Only the saved.
All people.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) If we are wrong about our salvation we will be lost.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (Proverbs 14:12) The way that seems right unto man leads to
Eternal life.
Spiritual death.
Success.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Our feelings are a safe guide when it comes to our eternal salvation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (Mark 7:7) If we follow the doctrines of men
It is vain.
It doesn’t matter.
God is still well pleased.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) It is pleasing to God if we follow the doctrines of men in our worship.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) (John 12:48) What will be the standard of judgment on judgment day?
What we think.
The words of Christ.
What my preacher says.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) Just because we feel in our heart we are saved does not mean we are saved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) (Hebrews 9:27) What two appointments have already been made for us?
Doctor.
Dental.
Death and Judgment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) We can cancel our appointments with death and judgment.
Are you really sure of your eternal salvation? This is a very important question, and one that will have lasting eternal consequences. If you were to die today, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven? This is a question about which we cannot afford to be wrong, because eternity is very permanent. One day each of us will know the true answer to this question, "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ", Romans 14:10. Every one of us have two appointments that have already been made for us and that we will definitely keep, whether we want to or not. They are, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment", Hebrews 9:27. These two appointments, death and the judgment, cannot be cancelled.
The tragedy of what happened in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001 shows the uncertainty and brevity of life. God tells us in James 4:14, "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even as a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
We must not make an error concerning our salvation in following what "seems right" to us, or that we "feel in our heart that we are saved". The Bible says in Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death". Our feelings are not a safe guide, but only the Bible is.
What prior assumptions have we already made about our salvation? Many of these assumptions, that people make, contradict what God says in his word to us. All we have to do is to look around at all of the many differing doctrines that are being taught, and then compare them to what God says in the Bible, and we can see a great difference. Our Lord says in Mark 7:7, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men". Our worship is vain if it comes from the doctrines of men and not from God. Can we say that all these many differing doctrines have come from God? I think not. I Corinthians 14:33 says that, "God is not the author of confusion." Or are they from men? Where else could they have come from, if they did not come from God? This becomes a very serious question. Our worship becomes vain and useless, if our doctrines come from men when they meet in their conventions and conferences to decide what they are to believe and do.
As the apostle Peter told the Jewish council in Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men". Do not believe anything that I tell you, because we are not going to be judged by what I say. Do not believe anything any other person tells you, because we are not going to be judged by what some other person says. In fact, we are not going to be judged by what we personally believe. On the Day of Judgment we are going to be judged only by what the Lord says in the Bible. That is going to be the only standard for judgment, for our Lord says in John 12:48, "The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day". So, if I or any other person cannot point to it in the Word of God, then please do not believe it, because there is too much at stake – your soul!
Our soul is worth more than the whole world and everything in it. Jesus says in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Our soul is the part of us that is going to continue to live on forever throughout all eternity. We cannot afford to lose our soul and be eternally punished.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 1
Our Eternal Salvation
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Romans 14:10) Who will appear before the judgment seat of Christ?
Only the lost.
Only the saved.
All people.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) If we are wrong about our salvation we will be lost.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (Proverbs 14:12) The way that seems right unto man leads to
Eternal life.
Spiritual death.
Success.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Our feelings are a safe guide when it comes to our eternal salvation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (Mark 7:7) If we follow the doctrines of men
It is vain.
It doesn’t matter.
God is still well pleased.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) It is pleasing to God if we follow the doctrines of men in our worship.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) (John 12:48) What will be the standard of judgment on judgment day?
What we think.
The words of Christ.
What my preacher says.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) Just because we feel in our heart we are saved does not mean we are saved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) (Hebrews 9:27) What two appointments have already been made for us?
Doctor.
Dental.
Death and Judgment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) We can cancel our appointments with death and judgment.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Joy of Jesus is LOVE
Sermon: The Joy of Jesus is all about love. We see that love has lost a great deal of meaning in today's society. People mistake love with lust and wants. Jesus spoke of a love of sacrifice, one of giving and sharing and of compassion.
The Joy of Jesus believes in what God said and what God does to advance the kingdom of heaven. We must return to loving one another as Jesus loves.
Jesus gave His life on the cross for our sins. Jesus was beaten and shed His blood for people who did not deserve such favor. Jesus will return with all power, honor and glory.
