Death of a Saint

How happy I am to be in church today. Gathered together with some of the greatest people I know. One will be missing today, God called Brother Buddy last night. He was in pain and dealing with many "old age" problems until his Lord opened the doors of Heaven and brought him inside. I am glad that I know that Heaven is real. Welcome home Buddy. 

12-7-2014      Mark 12:35-40

S.       35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly. 38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

O.      Jesus uses King David as an example of the expectation of a coming Messiah. He also exposes hypocrisy in the Jewish leadership.

A.      To believe that Jesus is Saviour or not to believe that Jesus is Saviour is the only question here. I know him as Saviour and proclaim him as the Son of God. My leadership must be consistent, pure and powerful. I must never waiver from the revealed word of God, never.

P.       Father; thank you for sending Jesus to redeem me from my sin. Thank you for calling me out of the darkness and guiding me into the light. I claim Jesus ass my Saviour and guide. Lead me by your Spirit and keep me pure. Amen. 

Friends

Today is the last home game for the T.C.U. football team. I have been blessed to be invited to go with my friend, and fellow minister, Ron. He is a faithful fan and has often brought me along to a game for many years. Friends make life such a joy and the journey much easier to endure. Ron has been there for me for over 25 years, God bless Ron. 

12-6-2014      Mark 12:28-34

S.       28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

O.      Jesus declares the greatest commandment and the second greatest as well.

A.      Loving God is a life of willing obedience and service to our fellows. I must love God with, and in, my actions. Thinking I am righteous is not a complete faith, because “faith without works is dead”. Faith is made perfect by works performed in loving obedience. Loving and serving others completes our love of God.

P.       Father; help me to overcome any doubts or fears that hold me back from serving you in perfect faith. Amen.

Birthday Joy

This is the Birthday of my middle (of three) Granddaughter. She is shy and reserved.....until it comes to her Pa-Pa.....then she is joy and lightning in a bottle. I am made happy, filled with joy, just to be in her presence. My heart has been expanded these six times, (the number of grandchildren I am blessed with) no, it is seven, for I have one great grandchild. I could not imagine being this full, complete, overflowing, consumed with love. My life has always been full of love, but never to these heights. On this special day I thank God for Hannah.

12-5-2014      Mark 12:18-27

S.       18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, 19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. 21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. 22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. 23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. 24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? 25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. 26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

O.      In this controversial question, Jesus answers by referring the questioners to the written word of God, thus revealing their lack of depth in spiritual matters.

A.      Every answer in life can be found in scripture. I must study, learn and understand God’s word.

      P.       Father; open the eyes of my understanding and enlighten me to the true interpretation of your word. Come                           sweet Spirit and fill my mind, heart and soul. Amen. 

Weight Loss War!

Off to get my three week check up. I have lost twenty two pounds at this point. Feeling better and able to get around much better. I have created a new me in my mind, like the old me; tall, slim and strong. I remember the days when I could work from dawn to dusk, eat anything I desired and sleep like a baby. I want most of all to be working again and strong. My goal is to loose one hundred and thirty five pounds. My target is within thirteen months. Yes, I am aiming high. With God: "All things are possible".

12-4-2014      Mark 12:12-17

S.       12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. 13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

O.      The Pharisees try to trick Jesus with questions of controversy. Jesus turns the tables and they are astounded.

A.      I should respect those that lead my country and follow the law. I should also repect God and follow his law. Honesty, integrity, virtue and faith are my hallmarks.

P.       Father; reveal every area of weakness in my life that by faith I may be transformed into a more Christ like man. Amen. 

SOAP >> Mark 12:1-11

Hi, welcome to my blog. If you haven't visited before I put up daily SOAPs. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. It's a great way to really take in God's word on a daily basis and make sure that your doing more than reading but really letting it soak into your life.

Mark 12:1-11

Scripture //

1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. 2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. 4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. 5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. 6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. 7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. 8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. 10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: 11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Observation //

The parable of the wicked husband man, the indictment of religious leaders.

Application //

Religious leaders must follow the will of God and reverence his methodology, message and his son. Man has destroyed his relationship with God by sinning. Through Jesus that relationship can be restored. As with Adam, who was placed in a garden, restored man is placed in a vineyard. If we obey God, tend the vineyard and render our increase back to God, then and only then will we be good servants.

Prayer //

Father; aid me in my struggle to be faithful to you in all areas of my life, to be a faithful servant and a living example of a good servant. Amen.

SOAP >> Mark 11:27-33

Mark 11:27-33

Scripture //
27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. 31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Observation //
The authority of Jesus is brought into question after he clears the Temple of profiteers. Jesus uses a question about John the Baptist, and his authority, to close the subject.

Application //
The question for me is; what authority will I be in subjection to? When I rebel, when I sin, I am not recognizing God’s authority.  I chose to live under God’s authority and enjoy his covering, supply, mercy, grace and love.

Prayer //
Father; I submit to your authority and seek to please you in every area of my life. I thank you for the cross, for calling me to repentance, for your Holy Spirit, for the Word and for grafting me into the vine. Thank you Father for loving me! Amen.

SOAP >> Mark 11:25-26

Mark 11:25-26

Scripture //
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Observation //
Jesus gives strong warning about un-forgiveness.

Application //

I must forgive every sin committed against me. If I don’t forgive, God will not forgive me. I see why so many people are living a condemned life… they won’t forgive.

Prayer //
Father, root out all un-forgiveness within me. If any un-forgiveness is in me that I have forgotten, show me. Amen.