Monday, November 28, 2011

He LIVES in you

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you....... 

- Romans 8:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Romans 8 reminds us again and again of the blessings of the Holy Spirit's living in us, God's children. The Spirit in us is our guarantee that we will be raised from the dead! Because the Spirit that gave Jesus life and raised him from the dead is in us, we can have confidence in our resurrection. Mortality will not claim us -- our bodies may die, but the real and living part of us will go to be with Jesus (see Philippians 1:19-23). The Holy Spirit's life-giving power is stronger than death. We will live! Even though our bodies may die, the Spirit of God animates, inspires, and empowers us to victory.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, November 27, 2011

The power of prayer

I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance....... 
- Philippians 1:19 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Paul is possibly facing death. Yet he knows that his life, his future, is securely in the Lord's hands. The Holy Spirit will help empower him to be what he needs to be in the face of persecution and hardship. The Spirit will also work for his deliverance; either he will be delivered from prison and death to serve others, or he will be delivered into the presence of the Lord he loves. Either way, he awaits and expects deliverance!


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Gentle like the wind

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, .......... 

- 1 Peter 3:15 -

Thoughts on This Verse... How do we effectively share our faith, especially in situations hostile to faith? First, we consciously submit our hearts to Christ as Lord. Second, we prepare a presentation of faith that focuses on the hope we have in Jesus. Finally, when we share our reason for hope, we do it with respect, gently sharing our faith with others. Of course we would never have an opportunity to share our faith if we don't live a life of faith that makes an impact on those around us.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, November 25, 2011

Messiah a baby boy

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.......

- Luke 2:20 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Can you imagine the shepherds returning to their flocks after the night they had? They had seen God's glory. They had experienced the presence of angels. They had seen the newborn King, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. Even more amazing, it was just as they had been told. As amazing as the angel's words of announcement had been, they were gloriously fulfilled. In addition to all that Jesus was at the moment of his birth, he is also the absolute answer to God's greatest promises and the greatest assurance that God keeps his word. Incredibly, God had chosen shepherds, unnamed to us and unimportant to their peers, to be the witnesses and participants in God's glorious story of salvation. It is our Father's way of reminding us that no matter who we are, Jesus came for us because we are important to him!


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Teaching fear?

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD....... 

- Psalm 34:11 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Is there any greater definition of what a parent's role is than this? Let's make sure that in the swirling demands and involvements of our lives we do not forget the MAIN thing that God has given us as parents, teachers, and friends to do in the lives of children.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Everyone can fail you except God

They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed....... 


- Psalm 22:5 -

Thoughts on This Verse... This Psalm of despair, referred to by Jesus from the Cross, is also a Psalm of hope and faith. The history of God's faithfulness with his people Israel is an ongoing reminder that we can trust him to deliver us. While in our human reckoning of time God's answer may be slow in coming, his track record in history reminds us that he will answer, deliver, and bless his people in his time. In our worst of nightmares, we can be reminded that God is faithful and is attentive to our cries of despair, lament, grief, agony, and fear.


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Why does Jesus reveal God to us?

''I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.''...... 

- John 17:26 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Jesus reveals God to us. One of the reasons he does this is so that we can know who God is and what is important to him. Clearly, one of the most important things on Jesus' heart in this prayer is that we share his love for us with each other. In this way, Jesus comes to life in us.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, November 21, 2011

Because of Him

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption....... 

- 1 Corinthians 1:30 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God's grace has brought us into a saving relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As believers, we recognize that Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was much more than a terrible miscarriage of justice and the murder of a good and decent man. Jesus is God's wisdom, a wisdom to convince us of his love. Jesus is our righteousness; taking our sins upon himself he made us righteous. Jesus is our ongoing holiness. His blood cleanses us at the beginning and continues to do so today. Jesus is our holiness; his death means our righteousness. Jesus is our ransom payment, redeeming us from sin and death. Jesus is our everything!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Hands of a Maker

For your Maker is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth....... 

- Isaiah 54:5 -

Thoughts on This Verse... ''For God so loved the world...''''The Father, from whom every family on earth derives its name...'' God is not just the God of Israel. The LORD God, ruler of heaven and earth, is the God of all nations and one day''every knee will bow and every tongue will confess... that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.''