We must love one another as God has loved us with His grace. We thank God for His grace in Christ jesus. The power that raise Jesus from the grave will also save us who believe that this is true by faith. Praise God for all spiritual blessings in the Joy and love of Jesus.Hear our prayer in Jesus name, A-men.
Scripture:
John 15
King James Bible
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
The Joy of Jesus believes in what God said and what God does to advance the kingdom of heaven. We must return to loving one another as Jesus loves.
Jesus gave His life on the cross for our sins. Jesus was beaten and shed His blood for people who did not deserve such favor. Jesus will return with all power, honor and glory.
We must love one another as God has loved us with His grace. We thank God for His grace in Christ jesus. The power that raise Jesus from the grave will also save us who believe that this is true by faith. Praise God for all spiritual blessings in the Joy and love of Jesus.Hear our prayer in Jesus name, A-men.
Scripture:
John 15
King James Bible
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Joy of Jesus is to Wait on The Lord
Wait on the LORD
Wait on the Lord. This idea consists of three things:
1. We are to WAIT
2. He is LORD
3. He forms, builds, causes, works, does, teaches, leads.
Psalms 25:3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
(Those who do not wait are transgressing without cause. We run out of patience, and therefore lose trust in Him. Anything that is not of faith is sin.)
Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
(Our waiting starts when we arise and ends when we go to sleep. We are waiting to be lead and taught. Instruction means correction. When we encounter attributes in others that we do not like, it is to show us what we are like. Not waiting results in not seeing.)
Psalms 25:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
(Integrity is a "united heart," a heart with one Lord.)
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
(Wherever we are in the process of our salvation, waiting is our task. He will not fail to teach us.)
Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
If ones we know seem to prosper in their own way, do not be concerned. The end of each matter takes time. The fool is "prosperous." Prosperity does not refer merely to money, but to "happiness," an elusive thing which is lost when sought. We do not "try Jesus" to be happy. Jesus is our Lord, not our hobby. He changes us radically. Radical change does not make one "happy." Radical change causes you to reject YOUR OWN WAY.
We must cease performing and start RESTING. Resting and waiting go together. If we are not resting, we can not wait. The Lord provided a remedy for the sins of man BEFORE he created man. This should make us to rest in Him. He provides before the need exists.
Psalms 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Psalms 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
Psalms 52:9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
Psalms 69:3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
Psalms 104:27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
Psalms 106:13 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
Psalms 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psalms 130:6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
Proverbs 20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Isaiah 8:17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
Isaiah 25:9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah 26:8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Isaiah 33:2 O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 59:9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Jeremiah 14:22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.
Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Lamentations 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Hosea 12:6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
Micah 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Zephaniah 3:8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
Zechariah 11:11 And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD.
Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Those that are busy never truly KNOW God.
By the way, the LORD picked this very chapter to say BE STILL and KNOW that HE is GOD.
In the King James Bible, the 46th word from the top of chapter 46 is shake and the 46th word from the bottom of the 46th chapter is spear . Now in 1611, Shakespeare was 46 years old.
He truly IS God and therefore we ought to wait on Him.
How is a Man Saved?
Jesus-is-the-Way John 14:6
"I am the way, the truth, and the life" - Jesus Christ
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Power of The Joy of Jesus Today
Scripture: Pressing on Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus
Sermon: The Goal
We are facing a world where everything we know may be in complete question. Nature has demonstrated that anything can happen at anytime that we have no control over, no matter what we may think we know. Where ca we find peace? Moreover, what is our goal and why?
The day of the cross can give us some insight into the meaning of life. When Jesus gave His life on the cross for the sins of the world, there are reports of earthquakes and floods. Today we see that there are signs from nature that are indeed alarming. Is there an answer to the forces of nature?
During Te course of a horrible storm, Jesus said the words peace be still.
We must handle the storms in life. However, we must stay close to Jesus. God has given you and I the blue print to manage our the rigors of life. God raised Jesus from the grave to endure all sin and problems addressed at the cross.
Glory to God with all and the highest praise in Christ Jesus. Lord we love you so much today. We pray that God will keep us by his power through Christ Jesus and The Holy Spirit if God. Just hold on to our Faith. This is the goal in The Joy of Jesus.
Prayer: O'Lord my God, how Great Thou Art in Christ Jesus and The Holy Spirit. We pray for all people. God Bless The Joy of Jesus Church and our people in Christ Jesus. A-men...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Bible Study from The Joy of Jesus
Our Eternal Salvation
Are you really sure of your eternal salvation? This is a very important question, and one that will have lasting eternal consequences. If you were to die today, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven? This is a question about which we cannot afford to be wrong, because eternity is very permanent. One day each of us will know the true answer to this question, "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ", Romans 14:10. Every one of us have two appointments that have already been made for us and that we will definitely keep, whether we want to or not. They are, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment", Hebrews 9:27. These two appointments, death and the judgment, cannot be cancelled.
The tragedy of what happened in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001 shows the uncertainty and brevity of life. God tells us in James 4:14, "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even as a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
We must not make an error concerning our salvation in following what "seems right" to us, or that we "feel in our heart that we are saved". The Bible says in Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death". Our feelings are not a safe guide, but only the Bible is.
What prior assumptions have we already made about our salvation? Many of these assumptions, that people make, contradict what God says in his word to us. All we have to do is to look around at all of the many differing doctrines that are being taught, and then compare them to what God says in the Bible, and we can see a great difference. Our Lord says in Mark 7:7, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men". Our worship is vain if it comes from the doctrines of men and not from God. Can we say that all these many differing doctrines have come from God? I think not. I Corinthians 14:33 says that, "God is not the author of confusion." Or are they from men? Where else could they have come from, if they did not come from God? This becomes a very serious question. Our worship becomes vain and useless, if our doctrines come from men when they meet in their conventions and conferences to decide what they are to believe and do.
As the apostle Peter told the Jewish council in Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men". Do not believe anything that I tell you, because we are not going to be judged by what I say. Do not believe anything any other person tells you, because we are not going to be judged by what some other person says. In fact, we are not going to be judged by what we personally believe. On the Day of Judgment we are going to be judged only by what the Lord says in the Bible. That is going to be the only standard for judgment, for our Lord says in John 12:48, "The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day". So, if I or any other person cannot point to it in the Word of God, then please do not believe it, because there is too much at stake – your soul!
Our soul is worth more than the whole world and everything in it. Jesus says in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Our soul is the part of us that is going to continue to live on forever throughout all eternity. We cannot afford to lose our soul and be eternally punished.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 1
Our Eternal Salvation
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Romans 14:10) Who will appear before the judgment seat of Christ?
Only the lost.
Only the saved.
All people.
2) If we are wrong about our salvation we will be los
3) (Proverbs 14:12) The way that seems right unto man leads to
Eternal life.
Spiritual death.
Success
4) Our feelings are a safe guide when it comes to our eternal salvation.
5) (Mark 7:7) If we follow the doctrines of men
It is vain.
It doesn’t matter.
God is still well pleased.
6) It is pleasing to God if we follow the doctrines of men in our wors
7) (John 12:48) What will be the standard of judgment on judgment day?
What we think.
The words of Christ.
What my preacher say
8) Just because we feel in our heart we are saved does not mean we are s
9) (Hebrews 9:27) What two appointments have already been made for us?
Doctor.
Dental.
Death and Judgment
10) We can cancel our appointments with death and judgment.
Are you really sure of your eternal salvation? This is a very important question, and one that will have lasting eternal consequences. If you were to die today, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven? This is a question about which we cannot afford to be wrong, because eternity is very permanent. One day each of us will know the true answer to this question, "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ", Romans 14:10. Every one of us have two appointments that have already been made for us and that we will definitely keep, whether we want to or not. They are, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment", Hebrews 9:27. These two appointments, death and the judgment, cannot be cancelled.
The tragedy of what happened in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001 shows the uncertainty and brevity of life. God tells us in James 4:14, "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even as a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
We must not make an error concerning our salvation in following what "seems right" to us, or that we "feel in our heart that we are saved". The Bible says in Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death". Our feelings are not a safe guide, but only the Bible is.
What prior assumptions have we already made about our salvation? Many of these assumptions, that people make, contradict what God says in his word to us. All we have to do is to look around at all of the many differing doctrines that are being taught, and then compare them to what God says in the Bible, and we can see a great difference. Our Lord says in Mark 7:7, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men". Our worship is vain if it comes from the doctrines of men and not from God. Can we say that all these many differing doctrines have come from God? I think not. I Corinthians 14:33 says that, "God is not the author of confusion." Or are they from men? Where else could they have come from, if they did not come from God? This becomes a very serious question. Our worship becomes vain and useless, if our doctrines come from men when they meet in their conventions and conferences to decide what they are to believe and do.