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, November 18, 2011

Hard times?

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us....... 

- Romans 8:18 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Paul knew hardship: take a look in 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 at the list of just some of the difficult challenges he had to face. His''present sufferings'' make most of our difficulties seem tame by comparison. However, Paul could say confidently that the glory he would have with Christ (cf. Col. 3:1-4) would be so incredible, with blessings so fantastic, that his hardships are minor in comparison. That glory will also be ours! Now isn't that fantastic new. 


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Lust. Wisdom. Accountable

With persuasive words she led him astray
she seduced him with her smooth talk
All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter
like a deer stepping into a noose
till an arrow pierces his liver
like a bird darting into a snare
little knowing it will cost him his life

-Proverbs 7:21-23-

Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors
waiting at my doorway
For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord 
But whoever falls to find me harms himself
all who hate me love death

-Proverbs 8:34-36-

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work

-Ephesians 4:15-16-

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

4G

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name......... 


 - Philippians 2:9 -

Thoughts on This Verse... For Jesus, Graciousness + Guts + Giving + Grit = Glory. Just one of those equations in salvation math that doesn't make much human sense, but from the perspective of faith, it is powerful wisdom. Jesus came to our world because of the graciousness of God. Jesus had the''guts'' to leave behind heaven and face the hardships of humanity, and give of himself to serve others. Jesus had the grit to endure the horrors and humiliation of the cross. So God has shared with Jesus his glory and placed him above all others. The apostle Paul wants to remind us that God doesn't forget our sacrifices, our obedience, and our hardships. He does honor them with his pleasure and his glory because Jesus' sacrifice has made us holy!


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wisdom again?

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption....... 

- 1 Corinthians 1:30 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God's grace has brought us into a saving relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. As believers, we recognize that Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was much more than a terrible miscarriage of justice and the murder of a good and decent man. Jesus is God's wisdom, a wisdom to convince us of his love. Jesus is our righteousness; taking our sins upon himself he made us righteous. Jesus is our ongoing holiness. His blood cleanses us at the beginning and continues to do so today. Jesus is our holiness; his death means our righteousness. Jesus is our ransom payment, redeeming us from sin and death. Jesus is our everything!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

To be wise or not

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin....... 

- Proverbs 10:8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... When you hear a command from Scripture, do you wince? How about rationalize? How about transferring the responsibility to someone else? Or, do you obey the command to honor the Father? A wise heart accepts the commands of God as a blessing and a safeguard. A fool finds a way around the personal application of the command. Let's ask ourselves honestly,''Which of the two am I?''

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Fairness

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever ......... 

- Psalm 37:28 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has said elsewhere,''Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!'' (Heb. 13:5-6)

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Corruption

Put away perversity from your mouth
Keep corrupt talk far from your lips

-Proverbs 4:24 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Human Trafficking

*Human trafficking is disturbing
*They need a solution now
*They ask "what took you so long?"
*Human trafficking is not just out there but is alive at our very own backyard
*What we consume or buy is what they help produce and make
*Authorities are struggling to put a number on the frequency of human trafficking
*One women can make a difference by sending a letter to request for free trade in cadbury
*If she can do it, why can't we?


2. If we were in their shoes
*What do you want to say and what would you want the higher authorities to say?
*The good thing is that there are organizations to help out there
*But we have to be aware, educate ourselves and pray that the God of universe can help us
*We have so much in the country as oppose to other countries
*We can start with one step at a time
*Most importantly, do not be sensitized by the tragedy

3. We look to superheros and people to rescue the girls
*We also need the majority of people to care and be awake of this issue 
*We can "like" a status on facebook but doing something is a total different thing
*We may think that we are not superheros hence we can never do anything and this stops us from doing something

*Proverbs 31:8: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
   for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
   defend the rights of the poor and needy.