As the apostle Peter told the Jewish council in Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men". Do not believe anything that I tell you, because we are not going to be judged by what I say. Do not believe anything any other person tells you, because we are not going to be judged by what some other person says. In fact, we are not going to be judged by what we personally believe. On the Day of Judgment we are going to be judged only by what the Lord says in the Bible. That is going to be the only standard for judgment, for our Lord says in John 12:48, "The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day". So, if I or any other person cannot point to it in the Word of God, then please do not believe it, because there is too much at stake – your soul!
Our soul is worth more than the whole world and everything in it. Jesus says in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Our soul is the part of us that is going to continue to live on forever throughout all eternity. We cannot afford to lose our soul and be eternally punished.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 1
Our Eternal Salvation
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Romans 14:10) Who will appear before the judgment seat of Christ?
Only the lost.
Only the saved.
All people.
2) If we are wrong about our salvation we will be los
3) (Proverbs 14:12) The way that seems right unto man leads to
Eternal life.
Spiritual death.
Success
4) Our feelings are a safe guide when it comes to our eternal salvation.
5) (Mark 7:7) If we follow the doctrines of men
It is vain.
It doesn’t matter.
God is still well pleased.
6) It is pleasing to God if we follow the doctrines of men in our wors
7) (John 12:48) What will be the standard of judgment on judgment day?
What we think.
The words of Christ.
What my preacher say
8) Just because we feel in our heart we are saved does not mean we are s
9) (Hebrews 9:27) What two appointments have already been made for us?
Doctor.
Dental.
Death and Judgment
10) We can cancel our appointments with death and judgment.
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Spirit Life in The Joy of Jesus Today
Can a person have a new life in this world? In other words, can a person be born again? This is a central question in the life of the believer. Jesus offers an answer that is of tremendous value given the complexities of today.
Once, a man came to Jesus in the middle of the night and asked Jesus how can a man be born again? We must take under consideration the fact that we are born once. A physical birth is something that all life experiences.
The idea of a second birth is a gift of God in Christ Jesus. The blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross makes life brand new for the believer. God raised Him from the dead so that by our faith we are saved. A spiritual re-birth is all found in the absolute Joy of Jesus.
Once, a man came to Jesus in the middle of the night and asked Jesus how can a man be born again? We must take under consideration the fact that we are born once. A physical birth is something that all life experiences.
The idea of a second birth is a gift of God in Christ Jesus. The blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross makes life brand new for the believer. God raised Him from the dead so that by our faith we are saved. A spiritual re-birth is all found in the absolute Joy of Jesus.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Sunday School Lesson The Joy of Jesus online
Love Within the Community (1 John 2:7-17)
“There is nothing like the church online when it is working right.” When the church is at its best, needs are met, people are cared for, and lives are changed. We see an example of this in the early days of the church: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need” (Acts 2:44, 45). This serves as an excellent example of true Christian community.
And yet we seem to know very little about community in our modern culture. We drive to work alone. We put on headphones so we can exercise alone. We pull our car into the garage at the end of the day and close the door before we get out. We may go days without seeing our neighbors. We live isolated lives and experience very little community.
John writes our Scripture text to a group of believers who may, in fact, have needed reminding of what the Christian community is supposed to be: one marked by love. His ”new” command was, in fact, not new at all. Christ spoke of it when asked about the greatest command: “Love the Lord your God and love others as yourself” (see Luke 10:27).
And so John’s words are simple. We need to love one another. We need to care for one another. We need to carry one another’s burdens and help meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. If we love, we are in the light. But if we hate, we are in the dark.
Living in Darkness
“But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness” (1 John 2:11).
Plainly and simply, we cannot see in the darkness. We cannot see what’s in front of us or around us. In fact, when it’s completely dark we cannot even see our hand in front of our face. Darkness hides things.
Spiritual darkness is no different. As John states, when we hate, we walk in the darkness. In this state, we fail to recognize our true need for a Savior. We ignore the instructions and commands of God’s Word, and in doing so, deceive ourselves of our right relationship with God and the relationships he has given us with other believers.
In order to love, we must get out of the dark and into the light.
Living in Light
“Whoever loves his brother lives in light” (1 John 2:10).
When it is light, everything is out in the open. Everything can be seen. We show our true selves, as imperfect as we are, because we understand it’s only by God’s mercy we are saved and made right with him. We live in the light of God’s truth and grace.
John writes these words to believers, young and old—new Christians and mature Christians. Our lives and our communities are to be marked by love.
Over the years, I have been in several different small groups in the various churches I’ve served. And one thing I have noticed is a small group works best when true community takes place. The strongest and longest-lasting groups are the ones where love is freely given, grace is extended in abundance, and needs (whether spiritual, emotional, or physical) are met with compassion. This does not come easily . . . true community doesn’t happen by chance. But when it takes place, lives are changed, hearts are encouraged, and God is glorified.
Just recently, my current small group was discussing this whole idea of caring for and loving one another. It reminded us that love requires sacrifice. It requires us to go out of our way and to notice the little things in one another’s lives. It means going beyond just saying, “I’ll pray for you”—we must actually pray, and then perhaps follow it up with a phone call. It means preparing a meal during a difficult time or simply being there to listen. That is what true Christian community is all about.
Hatred has no place among true believers of Christ living in community with fellow believers. Our lives and our relationships must be marked by love. And as simple as that sounds, John’s reminder is just as relevant and needed today. In our world of lives lived in isolation, true community is absolutely necessary. What a powerful effect this could have on our world if we all truly took these words to heart.
“There is nothing like the church online when it is working right.” When the church is at its best, needs are met, people are cared for, and lives are changed. We see an example of this in the early days of the church: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need” (Acts 2:44, 45). This serves as an excellent example of true Christian community.
And yet we seem to know very little about community in our modern culture. We drive to work alone. We put on headphones so we can exercise alone. We pull our car into the garage at the end of the day and close the door before we get out. We may go days without seeing our neighbors. We live isolated lives and experience very little community.
John writes our Scripture text to a group of believers who may, in fact, have needed reminding of what the Christian community is supposed to be: one marked by love. His ”new” command was, in fact, not new at all. Christ spoke of it when asked about the greatest command: “Love the Lord your God and love others as yourself” (see Luke 10:27).
And so John’s words are simple. We need to love one another. We need to care for one another. We need to carry one another’s burdens and help meet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. If we love, we are in the light. But if we hate, we are in the dark.
Living in Darkness
“But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness” (1 John 2:11).
Plainly and simply, we cannot see in the darkness. We cannot see what’s in front of us or around us. In fact, when it’s completely dark we cannot even see our hand in front of our face. Darkness hides things.
Spiritual darkness is no different. As John states, when we hate, we walk in the darkness. In this state, we fail to recognize our true need for a Savior. We ignore the instructions and commands of God’s Word, and in doing so, deceive ourselves of our right relationship with God and the relationships he has given us with other believers.
In order to love, we must get out of the dark and into the light.
Living in Light
“Whoever loves his brother lives in light” (1 John 2:10).
When it is light, everything is out in the open. Everything can be seen. We show our true selves, as imperfect as we are, because we understand it’s only by God’s mercy we are saved and made right with him. We live in the light of God’s truth and grace.
John writes these words to believers, young and old—new Christians and mature Christians. Our lives and our communities are to be marked by love.
Over the years, I have been in several different small groups in the various churches I’ve served. And one thing I have noticed is a small group works best when true community takes place. The strongest and longest-lasting groups are the ones where love is freely given, grace is extended in abundance, and needs (whether spiritual, emotional, or physical) are met with compassion. This does not come easily . . . true community doesn’t happen by chance. But when it takes place, lives are changed, hearts are encouraged, and God is glorified.
Just recently, my current small group was discussing this whole idea of caring for and loving one another. It reminded us that love requires sacrifice. It requires us to go out of our way and to notice the little things in one another’s lives. It means going beyond just saying, “I’ll pray for you”—we must actually pray, and then perhaps follow it up with a phone call. It means preparing a meal during a difficult time or simply being there to listen. That is what true Christian community is all about.