*Jesus is committed to freedom

*Luke 4:18-19:  18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
   because he has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
   and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
   19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

*God steps in and rescue
*He is not silent but speaking to the human trafficker
*They can choose to resist or persist God's speaking and change
*Our decisions determine so much
*Jesus is about setting people free
*We as instruments should allow God to work in our lives
*We do not have to be highly educated or financially rich but normal people to help out
*GOD WANTS ORDINARY RADICALS AS PART OF THE CHURCH

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Patience is a virtue

"For I know the plans I have for you,"declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

-Jeremiah 29:11-12-


*Sometimes God's silences are due to sin
*Sometimes God is silent as He prepares to bring us into a deeper understanding of Himself 


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

I walk by faith

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?...... 

- Romans 8:31-32 -

Thoughts on This Verse... We know God paid a high price to redeem and forgive us in Jesus. If he has gone to such great lengths to purchase our pardon, what will he refuse us that is good, right and holy? So if God answers our prayers''No!'', then it is for our good and the eternal well being of those for whom we've prayed. His intent is to bless, not wound. His desire is to redeem. His commitment is to work things out for our ultimate good (cf. Rom. 8:28) as he is transforming us to be more like his beloved Son (Rom. 8:29).


**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wisdom

Proverbs 3

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
 1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
   but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
   and bring you peace and prosperity.
 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
   bind them around your neck,
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
   in the sight of God and man.

 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.[a]

 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
   fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
   and nourishment to your bones.

 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
   with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
   and your vats will brim over with new wine.

 11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
   and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
   as a father the son he delights in.[b]

 13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
   those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
   and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
   nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
   in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
   and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
   those who hold her fast will be blessed.

 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
   by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
   and the clouds let drop the dew.

 21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
   preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
   an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
   and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
   when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
   or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be at your side
   and will keep your foot from being snared.

 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
   when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
   “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
   when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
   who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
   when they have done you no harm.

 31 Do not envy the violent
   or choose any of their ways.

 32 For the LORD detests the perverse
   but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
   but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers

   but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
   but fools get only shame.



**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, November 11, 2011

Truly Spirit led

The Spirit uses the Word of God to reveal God and His purposes
The Spirit uses the Word of God to instruct us in the ways of God
On our own we cannot understand the truths of God
Unaided by the Spirit of God, it will be foolishness to us (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Aided by the Spirit, we can understand ALL things (1 Corinthians 2:15)

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things 
1 Corinthians 2:14:15

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

True Wisdom

on 11/11/11, God spoke to me that the wisdom of God is beyond knowledge, its His word that is the the true meaning of what God perceives wisdom in.

Proverbs 2
My son, if you accept my words
   and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
   and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
   and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
   and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
   and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
   from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
   he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
   and protects the way of his faithful ones.

 9 Then you will understand what is right and just
   and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
   and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
   and understanding will guard you.

 12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
   from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
   to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
   and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
   and who are devious in their ways.

 16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
   from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
   and ignored the covenant she made before God.[a]
18 Surely her house leads down to death
   and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return
   or attain the paths of life.

 20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
   and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,
   and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
   and the unfaithful will be torn from it. 

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

More than getting drenched

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life....... 

- Romans 6:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Baptism is far more than getting wet or checking off another thing on our obedience to do list. You see, what saves is Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-5). God has given us the incredible grace (Rom. 6:1,14,15) of being able to share in Jesus' saving work through faith and experience it in baptism (Gal. 3:26-27). We die to the old way of life and bury it in the past. It no longer holds us. This death is the death that matters most. Raised to a new life, our life is now joined to Christ and his future becomes our own (cf. Col. 3:1-4). The life we now live is to glorify God and to live with him forever. That means the Gospel is not just something preached; it is something we experience by grace.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Halelujah!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!...... 

 - Philippians 4:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Sometimes the squabbles of church can be discouraging and cause us to lose sight of the incredible blessings we have in God's family. We have many reasons to rejoice in the Lord. Let's not lose sight of those, especially when those around us get caught up in pettiness and rivalry. Let's remember our hope is in the crucified Nazarene, who is also our resurrected Lord and ever-present Savior.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Barrier

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that....... 

- 1 Timothy 6:7-8 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Godliness with contentment is great wealth! (see 1 Tim. 6:6). So what does it take for us to be content? Paul reminds Timothy that as long as we have food and clothing, we should be able to be content. It's when our desires get out of that channel, when covetousness and greed take over, that our lives get out of control and we replace God with a hunger for what is idolatrous. (cf. Col. 3:5).