Hatred has no place among true believers of Christ living in community with fellow believers. Our lives and our relationships must be marked by love. And as simple as that sounds, John’s reminder is just as relevant and needed today. In our world of lives lived in isolation, true community is absolutely necessary. What a powerful effect this could have on our world if we all truly took these words to heart.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Joy of Jesus Scripture for Life Today
1 John 1
King James Bible
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
King James Bible
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Joy of Jesus is The Holy (Week) Spirit
When everything seems to go wrong who can you trust and why? This question strikes at the heart of all trouble we see people falling into today.
Everyday we see our so called celebraties having major problems in their relationships. fighting over homes, money and children. Have you ever wonder why?
Before they crucified Jesus on the cross for our sins, He promise that there would be another to come and comfort us in His resurrection. The Holy Spirit of all truth.
Peter spoke to a crowd a such a strong wind appeared and everyone began to praise God together in their own language, yet everyone present could understand the other as well.
The Joy of Jesus is The Holy Spirit of all truth. It will solve all problems. It will lead, guide and direct you to the light of God on Christ Jesus.
Let us pray for The Power of The Holy Spirit to touch our hearts and souls to move in the light of The Lord. The Holy Spirit will do as God intended it to do. We praise God for the gift of The holy spirit in Jesus name.
Everyday we see our so called celebraties having major problems in their relationships. fighting over homes, money and children. Have you ever wonder why?
Before they crucified Jesus on the cross for our sins, He promise that there would be another to come and comfort us in His resurrection. The Holy Spirit of all truth.
Peter spoke to a crowd a such a strong wind appeared and everyone began to praise God together in their own language, yet everyone present could understand the other as well.
The Joy of Jesus is The Holy Spirit of all truth. It will solve all problems. It will lead, guide and direct you to the light of God on Christ Jesus.
Let us pray for The Power of The Holy Spirit to touch our hearts and souls to move in the light of The Lord. The Holy Spirit will do as God intended it to do. We praise God for the gift of The holy spirit in Jesus name.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Praise God for Holy Week The Joy of Jesus
Lord we pray that the Holy Spirit will move all soul to the grace, love and joy of Jesus. Bless all of our followers in the name of Jesus we pray.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Joy of Jesus is The Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer Words
(traditional)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen
Commentary: We pray that you will be blessed by this prayer and ministry. Please share The Joy of Jesus with anyone that may need hope and opportunity. We love to share love. This is indeed a blessing for all in Christ Jesus.
The Joy of Jesus Scripture for Living Today
Acts 4
Peter and John Before the Council
1And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11This Jesusa is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.b 12And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,c said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’d—
27for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servantse to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
They Had Everything in Common
32Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnotes:
a 11 Greek This one
b 11 Greek the head of the corner
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Prayer for Peace The Rev. Dr. James A. Lee
We pray for peace Dear God. People are suffering and need hope and love all in Christ Jesus. We ask in the name of Jesus that violence is ended. we pray for peace, hope and love. We ask for forgiveness of all sin, we forgive all enemies in the blood of Jesus.
Lord we thank you for this opportunity to pray unto you. Lord help us all.
We Praise your Holy name.
God save us all in Jesus name we pray.....
The Joy of Jesus Church position on Violence
The recent reports of violence and threats of violence needs to be addressed publicly. The Joy of Jesus Church calls on all responsible pillars of society to speak out against violence. This does not resolve any problem we may face as a society. The Joy of Jesus Church is rooted on peace,hope and love for all people http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/
We are now on a peace and prosperity campaign to help people in need to become empowered to help others, and that violence is not the answer to problems. Children are the most adversely impacted by such hate and ignorance. Education and values which promote civility are in order.
The Rev. Dr. James A. Lee, Pastor of the Joy of Jesus Church http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/ will develop a Center for Peace to help resolve some of the frustration people may experience with t5he political and economic issues that may result in violence. Please donate to The Joy of Jesus to Uplift Humanity http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/
Pray for Peace!
We are now on a peace and prosperity campaign to help people in need to become empowered to help others, and that violence is not the answer to problems. Children are the most adversely impacted by such hate and ignorance. Education and values which promote civility are in order.
The Rev. Dr. James A. Lee, Pastor of the Joy of Jesus Church http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/ will develop a Center for Peace to help resolve some of the frustration people may experience with t5he political and economic issues that may result in violence. Please donate to The Joy of Jesus to Uplift Humanity http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/
Pray for Peace!
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