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Delighted!

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart....... 

- Psalm 37:4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... As my heart delights in God, God's will, and God's purposes, I find an amazing truth at work: when I desire what God wills, God enjoys giving me the desires of my heart. An old hymn used the phrase,'''til I am wholly lost in Thee.'' When that happens, when our will is yielded to God and our heart delights to honor him, then God is longingly waiting for us to request the desires of our heart so he can bless us!

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Monday, November 7, 2011

Change seats!

''Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.''...... 

- Psalm 37:5-6 -

Thoughts on This Verse... How much do you trust the Lord? Better yet, how much of yourself have you entrusted to the Lord? We have focused the last several days on the promised blessings the Lord longs to give us. Yet in his wisdom, God has chosen to make the release of many of these blessings dependent upon our trust in him and our asking of him. As long as we grip the steering wheel of our life, it is hard to let God take us in the direction of his blessing and his will. I saw a bumper sticker recently that put it this way:''If God is your co-pilot then you had better switch seats!'' Committing our way to the Lord is offering our lives to him to do his work, to receive his blessing, and to know his presence. So what are you waiting for?

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Would a Loving God Really Send People to Hell? Part 2

*Even if we can't believe that a good God would send people to hell, there is still hints of God's goodness in the world
*Genesis 1:26-31: 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
 27 So God created mankind in his own image,
   in the image of God he created them;
   male and female he created them.
 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
    29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
    31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

*God is never on trial, we are
*From the moment we come into the sinful world, we are condemned nomatter how much we defend ourselves to God
*Nomatter how guilty we are, God takes His innocent Son to declare him guilty
*But we often find it hard to trust in God 

*Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Spirit-led

[T]hose who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God....... 

- Romans 8:14 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Over the last two weeks we have been blessed to read a number of Scriptures that speak of the Spirit's work in our lives. In the last several days, we've celebrated being God's children. Now the two concepts come together in one glorious declaration: we are God's''sons,'' his children with full inheritance rights. We have not only been given grace, but we live as his children and enjoy the blessings of his eternal family.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Chidlike faith

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD....... 

Psalm 34:11 -

  Thoughts on This Verse... Is there any greater definition of what a parent's role is than this? Let's make sure that in the swirling demands and involvements of our lives we do not forget the MAIN thing that God has given us as parents, teachers, and friends to do in the lives of children.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Friday, November 4, 2011

Protector!

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever ......... 

- Psalm 37:28 -

Thoughts on This Verse... God is committed to his people. He loves justice, and those who pursue it. He will not forget his people, those who seek to honor him by displaying his character in their lives. God has promised that he will honor his promises to his people and preserve them with his protecting power, forever. As God has said elsewhere,''Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!'' (Heb. 13:5-6)

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Desperate to be saved

''Sirs, what must I do to be saved?'' They replied, ''Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.'' Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized....... 

- Acts 16:30-32 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Faith in Jesus is the absolutely crucial response to God's grace and is such a life-transforming blessing. For the jailer, faith meant hearing the gospel of Jesus as Lord and responding by believing that message, being baptized immediately, demonstrating a life change, and sharing in fellowship with other believers (cf. Acts 2:42-47). Imagine going from being the jailer over men to washing their wounds in your own home! Think about being responsible for the painful incarceration of men, then having these men baptize you and your family that same night! Imagine locking in chains men who would later sit at your table sharing a meal! Isn't God incredible! Isn't his grace indescribable! No wonder we rejoice when those who are lost truly believe! Life is forever different.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Perseverance->Character->Hope

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope....... 

- Romans 5:3-4 -

Thoughts on This Verse... What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth? Fame? Status? Significance? Legacy? How about character! Isn't having the character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Stay still!

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain....... 

- 1 Corinthians 15:58 -

Thoughts on This Verse... Our financial investment opportunities can be fickle. Friends can disappoint you. Nothing is truly sure except one thing, or better yet, our very special Someone! If we build our lives on his work and his plan, we can hang in, persevere, and even triumph regardless of what happens in this life.

**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**